They did it again! The Yankees have once again gotten the premeir player on the free agent market, this time it's Mark Teixeira coming to the Bronx. Oh happy days are here again!

The Yankees have now signed 3 of the 4 top free agents on the market this offseason, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and now Teixeira. Manny Ramirez is the other top free agent left and his still has a shot at playing in pinstripes. This has been an unbelievable winter for the Yankees and their fans. GM Brian Cashman has put together a solid team from top to bottom, one that complements one another quite nicely. The agreement that the Yankees reached with Mark is for eight years and $180 million. That makes $423.5 million dollars that has been invested in 3 players this winter but how could you argue with the moves? The Yankees desperatly needed pitching, the Yankees went and got it, they needed another bat to replace the departing Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu, so they got Teixeira. It's not like the Yankees spent for the hell of it, they spent wisely and they spent on needs, like I alluded to earlier this offseason. They now have the perfect guy to complement Alex Rodriguez in the lineup and makes the defense a whole lot better. He's a 28 year old switch-hitting first baseman about to reach the prime of his career, good move by the Yanks and thank goodness we didn't get Manny.

With the addition of Teixeira, this unquestionably puts the Yankees as the team to beat in the American League. The Boston Red Sox were on the verge of signing Teixeira until they withdrew their seven-year $170 million offer last Friday. The other possible suitors for Mark were the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles (Anahiem) Angels but they all didn't meet Teixeira's wants. The latter of the group, the Angles withdrew their offer on Monday to Mark and Tuesday afternoon he became a Yankee. It's really Christmas in the Bronx. I can't believe it, I feel like a little kid in the candy store with full access to everything. This is exciting and I can't wait for the season to begin. Don't tell me the Yankees buy their championships, because they gave the players what they asked for and simply had the money to do it. If other teams had it, they'd do it too.

As for now, welcome to New York Mark!

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Brain Cashman, CC Sabathia, Jason Giambi, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Yankees

According to the NY Daily News, Manny Ramirez is seeking at least a three-year deal from the Yankees. This is something I don't think will happen but I also didn't think Alex Rodriguez was going to come back to the Yankees last winter.

Ramirez is looking for a four-year $100 million deal, but realistically who is going to give him that deal. The way he dogged himself out of Boston, most teams don't want to take the chance on Ramirez doing that to them. So Manny shot himself in the foot with that move. Good advice from Scott Boras, his agent. Boras probably planned that out thinking Manny would cash in this offseason. I think Manny will eventually find a home before the season starts but he's going to have to "settle" for a two-year $50 million deal.

Listen I would love to see Manny bat in front of A-Rod, that would be even scarier than the days of Manny and David Ortiz but the way Manny conducted himself in his final weeks in Boston is the reason you don't want this guy on the team. The Yankees are rounding out a nice little team for next season and Manny would just complicate things. Besides Mark Teixiera, another Boras client makes more sense for the Yankees for roughly the same amount of money. If the Yanks do sign Ramirez then I hope we get the guy who played hard and hustled in L.A. but what happens when Joe Girardi tells Manny to shave and cut his hair? Yea I don't see that going over well and thus we have our first Manny drama. But I have been wrong in the past so we'll have to just wait and see what happens.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Joe Girardi, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Scott Boras, Yankees

A.J. Burnett took his physical yesterday, and CC Sabathia's physical was scheduled for today.

As a result, the Yankees have scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference on Thursday. There is a chance both could be introduced at the same time, but that has not yet been confirmed. The Thursday press conference will take place in the old Yankee Stadium. It will a happy day in the Bronx when Sabathia and/if Burnett get introduced. There could be more press conferences this winter if the Yankees do decide to sign either Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixiera . Manny seems more of the logical signing in terms of finances and years they would get him for (2) but we'll see how that story develops. For now, CC your time in the Bronx is here.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Yankees

This week Mike Mussina called it a career. He was able to go out on his terms. He admitted that he knew this was going to be his last season as he made the decision back before spring training. So now Mussina is offically done after recording the 1st 20 win season of his career, good for him.

"I knew that was going to be my last year since the first day of spring training," Mussina said via conference call. "I just didn't want it to be part of the season. I just wanted baseball to be the season, and (to) go enjoy the game."

