Mark Teixeira and the 2009 New York Yankees

It started off quietly with the acquisition of Nick Swisher from the White Sox.  Then, the drama built up over the Winter Meetings until finally C.C. Sabathia signed with the Yankees.  Shortly thereafter A.J. Burnett signed on giving the Yankees a suddenly formidable 1-2 punch.  Then came the rumors that the Yankees were flirting with Manny Ramirez and were talking to Scott Boras about Mark Teixeira.  The drama built as the Red Sox owner, John Henry sent around an email that said the Red Sox were out of the running for what many experts called the best position player on the market.  Few believed Mr. Henry, however.  Even today, it was widely believed the Red Sox were the frontrunners for Teixeira with the Nationals and Yankees on the outside looking in.  By 3:30 PM, the Yankees were the ones walking away with a new first baseman.  

Brian Cashman has entered the first playoffless offseason for the Yankees since 1993 with a passion unseen from any GM before.  He followed Sabathia to San Francisco to get the deal done.  He maintained contact with Burnett's agent throughout and finally brought in his #2 target a couple of days later.  Now, here he is, less than a week after the press conference introducing Sabathia and Burnett as Yankees, inking Mark Teixeira to an 8 year, $170-80 million deal.  What is more amazing, despite spending around $400 million this offseason, the Yankees are still going to come in UNDER last years payroll!  That's right, under last season's payroll.  What is even more amazing is this Yankees team is now better, younger, faster, slightly better on defense, and a lot better on the mound.  And what is even more amazing is there are still a bunch of prospects down on the farm in Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Aceves, Austin Jackson, Mark Melancon, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and Andrew Brackman (hard not to be excited about a 6-11 guy, that is 6 feet 11 inches, who throws over 100 MPH).  For as much as I criticized Mr. Cashman last season, I am now willing to sit down to my plate of crow.  Line up the ketchup and salt because I'm hungry to eat this plate.  Let's go Yankees!  Oh, by the way, in case you just wanted to see what it looks like on paper here are your 2009 New York Yankees so far:

1B: Mark Teixeira

2B Robinson Cano

3B: Alex Rodriguez

SS: Derek Jeter

LF: Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui

CF Nick Swisher/Johnny Damon/Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner

RF: Xavier Nady/Nick Swisher

C: Jorge Posada

SP: C.C. Sabathia

SP: A.J. Burnett

SP: Chien Ming Wang

SP: Joba Chamberlain

SP: Phil Hughes or Andy Pettitte

RP: Mariano Rivera

RP: Damaso Marte

RP: Edwar Ramirez

RP: Dan Geise

RP: Jose Veras

RP: Brian Bruney

RP: Phil Coke

I know there are a few more RP slots than normal but I decided to list the top options there.

The Bench is still up in the air but it looks like it might be pretty deep when you take into account Damon, Cabrera, Cody Ransom, Jose Molina, and any others the Yankees might sign.  This is, by far, the most complete team the Yankees have fielded in a long time.  I, for one, can't wait to see what they can do.

C.C. Sabathia, Welcome to New York

C.C. Sabathia is a Yankee according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  It is about time.  Whew.  There is no truth to the rumor that Sabathia was waiting on a buffet clause to be added.  There is also no truth to the rumor that C.C. stands for Cheeseburgers and Cheesesteaks.  It might, however, stand for Cheeseburgers and Cash.  Or Carrying Cash.  No truth that Plaxico Burress will be in charge of Sabathia's personal security.

OK, all kidding aside, I am relieved the Yankees brought their man to the table...no I'm not going there.  Brian Cashman chased C.C. (which might actually stand for Chased by Cashman) to San Francisco, where most men go to catch other men.  

OK, OK, let me start over.  After one month, Sabathia is finally a Yankee.  There has been much speculation as to whether or not Sabathia wanted to be a Yankee.  Well, at 4:30 AM EST, Sabathia told Cashman he wanted to be a Yankee.  I wonder if it was at an all-night drive through McDonald's.  Who knows?  Actually, I am very happy with this move.  Sabathia is the best pitcher in the majors right now.  How can anyone be upset about that person coming to the team?  So what if the Steinbrenner's have to charter a whole other plane just for him?  It is C.C. Sabathia!  The Yankees caught the biggest fish in the pond, literally and figuratively.  Next up?  Well, you didn't think the Yankees would just chill out and stop with C.C. did you?  They have Sabathia, Wang, and Chamberlain.  There are still 2 spots to fill.  A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe remain targets.  As does Ben Sheets.  Personally, I would rather have Sheets and Jon Garland.  Let Phil Hughes chill on the farm and learn more and he can be ready in a year or two, or, if one of those guys gets hurt to "Phil"-in.  

