Here we are in the middle of Janurary and Spring Training is about a month away. Most of the big moves have already been made this offseason but there is still one big name out there, Johnny Damon. As good as he would fit in the Yankees lineup this year, I still don't see him returning to the Bronx. As for the 2010 Yankees, I think improved from their 2009 World Championship team. Let's see how..

Curtis Grandersen will the Yankees CF in 2010 and he is a defensive and offensive upgrade over Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner. Curtis can give you 30 HRs, 90 RBI (100 depending on what spot in the lineup he's hitting) and 20-30 steals. He also is a solid defender and while he doesn't quite have the arm Melky has, he does a good one. Melky was traded to Atlanta in the offseason but he's best suited to be a fourth outfielder. It'll be interesting to see how he does with the Braves.

Javier Vazquez was acquired in the afermentioned Melky Cabrera trade with Atlanta. Javy had a nice first half with the Yanks in 2004 but it ultimately ended in disaster in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS when he came out of the bullpen and Damon hit the first pitch Vazquez threw for a grand slam, thus cementing the historic Yankee collapse that season. He is a strong option for a fourth starter replacing Andy Pettitte's spot in the rotation. Pettitte will take the number three spot in the rotation replacing Chien-Ming Wang's spot. The pressure will still be there for Vazquez to perform but with CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Pettitte ahead of him in the rotation, the lights might not be so bright for him this time around. He essentially is replacing Wang on the roster and if the Yanks won without Wang, they can certainly win with Javy being a solid pitcher and winnning around 12 games.

The losses of Damon and Hideki Matsui will hurt the Yankees as they are losing a lot of offensive production but Grandersen and Nick Johnson can help fill most, if not all that void. Vazquez as the projected fourth starter gives the Yankees one of the best rotations in baseball.

So are the 2010 Yankees better than the 2009 Yankees that won the title on November 4th? It's debatable, but I think so. Of course, the season will have to be played to get the answer to that. Until then, the Yankees are STILL the World Champs of baseball!

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Curtis Gandersen, Hideki Matsui, Javier Vazquez, Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Nick Johnson, Yankees

It has been a couple days since the Yankees finally reclaimed their position as the best team in baseball and won their 27th World Championship. Although, somewhere on the streets of New York, people are still celebrating.

Why not, it took 9 years to return to the top of the mountain. For most cities, that's nothing, but in New York, it's an eternity, if you're a Yankees fan. People are still spending their hard earned money on World Series Championship merchandise. Soon enough, the money spent as a result of winning the World Series will be enough to pay for the 2009 Yankee payroll.

Now that most of the dust has settled and most of the celebrating is over, it's time to reflect on this season. There's a lot you can write about this season but not enough space here. You can write about big moments this year all the way to spring training but I'm not going to do that. What I am going to do is say, congratulations to the 2009 New York Yankees for winning their 27th World Championship and say thank you. As a fan who follows the team on a day-to-day basis and fights with the Yankee-haters of the world, I say thank you. I always knew you were the best team in baseball, I said it all year, but I guess it takes a piece of hardware and a parade down Broadway to shut certain people up. For that,I say thank you.

Johnny Damon had one of the greatest at-bats in World Series history in Game 4, in the top of the 9th. Then stole 2nd AND 3rd on the same play! Alex Rodriguez then continued his month of clutch hitting and drove in the winning run of that game. If he wasn't a real Yankee before, he is now. A bunch of clutch hits, homeruns and a World Series ring does that for you. CC Sabathia was everything you ever wanted this year. He stepped up when the Yanks needed him most. Even on short rest, even against the Angels. Mark Teixeria didn't hit much in the postseason but he got a couple big hits, homeruns to be exact. His defense all year long reminded us of the good old days when Tino used to dive and pick 'em like no other. AJ Burnett was great, then he was bad, then he was great, then he was bad. Right now, because of his greatness in Game 2 of the World Series with his team down 1-0 and in danger of going 2-0 going to Philly, he pitched the g ame of his life. He is now a World Champion.

Because of the pies in the face, because of the Championship belt given to the MVP of every Yankee win this year, because of GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi believing in their youth, and heck, even because of Kate Hudson, the New York Yankees are once again Champions of the World! 2009 was a special year for so many reasons....for that, I say thank you.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Mark Teixeira, World Series, Yankees

Today, we await a game that EVERYONE in New York will be watching. Today, we take in the game we witnessed last night. Today, the New York Yankees can become World Champions.