Mike has always been a classy guy. A quiet yet firm man. He was never about flash and was always about business, as in taking care of it on the field. Now he walks away following one of the best seasons in his career. Mussina as everyone knows started 2008 with a 1-3 record and an era north of 5.00 and looked washed up. A couple of meetings with Manny Ramirez in April made Moose look like an old 39-year old but he turned things around quick. If it weren't for Mussina this year the Yankees would've been done a lot sooner than they were. He was with no question the Yanks MVP this season. So now the Yankees lose more than just a starting pitcher, they lose a leader and a positive influence in the clubhouse.

"I always said that when I got to this point I wanted to go out on my own terms," Mussina said. "I didn't want to go out with somebody telling me it was time to go. I didn't want to be trying to find a job where I couldn't find a job."

I will remember Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS against the Oakland A's as Mussina best game as a Yankee. With the Yankees down 2 games to none in the series Moose was given the ball and had to win or else the Yanks were going home. This was also the game where Derek Jeter made the infamous "Flip". In that game Mussina pitched 7 shutout innings that night and the Yankees won 1-0. They eventually ended up winning the series and advanced to the ALCS then the World Series. Another memorable game for Mosse was against during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, Mussina authored one of the greatest clutch pitching performances of all time. The Yankees were trailing Boston 4–0 Mussina made the first relief appearance of his career. With runners on at the corners and no one out Mussina got out of the jam and kept Boston as bay with 2 more scoreless innnings. The Yankees as everyone knows came back and won the game on Aaron Boone's 11th inning homerun.

Now the talk surrounding Mussina is whether he is deserving of making the Hall-of-Fame. I think he is. His consistency over the years is uncanny and hard to match. I have read the papers and a few websites where this issue has been debated. Many think Moose will get in, if not on the first try, then his second. A good point made in Mike's case is that he pitched in the American League East his whole career, a tough division throughout Moose's career. In the 18 years Mike pitched in the AL East, he pitched to 8 World Series winning teams Blue Jays 1992-93, Yankees ‘96, 1998-2000, Red Sox 2004, ‘07. He also pitched during the steroid era. Mussina is 19th in history in strikeouts. His career record is 270-153 with a ERA. He is also one of 25 players ever to win 270 games. His career winning percentage of .638 is quite impressive in today's game. He and Randy Johnson are the only pitchers since 1900 to own a career record of at least 50 games over .500 with two different teams. He finished 123-72 with a 3.88 ERA as a Yankee. No other American League pitcher had more wins than Moose while he was in pinstripes. He also won 7 gold gloves, 1996-99, 2001, 2003 and 2008. Moose recorded 17 straight seasons of at least 11 wins, now that is impressive because he's the ONLY AL pitcher to ever accomplish that. Amazing.

"I've done as much as I'm capable of doing at the level I want to do it at," Mussina said. "If it creates a good argument than that's all the better."

Brian Cashman was asked if Moose was a Hall-of-Famer in his book, his response:

"There's no question in my mind he's a Hall of Famer"

Jeter had this to say regarding Mussina:

“It was a great pleasure playing against – and even more so with – Mike Mussina since I entered the league in 1995. He was a true professional both on and off the field. Moose’s accomplishments in the game over the last 18 years represent a Hall of Fame player.”

Mussina played 18 seasons, 10 with the Balitmore Orioles and 8 with the Yankees. Mussina didn't get a chance to win a championship here in New York but he lived up to everything he was suppose to be. He was signed with the intentions of solidifying the staff and that's what he did. 2007 was one to forget for Mike but he rebounded by being the ace in 2008 finishing 20-9. I have liked Mussina as a Yankee because of his consistency. In '07 it was hard to see the man struggle the way he did, you knew he was so much better than what you saw. I am very happy for him that he was able to regroup and finish his career on top the way he did. I wish he could've won a championship with the Yanks. Maybe one day he will as a coach. I want to thank Mussina for giving the Yankees everything he had out their on the mound, as a fan I really appreciate when a player gives 100 percent with each performance, A class act is what best describes Mike Mussina, he will be missed in the Bronx.

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Tags: Baseball, Brain Cashman, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Mike Mussina, Yankees

The AL MVP was announced this week and went to Dustin Pedoria of the Boston Red Sox. Pedoria in his second year captures the league's top award a year after he was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

G AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS
157 653 118 213 17 83 .326 .376 .493 .869

Dustin received 16 of 28 first-place votes. The runner-up Justin Morneau recieved seven. Along with leading the league in hits, runs and doubles, Pedroia was successful on 20 of 21 steal attempts.

