Defending Champs Look Even Stronger

As it was the 2009 Yankees were a team with the best record and to be honest yeah they lost a few games in the playoffs but for some reason the momentum seemed to be in their favor throughout the cold nights of October through November.

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This was a group that lost the first game of the World Series and came out for game two with such confidence as #34 A.J. Burnett got them rolling again pitching a gem in a big game.

This team overcame a lot they had to start their season without their starting third basemen #13 Alex Rodriguez... In the absence of Arod they couldn't really get any offense going and newcomer 1B #25 Mark Teixeira was struggling big time.

Many people say the season was turned around when A. Rodriguez hit a walk off home run in a 15 inning game to defeat the Boston Red Sox, but I feel like it came much sooner.

The first at bat that Alex had in his return was a memorable time in 2009 because he battled all of the tension that the media created for him over the years went out and slugged a three run home run on the first pitch he saw.

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From that point on the pressure was lifted off of Tex's shoulders although Alex struggled for a while after that the overall thought on the bench was that they finally had the best player in Baseball back.

After winning the World Series the 27th World Championship in New York Yankees franchise history they were very smart with their off season moves up to this point.

I am really going to miss Melky Cabrera but I got to be honest getting Javier Vasquez back is a blessing, and that deal is a steal for the Yankees.

You now have added another all star pitcher to the mix when you have 3 of the best pitchers in Baseball already, along with adding a young lefty reliever in Boone Logan.

B. Logan is 25 years of age he posted a high ERA last year but that can change especially with how young he is... New York is a breathe of fresh air for a player who has struggled in other cities now he is surrounded by one of the best bullpens around.

Melky was a great player to have I don't know if he will ever really be a numbers guy but any time you need a jolt in big spots he comes through it should be interesting to see how he will fare in Atlanta for the Braves.

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New York is a big city the media is everywhere fans are always around there is so much pressure that is put onto players who wear the pinstripes.

Now Melky is in a place where some of that attention will be taken off and he can focus on improving his game.

For a guy like him I don't know if New York is the best place for him I mean I don't know what these guys do off the field but for some reason he just seemed like one of those guys who loved the New York night life way too much.

Now with him gone Yankees second basemen #24 Robinson Cano is free of any distractions and can get back to the basics.

Robby Cano is an excellent player I think he will be for a long time, but he is going to have to learn how to hit with runners in scoring position.

He had a career year then bombed in the post season and for so many guys that seems to be the common tail.

Alex Rodriguez was one of the worst players in playoff history with 05,06,07 lets also not mention that he couldn't pick the team up when they were up 3 games to 0 against the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS.

Alex turned all that around I would really like to see someone like R. Cano do the same because he is loaded with ability.

A move you cannot ignore is the acquisition of Curtis Granderson who will wear the #14 for the Bronx Bombers and be their new starting center fielder.

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Curtis seems to have some sneaky power he will give you solid defense and will be a pest on the base paths.

C. Granderson is in the perfect place now the man is just a class act who deserves to be on a winning team especially one that has the ability to repeat another World Series win.

One move I am not so curtain about is the signing of former Yankee Nick Johnson as he has been known to miss a lot of games due to nagging injuries.

Nick is a solid player but has not lived up to anything that was said about his game when he was trying to making it to the bigs.


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I remember reading a story that was comparing him to Babe Ruth... He may look like him but he will never be the King Of Crash.

Not resigning 2009 World Series MVP Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui was a huge mistake but to then not be able to wrap up Johnny Damon is an even bigger mistake at this point.

You already let Hideki go he signed with the Angels so you might as well at least keep J. Damon, you know he will be consistent with the bat you can keep him in the DH role where he would be flourish.

Johnny is not getting any younger his days of shagging balls in the outfield are probably over or soon to be, but you have to accept the fact that this is still a solid bat with terrific speed.

You replaced Hideki and Johnny with Nick Johnson a player who is really not known for his power or consistency.

All three are clutch hitters in big spots but Nick just don't seem to come anywhere close to those two, and for that I would have to say right now today that is definitely not an upgrade unless you find a way to resign J. Damon.

From what I have read and heard it seems that Johnny Damon returning for the start of 2010 in the Bronx is almost near impossible with the deals for Curtis Granderson and Randy Winn already being made.

As much money as the Yankees have GM Brian Cashman was given a budget for this off season and with the limited room he has to make do with he has overall put a better team on the field.

One of the more recent signings outfielder Randy Winn will give you so much more depth with Jamie Hoffman, and Brett Gardner.

Last season with the San Franciso Giants the newest Yankee of 2010 Randy Winn hit .262 with only two home runs driving in 51 runs.

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I like Randy's game he is a solid pick up my only question is why every outfielder we have to sign has to be in their mid 30's?

I guess at least you know that they have two youngsters to step in if he can't do that job.

The thing that will always be there is they also provide one of the better pitching staffs around which is always your best weapon as the season winds down to October.

Lets see what will happen could they pull of their goal of winning a 28th World Championship along with winning for the 2nd straight year?