Last night in Game 4, CC Sabathia took the mound on 3 days rest and he pitched good. He kept us in the game and left in the 7th inning with the lead. Granted Chase Utley hit his 3rd HR of this World Series off of him, but the Yanks still led 4-3. Joba Chamberlain was lights out until that 2 strike pitch to Pedro Feliz. Feliz hit a ball into the left field stands to tie the game at 4, with 2 outs in the 8th. But then, DESTINY made an appearance in the 9th.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge got Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter for the 1st 2 outs, then got to a 1-2 count on Johnny Damon. Damon then put together one of the best Yankee at-bats of the season. He got the count to 3-2 and proceded to foul off pitch after pitch from Lidge. (This sounds alot like Paul O'Neill's at-bat against the Mets' Armando Benitez in Game 1 of the 2000 World Series. That game, because of O'Neill's at-bat, got the rally going for the Yanks to tie the game and eventually win. They later went on to the win the World Series.) Back to Damon, he got a hit to left field. Then stole 2nd and stole 3rd because no one was covering 3rd as a result of the infield shift given to Mark Teixeria. Tex gets hit with a pitch and Alex Rodriguez gets a hit to score Damon and the Yankees took off.

A-Rod has been amazing in the clutch this October and if they are able to finish the Phils off, Alex will be a World Champion. Something that has elluded him his entire career. Now, he is 1 win away from further cementing his legacy. He was brought in to the Bronx in '04 to win a championship every year. Not easy to do, but if the Yanks do win this series, A-Rod will be a BIG reason why.

Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada did their part to help the Yankees win Game 4 last night, just like they've done for the last 4 Yankee World Championships. Is there time for another one? You bet ya!

AJ Burnett takes the ball tonight on 3 days rest with the chance to win the World Series. This is why they shelled out $80 million for him last offseason. CC has held up his end of the agreement, now AJ needs to. If he doesn't, then old reliable Andy Pettitte will be waiting in the wings on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium against Pedro Martinez.

Today, will be the day the Yankees win the World Series. Today, the Yankees become World Champions!

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Philadelphia Phillies, World Series, Yankees

I really like this matchup. Both lineups are evenly matched and can go blow for blow with one another. It should be entertaining, but the big difference is the pitching. The Yankees have it, both starting and in the bullpen. Pitching wins championships, and this will be no different. Cliff Lee has gotten knocked around by the Yanks in the past, but if he does hold up, he's still going against CC Sabathia. After Lee, who else can you really rely on? The Yanks have more reliable options in Andy Pettitte and AJ Burnett. The Yanks also have Mariano Rivera in the 'pen to close out as many games as possible. If he has to go 2 innings, he will. 3 innings? He will. Phillies' Brad Lidge is good, but not that good. That's all you need to know there. Advantage Yankees.


World Series Prediction:

Yankees in 6. It will be a good series but ultimately the Yankees are the better all around team and it will show in this series as it has in the previous 2. A-Rod and CC continue to have a great postseason. Meanwhile the depth of the lineup will come through and pick up where Alex cant.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Philadelphia Phillies, World Series, Yankees

Yesterday the Yankees clinched the A.L. East, Home-field Advantage and best record in baseball with their 4-2 win over the Red Sox at the Stadium.


The Yankees are returning to the postseason for the 14th time in the last 15 years. Last season the Bombers missed out on October baseball for the 1st time since 1994.


Newcomers Mark Teixeria, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Nick Swisher got their 1st taste of what it really means to be a Yankee. They all know their is certainly more work to be done before all is said and done.

After starting the season 0-8 against Boston, the Bombers have won 9 of their last 10 against their divison rivals, a team they very well might be playing again in the ALCS in just a few weeks.


The sweep of the Sox also comes after the Yanks took 2 of 3 from the Angels in Anaheim, a demon they wanted to overcome.


I'd say these Yankees are ready to roll into October and right to a 27th championship. This team is as good as any team that has been here in recent memory, let's hope they can follow through with all the expectations and deliver New York a World Series title.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Los Angeles Angels, Mark Teixeira, New Yankee Stadium, Nick Swisher, Yankees

With the trade deadline about a week away many people are wondering of the Yankees are going to be active in the trade market. I don't think they will be. I believe they have all the pieces they need to take the division and go deep into October.

