Brian Cashman, Hal Steinbrenner notably absent from Gerrit Cole Cy Young video

The Yankees, to say the least, were prepared for ace Gerrit Cole's Cy Young win on Wednesday night, which turned out to be unanimous. All 30 voters marked Cole first on their ballot, finally giving the 33-year-old righty his much-deserved first victory. It's an honor to be nominated, sure, but the recognition was sweet, even in a down year -- and, as Cole said, now it's time to zero in on that other goal he brought with him to the Bronx.

New York's social media team and braintrust clearly had a significant heads up that Cole might be victorious, and set out gathering video tributes from a large number of key Yankees over the past few weeks. The video they launched -- about 15 minutes after Greg Maddux's announcement dropped -- was a star-studded affair.

Aaron "Cap" Judge led it off. Both Kyle Higashioka and Ben Rortvedt showed up -- and wouldn't it have been funny if Cole himself had popped into frame on Rortvedt's clip to scream at him? Paul O'Neill called in from an undisclosed jungle location, the sound of macaws echoing throughout his message. Andy Pettitte, Cole's childhood hero, was the effective hammer.

But you know who couldn't be bothered to send a video message to the right-hander? Brian Cashman, who released only a written statement about the man he wooed, and Hal Steinbrenner, who didn't say anything at all.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole didn't receive video tribute from busy Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman

Come on, guys. It's a prerecorded video. The fans can't boo you here.

It's interesting, to say the least, that neither man took the opportunity to celebrate the one high-dollar external piece they've imported in recent years who's actually done the work. Cole can trigger an opt-out clause following the 2024 season and, pending an absolute disaster, will do just that. The ball would then fall back in the Yankees' court; they can negate the opt-out by adding an extra season to Cole's deal (his age-38 campaign) at $36 million.

New York absolutely should do that, but with Steinbrenner looking to save a buck anywhere he can, there's at least a chance he looks at the middling roster he's lorded over, decides he doesn't want to pay an ace from age 34-38, and opts into a bleaker future. This would be a legendary gaffe, but wouldn't be the franchise's first.

Regardless, it would've been nice to hear from the two-man weave in charge of hitting the Yankees with a wrecking ball. Curious this is the first time either man has shut up in the month of November for even one second.