True Yankee fans knew this was coming. The first half of the season was just going too well. Players were generally healthy and the starters were having one quality start after another even without Gerrit Cole. The bullpen, filled with new faces, was leading MLB. The roster had no bench but with Soto and Judge playing every day, and Verdugo exceeding expectations, you did not need to score that many runs. SU believes the record peaked at 48-19 or somewhere in that ballpark. A 71.6% winning pace which would translate to an overall record of 116 wins for the season.

David Cone always talks about “regression to the mean” and SU is a believer in that. The Yankee starters have mostly all gone cold now and the bullpen is very unreliable. Clay Holmes is not a true closer apparently and there are so many no names in there now. SU’s preseason over/under for the Yankees was 90 wins and that is starting to look a bit better as near the trade deadline. Jasson Dominguez has started his rehab assignment coming off an oblique injury and he might be a huge difference maker in the outfield for the final 2 months. He would inject some needed excitement and youth into the lineup. Ben Rice started well but is now under .200. DJ LeMahieu is running on fumes – just another bad long-term contract along the lines of Stanton.

Stanton becomes a key guy returning on Monday with no rehab stint. They just need someone to hit behind Judge. SU wonders why any team ever pitches to Judge? No one will hurt you coming up behind him in the lineup. Verdugo’s regression has been a killer. You figure he will bounce back but hard to know.

Cole has been up and down and hard to know if he is truly healthy. Gleyber Torres is showing signs of life but no doubt he is pressing in his walk year. The issue seems to be that there is very little on the way in the minors for the near term. SU does not believe this is Boone’s fault. If you look at the roster, there are no pieces to move in and out of this lineup.

The frustrating part is that there are no super teams out there for this season in the AL. Baltimore is better but still young. You have Soto for one year and it’s hard to imagine Hal will give him Judge type money for a long-term deal. So, this year is your best shot. But the roster needs a lot of upgrades. SU says watch the 3rd baseman on Tampa Bay, Issac Paredes, for a trade. The Yankees are desperate for an upgrade offensively and he would fill a big hole for them.

Prediction: Cashman goes all in with moves between now and Tuesday evening. Mostly relievers and position players – not starters. LeMahieu will be designated for assignment – and will be picked up by someone contending.

Thoughts? Is the play to just qualify for the playoffs and see what happens? Or do you really try and go for it? The next couple of days will be interesting.