The starting rotation seems pretty good at the moment but it might be a cause for concern once Joba Chamberlain reaches his innings limit, assuming the Yanks stick with it. I find it hard to believe they would take Joba out of the rotation in the middle of a pennant race. Chien Ming Wang might be lost for the season so after CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett the rotation is up in the air. Andy Pettitte will still be a contributor but I think he's not as reliable as he once was. So maybe picking up a no. 4 or 5 starter will be in the works.

The bench seems ok at the moment but there is room for improvement. Eric Hinske was added for some flexibility and some pop and he has been just that. Ramiro Pena is in the minors getting some outfield experience so if the Yanks choose not to add any bench help, Pena can fill in at mulitple positions and provide stellar defense.

The bullpen has also been steady in recent weeks. Adding another lefty could be something the Yanks do but with Damaso Marte returning soon, the answer might be within. Everyone has assumed a role in the bullpen and know their duties. Joe Girardi has done an excellent job establishing his bullpen and it shows.

The Yanks will be in the race until the very end and they have the pieces to win it all right now. A little tinkering here and there might not hurt but isn't necessary. They're playing well now and are at a season high with their games over .500 and with their lead in the AL East, that's not by accident. It's because they are that good and everyone is performing up to their standards (minus Wang). Look for a quiet week from the Bombers as the trade deadline approaches.




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Tags: AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Damaso Marte, Eric Hinske, Joba Chamberlain, Yankees

Before the season started I made some predictions, at the halfway point lets see how they've played out so far.

Starting Rotation:

MY PREDICTIONS
Sabathia: 18-9 4.32 ERA
Wang: 17-8 3.89 ERA
Burnett: 15-9 3.43 ERA
Pettitte: 13-11 4.45 ERA
Chamberlain: 12-7 3.34 ERA

Burnett and Joba miss some time with injuries with Hughes filling in more than expected. Hughes makes around 8-12 starts.

CURRENTLY:
Sabathia: 9-6 3.66 ERA
Wang: 1-6 9.64 ERA
Burnett: 8-4 3.81 ERA
Pettitte: 8-5 4.85 ERA
Chamberlain: 4-2 4.25 ERA

Burnett and Joba didn't miss any time because of injuries (cross fingers) and as expected Hughes has made an impact. He has started 7 games but has been lights out since joining the bullpen. Wang has been nothing more than a burden for the team and he obviously will not match the 17-8 I had him going for this year. Joba may end up in the 'pen before it's all said and done and Pettitte may very well be on his last legs. It's still a good rotation but not as strong as we once thought it would be. If the Yanks somehow can land Roy Halladay then the rotation will be a wrap, the Yanks will have the divison in their hands.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Yankees

Coming off the the holiday the Yankees find themselves 1 game behind the Boston Red Sox and have won 10 of their last 11. They are playing well all around again, much like their run back in May. The Yankees idlily would like to finish the first half strong and ahead of the Red Sox in the standings. At this rate, that shouldn't be a problem to accomplish.

Here are my thoughts on some of the things going on with the Yanks right now:

Phil Hughes:
This has been the biggest issue lately. What do you with the young 23 year old? I'm grown to liking the phrase "whatever helps the team" and in this case, Hughes is best in the bullpen. He's been lights out since getting there, so keep him there right now. Does he belong in the 8th inning? Well so far, he's done the job in the 8th as we've seen in recent days, so yea give him the ball in the 8th. He can let the ball go around 95, 96 and mixes it up well with a nasty curve. Reminds you of Joba Chamberlain in '07, just without all the flash. The need for Joba was in the 8th inning that season and this season, the need for Hughes is there as well. Let him rock there and see what happens, if he falters t hen you send him to the minors and stretch him out again, that simple.

Chein-Ming Wang:
Boy this guy can't catch a break. It looks like he's headed to the DL for the 2nd time this season just as he's starting to turn things around. It's a shame he's had such a down year but it's better this happens this year when the Yanks have so much depth in the rotation, rather than it happen when he's the top guy in the rotation (oh, wait that happened last year). Point is, this is going to be his down year no matter how you slice it. It's a good thing the Yanks spent all that money on CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, they're a combined 14-9, nothing spectatular, but better than the likes of Darrel Rasner and Sidney Ponson, the guys the Bombers threw out their last year in Wang's absence. Let Wang get his issues straight no, so when the strecth run comes, he's ready to go.

