By swooping in and signing Mark Teixeira, the Yankees also causedcollateral damage within their own division.
To the Red Sox, their ancient rivals, it was as if the Yanksdrove by Fenway Park and unplugged their holiday display.
To the Rays, the reigning AL champions, it was the latestvariation on an old theme: The Yankees can play all winter at thehigh-stakes tables, and they can do it with amazing success.
Already, the Blue Jays have all but conceded the 2009 season.Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi told mlb.com that his clubwould not be a player for any big-ticket free agents, and willinstead see how its youngsters fare.
The Orioles had interest in Teixeira, but couldn’t commit thetype of money the Sox and Yanks were throwing at the switch-hittingfirst baseman. After 11 straight losing seasons in Baltimore, a 12this on the way – a terrible shame for a terrific fan base.
But the lesson of 2008, when the upstart Rays fought through theAL East stranglehold created by the Yanks and Sox, ought to beremembered as we head into 2009.
Even after committing $423.5 million to three players –Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett — the Yankees are guaranteednothing, except to lead the majors in payroll again.
Should the Yankees’ prime parts remain healthy, they still couldrepeat a third-place finish in the East. Because for all theirglitzy signings, the Yankees are older, weaker and filled withuncertainty up the middle.
Their 37-year-old catcher, Jorge Posada, missed virtually all oflast season because of shoulder surgery, and he’s being counted onto catch 120 games next season. That seems awfully ambitious.
Derek Jeter’s range issues aside, his double play partner is moreof a mystery.
Coming off a terrible season, Robinson Cano is at a crossroad; Ishe the .300-plus hitting All-Star with the potential for 30 homersand a Gold Glove, or will bad habits at the plate and poorconcentration in the field continue to drag down his game?
But of even greater concern is center field. Right now, thereisn’t anyone the Yanks really trust at the position.
General manager Brian Cashman has expressed his reluctance tomove Johnny Damon back to center, and he’s essentially ruled outNick Swisher as an everyday option — both with good reason.
Despite their youth, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner have thelook of career fourth outfielders, and the Yankees obviously havesoured on Cabrera.
With Swisher in left and Damon in center, is this the type ofoutfield defense you want in the new Yankee Stadium, after all thatmoney spent on starting pitching? There must be corresponding moves,and perhaps the Yanks will persuade the Royals to deal David DeJesus.
Swisher, Damon, Xavier Nady and Hideki Matsui, the regulardesignated hitter, must all be considered in trade discussions for atrue center fielder.
But the Rays and Red Sox also have their needs.
Tampa Bay could use another impact hitter, or two, in its lineup.Bobby Abreu might be a good fit in right field. Still, a reallydynamic addition – if the Rays are so inclined – would be a run atManny Ramirez, to fill their open designated hitter’s spot.
After missing out on Teixeira, and with Manny no option, mightthe Red Sox wait to see how Mike Lowell responds from his hipproblem before adding another hitter?
Jason Bay is a good hitter, but he’s not Ramirez. And now, theSox go into their first full season in which David Ortiz – comingoff a wrist injury – is not paired with Ramirez’s lethal right-handed bat.
And the Sox have their own worries up the middle.
Their catching situation is muddy, especially if they don’t re-sign Jason Varitek. Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was benchedduring the playoffs, and Coco Crisp was dealt for relief help.
Shortstop Jed Lowrie is a talent, but he’s untested. Plus, likethe Yankees, there’s some cloudiness in the back of their rotation.Will Justin Masterson be in manager Terry Francona’s rotation? Ifso, how much does that weaken the Sox’ bullpen?
Unlike the Yanks and Sox, Tampa Bay has questions at the closer’sspot – though the Rays have the East’s most intriguing young arm inDavid Price. How manager Joe Maddon uses Price could make a hugedifference in this three-team race.
