No Yankees fan wants to read this sentence right now, but here it goes: They should be really good next year.

Too soon, I know. This is still midfury, when the torches and pitchforks are out that Hal Steinbrenner is too cheap and not his old man, Brian Cashman is actually not a Supreme Court judge with a lifetime appointment and Aaron Boone must be replaced by Jorge Posada on Mondays and Tuesdays, Buck Showalter on Wednesdays and Thursdays and an AI program with the best of Joe Torre and Joe McCarthy for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Can a strong case be made that the Yankees need a new managerial voice to unlock a roster capable of reaching the postseason annually, but incapable of winning once there? Yes.

But Hal has a logical side that his employees admire and his George-loving fans hate. That makes me believe Hal will value continuity this particular offseason. He knows from being among the most involved owners in labor negotiations that a lockout of players is near certain to begin Dec. 1, with a high probability of missed games next season. That would mean a shortened spring training (likely around three weeks) when (if?) there is an agreement.