I wouldn't be upset with a rotation that went Sabathia, Wang, Joba, Sheets, and Hughes.  Nor would I be upset at a rotation of C.C., Wang, Joba, Burnett, and Sheets.  I'm not a huge fan of Derek Lowe but hey, with the Yankees past successes with former Red Sox players (Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Babe Ruth come to mind) the Derek Lowe signing might be smart in the long run.  The Yankees rotation is now 3/5's finished and I think that the last two spots will be filled with very good, if not great pitchers.  Don't forget, Andy Pettitte might be the Yankees 5th starter if he gets off of his high horse and signs for $10 million while it is still on the table.  Hell, I would take Sabathia, Wang, Joba, Pettittte, and Hughes and go to war with that.  I don't know if this move put the Yankees in first since the past two AL Champions still reside in their division but they definitely  closed the gap.  Yankees fans can rest easy today and if having Sabathia doesn't soothe them they can rest easy with this thought:  At least they are not in charge of carrying his groceries!

A New Look Yankee Team

C.C. Sabathia is still sitting on that nice $140 million deal the Yankees offered.  He should be meeting with Brian Cashman at some point during the winter meetings in Las Vegas.  Whether or not he takes the dough is another story.  Cashman has to be prepared for Sabathia to turn elsewhere.  With only Joba Chamberlain and Chien Ming Wang, both of whom are coming off of injuries, returning to a rotation that was devastated last year by injury and ineffectiveness.  Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, two pitchers Cashman banked heavily on last year by not including them in a deal for Johan Santana, were ineffective at their best.  Hughes was the youngest pitcher in the majors last year and seemed to find his groove again in the Arizona Fall League.  However, he too has been hampered by injuries.  

The Yankees need to upgrade their rotation somehow, some way.  Even if that means pulling the offer from Sabathia if for no other reason then to get the off-season under way.  Sabathia is holding the whole show up as agents are waiting to see where he goes.  Many agents aren't letting their clients sign yet.  A.J. Burnett hasn't accepted the Braves' offer which includes a fifth year.  Would you knowing what might be at stake if the Yankees become desperate?  I don't think Burnett is going to sign with the Yankees but I do think he is waiting to see if he can get more years or more money by using the Yankees as leverage.  

If Burnett and Sabathia both sign elsewhere the Yankees are going to be left holding the bag.  Andy Pettitte is a free agent and has all but rejected the one year $10 million deal the Yanks have offered.  He still wants his $16 million that he made last year when he went 14-14 and faded badly down the stretch.  The Yankees could get a younger, cheaper, more viable option for that money.  Ben Sheets is the high risk-high reward player the Yankees could use right now.  He would be cheaper in terms of years and cash than Burnett or Lowe and is younger than both.  Sheets is also expected to reject arbitration which means he won't cost a lot in terms of draft picks.  Sheets has had a serious problem with staying healthy but did come close to 200 inning last year.  With a strong bullpen and a DH to ease some burden on Sheets he might just be able to stay healthy enough to make him a very good option for the Yankees.  

Taking the heavy offer away from the hefty lefty the Yankees could turn to Mark Teixiera to fill a glaring gap left by the departure of Jason Giambi.  I am a fan of the Nick Swisher move but I don't know if Swisher should be the first baseman of the future for the Yankees.  Teixiera is 29 and is a switch-hitter with an excellent glove.  Adding him to the lineup and on the field would give the Yankees 3-5 more wins than last year.  It would also enable the Yankees to move Swisher to the outfield in a platoon with Xavier Nady in right and Brett Gardner/Melky Cabrera in center.  

