The Yankees had their worst season in recent memory, with an 82-80 record and a negative run differential. This, for a team that went to the Championship Series last year, was a highly disappointing outcome.
As it always happens, all the people involved in planning and playing have some percentage of the blame. The owner, Hal Steinbrenner, because he stopped Brian Cashman’s efforts to sell off some players at the deadline and for many other things. The players, because some of them didn’t meet expectations. The manager, because he is the leader of the clubhouse/dugout and, well, things didn’t go as planned.