Alex Rodriguez:
Despite being out for the first 5 weeks of the season, Alex has pretty good numbers in terms of HR and RBI. It appears he has turned the page after having just an awful June. His production means the rest of the lineup will see better pitches to hit. Hideki Matsui has been the beneficial of A-Rod's recent surge. Robinson Cano has been hot also, but can't hit with runners in socring position. Alex has also played expectionally at 3rd base. He is the kind of player that can be hot for weeks and if this is one of those streaks, the AL East is trouble.

Mariano Rivera:
Congrats to him on recording his 500th save last week against the Mets. The best reliever in Major League history notches another milestone under his belt to further cement his place in baseball history. His class and professionalism, mixed with his dominance and consistency easily puts him in a class of his own. Though he has been shaky this season at times, he's still one of the game's best. His presence on the mound and in the lockerroom means so much, as always he is a key contributor in every run of Yankee success.


Time to take over the AL East and run away with it. Ok, that's a little premature but whenever the Yanks ride a streak like this it does get you excited. Good times in the Bronx.


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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Hideki Matsui, Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera, Phil Hughes, Robinson Cano, Yankees

The Yankees are having a homestand for the ages. They have 4 walk-off wins and have had some memorible moments. Who says this Yankee Stadium doesn't have any history?

We saw 3 walk-off wins in a row last weekend. When did you ever see that? A-Rod has been hitting HR's left and right. That's all he's hitting right now but we'll take it. Mark Teixeria is hitting anything and everything. Robinson Cano remembers how he hit in 2007 and so far isn't breaking stride. CC Sabathia is finally the real CC. Melky Cabrera has been money in the clutch. I mean things are clicking on all cylinders now.

What makes this homestand so great is that you can see how the Yankees are finally loosening up. Pies in the face by AJ Burnett, crazy haircuts by Nick Swisher, a WWE Title awarded to the MVP of each game by Johnny Damon. This stuff is great. Where has all this been the last few years. The relaxed Bombers are a fun team to watch. It's been a pleasure to watch. I'm glad to see the chemistry is finally coming along.

The presence of Alex Rodriguez was thought to be sort of a distraction but it hasn't. If anything he was the right man at the right time coming to a team who deseperatly needed him. He's contributing and so is everyone around him. How long is this little run of coolness going to be around the Bombers? I'd say all season but it's going to be one long summer so anything can happen. But remember...the Yankees will get healthier, Jorge Posada, Xavier Nady,and Chein Ming Wang are all expected to reclaim thier roles in the next few weeks. What happens then? Who knows, but for the time being, this is the best team to watch, beacuse if you don't, you're gonna miss something amazing.



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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Mark Teixeira, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, Xavier Nady, Yankee Stadium, Yankees

Yankees 1
Blue Jays 5

Doc Halladay got the best of Burnett tonight. Class was in session and AJ couldn't keep up. Now 6.5 out....



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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, QuickCap, Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees

Yankees 7
Rays 2

How good is AJ Burnett? So far he's pitched up to expectations. Nick Swisher is the team MVP through the first week or so, 4 HR? Who would've thought that?


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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, Nick Swisher, QuickCap, Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees

Yankees 11
Orioles 2
Baltimore wins series 2-1



That's more like it. Strong hitting and good pitching from Burnett. Nice to see Teixeira go yard, as well as Robbie. How about Swisher with 5 RBI's? Now hopefully we can continue this going into Kansas City this weekend.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Balitmore Orioles, Baseball, Good Hitting, Good Pitching, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, QuickCap, Robinson Cano, Yankees

Yankees 5
Orioles 7

8 innings, 17 hits, 13 earned runs, 8 walks, 0 K's and 14.63 ERA. That's what the much hyped Yankees rotation has given us so far between CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang. Not making my predictions look any good. AJ Burnett already faces his first must win game tomrrow, because the Yankees CAN NOT start 0-3 can they?


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Tags: AJ Burnett, Balitmore Orioles, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, QuickCap, Shaky Starting Pitching, Yankees

Chasing800 is going to look at each position and give you insight and opinion on the current situation and what may loom ahead. Today we will look at the Starting Rotation.

