The early stages of the offseason play a critical role in setting the tone for the rest of the winter. Ideas spread and narratives form, and they tend to linger. When an abrupt postseason exit is involved, they become almost impossible to shake. While there may be a small grain of truth or factual grounding in these tropes and storylines, more often than not, they can be readily debunked.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, these narratives are already crystallizing. It’s worth trying to stop some of the most egregious ones in their tracks, or else we’re in store for a long offseason.