MLB

LATEST BOMBSHELL SHOWS YANKS WON’T REPEAT OLD MISTAKES

THE most obvious reason is money. That is why Mark Teixeira is a Yankee today.

We are talking about an organization that now has the four largest contracts currently in play in the majors with the outlays this offseason for Teixeira ($180 million) and CC Sabathia ($161 million) falling in behind the 10-year wallet-busters the Yanks already have bestowed Alex Rodriguez ($275 million) and Derek Jeter ($189 million).

If you are angry about this, especially considering our worldwide economic plight, then know you will be joined by 29 other teams and the commissioner’s office.

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The bus always gets crowded at Yankee-hating time.

But the Yankees had reasons for this decision beyond simply having the money to do it. For them it came down to remembering Carlos Beltran vs. Johnny Damon, and forecasting Teixeira vs. Matt Holliday.

The Yanks essentially learned from history. They were in a very similar situation four offseasons ago. At that time, after the 2004 campaign, they also decided that upgrading their rotation was the top priority. So when the choice came down to whether to add the high-end lefty starter or the switch-hitting defensive stalwart represented by Scott Boras, the Yanks picked Randy Johnson over Beltran.

That proved a mistake, and not just because the Big Unit was such a huge disappointment. But because a year later the Yanks had to address the center-field issue anyway, and they no longer had someone as gifted as Beltran available.

Instead, they had to spend big money on Damon, who quickly proved he was more a left fielder than a center fielder. The repercussions are still being felt, since Brett Gardner currently tops the Yankee depth chart in center.

The Yanks made the high-end lefty starter decision again this offseason with Sabathia. But, on second thought, they saw the Beltran mistake arising anew. Damon, Xavier Nady and Hideki Matsui are all looming free agents. That will be roughly $34 million coming off the books. They will need to replace that offense for 2010.

But the only high-end offensive player in a projected poor free-agent class will be Holliday. Like Teixeira and Damon, Holliday is repped by Boras, which means the early-morning line is it will take a deal at $160 million or more to land him.

But as opposed to Teixeira and Beltran, Holliday is neither an elite defender nor a switch-hitter. For the Yanks, the question came down to spend the money now – and absorb the barbs of the sport – or spend it a year from now on an inferior product (and be criticized then, as well).

So they spent it now because Teixeira improves their offense and defense markedly in 2008, makes it easier to carry inexpensive defense in center (Gardner), is in his prime (does not turn 29 until April), keeps him away from Boston, and removes some desperation moving forward since he is power and patience from both sides of the plate.

The Yanks still – believe it or not – project a lower payroll in 2009 than 2008, and will now try to lower it further by trading at least one and possibly two from among Damon, Matsui, Nady and Nick Swisher.

They most want to protect the leadoff-hitting Damon and move the worst defender, Matsui. The Angels, after losing out on Teixeira, could use Matsui’s production, and so might Texas or Oakland. The Braves, shut out all over the place this offseason, are among the teams that like Nady and, especially, Swisher.

In trades, the Yanks should now try to add multi-dimensional players who can help across the diamond such as the Angels’ Chone Figgins (who might even be able to start in center) and Atlanta’s Martin Prado. They also will want prospects to ease the loss of three high compensatory draft picks due to signing Type-A free agents (Sabathia, Teixeira and A.J. Burnett).

It is hard to defend this kind of spending. But the Yanks were going to buy a top position player now or in 12 months. If you accept that, this is not just dollars, but sense.

joel.sherman@nypost.com