Current Situation:
This is possibly one of the best rotations ever put together by the Yankees and if they all manage to stay healthy, this will be a year that we will never forget. The talent is too much for one team to handle but the Yanks will gladly try. With the offseason additions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, the Yankees got themselves two shut down pitchers who can dominate the game and steer the team to victory. Chein-Ming Wang is back from injury and should he return to form he is capable of winning 19 games. Andy Pettitte danced around wheter he was making a return to the Bronx but he jumped on board and thus returns as the no. 4 starter. He can eat innings and should provide the Yanks with close t0 200 quality innings. The wild card in all this is Joba Chamberlain. He is lights out when he's on and can dominate a game, much like he did last year in a game against the Red Sox over the summer. He will be on an innings limit this season but when he's out there, he will provide nasty stuff and irritate opposing batters. He can be a no. 2 starter on most teams, the fact he's the Yanks no. 5 shows you the depth they have this year. There is a lot to be excited about in the Bronx this season and these 5 guys are much of the reason for it.

Waiting in the wings is Phil Hughes should someone go down due to injury or ineffectiveness. He has looked good all spring and maybe, just maybe he is ready to show the world why the Yankees have invested so much in him.

Chasing800 Prediction:
Sabathia: 18-9 4.32 ERA
Wang: 17-8 3.89 ERA
Burnett: 15-9 3.43 ERA
Pettitte: 13-11 4.45 ERA
Chamberlain: 12-7 3.34 ERA

Burnett and Joba miss some time with injuries with Hughes filling in more than expected. Hughes makes around 8-12 starts. That rotation is going to combine for 75 wins with an ERA below 4. Hitting didn't win championships for the Yankees, pitching did, and this year will be no different.



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Tags: 2009 Outlook, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Spring Training, Yankees

Today, there was actual baseball played. No more talk, it was time for business. Spring Training offically began today as the Yankees played their first game of the spring.
Some highlights of today's game against the Toronto Blue Jays was Brett Gardner hitting the second pitch of the game for a homerun. Alex Rodriguez also went yard, as he hit a 2-run shot in the 4th innning. The Yankees won the game 6-1. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, and Nick Swisher were the other "main" Yankees that played in today's opener. Mark Teixera should make his spring debut tomorrow.

Manager Joe Girardi announced his rotation today, he said it was going to go as follows: CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, and Joba Chamberlain. This rotation makes the most sense as the Yanks want to seperate the power arms of Sabathia and Burnett and they want to limit Joba's innings. Things might change as the season gets closer but for now Girardi has things set.

Not much of a reaction for A-Rod today when he came to the plate for the first time, but some boos were heard when he hit the homerun but that's expected. This will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on as Alex travels from city to city.


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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia, Chein-Ming Wang, Derek Jeter, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Spring Training, Yankees

The great Joba debate begins again. With the recent free agent additions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett many have thought that Joba Chamberlain should be moved back into the bullpen to set-up Mariano Rivera. I disagree.

As enticing as Joba would be in the 7th and 8th innings I think he is more valuable as a starter, unless proven otherwise. Peter Abraham also is in favor of starting Joba. My fellow blogger Rob Abruzzesse also agrees with me. He points out a slew of opinions on the matter.

I liked Joba as the set-up man for Mo, but the fact is that with Joba he can be a dominant guy. He outdueled Josh Beckett in Fenway back in July 1-0, a sign of promise. Abraham notes that innings 1-6 are more important than the 7th and 8th. I'm with him on this. You need a guy to get you to the 7th in the first place, if he doesn't then the 7th and 8th innings don't mean much. To go with the arguement is that the Yankees have a pretty decent bullpen. They likely will use the combination of Jose Veras and Brian Bruney to set-up and manybe mix in Damaso Marte for lefties. So the need for Joba is in the rotation.

Joba surely won't be pitching 200 innings as the Yankees will limit him to around 150. His potential and talent can attribute to a 15 win win season, if not more. I could be wrong but I believe that's a fair assessment. For right now Joba's in the rotation, where he belongs.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Baseball, Brian Bruney, CC Sabathia, Damaso Marte, Joba Chamberlain, Jose Veras, Josh Beckett, Mariano Rivera, Yankees

There's another month and a half until spring training but like many baseball fans, we like to worry about next season now. With the Yankees making their big splashes this offseason, the typical fan wants to see the new product on the field already. I'm getting impatient.

