Hal Steinbrenner has infuriating take on Brian Cashman (but Aaron Boone is in trouble)

It's August. Think Hal Steinbrenner is maybe, kind of, sort of beginning to understand why Yankees fans are upset?

While it was still early the last time Steinbrenner aksed that question, the issues that have largely removed the Yankees from the 2023 playoff race were still present earlier in the campaign. Fans sniffed them out. Ownership didn't. Now, heads might have to roll uncharacteristically.

As Bob Klapisch reports this week, Steinbrenner isn't a fan of widespread firings (childhood trauma, anyone?), but clearly broke his pattern this season when he called for the dismissal of Dillon Lawson at the All-Star break. Could another set of Yankees scapegoats be in the offing if this season disintegrates before the finish line?

Unfortunately for everyone crossing their fingers through the first hundred words of this article, GM Brian Cashman is reportedly safe, no matter what happens the rest of the way. Per Klapisch's source, that decision has already been made. Under anonymity, they confidently stated, "The idea(of firing Cashman) isn’t even on the table. It’s not up for discussion."

Yeah, great. Why even discuss it? Not an idea worth putting on the table. Why bother? Aaron Boone, though? The idea of letting the manager (a manager Steinbrenner really likes) walk apparently has not been ruled out quite so categorically.

Yankees Offseason Update: Brian Cashman safe, Aaron Boone on hot seat

Boone is no doubt polarizing. Every time someone confidently states the Yankees will never win a World Series under his stewardship because of his bullpen mismanagement and lack of feel for the game, drink. Every time someone tries to limply defend him by saying that while he's not adding much, he isn't really taking away much either, drink.

Personally, six years into the Boone experience, I'm closer to the second camp, but still don't believe, "He doesn't do much of anything!" is a strong argument for keeping him around, especially as the team spirals.

All that being said ... blame falls first on the man who put together a roster designed not to work. It falls second on the players, whose regression has come en masse. It falls third on the man in the dugout, who feels the same way about penciling Luis Severino's name into a starting role the same way the rest of us do.

If the sword comes for Boone this offseason, with just one year left on his deal and a "prove it" 48 games ahead of him, then so be it. But even those who've grown fed up with Boone know the real culprit will still be up in the ivory tower, laughing off another re-org with Brian Sabean and Omar Minaya. The man who just set a record for "consecutive trade deadline mistakes" won't be moved.

Something is still festering. Something that makes a skeptical fan think, "...Alright, does anyone even want this job?"