EVERYONE gets blinded by the money ($423.5 million) when it comes to Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. That’s understandable. But leave it to Derek Jeter to make it clear why the Big Three have been successful in their Yankee debuts this season as free agents.”They can play,” Jeter said.
“They’ve pretty much done what they’ve always done,” added the king of baseball common sense. “That’s why we got them.”
Of course, ultimate success comes only in the postseason in The Bronx. That’s when free agents earn their pinstripes and their cash. All this can still blow up in the face of the newcomers. It all starts with Sabathia’s Game 1 performance today.
“I think CC’s been that true ace,” Teixeira said. “There aren’t many of them out there. There’s probably six or seven of them in all of baseball and he has been absolutely incredible.
“A.J. Burnett has given us quality starts all year long. He’s made every single start.”
Burnett has brought just enough goofiness with him to keep it loose, too. Consider him Nick Swisher Light. The pie-in-the-face antics released the Yankees’ pressure valve. All those last-inning victories have turned the new Yankee Stadium into a frat house party, and it’s Burnett who has brought that “Animal House” approach.
“A.J.’s been such a great influence on the young pitchers showing that you can work hard, work your butt off, but at the same time you can have a lot of fun,” Teixeira said.Winning creates fun.
“I knew it was going to be great over here, first class,” Burnett said, “but you don’t really know the guys. You play against them. You figure that they’re good dudes, but once you come over here and get to know them, it’s been more than I could imagine.”
Burnett is thankful for the opportunity.
“This,” he said, “is the first time I’m really part of something that the team really needs, so I’m taking full advantage of that.”
“He’s been the perfect teammate,” said GM Brian Cashman, who pushed all the right buttons this winter, acquiring the free agents.
Yes, the Yankees spent the big money, but don’t overlook the fact that they’ve spent it wisely. That’s not always the case.
Consider that Teixeira could have wound up with the Red Sox. Just imagine where the Yankees would be without Teixeira and where the Red Sox would be with him. Teixeira tied for the AL lead in home runs with 39 and led the league in RBIs with 122. Those are MVP numbers. As Alex Rodriguez said earlier this season about the sweet-swinging, switching-hitting first baseman, “He’s our Lou Gehrig.”
How many players get to that level? It has been more than performance for all three players.
Pitching coach Dave Eiland said of Sabathia, “He came as advertised, and more. Not just what he brings on the days he pitches, he brings something every day. A lot of times you’ll see starting pitchers, when they’re not pitching, you don’t see them on the bench very much. CC’s on the bench for every pitch. He’s a great teammate, he’s a great leader. He leads by example all the way around. He brought the pitching staff together in spring training, taking them to basketball games and things.”
But it’s the playoffs where Sabathia has stumbled. Over his last two postseasons, he has allowed 17 runs in 14 innings. He has to produce as a Yankee.
“We know what’s at stake,” Sabathia said. “I’ll be geared up and ready.”
“We’ve done our job in the regular season,” Teixeira said. “We’ve met all our regular-season goals, but obviously there’s a much bigger prize out there and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Now it’s Three for the Prize. Expect more $uccess.