In the aftermath of the shocking death of Yankees starter Cory Lidle, it’s safe to say the Yankees’ offseason will not be focused on their playoff embarrassment, but on tragically losing a member of their family. After putting the Yankees’ season into perspective, a tragedy like Lidle’s passing will undoubtedly make the team’s season failures, managerial decisions and trade rumors feel insignificant in comparison.

But sports do have their place in our lives, and for the Yankees and their fans, nothing can cure all like winning can. George Steinbrenner and the Yankees need to figure out a way to get back on the winning track.

After toying with the idea of firing Joe Torre and swallowing the $7 million he is owed next season, Steinbrenner decided to keep his manager for the 12th straight year instead of opting for the always-entertaining Lou Pinella.

It could have been a public relations nightmare if Steinbrenner fired Torre after Torre’s entire support system spoke about keeping him as manager. Like the players and coaches pointed out, it wasn’t Joe Torre who couldn’t buy a hit off of Kenny Rogers, and it wasn’t Joe Torre who threw bad pitches to the Tigers.

So if the manager isn’t to blame, then someone has to take accountability for this collapse. That someone is, of course, the player who every fan and columnist loves to point fingers at — Alex Rodriguez.

I remember pinching myself the day I found out that A-Rod was heading to the Bronx for Alfonso Soriano three years ago. The greatest player in the game on the greatest team in sports — a match made in heaven, right?

Well, it has been anything but that for the Yankees and A-Rod.

Rodriguez has had ample opportunities to prove his worth in New York, and after going 1-14 in the playoffs this season, it’s clear he doesn’t deserve any more chances. You can blame any other Yankee who underachieved during the monumental collapse against the Tigers, but some — any —positive contribution would have been nice from a man who gets paid $25 million a year.

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t take pleasure out of bashing A-Rod, because as a Yankees fan, I wanted A-Rod to succeed in New York. But since his arrival the team has suffered its worst defeat in playoff history, losing four straight games to the Red Sox in the ALCS, and has now had two early round exits the past two seasons.

Maybe you can’t blame one player, but the Yankees of the late ’90s, the years of the Yankees dynasty, were so successful because of team chemistry. A clubhouse in which Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez don’t get along at all and in which Jason Giambi criticizes A-Rod in Sports Illustrated just isn’t working.

The Yankees don’t have to call around to see who’s interested in A-Rod. Already, teams like the Angels, Cubs and White Sox are lined up waiting for general manager Brian Cashman to pull the trigger. And despite A-Rod’s no-trade clause, if the Yankees really want him out, then why would A-Rod want to stay in a place where he will be forever scrutinized? If the Yankees can get some young talented pitching in return, perhaps in a three-team deal with the Marlins to land Dontrelle Willis, and find a suitable third baseman, then the Bombers may be better off without the man who has called himself “good-looking” in interviews.

If the Yankees head into next season without major changes, who’s to say that this team won’t experience a third-straight early playoff exit in 2007? If Torre’s staying, someone needs to go. A-Rod, it looks like you’re next on the list.