Do the Yanks have a back up plan?

The Yankees sent CC Sabathia an offer of $140 million. Who would not jump at that?

It might be someone who does not to come to the Bronx. He is from California and loves the National Leauge.With the Moose retired the team needs arms. Do they now overpay for AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe? Maybe they have a trade we don't know about. Or do they try to get two big bats like Mark Teixera? Or maybe bring in Manny Ramirez to christen the new Stadium. Its all quiet on the front now but the Yanks must get one of those pitchers in the pool to stay a float in 2009. Stay tuned...news should come soon.

How About The Outfield?

The Yanks best off season needs is pitching, but second should be the outfield.The team really needs a young athletic center fielder. Here's a breakdown.

Left

Xavuer Nady
Hideki Matsui
Johnny Damon

Center
Johnny Damon
Brett Gardner (above)

Right
Bobby Abeu (above)
Justin Christian

It looks a little crowed to me. One will be the DH. Who stays?

With Damon having a year left on his contract and can DH, lead off and play left & center in a pinch he will probably not get traded. Hideki was hurt and had his worse Yankee year last year. Seattle had some interest if he could be moved it might be a good call.

Nady was great in left coming from Pittsburgh but could be moved to right to replace Abeu if he goes the free agent route. Brett Gardner looks like a great role player who can come off the bench, steal a base and play center great but does not look like an everyday player.

Abeu has filed for free agency and and if the Yankees bring in a big time out filed he could bolt. It lookslike he has a 50/50 shot of coming back.

Who do they bring in? Do they throw the big bucks at Manny? He does not fill you needs of getting younger but Bomber fans will take his bat. Do they trade for a young outfielder like the Royals DavidDejesues or maybe a veteran like Mike Camaron? Or make a big spill and trade for The Rockies Matt Holiday? Or maybe just stand pat and wait for farmhand Austin Jackson, the centefielder of the future? Or maybe trade him for a stop gap player?

Mid December after the winter meetings we could have a different look to the Yankees outfield...we will see.

Let the off season begin

Phils had their parade and congratulations to the world champs; that's Jimmy Rollins above.

This could be one of the biggest off seasons for the Yankees in the past few years. Where can we start? How about starters.

The team is going to throw big money at CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Will they take the money? Will the team have to trade for a starter? Will Mussina and Pettitte be back? Will the team stick with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy who they got zero wins from? Will Joba start or be in the 'Pen?

Speaking of the 'Pen...after Mariano, will the strong pen of Coke, Marte, Ramirez, Vares and Bruney stay intact or will they have to trade for starting pitching? Behind the plate...will Jorge be back or will he have to spend time at first.Does the team need to get another catcher to platoon with Jose Molina?

Short and third are set but how about second with Cano coming off a bad year. Does the team try to move him or stick with the young second baseman? First base is another big question. Do the try to get Giambi back for one more year or go for someone who can play defense? Or throw big money at Mark Texira who might not want to come here?

In the outfield the team needs a everyday center fielder who can play defense. Do you trade for a big time center fielder or stick with Brett Gardner who can filed but it looks like he cant hit? Hank Steinbrenner likes Many Ramirez but at 36 that is not getting younger. Abeu might be gone what do you do with Johnny Damon and Matsui whose outfield skills have declined in the past year?

November and December will big in what becomes of the 2009 Yankees in an off season that will have many moves. Stay tuned.