(With apologies to the New York Post for that headline...)

The Yankee 'braintrust' blew it. They had an opportunity to re-sign Joe, or decide to cut ties because of his "failures," but instead they chose to make a half-hearted offer as if to say "Hey, we tried." In the end, though, Yankee fans see through the charade -- we're not stupid, you know.

(OK, maybe some Yankee fans are stupid, you know who I mean -- the ones that booed A-Rod for three years when he was only having seasons that Mickey Mantle would have loved to have.)

So, now the "braintrust" has put themselves in a bad spot. They have two premier free agents -- Posada and Rivera -- who have only ever played for Joe, and see how badly he was treated. They'd love to remain Yankees, but may now be so disgusted with the "braintrust" that it'll take much more money to keep them in the fold. Andy Pettitte is another, with a player option for 2008 but unsure whether he'll be back. A-Rod? He has to be wondering what's going on here too, and looking over the fence into greener pastures.

Worst case scenario has Posada and Rivera signing elsewhere (Mets could use a catcher, and the Phillies a pedigreed closer), Andy deciding it isn't fun anymore and heading home, and A-Rod seeing how the wind is blowing and opting out of his contract. The Yanks could easily find themselves watching the entire playoffs on TV here. The new stadium sits doesn't sell out, and players stop wanting to play there (a la the 1980s).

Best case scenario? The "braintrust" realizes they just screwed up royally, and signs Torre to a two-year deal. They re-sign Posada and Rivera at reasonable (non-punative) salaries. Andy decides maybe another season could be fun after all, and sticks around. A-Rod realizes that his NY home is where he really belongs, clicks his ruby slippers together, and signs a contract extension.  A new World Series flag flies over the new sold-out stadium.

Two extreme scenarios, both entirely possible based on what happens in the next two weeks. It's your move, "braintrust." Don't blow it.