this is what Yankees fans have been afraid of for years

Time to panic.

It is still early December and Spring Training is months away. The Yankees are coming off a 95-win season in which they won the division. But there is no doubt that Yankee fans everywhere are getting more nervous every day.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” That’s not something you expect to hear from Brian Cashman, the GM of the New York Yankees, no matter the circumstances. But Hal Steinbrenner’s new wallet pinching strategy is coming at the worst possible time.

We have seen what Baltimore can do. After winning a wild card and defeating the Texas Rangers in the playoffs, they will be formidable again. The Blue Jays just reloaded and have put together the most talented roster in the division. And the Rays always contend.

So far the Yankees have signed three free agents, Hiroki Kuroda ($15M), Pettitte ($12M), and Rivera ($10M). That is $37M for three pitchers with a combined age of 121. They don’t have a catcher, third baseman, or right fielder. Actually, they don’t even have a designated hitter, either.

Cashman did not pursue an A-Rod trade with the Marlins, and now that opportunity is dead after Miami made their mega-deal. Now he is even more damaged goods and creates a massive hole.

With eyes set on resigning Eric Chavez or Jeff Kepinger, they got neither, as both signed with other teams on Wednesday. The front office has said there is no chance Nunez plays third base. That leaves… Bueller, Bueller?

Russell Martin is gone and that’s fine. But they are not going after A.J. Pierzynski, who would be the best fit for the team. Instead, Cashman says he is comfortable with Chris Stewart and Francisco Cervelli battling for the starting catcher. Not backup; Stewart or Cervelli for starting catcher for the New York Yankees. Jesus Montero would look really good in pinstripes right about now.

They made no effort at bringing back Nick Swisher and I don’t blame them. But now they missed out on Nate Schierholtz (signed Wednesday), and Ichiro is pissed off at the Yankees lack of attention.

Raul Ibanez is a Bronx Bomber hero, but for a guy turning 41 next summer, he can go back to Seattle.

So that means that the Yankees are losing Swisher, Chavez, Martin, and Ibanez, and Ichiro is probably gone, too. Alex Rodriguez, if he ever comes back, will probably not even play third base, and Derek Jeter (38) is coming off a broken ankle and the Daily News reports he is getting fat.

The most troubling aspect is the lack of effort to fill those gaps! I haven’t even heard of a deal offer made for any replacement. And players are flying off the shelves to other teams as we speak.

Update: I read now that the Yankees made an offer to Kevin Youkilis for $12M. Great, $12M for an older player with a bad back with diminishing numbers for three consecutive years. That sounds like par for the current course.

The bullpen is depending on a 43-year-old Rivera while the rotation depends on 40-year-old Andy Pettitte, 38-year-old Kuroda, and a 32-year-old, 300 pound Sabathia, who is averaging (including postseason) 250 innings pitched for the last six years and is coming off offseason arthroscopic elbow surgery.

Isn’t that enough fodder for panic?

And oh, by the way, there will be no new contract for Robinson Cano, the Yankees best player, who is headed for free agency after next season. Have fun bidding for that while trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold.

This is the dark area that the Yankees and their fans have been dreading yet building towards for the last five or six years, when their entire roster is old and mostly injured, the farm system is empty, and the front office is finally hesitant to spend money. While even the reference of the Yankees as “beggars” is laughable, it is also an indication of the precarious situation the team is in.