The New York Yankees’ spring training has been anything but a walk in the park. Just when they thought things couldn’t get any worse than losing last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, to a lat strain, their ace, Gerrit Cole, succumbed to a season-ending injury.

A six-time All-Star and 2008 Cy Young Award winner, Cole will be out for the year due to his Tommy John surgery, leaving a major void in the Yankees’ rotation. The timing really could not be worse as Cole was returning from a great season. Keeping that in mind, he was expected to lead the Yankees’ pitching staff. Now, this development has left a team scrambling for answers just weeks before the start of a season.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, a man who has weathered many storms in his long tenure with the team, acknowledges the gravity of the situation. “We’ve taken a number of hits in the starting rotation,” Cashman said. “We certainly can’t afford to take too many more,” Cashman added. Still, he is pragmatic, noting that “very little is available” in the pitching market this time of year.

With the Yankees already over the competitive balance tax threshold, they are hesitant to take on additional payroll. This means any additions will likely come from within the current roster. But Cashman stresses the importance of “rely on what we have” and considering internal options. That means giving young pitchers like Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren a chance to prove themselves. While holding out hope for a midseason return from Luis Gil.

But is this really a “kill shot” for the Yankees? NO!

Well, at least that’s not what Paul Hembekides, A.K.A Hembo, a seasoned baseball analyst thinks. “It’s not a kill shot,” Hembo said on Baseball Tonight with Buster. He recognizes the impact of Cole’s absence but underlines Cashman’s track record of maneuvering through tough circumstances.

“I am not willing to go there because I think it disparages the job that Brian Cashman has done in building this team,” Hembo said. He refers to the team’s remaining starters, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon as beacons for hope. Hembo believes the Yankees still have the weapons to compete, though the loss of Cole is certainly a heavy blow.

Cashman’s tenure: reasons for optimism

Well, Hembo’s argument doesn’t come without reasoning. The insider rallies behind Cashman and here’s why: this isn’t the first time Cashman has faced adversity. Over his tenure, the Yankees have weathered financial constraints, player controversies and injury-plagued seasons. In 2014, they failed to make the playoffs for a second straight year. And Cashman’s future in New York was questioned.

In 2016, they traded away the star closer Aroldis Chapman, only to re-sign him a few months later. And in 2023, they had one of their most disappointing seasons since 1992, going 82-80. Through it all, Cashman has stayed at the wheel, steering the Yankees through turbulent waters.

The loss of Cole is a crushing blow. But even the worst seasons of the Cashman era haven’t been truly catastrophic. The 2023 season, which ended with an 82-80 record was a disappointment, but it wasn’t a complete disaster. Even in one of his worst years, Cashman made some sharp acquisitions, including then little-known Gio Urshela for cash considerations, a player who became an everyday contributor.

This season’s struggles are new, but they aren’t necessarily to be fatal for the team. With Cashman’s lengthy history of discovering in hidden gems the rough and pulling off big-time trades in tough situations, they might just pull through this one.

Despite the challenges, there are reasons for optimism in the Bronx. The Yankees have a strong roster, with a good lineup and good bullpen. Young players such as Jasson Dominguez and Clarke Schmidt have shone during spring training, and veterans such as Giancarlo Stanton are expected to return after injury later in the season.

Although the Yankees have had an inconsistent spring training, they have shown promise. Carlos Carrasco, a veteran pitcher who signed a minor league deal, has shown out with a 2.35 ERA in spring training and provided necessary depth to the rotation.

Even in a tough season, the Yankees still posted a winning record and remained competitive. The challenges this year are not common, but they don’t have to be a death-knell for the team. Can Cashman navigate through these tough waters again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!