All across the Yankiverse, folks are offering suggestions on what to do this winter. But first, one hard question needs to be asked

Hal Steinbrenner regularly claims that a $200 million Yankee payroll is enough, and that the key to success is spending his money wisely. 

And frankly, the Yankee owner is right. 

The Death Barge annually spends three times the payroll of the Tampa Rays - who have dominated us since 2020, and which likely will again next year. When you look at how much Hal regularly spends - and what he gets for his money, it's a troubling trade-off.  

Here are the 2021 opening day payrolls for this year's post-season teams, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. 

Tampa: $67 million.
Milwaukee: $99 million.
Chicago White Sox: $129 million
Atlanta: $131 million.
San Francisco: $150 million.
St. Louis: $164 million.
Boston: $180 million.
Houston: $187 million.
Yankees: $197 million.
LA Dodgers: $248 million.
 
So... quickie question: By Hal's criteria, has the Yankee front office spent wisely? 

Now, I recognize that reaching the wild card is not nothing.  The Yankees have now played in five - (5!) - wild cards in the last seven years. The brain trust has learned how to spackle-over roster holes through mid-season cash infusions and by trading prospects. 

Thus, the Yankees have achieved the new normal: They fall apart in April/May - either through injuries or dismal performances. Then, at the Aug. 1 trade deadline, they acquire a new wave of underachievers, headcases and looming free agents. They suck up bad contracts and stars past their sell-by dates - and mount a drive for that final wild card birth.  

Then, next spring, we do it all over again.

So... here we are, everybody. 

Looking at the Yankee roster, I cannot recall a bigger abomination, an airplane with six propellers and one wing. Everywhere, the Yankee front office has painted itself into a corner.

They must deal Gary Sanchez at the low ebb of his trade value. 

They'll need to move Clint Frazier and/or Miguel Andujar - though they'll bring next to nothing.

They must decide what to do with Joey Gallo, who is on the verge of replacing Sanchez as the symbol of Yankee malaise. 

They must replace Aroldis Chapman, which means watching him blow saves until he accepts the move. 

They face the very real possibility that, without stick-um on his fingers, Gerrit Cole is far less the ace than they hoped for. 

Who's on first? Who plays SS? Who's in CF? Dear God, there are so many holes, where do you even start?

Well, here's a suggestion. I would ask one question of Hal: 

Sir... Is this a well run team? Are the Yankees spending their $200 million wisely? Under what set of metrics is the Yankee front office succeeding?