In a season where David Ortiz wasn't Big Papi and Manny Ramirez decided Boston wasn't for him and didn't play up to his capability, Pedoria was a constant strength in the Red Sox lineup. When Ramirez was traded in July, Pedoria was inserted as the no 4 hitter in the lineup and responded with a couple big performances. He also won a gold glove this year.

Congratulations to him and the season he had.

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Tags: Baseball, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedoria, Justin Moreanu, Manny Ramirez

The Yankees missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 1993 and they do not want that to happen again....EVER. Yesterday marked the first day of free agency and the Yankees were ready.

The biggest need for the Yankees right now is starting pitching. The biggest free agent out there is CC Sabathia who happens to be a starting pitcher. Well there's a perfect match. It comes as no surprise that the Yankees are going to go after the hefty lefty but how aggressive they really are going to be is the question. On Friday we got out answer. The Yankees made the lefty an offer of 6 years and around $140 million, that's just to start things off. The final number could very well be around $150 million. The Yanks are wasting no time in getting targeting their main man.

The offer was set to discourage other teams from having a shot at signing Sabathia. The Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Brewers all appear to be in the running but it'll be tough to match or exceed the offer the Yankees gave CC. The Mets gave Johan Santana a 6 year $137 million so it doesn't look likely that the Mets will offer another pitcher a similar deal, even if it would give them one of the best rotations in baseball. The Brewers simply do not have the resources the other teams do financially so they don't appear to be a contender here. The Angels and Dodgers both have to deal with their own free agents who will both likely command big money in the ballpark of $20 million each per season (Mark Teixeira for the Angels and Manny Ramirez for the Dodgers).

The Yanks big spending doesn't stop there. They are going after free agent pitchers AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe. They are going to make them substantial offers as well.

"We’re prepared to make offers to (A.J.) Burnett and (Derek) Lowe. I’m starting to become very optimistic. I think it’s going to be mutually beneficial to us and for these particular players that we’re after for them to join the Yankees” said Hank Steinbrenner.

The Yanks aren't playing games. They want their pitchers and they want them ASAP. I like the aggressiveness here. Get these deals done and get everyone ready for spring training in Feburary. I can't see Sabathia turning down so much money from the Yanks. Whatever happens this winter one thing is for certain, the Yankees will find a way to get an ace and will add starting pitching that will put them with one of the best rotations in the league. CC will get his cake and eat it too. The Yankees will even give him the plate, the fork, and the cake of his choice and watch him eat it. That's how badly the Yankees want to win. That's how much of a panic the Yankees are in after missing the playoffs. They enter 2009 going into the New Yankee Stadium and want a new ace to lead the staff into familiar territory, the World Series. A year after shying away from Santana and the mega deal he wanted, the Yankees are going ALL in for Sabathia, I love it. Show him the money and me a ring! I can't wait.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe, Hank Steinbrenner, Johan Santana, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Yankees

While the World Series is being played out in "Tampa" and Philly, the Yankees are planning out their offseason plans in Tampa. Yea, their offices are actually in Tampa unlike the Rays who don't actually play there, but that's a story for another day. According to Mike Lupica of the Daily News the Yankees are ready to break the bank open to get back to the promise land. With about $80 million coming off the books this winter, it's almost certain that they will add that right back and may even surpass that.

"I'm not saying (the huge spending) won't happen," Brian Cashman said. "I know people expect us to go crazy. Even when we don't go crazy, people still look at whatever we do and say, 'There's the Yankees being the Yankees.' We're the Evil Empire even when we're not."

This is true. The one MUST this winter is getting C.C. Sabathia no matter the cost. We learned that not going after Johan Santana last year didn't help the Yankees in 2008. They certainly don't want an encore performance in '09 of their disappointing '08 so Sabathia is a must. It's just a matter of signing that check to C.C.'s liking. Objective 1 done.

Manny Ramirez in pinstripes? No way. It doesn't matter how Manny played the last few months in L.A., he will be 37 next season and you have to remember the way he sat out his final days in Boston because he didn't feel like playing. Besides, him and A-Rod in the same clubhouse?? OMG, the possibility of things that can happen there can only lead to trouble and backpage headlines, none of which would be good for the Bombers. Another factor in this is that the Yanks don't need hitting, they need desperately to fix their pitching. Manny would just be his own sideshow.

