What about Pettitte?

Now that the New York Yankees have signed 3 players this offseaon with combined contracts equaling near $424 million, do they have money to sign another vetran in Andy Pettitte? Pettitte has been considering $10 million offer from the Yankees for a while now, believing he deserves a salary closer to the $16 million he made last season. But unless the Yankees are able to trade one of their extra hitters, there may be no room for Pettitte, the Journal News said.

Signing Mark Teixeira and fellow free agents Damaso Marte, A.J. Burnett, and CC Sabathia will add roughly $65 million to the payroll in 2009. That would be about $20 million less than the Yankees have coming off from 2008 and they would like it to stay that way.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be interested in Pettette however. This is not surprising to me because of Pettitte's relationship with former Yankees manager Joe Torre. Pettitte may sign a multi-year contract with the Dodgers for maybe what he was looking for Yankees. Don't be surprised if this goes through.

In other Yankee news, former Red Sox catcher Kevin cash signed a minor league contract with the Yankees. The Yankees did not announce any signing, but the newspaper said the team came to terms with Cash on a minor league deal that will pay him $700,000 if he plays in the majors.

He will be insurance for Jorge Posada if he does not recover from shoulder surgery fast enough. Another Red Sox player coming to the Yankees...

Teixeira to the Yankees

The Yankees landed yet another superstar this off season. They signed First Basemen Mark Teixeira to an 8 year $170 million contract. It was believed that the Yankees were out of the running for him and that he was likely going to sign with Boston or Washington.

For the Yankees and their fans, the past few weeks have been incredible. They sign the best 3 free agents, 2 of them are pitchers, and the other one of the best all around players in the game. I can't wait to see Tex in pinstripes.

Yankees Fix Numbers to Cheat Taxes on Stadium

As covered on Shysterball earlier today, emails were leaked that revealed that politicians asked the tax assessors to overestimate the value of the stadium property so that the Yankees could claim a billion dollar tax deductable. Initially estimated to be valued at 27 million dollars, the land was "re-evaluated" to be worth over 200 million dollars! No wonder they had enough money to sign C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and possibly Mark Teixieria...

Yanks Land Another Ace

It is believed that the New York Yankees and free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett have reached a preliminary deal of 5 years, $82.5 million. Burnett went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA with Toronto. Just days after the Yankees signed southpaw C.C. Sabathia, they land another dominant pitcher. So with the two newcomers, how good does this make the Yankees?

It's impossible to say for sure what this staff's numbers are going to look like in 2009, but this is how I see it playing out.

C.C. Sabathia- 19-6, 2.90 ERA. Sabathia showed that he is the most dominant pitcher in the league last year and should continue to put up great numbers with the best offense he is ever going to have.

A.J. Burnett- 18-9, 3.50 ERA. A little better than his numbers last season, I feel like Burnett has the stuff to produce these types of numbers. Along with his usual 200 plus strikeouts, I expect him to be a good fit for the rotation. The only knock on him is his health. Burnett has only pitched 200 plus innings 3 times in his career. If this flamethrower can stay healthy, I don't see why he can't put up better numbers than last season.

Chien-Ming Wang- 20-8, 3.20 ERA. I believe Wang could have a Cy Young type year. Wang is an innings eater and has a quiet demeanor and stays low key, but from 2006-2008, nobody has more wins than him. He was a solid ace before Sabthia and Burnett came to town, and I can see him getting better with these guys around.

Andy Pettitte- 15-11, 3.90 ERA. Pettitte is aging and didn't have his best year in 2008. Right now it is unsure if he will come back because the Yankees are asking him to take a $6 million paycut, but many insiders expect Pettitte to return. Pettitte has always been a great second half pitcher and I believe he will be a great #4 starter.

Joba Chamberlain- 15-8, 3.30 ERA. If Joba does end up in the starting rotation next year, he will be an awesome #5 starter. When Joba had a starting job last year, he had a great ERA and his strikeouts were impressive. His only knock last year was his low amount of innings pitched, but I feel if they groom him to be a starter out of spring training, that he will be ready to improve his innings pitched.

These are just my predictions. I don't think the Yankees are done adding free agents just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they went after Derek Lowe if Andy Pettitte decided not to come back. I also think that sometime during this winter, they will add a big bat into their lineup. They have already been trying to acquire Mike Cameron from the Brewers for Melky Cabrera. Cameron provides more power than Cabrera and is just as good defensively. This would be a solid pickup until emerging star OF Austin Jackson is ready to get called up to the big leagues. The Yankees are on their way to putting together a great team and have taken care of their starting pitching, something that they have been lacking for a while.

Sabathia to Yanks

Buster Olney of ESPN has reported the C.C. Sabathia will sign with the New York Yankees. The contract is believed to be worth $161 million over 7 years, with a chance to opt out after 3 years. This is $21 million more than the Yankees original offer of six years. 140 million.

Sabathia was the most sought out pitcher and many people thought he was headed out west when he didn't accept the first offer. Sabathia is arguably the best pitcher in the league along with Santana and Lincecum, in my opinion.

This is a HUGE day for the Yankees. If the Yankees can sign another pitcher like Sheets, Burnett, or Lowe, then New York can possibly get 80 wins just from their starters. A lot of people are questioning the Yankees and saying that they gave him too much money, but how can you say that when you look at the guys past. He didn't just have a great second half with the Brewers last year, he has been a top pitcher for years now. Everyone slammed the Yankees last year after not getting Johan, but now it is the Yankees who look like geniuses. They didn't give up any prospects and they got an amazing pitcher. I can't wait for C.C. to dominate in 2009.