Funny, we no longer hear from all the many Yankees fans who claim GM Brian Cashman is an idiot, a fool or an idiot. Or about how they generally want him out.

I understand it. Fifteen years is a long time to wait between World Series. But now they're on the cusp, and that's largely thanks to a series of forward-thinking moves in the front office.

The critics have fallen silent, and for good reason.

There's nothing to say, unless someone wants to nitpick why Cashman didn't close the potential deal to acquire Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers' de facto star who could now face them in the World Series. (But as it turns out, Cashman used a key player discussed in those talks, prospect Agustin Ramirez, to acquire Jazz Chisholm Jr., a New York necessity.)

For this reason, Cashman is not a candidate for the chopping block, but rather for the AL Executive of the Year position. (It's either him or Royals GM JJ Picollo):

1. Juan Soto

The Padres did well by acquiring standout starter Michael King, coveted rookie Drew Thorpe (whom they made star starter Dylan Cease), depth starters Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez, and Kyle Higashioka, their starting catcher with power. But the combination of the prodigy Soto with Aaron Judge gave the Yankees a hitting tandem for the ages. Soto is everything they hoped for and more, and his acquisition likely gave them a glimpse into his highly anticipated free agency.

2. Luke Weaver

Weaver was a steal at $2 million (plus a $2.5 million team option, which they should secure now) and proved to be the standout closer they needed when Clay Holmes' bad luck failed. Weaver has had a 6+ ERA over the last three years and received 11 minor league offers over the winter, one for less money from the Yokohama Bay Stars and just one MLB deal – from the Yankees, who insisted on a team option giving them a bargain price closer to 2025.

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3. Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The Yankees always liked this extremely talented infielder/outfielder, and even though he had never played third base before, he filled the spot with aplomb. The Yankees aren't sure that star Ramirez, who was sent to Miami, has a position anyway. In the meantime, the versatile Chisholm can move up to the second position, where he excels, if Gleyber Torres leaves in free agency.

4. Luis Gil

He was their best starter in the first half and gives them a good additional playoff option with a team that is in the best shape of any remaining teams (the Dodgers' rotation is decimated, the Mets' bullpen is questionable and the Guardians' rotation is inexperienced). ). The cost also only amounted to backup outfielder Jake Cave.

5. Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells and Clarke Schmidt

They all look like late first round gems.

6. Marcus Stroman

The Long Islander got his Yankees wish after apologizing for previous retaliatory tweets responding to Cashman's reluctance to acquire him in a trade a few years ago because his stuff wasn't quite good enough to make it in the to make the playoffs. Well, it turns out Cashman's statement was prescient. Stroman had good pitching but wasn't good enough to crack the rotation in October.

7. White Sox reliever

Hard to believe, the Yankees got two helpful relievers this season, Tim Hill and Jake Cousins, from the White Sox. Ian Hamilton came formerly from the South Siders, who could have used these guys (plus Michael Kopech, now a Dodgers star) to avoid infamy.