Objective 2, First Base. What's wrong with a guy like Doug Mientkiewicz? He was a solid defender and uhh well "decent" bat. Why do we need an all-star first baseman? Mark Teixiera would be a great bat in the lineup and a good guy to have on the team but if his asking price is too high why bother? Well he is switch-hitting and can put up .300 35 115 easily. Ok, so we give him a run for his money and see where we end up. So is signing Tex a must? That may depend on wheter the Yanks bring back Bobby Abreu, who looks to be on the way out. Figures, the only consistent guy with the bat is on his way out. Good job by the Yanks, you should keep this guy until his arms fall off because you know he will give you production. More production that Jorge Posada might give you the rest of his contract. Smart move by the Yanks...NOT!

Objective 3, another starting pitcher. Get Oliver Perez, while he also might be a little high in his asking price, he might fit into the rotation just fine being the 4th starter behind *Sabathia, Wang, and Joba. Yes this is how the rotation should look coming into opening day next year. If Perez isn't an option I do NOT like AJ Burnett. Reason behind that? He'll be Carl Pavano II, and we sure as hell don't want another one of those. So I don't even consider Burnett, unless he lowers his price dramatically. Derek Lowe? Hey why not? He pitched well down the stretch and is an experienced pitcher with postseason success. Take a gamble with him, he might be that workhouse the rotation needs, especially if the Yanks choose to part ways with Andy Pettitte.

Objective 4, centerfield? I question that because do we really need a CF? The answer is no. Do we want a stud out there? The answer is yes. Melky Cabrera wasn't the answer in '08, we thought he was. Brett Gardner can't hit yet and we don't know if he ever will. Austin Jackson? Ehh, let's not rush him up just yet. He looks to be your guy in center in the future but right now what is the right answer? I say leave Damon out there another year until his contract is up and give Melky and/or Gardner the other starts. Then evaluate this again next winter where more options could open up. But right now it makes sense for the Yanks to keep their trading chips and their money on getting a new CF for '09. Unless you can get a guy like Matt Kemp from the Dodgers, then CF shouldn't be addressed. Damon can still hit and produce, yes he has a weak arm but so did Bernie Williams and we were fine when he was roaming center.

Again, the need this winter is pitching. Worry first and foremost on pitching and upgrading it, not just taking leftovers off the free agent bum list. No more Ponsons, Rasners, or anyone else like that. No more! I don't want to see it. Those guys combined for 35 starts this year, that is NO GOOD. This is your 2009 rotation if things work out right.

1- CC Sabathia
2- Chien-Ming Wang
3- Joba Chamberlain
4- Oliver Perez
5- Phil Hughes/ Andy Pettitte

Not a bad staff there. Gives you a little depth towards the end if Andy comes back. Each guy could give you at least 10 wins with the exception of Hughes who we have no idea what to expect. Mike Mussina is almost a sure lock to retire. Once the World Series is done and over with next week, then the "hot stove" will heat up. If my rotation isn't what the Yankees are looking for then what are they going for?

"We're always trying to push to get better," Cashman said.

They got the money, make it happen. If Hank Steinbrenner has his way, the bank will be shattered and the Yanks will get their wants, but I hope that means they got their needs too.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Brain Cashman, Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Manny Ramirez, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Sidney Ponson, Yankees

One of the things that made Joe Torre so loved in New York was the fact he was such a classy guy. So humble and down to earth, yet he had that demeanor that was stern and had that emotionless look on his face. Of course all the winning he did with the Yankees also helped everyone loved him too.

Back in late 1995 when he was announced as the new manager of the Yankees he was known for being a great catcher but a lousy manager. Having being fired in his previous stops with the Mets, Cardinals, and Braves, Torre came to the Bronx with a lot to prove. Boy did he prove everyone wrong. He restored pride in the pinstripes and brought four world championships while making the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons as manager. Last year when he was announced as the new manager of the Dodgers, he went to another organization where pride needed to be restored. Now, Torre was a legendary manager, with that also brought a bunch of expectations. Was it possible to exceed these expectations? Well considering Los Angeles didn't really have enough talent to go far, Torre had a surmountable task ahead of him. This year we were going to find out if it really was Torre who got the Yanks into the playoffs all these years or if it was the bank account that got him and endless list of All-Stars. Turns out maybe it was a little bit of both, but I think Torre should have been credited more.