So the Yankees haven't offically introduced Mark Teixeira as a Yankee yet but it doesn't matter to me, he's a Yankee right now. I have to say I haven't been this giddy over a Yankee team since we added Alex Rodriguez in 2004 and that was for good reason. We were three outs away from the World Series that season and we all know what happen at the end. So now we got another top player, a guy about to reach his prime in Tex. I can't wait for him to bat before A-Rod. These two guys can hit 40 homers apiece and drive in about 120 runs. The possibilities are endless with these two guys in the lineup.

What about the starting rotation? I see it as follows:

1. CC Sabathia


2. AJ Burnett


3. Chein-Ming Wang


4. Joba Chamberlain


5. Andy Pettitte/Phil Hughes/ Ben Sheets

Granted that neither Pettitte nor Sheets are signed by the Yankees, they look as the options for the 5th starter by Yankee management. Pettitte is still deciding on the one-year $10 million offer he has on the table, while Sheets is probably waiting for Andy to make a decision so he himself can make a decision on where to go. I like Pettitte to round out the rotation because then, that would give the Yanks one of the best rotations in baseball. Or how bout move Joba back to the set-up role and having Andy as your 4th starter and make Hughes your 5th? Either way, I believe the Yankees are in a winning situation. Spring training can't get here fast enough.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Ben Sheets, CC Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Mark Teixeira, Phil Hughes, Yankees

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

The Yankees offically introduced CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett on Thursday at the old Yankee Stadium. It was really surreal to see those two men standing next to eachother wearing pinstripes. They were the top of the free agent market and the Yankees were able to get them to commit to the Bronx. It was a good day in Yankeeland.

Brian Cashman deserves a lot of credit for the work he's done. A few notes about the process that Cashman used in getting Sabathia are quite interesting. These notes I found while reading Peter Abraham's Yankees Blog . If you've never visited the site you should, it'll fulfill your every Yankee need and desire.

Cashman had a plan in mind and knew exactly what he was doing all along. In acquiring Santana the Yankees would've had to surrender Phil Hughes and throw an insane amount of money at Johan. Remember when Cashman was hesitant to make the move, everyone thought he was crazy. With Sabathia, he only had to throw the insane amount of money. Turned out to be the right move, as the Yankees kept their most prized pitcher. Here are some other notes in the CC Sabathia Recruiting Process:

• The Damons spent their first two years with the Yanks living in Manhattan, but then moved to the New Jersey suburbs, and Michelle Damon sold Amber Sabathia on the suburban life. “She said you’re going to love it,” Amber said. “The schools are good, the pediatricians are good, the supermarkets are good – it’s like a nice little place to live.”
• At the final meeting Cashman and Sabathia had at Sabathia’s California home, Cashman laid out exactly how long Sabathia had been on the Yankees’ radar. He told Sabathia and his agents how the Yankees had been targeting him for over a year and explained the entire process behind their decision, in hopes it would show how committed the Yankees were to Sabathia. “Ten minutes after he left, I called him to tell him I’m in,” Sabathia said. “That really meant a lot to me.”

In recruiting Burnett, Johnny Damon also played a part in the process by calling the big righty. Derek Jeter also called AJ. I think once Sabathia agreed to come to the Bronx that it would get another big free agent pitcher to come here too. The group of Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Ben Sheets you knew one of them was going to follow CC to the Bronx. There was even a point where some thought, myself included that the Yankees could very well sign all of them (that is still a possibility albeit an unlikely one). The Yankees in my opinion got the two best options and that's quite alright with me.

However you want to look at it, the Yankees did what they set ouot to do this winter, get starting pitching. Whether these guys work out in the end or not, Cashman did his job and filled the biggest needs of the team. If he doesn't get CC or AJ then everyone is calling for his head just like last winter. Good work Brian, I commend the work you've done this offseason. I've said it many times, he's the best GM in the game and that's not because he has an open checkbook to work with, it's because he lays out a plan before it's a thought in most people's minds. He's the right man for the job and he got the right men to fix the Yankees. Now all we need is for Andy Pettitte to re-sign and we're ready to go.

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Tags: AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Brain Cashman, CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Derek Lowe, Johan Santana, Johnny Damon, Phil Hughes, 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