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.