The New York Yankees continue their spending spree today as they inked free agent 1B Mark Teixiera to a 8 year deal. The contract is believed to be over $180 million and include a no-trade clause. Teixeira was seen as a "money-grubbing boy scout" from some sources. The Angels and Red Sox both said they were done with Tex and agent Scott Boras because the demanding price was too high. The Nationals seemed to be a likely destination with the hometown factor and they were ready to sweeten their deal. But in t! he end the Yankees threw as much $$$$ as they could Tex's way and he could not refuse. Tex is the third monstrous signing by the Yanks this offseason. Pitchers CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett have already agreed to enormous deals just a few weeks ago.The Yankees now have the four highest paid players in baseball in Teixeira, Sabathia,
A-Rod, and Jeter. The Yankees continue to receive a gigantic luxury tax, but it does not phase them. The Yankees have the money to spend and as long as MLB has no salary cap they will continue to do so. The Yan! kees have bought top FAs year after year, but in most cases it! has not resulted in championships. The Yankees are yet to win a World Series with Alex Rodriguez, never mind play in one with the "best hitter in baseball." The Red Sox have won 2 WS since the Yankees last title. The Tampa Bay Rays won the AL East this season with one of the smallest payrolls in the league. The Yankees continue to put out an all-star team year after year, but last year they did not even make the postseason. New York has very little chemistry and lacks a good leader. A big reason for the Yankees success over the years was manager Joe Torre. He is now the general in LA, while NY is left with Joe Girardi. Girardi will likely be fired this season without an appearance in the ALCS. There are a lot of expectations in the Bronx and this season once again after these signings, NY will accept nothing less than a World Series title.Lets look deeper into these deals. Over the years big name free agents rarely play up to the level of expectation, or in the Yank! ees case at all. Remember Carl Pavano? Kevin Brown? Even Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu. Tex is a fine player, but he is now one of the four highest paid players in baseball. He is not even arguably a top 5 first baseman in this league. CC was a great signing, but he isn't the best pitcher in the state of New York. That man is Johan Santana. AJ
Burnett, well lets be honest I fully expect him to be a huge bust. Maybe one good season in NY. The Tampa Bay Rays are still the class of the AL East. Boston is right there as well. They have lost no one an! d their young players like Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Lester! , Papelb on, Masterson, etc. will only get better. The Yankees are still an old team and look at the WS Champions the past few years, Philly, Boston, St. Louis, Chi-Sox, Boston, Florida, all young teams. The Yankees need to develop young players to find their success once again. A great free agent signing is good, but the young players need to be the core of the ballclub to win a championship. It will be interesting to see how all this unfolds.
