Weakened the farm further, spent a bunch of money and still missed the playoffs
Looking back at it, the Yankees were so decimated by pitching injuries they probably should have just conceded that the playoffs weren't going to happen this year. (Like Tampa did, probably smartly, after waiting just long enough to know the chances were slim) But they just don't operate like that. Ownership might have been equally upset if Cashman had done nothing and they finished 2-3 games worse. He was in a difficult situation.