Teixeira is coming

I am actually quite excited at the press conference Mark Teixeira is going to hold soon. I am very curious about what Teixeira is going to say. Based on what I have heard and read about him so far, it seems he is a quiet and serious guy who works very hard. Let alone the decision process of choosing teams during the whole negotiation.

By the way, I will keep waiting Pettitte. Whether Pettitte will come back to Yankees or not, don't even think about bring Oliver Perez to Yankees. I will rather Yankees choose anyone else or go to one of youngsters.

Updated: The press conference for Teixeira will be at 1pm today in U.S which will be 5am in Sydney later on. I need to find a way to get up around the time. Hopefully, I can.

WoW!! Is this true? Yankees sign Teixeira???

I just said "Of course, this assumes Yankees don't get Teixeira" on preview post and I was prepared to turn off my computer. WoW! I heard this breaking news on WFAN. I believe most Yankees fans like me can't wait season starting now. 8 years for 180 million. WoW!

By the way, The most impressive thing Yankees have done so far is selling first two games of New Yankees stadium at the same price old Yankees stadium sold in 1923. Not to mention it's free for season ticket holders. Great guesture to fans and great marketing for organization.

How lucky we are as a Yankees fan because owners of our team are willing to do whatever to put the best products on the field.

Manny vs Teixeira

I know Yankees' focus this off-season is getting younger and improving pitching and defense. However, I do think Yankees will add an impact bat to protect A-Rod. The more I think about it, the more I think Manny will be a better fit to Yankees than Teixeira as long as we can get Manny for 3 years deal at maximum.

First of all, I know everyone will question Manny's attitude. As I discussed this on other post earlier, Manny and Red Sox front office are only persons know the true story. Even though all stories about Manny are true, I believe Yankees can set up the rules with Manny when they talk about contracts.

This probably may be Manny's final deal. I believe players care about their legacy, including Manny. On top of that, A-Rod certainly will be a good companion for Manny. They are not only good friends but also they can motivate each other and create good competition among them.

When Manny was a Yankees fan when he grow up near Yankees stadium, I believe Manny will love to torture Red Sox after all things happened between him and Red Sox. Because of his personality and his performance on Red Sox, I believe he can handle the pressure of playing in New York. Don't forget. Damon will help Manny to transit well in New York. Not to mention Manny in NYY not only bring more fans to ball park but also attract more media and create more coverages.

On the field, Manny certainly can give Yankees an impact bat to protect A-Rod. I know Manny is getting old. However, for a three year deal, I believe he can perform well during the span. I know Manny's defense is not good, but it's not terrible. After Matsui and Damon's contract expire after 2009 season, we can put Manny in left field and share DH spot with Posada at the last two years of their contracts or put Swisher to one of corner outfielders' position, Posada at first base and Manny at DH spot.

For 2009 season, I believe Joe Girardi can figure out a plan to rotate Manny, Damon, Matsui, Melky/Gardner, Posada(if he needs time away from catcher position), Swisher, Nady on all outfielder, first base and DH spots well.

Jeter and A-Rod eventually will need to move their positions to first base, DH or corner outfielder(in Jeter's case). That's why it's better not to give out 8-10 years contract to Teixeira and tie up first base position to him.

Swisher will be a good fit to Yankees

Go check out the interview Swisher did on WFAN. The more I listen to him, the more I like him. I think he will do well and bring a lot to us, especially his personality. He laughs and jokes a lot during interview. Yankees certainly need someone like him to loose up and play 150% every time out.

We need more baseball players, not superstars.

For example, Swisher said his father is a Cubs' fan and goes on to say he quickly changes to a Yankees fan few days ago. HA! Not to mention there are more Yankees fans in his hometown now. He also mentions New Yankees stadium. The most important is he likes to eat. Me too. Welcome to Yankees' family.

P.S I just heard the interviews Michael Kay did on ESPN 1050. If CC doesn't like to play for us, like Peavy. I don't want someone to play for us if he doesn't want to no matter how good he is. However, there are tons of people claiming they are friends of CC now. I will reserve my comments before hearing from CC or his agents.

How can I miss this?

I have a busy day and I didn't go on the Internet yesterday. Talking about how little I know regard of Yankees. I know today is the first day every teams can talk numbers to every free agents. I don't think there will be any major news coming out. So, I miss it.

Yankees traded for Swisher yesterday. Let me tell you this first. I like this trade. I will come back more for details. It's pretty early in Sydney now.

If you don't want to play for Yankees, don't come no matter how good you are

As I state earlier regard of Joe Torre's depart, people have to love what they do, otherwise they are not going to do the job very well. Of course, there is nothing wrong about people don't like to play or root for Yankees. As a Yankees fan, I don't want any player who doesn't want to play for Yankees to come no matter how good they are.

If Jake Peavy doesn't want to play for Yankees, it's fine let him stay in National league which he prefers than American league. I don't know how good he can be if he doesn't want to switch from national league to American league.

We may all have experience about changing jobs. Different people with different personality. For me, I like to face challenge and am not afraid of dealing with much more difficult job. I have been changed my job from small company to a big company because I want to know how good I can be. Of course, it doesn't guarantee I can succeed. But, I certainly do better than those are afraid of facing new challenge but forcing to do so.

The bottom line is I hope Yankees spend money, not to spend prospects for their problems this off-season. If we can have Mark Teixeria, Manny, C.C., Burnett for money, do that and keep most prospects we have. You never know who is going to pay off for us in the near future. I do think Cashman will be with me on this subject.

A game all about future

I am not talking about A.J. Burnett. Just Kidding!

I am talking about Phil Hughes and Juan Miranda.

I know tons of people jump on Hughes' terrible year, but I still think it's right thing not to trade him for Santana. I wrote a post earlier regard of Hughes. I stick to my words. I have faith on him.

As for Juan Miranda, he had two good at bat against A.J. Burnett and a good lefty from Blue Jays' bullpen. I really think Yankees have to reconsider if they really think about going after Mark Teixeira for a extremely long term contract at a insane price, especially when you consider how many potential first basemen we are going to have in the near future.

By the way, If we can sign A.J. Burnett and Bobby Abreu at reasonable price for reasonable years, I don't mind. This means 2 years 13 million per year for Abreu and 4 years 11-13 million per year for A.J. Burnett. But, If they ask more than that, I won't do it.

I know Yankees have "some" money to spend this off-season. I still think Yankees should keep doing this young movement. I hope Yankees front office won't spend crazily this off-season and go back to the old way about signing all aging superstars because we miss the playoff this season. I don't mind they spend money, but make sure to be selective.

When you consider how many things went wrong this season and Yankees may still end up with 90 wins that is a record better than a lot of playoff teams, Yankees still have a decent season. I don't agree on some many people say about Yankees' terrible 2008 season.