The Red Sox just won the World Series. Alex Rodriguez won’t be in pinstripes next season. Joe Torre is a goner and so too may be Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte. If you’re a Yankees fan, the only thing worse than the notes listed above would be if George Steinbrenner is closing his checkbook for the offseason. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he no longer is in control of the team.

Yikes.

For the first time in years, Red Sox Nation is making the Yankees look like a third-world country. The future does look promising, but I’m mostly just talking about the three young studs who should be in the Yankees rotation next year: Philip Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. Other than that, the Yankees have a lot of work to get back to the days of their dynasty.

But let’s think logically here, folks. The recent Yankees news is not the worst thing that can happen to the organization. Joe Torre was not going to manage the Yankees forever. So the inevitable departure meant only one thing: highly coveted and well-respected manager Joe Girardi gets a well-deserved chance to redefine the Yankees.

How about A-Rod leaving? If he wasn’t even going to negotiate with the Yankees during their 10-day window of opportunity and even listen to what their offer was going to be, then let him walk. Even if the Yankees lose the league’s MVP, it doesn’t mean they can’t use that money elsewhere and replace his production somehow. The Yankees may be a better team with him, but they are more of a team without him.

But fear not, Yankees fans. This is not the end of the world, just the end of an era. Changes are happening, but unless you’re impatient, or just plain greedy like A-Rod, stick with this team and this article, and find out how the Yankees can right their ship.

1. Bring back Posada, Rivera and Pettitte

OK, this first step is a given, but it is certainly not a foregone conclusion that the Yankee favorites will return. Now with Joe Torre likely in Los Angeles, it shouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that the trio could change coasts and join their former manager. Still, the Yankees will most likely give the highest offers to Posada and Rivera, so odds are they will re-up with the Bronx Bombers. Pettitte’s return is a bit iffier since he’s proved before he’s not afraid to leave New York.

2. Trade Melky Cabrera for that other Cabrera

The Yankees are set offensively at every position (assuming Posada returns), but if there’s any position that can use an upgrade offensively, it’s center field. And unless the Yankees want to sign mediocre free agents like Corey Koskie or Aaron Boone (could you imagine him now replacing A-Rod?), then they are going to have to trade for some of the offensive production they will be lacking with A-Rod’s departure. Mike Lowell is an option, but don’t expect the Red Sox to let him get away. Melky Cabrera and prospects could be traded for another Cabrera ‘ Florida’s All-Star third baseman, Miguel Cabrera.

3. Replace Melky by signing Torii Hunter or Andruw Jones for center field

The one real position in free agency that has any potential star is center field, with Hunter and Jones the cream of the crop. A Melky Cabrera trade can open up the position for either Hunter or Jones. If reports are true that Jones wants to only sign a one-year deal to re-enter free agency with a better number next season, then that can only mean greater production from the Gold Glover in a potential walk year.

4. Upgrade the bullpen

The Yankees cannot enter next season with the same bullpen, especially with their season savior Chamberlain primed for a rotation spot. Looking overseas may not be a bad option since Hideki Okajima was a steal for the Red Sox. Either way, the Yankees need depth in the pen, especially since next year’s rotation will mostly be unproven youngsters.

5. Keep Hank and Hal like their father

With the transition of player personnel on the field, the Yankees are also seeing changes off the field. George Steinbrenner’s deteriorating health has led way to his sons’ control over the organization. The Yankees and their fans can only hope the hard-nosed ‘winning above all else’ mentality is in the Steinbrenner genes.