Like in New York, Torre had his cast of veterans and youth. Last season Grady Little was criticized for losing his team down the stretch thus costing the Dodgers a chance at making the playoffs. This season under Torre the Dodgers went on an 8 game losing streak in late August yet still found in them to right the ship and charge into the postseason all the way to NLCS, a place they had no business being. Dodgers ownership saw potential with the team they had and added the pieces they lacked. They added Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, and Greg Maddux. All made significant contributions. Ramirez was in a league of his own batting almost .400 while wearing Dodger Blue. He carried the offense on his back all the way from his July trade up until Wednesday night when the Dodgers were eliminated by the Phillies. One of the things that people got on Torre for his case of over-managing. Yankee fans can recall many instances in which Torre's late inning decisions might've cost the Bombers a game but when Torre came out in Game 4 and took out Derek Lowe after 5 innings it made you wonder what was Joe thinking? Nonetheless it was Joe who got the Dodgers this far.

"He's a leader," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "His performance was everything we wanted this franchise to be."

Sure Manny was a HUGE help, but without Torre pushing the right buttons and guiding the way the first 4 months of the season the Dodgers don't go out and make the trade for Manny and they don't catch the Arizona Diamondbacks. So did Torre exceed expectations this year, his first in L.A.? I think so. If you think he didn't, just look at the status of his former team, the Yankees. They didn't even make the playoffs, forget that the Bombers had a better record, that fact is very misleading. The only thing that matters in sports is winning, especially when you're talking about the Dodgers and Yankees. Torre showed he still was a genius even if he wasn't in the Bronx.

"I came here wondering if managing was still fun," Torre said. "And it was."

The question now becomes what do the Dodgers do with Manny and the rest of their free agents (Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Maddux, and Lowe)? It's going to be an interesting offseason in L.A.

"Hopefully the experience of this postseason helped everybody," Dodger first baseman James Loney said.

Torre came out after the series-eliminating loss on Wednesday night to thank the fans. Maybe he was watching the Yankees final game at Yankee Stadium and took a page out of Derek Jeter's book. The move doesn't surprise me because both men are classy and both men probably have the same mindset as they've spent so much time together over the years so it's just common sense to salute the fans. It's a good way to win over the fans, but in Torre's case, he had already done that...because he made the Dodgers matter again in Los Angeles. Something similar happened in New York back in 1996, he made the Yankees matter again. When it's all said and done Joe Torre will be the man setting the standards for managers everywhere. Oh wait, he already has.

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Tags: Baseball, Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Manny Ramirez, NLCS, Other, Yankees

Let's start off the new blog with an old friend, Joe Torre. He and another old "friend" Manny Ramirez are in the LCS looking to reach the World Series in a year where Torre proved he still has steam left in the tank and Manny is showing the world why he is one of the greatest hitters of all-time.

Everyone knows how Torre and the Yankees left off last October and for one, I thought it was time for a change with the Yanks. I loved Torre but it was time to move on. As a Yankee fan, I'll always have a place for him in my heart as he gave me so many great moments over the years. I wish him well in these playoffs and honestly hopes he wins it all. Maybe then, Hank Steinbrenner can shut his mouth and worry about the major issues with his team. As for Manny, I'm rooting for the guy too. I never thought I would say that but it's true. I want him to win a World Series and be able to laugh right in Boston's face. He's one of us now, the anti-Sox Nation.

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the NLCS plays out, the Dodgers were able to salvage a game last night, thus making this a series again. I do like the Phillies though. The lineup is tough and so is the bullpen. Ryan Madsen setting up an untouchable Brad Lidge is a force to be reckoned with. Kinda reminds me of Mariano Rivera to John Wettland in '96. Ok, maybe I'm getting too ahead of myself but that 1-2 combo at the end of the bullpen for Philly is dangerous right now. And I believe that is a huge difference maker between the two teams. Although Philly's starting pitching doesn't match up with L.A.'s but I think the two teams are well matched. The Dodgers are relying on Ramirez to carry them offensively and so far he has. The pitching has to step up and so does the rest of the offense.

Derek Lowe is starting today's Game 4 on three days rest, the Dodgers need to pull out a victory today to stay alive. Joe Torre knows all about must wins, so does Manny, can they pull it off and tie the series at 2-2? I hope so, I want to see the legacy of Joe Torre live on.

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Tags: Baseball, ChasingRecords, Joe Torre, Manny Ramirez, NLCS