Yankees News: Cashman could trade rental players, Domingo Germán, Josh Donaldson

Shocker, the New York Yankees lost again behind a putrid offensive performance and a baffling managerial decision. Have you heard that one before? Nonetheless, the 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night should seal the team's fate at the trade deadline.

They're not good enough. They perhaps will never be good enough with this current cast of players. And it's best to make the changes now rather than wait for a massive overhaul in the offseason that would probably contribute to a slow start in 2024 because of how the alterations will drastically affect the identity of the roster.

The trade deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday and the Yankees have done nothing. Not a single thing. Even the players they were rumored to be "in" on got traded elsewhere. Just a few days ago, the team was undecided on its deadline approach.

It appears we have a better idea after a report from Monday evening suggesting the Yankees are willing to listen to offers for all their walk-year players. That includes Harrison Bader, Wandy Peralta, Luis Severino and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (with honorable mentions Josh Donaldson and Frankie Montas ... thanks for nothing!).

One could argue the only players of that bunch with a shred of value are Peralta and IKF, and, at best, the departures would be to clear salary more than anything else. Whatever the case, just start cleaning house because there needs to be some sort of shift.

Yankees News: New York could trade rental players, Domingo Germán, Josh Donaldson

If they can get rid of one big contract in addition to somebody else with actual value (such as Clay Holmes or Jake Bauers), that'd be great too. Call up as many young players that seem to be ready and see what you have for next year. Or maybe they light a fire for 2023. Whatever the approach, it'll be 1,000 times better than standing there mouth-breathing.

Because fans have seen enough of that, with another such incident occurring on Monday. Before the series opener against the Rays, Domingo Germán was scratched from his start with pain in his right armpit. Manager Aaron Boone didn't deem him ready to pitch, so the ball went to rookie Jhony Brito.

But after four innings of five-run ball from Brito, the Yankees called on ... Germán (!!) to finish out the game. He pitched the final five innings and gave up zero runs, surrendering just two hits and two walks. That's ... interesting. His health situation just immediately did a 180 and he was ready to hurl 72 pitches?

Let's go through the possible scenarios here. Boone got the wrong injury information and made a decision based on that. Maybe. Boone got the right injury information and made a silly decision. More likely. Brian Cashman had a trade lined up for Germán but it fell through at the buzzer, so the Yankees figured they'd use him anyway. Probably! But here's what Boone said after the game:

On what planet is two hours not enough time to get ready for a game? You'll never convince any fan that these situations aren't horribly mismanaged. It's characterized the last four years of Yankees baseball.

Throw in some bad PR, too. Because for some sick reason, Josh Donaldson, who was placed on the 60-day injured list with a Grade 2-plus (and potential Grade 3) calf strain just two weeks ago, was ON THE FIELD TAKING BATTING PRACTICE AND SHAGGING GROUND BALLS. WHY?!

Get this man the farthest away from this team as he can possibly be. He's contributed nothing. He's been a detriment in countless ways. Why do we want him hanging around the clubhouse? What is the point of this? He can't return until Sept. 14! His season is over!

If there aren't sweeping roster changes by 6 p.m. ET today, then feel free to tune out for the final two months of the season. Nobody will blame you. This team is a chore to watch and keep up with, and isn't worth anybody's time if they're going to insult the fans like this.