Like the Red Sox, the Yankees' big signing was not an addition, but a return.

Where They Are Coming From

The Yankees were the best team in baseball after the All-Star break and should be among the league’s top contenders in 2008 as well. A disappointing finish to the end of the 2007 campaign and a first round exit for the third straight season saw some heads roll in the Bronx, and rightfully so.

Built like the Yankees of the mid-90s, this club has the potential to start a new dynasty, led by strong veteran presence and exceptional young talent. The New York Yankees have put together a solid off-season, so far and it appears it is just the beginning.

Players Added

The Yankees were faced with potentially losing Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte all at the same time leaving gaping holes on their roster. However, general manager Brian Cashman was able to come to terms with the four stars and he might have had some help from newly appointed manager Joe Girardi.

A-Rod’s opt out was what has appeared to be a ridiculous public relations stunt by his agent Scott Boras, who wanted to shake every last penny out of the Steinbrenners’ pockets. With some advice from close friends, Rodriguez returned to the Bronx, richer than before with the chance to chase history in the new Yankee Stadium.

Posada and Rivera did not come at any bargain after Cashman and Co. snubbed them back in spring training last season, and they should have been taken care of then, not eight months later. Posada has put himself on the border of being a Hall of Famer, and a repeat season of 2007 would pretty much lock up the vote. Rivera is Rivera, the best closer in the history of the game, and with Joba Chamberlain joining the starting rotation; the Yanks had no choice but to fork over the money to retain Mo.

The only additions as of now to the Yankees’ major league roster have been to the bullpen. LaTroy Hawkins comes over from the World Series runner-up Rockies. New York is familiar with Hawkins from his days in the East as an Oriole and to find a veteran righty, with hard throwing, late-inning stuff for a one-year deal, the Yankees can afford to take a risk on Hawkins.

The other arm is Jonathan Albaladejo who came over via a trade with Washington for Tyler Clippard. Albaladejo went 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA in minimal work last season with the Nationals, but only 25, he can join the core of young players already on the Yankees. It is nice to see Clippard go to a team where he can have a serious chance at making the starting rotation. Clippard was inconsistent in a handful of starts with New York, but should be able to help a depleted Nationals staff.

Players Lost

The Bombers chose to not re-sign Luis Vizcaino who was up and down for the entire season, but during the time he was on, boy was he on. The Viz signed with Colorado, apparently replacing Hawkins, and he should be dominant once again in the National League.

The only other player the Yankees lost was Andy Phillips who the Yankees designated for assignment and offered a minor league contract. Phillips refused the deal and instead signed with Cincinnati, a club he should be able to make out of spring training. Phillips was a great role player with the Yankees, one they should have kept, but for some reason the management and front office was always opposed to giving him a shot at being the everyday for first baseman.

Moves Still To Come

Obviously Johan Santana is still on the market, and not a day goes by that Hank Steinbrenner does not voice his opinion to the newspapers in response to the trade rumors. The Yankees have refused several trades over the past few seasons to make sure they kept Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Chamberlain and now they are up and down on whether or not they should deal a pair of their young arms for a true ace in Santana.

New York should see what Hughes, Kennedy, and Chamberlain have for an entire big league season rather than immediately bite on the Santana deal. Minnesota is holding out for the most talent possible, and they might not get that deal until July 31st, so the Yankees are better for sticking with the kids at least until mid-summer to see what they have in store.

Aside from Santana, the Yankees do need true bullpen help. Rivera is the only reliable arm in the pen right now though help could be on the way in the form of Albaladejo or Jose Veras who is tearing up the winter ball league right now. Hopefully, Girardi can get some control and consistency out of Kyle Farnsworth and help Edwar Ramirez and Brian Bruney be effective on a regular basis. The bullpen’s ceiling of potential is extremely high, but it is about time they put their talent to use.

What to Watch in Spring Training

The first base job will most likely be fought for in spring training with Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit the two candidates for the position. As of now it seems Duncan will get the call on Opening Day to start there with the bat he has shown and the fact he is right handed power hitter, something the team is lacking aside from A-Rod.

The starting rotation consists of Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy, but this number obviously needs to drop down to five. Do not be surprised to see Joba back in the bullpen to get the ball to Mo and eventually become the Yankees’ closer. On the other hand, if that is not the case, expect Mussina or Kennedy to become the long man until an injury occurs.

The bullpen has many candidates for a limited numbers of spots and there should be some great competition for those spots in Tampa this March. Rivera, Farnsworth, and Hawkins appear to be the only locks as of now with the other four possibly five spots up for grabs. New York’s downfall early last season was the bullpen until Chamberlain came along; they need a solid one from the start of the season this year.

The Yankees are built for the present and the future with the wide range of ages and talent on the club. Joe Girardi proved his managerial skills and baseball strategy works as he led an inexperienced Florida Marlins club to a wild card race in 2006. If he can keep the personalities in check in the clubhouse and get the most out of the rookies on this team, mainly the pitchers, the Yankees can take back the AL East title from Boston.