WHERE there’s a baseball will, there’s a way. The Yankees and GM Brian Cashman found a way yesterday to add what the team so desperately needed.
The Yankees landed a Gold Glove first baseman, a switch-hitter who batted .308 with 33 home runs last year and a character guy all in one move by swooping in and signing free agent Mark Teixeira away from the Red Sox to an eight-year, $180 million contract.
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Teixeira is a power switch-hitter in his prime, something the Yankees haven’t had since the days of Bernie Williams. Throw in Teixeira’s tremendous glove and it’s something they haven’t had at first since the days of Tino Martinez.
That was back when the Yankees used to win championships, when they were built for baseball, not just a corporation of players. All the haters out there will say this is another example of the Yankees trying to buy a world championship.
Yes, the Yankees have money and they spend it. There’s nothing wrong with that, but at least now they are spending it the right way, building a baseball team. The Yankees’ corners are set for the next eight years with Teixeira at first and Alex Rodriguez at third base.
“The Yankees are spending their money in a good way,” Johnny Damon said. “It’s amazing, we’ve gotten three of the top four guys so far.”
That fourth is Manny Ramirez, but don’t expect the Yankees to go there. Teixeira is not Ramirez, he doesn’t have the same explosive ability at the plate, but he can do so much for a team and carries no baggage. That’s why I was so adamant Sunday writing that the Red Sox’s move away from Teixeira created an opening for the Yankees, an opening they had to burst through. Cashman, who has been in touch with agent Scott Boras from the start, did just that.
I wrote the Yankees best offer could come quickly. And it did. The Yankees have been planning this for a while. Cashman and Boras have been talking about this deal for a month. When I asked Boras yesterday, shortly after the deal was done, what makes Teixeira worth all this money, the super-agent answered quickly: “Mark is one of the great examples of a player who has remarkable skills, discipline and character.”
The Red Sox desperately wanted Teixeira. Their “baseball people” were trying to get owner John Henry back in the action after the Red Sox pulled out. Red Sox president Larry Lucchino usually is talkative, but when reached he immediately offered a “no comment.” He then apologized but said he had nothing to say on the matter.
The Red Sox are speechless.
The Yankees needed Teixeira because he helps on offense and defense. He will save runs and will make life much better for Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano. Jason Giambi tried, but he was a dreadful first baseman. He always looked like he was on ice skates and did not have the confidence to throw the ball.
Last season the Yankees managed to score only seven more runs than the Orioles. Stat guru Howie Karpin points out they scored three runs or less 70 times and were 21-49 in those games. Of those 49 losses, 12 were by one run. The Yankees had six more losses than the wild card Red Sox.
Teixeira can make a difference of one run in so many games with either his glove or bat, and now the Yankees pitching staff is much better with the other two big power signings: CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Signing Derek Lowe away from the Mets and Red Sox would be the final piece, another baseball move that would crush Boston. But even if that doesn’t happen the Yankees’ offseason has been on the Mark.