Because of the platoon(s) in the outfield, the Yankees need to do something about Hideki Matsui.  Last season the Yankees flirted with the idea of sending Matsui to San Francisco in exchange for Noah Lowry.  Lowry ended up hurt all of 2008 with a rare nerve problem in his forearm but the Yankees would be wise to revisit that deal.  Lowry is a good pitcher, a Mike Mussina type who relies on changing speeds more than speed.  Matsui is 35 and has 2 bad knees.  The Giants are desperate for offense and might be willing to gamble on Matsui for a year or two.  Matsui, who owns a no-trade clause, looked like he was willing to waive it for the Giants last season.  Adding Lowry would give the Yankees a viable back of the rotation starter to go along with Sheets, Chamberlain, Wang, and whomever wins the last slot.  

Brad Penny, Jon Garland, and even Freddy Garcia all could be options as well if the Yankees can't get the pitchers they crave.  All have solid health histories, although Garcia was hurt most of last season.  Garland might be the best of the bunch.  He is an innings eater and consistent pitcher.  He has postseason experience and is a type B free agent which would only cost the Yanks a second round pick which is not much this year because the Yankees look to gain a compensation pick for Abreu between the 1st and 2nd rounds and another for Pettitte.  

Cashman needs to give up on his Sabathia pipe dream and move on towards building a more versatile, cheaper team.  The Yankees without Sabathia but with Teixiera, Sheets, and Garland would be cheaper and better than the Yankees with Sabathia.  Smarten up Cashman, you are being taken for a fool.  The Yankees need players who are willing and able to take this team back to the top.  Sabathia doesn't want Yankee dollars.  Give that money to Tex and Sheets and continue building a team that will be able to contend for the next 5-10 years.

TRASH Talking Taken to a New Level!

GO ARMY!  SINK NAVY!!!

Sabathia's Delay Spells Trouble for Yanks

C.C. Sabathia was expected to announce where he was going to sign shortly after Thanksgiving.  However, I believe he is still waiting for a good offer from a West Coast team before he makes his decision.  The longer he waits the worse it gets for the Yankees.  A.J. Burnett will not sign before Sabathia does but the Yankees refusal to give him a 5th year ends that courtship.  This means the Yankees, with a rotation now of only Chien Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain, are putting their eggs all in one basket.  If Sabathia were truly going to accept the money over heart would he not have done so already?  Why would he wait?  Does he think the Yankees are going to increase their offer?  Does he believe the Brewers will up their $100 million offer?  Does he think the Angels will come in with the best offer?  The longer Sabathia waits the less chance the Yankees have to sign him.  

Andy Pettitte is another person who is sick of waiting on Sabathia.  Pettitte, like in the 2003-04 offseason is feeling shunned by the Yankees and has begun to backtrack on his claim that it is the Yankees or nobody in 2009.  He has openly talked to the Dodgers about the possibility of joining Joe Torre's rotation.  Although Pettitte didn't have a great year last year thanks to his second half meltdown, he still represent 14 wins from a rotation that has already lost 20 game winner Mike Mussina and doesn't have much in the way of proven starters.  Last season the Yankees were devastated by injuries and ineffectiveness and had to rely on Darrell Rasner to make 20 starts, third highest on the team, and Sidney Ponson who started 15 games.  If they lose out on Sabathia they might be forced to overpay for Burnett, or Derek Lowe.  However, the Yankees obsession with Sabathia might cost them Sabathia, Pettitte, Burnett, and Lowe and leave them with oft injured Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, Tom Glavine, Freddy Garcia, Pedro Martinez,   Oliver Perez, or Brad Penny.  Some of them might be decent choices but not for the money or years the Yankees would have to pay out in order to entice these pitchers to come to New York.  

The Yankees backup plan if they miss out on pitching might be to overload an offense that slacked off a bit last season.  That might mean adding Mark Teixiera and Manny Ramirez.  However, if one thing the past Yankees teams have proven is that you need pitching to win championships.  Brian Cashman had better apply the full court press to Pettitte and Sabathia and start thinking backup plans.  If he thinks Phil Hughes is ready to come into the rotation after a decent Arizona Fall League season he might be going down the same road as last season.  Hughes still has a big upside but is still 22 years old and has an injury history that is concerning.  Ian Kennedy proved last season he was either not ready or will never be ready.  Alfredo Aceves made 4 starts last season and looked like he might be a viable future option but as we have seen with Kennedy a short stint in September doesn't mean future success.  The fact is the Yankees put themselves out on a limb this offseason.  The Sabathia basket is not exactly the most stable basket for all of your eggs but the Yankees feel this is where they should go.  We shall see if the Yankees get lucky this offseason or if their luck has run out.