Thoughts on the Yankees signing Mark Teixeira

---I absolutely love New York City-------it's my second favorite place in the world, second to my hometown of San Francisco-------but I can't stand the Yankees. They spend money like Paris Hilton goes through boyfriends.

---It is great for sports when New York teams thrive, but the Bronx Bombers have such a criminally unfair advantage when it comes to their gargantuan payroll.

---161 million dollars for CC Sabathia, 82.5 million for A.J. Burnett, and now 180 million for Teixeira. People say that one of the main causes of America's economic decline has been the loss of jobs overseas, but I think it is because the Yankees have all the money.

---In all seriousness, the way in which Brian Cashman is spending is completely disrespectful to the millions of struggling families in this current economic climate.

---The most egregious thing is that New York still has incredible amounts of dough left over. Who knows, maybe they'll throw twenty trillion at Manny Ramirez next.

---I have the highest respect for the PTI duo of Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser----they are two of the smartest, most entertaining sports minds around. But I respectfully disagree with their belief that fans shouldn't be outraged by the Yankees big money antics. Spending as much as the Pinstripes do is totally unnecessary. Couldn't they have spent 150 million for Sabathia instead of 161 million, 70 million for Burnett instead of 82.5 million, 170 million for Teixeira instead of 180 million? Surely, that would have been more than enough to lure the three prized acquisitions to the Bronx.

---Ultimately, the Yankees bloated payroll is detrimental to Major League Baseball.

---Okay, enough negativity. The Yankees may have overspent, but their acquisitions of Sabathia and Teixeira (Burnett won't have much of an impact) make New York instant title contenders.

---Just as long as the players don't become too distracted by Madonna, I think the Yankees will win the AL East.

---But I would not be the slightest bit surprised if the Rays or Red Sox win the division. Tampa's pitching can overpower even the most intimidating offense, while Boston remains a perennial championship contender.

---It's understandable why many Red Sox fans are upset. It is never fun to see a great player slip out of your grasp and land with your rival. But Boston will be fine. Contrary to popular belief, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell are not done. They will revert back into clutch form.

---SportsCenter's Jay Harris made a great point today. Don't worry angry Red Sox fans, you still have the Celtics.

---I hope to catch a game at the new Yankee Stadium next summer. I just hope they don't charge me 200 bucks for a seat in the nosebleed section.

CC in the Bronx: Sabathia may be worth it, but do the Yankees have any tact?

What recession? Apparently the Yankees are blissfully unaware of the economic crisis that has hit this country with devastating force. Because to the Bronx Bombers, 160 million dollars is chump change. I can just picture Brian Cashman going into a Waffle House and tipping the waitress a thousand bucks for a ten dollar meal of pancakes and hash browns. Heck, when you have that much dough, why not just flaunt it?



The Fighting Pinstripes netted the most coveted free agent in baseball, signing ace CC Sabathia to a seven-year, 161 million dollar deal, tearing the lid off what was an oddly uneventful Hot Stove season. This marks the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. Yes, even larger than the 7-year, 127 million my beloved Giants stupidly threw at Barry Zito two years ago. Sabathia had been actively engaged with many teams, including the Giants, and he repeatedly expressed his desire to return to his California roots. Money talked, however, and the man who led Milwaukee to last year's postseason is headed to the Big Apple in what will be the first year at the new Yankee Stadium.



Even if an athlete had the combined talents of Michael Jordan, Willie Mays, and Jerry Rice, I still wouldn't spend 161 million on him. That's just way too much cash for anybody. With that being said, there's no denying the fact that Sabathia is worth big money. The Yankees will be in a three-way tussle for the AL East division crown next season along with the defending American League champion Rays and the archrival Red Sox, who still hope to sign Mark Teixiera. But with the addition of Sabathia, Joe Girardi's club has separated themselves, albeit slightly, from the division pack. Much has been made of CC's recent October struggles with the Indians and Brewers, but as ESPN's Jayson Stark astutely pointed out today on "ESPN First Take", the Yankees have to get to October first. And no one can deny the fact that CC Sabathia has been stunning in the regular season. As far as character is concerned, the Yankees are getting a classy individual. New York City is a magnificent place, but the tough media can agitate even the most saintly human being. But my guess is that CC will maintain his poise, stay calm, cool, and collected under the scrutiny of the press. Judging by all of the above, it is clear that Sabathia deserved a huge contract.



But 161 million dollars, to one player.....................seriously??? Was 155 million not enough? The "Evil Empire" has never been particularly neighborly, as the Steinbrenners make Ebenezer Scrooge look like an angel. Never, though, have they slapped America in the face this hard. Couldn't they have shown a little restraint, some recognition of America's fiscal struggles? Even a statement reading, "We have money. You don't. Take that America", would be better than nothing. Certainly, ridiculous contracts are very common in professional sports, and if any other team had Yankee money, they'd surely spend it in an occasionally egregious fashion. Yet am I the only one who is a little turned off by Brian Cashman's latest display of riches? Call me naive, old fashioned, jealous (partially true, as my Giants were one of the bidders for CC, only to see a top free agent slip through our fingers----again)-----call me whatever you like. I just do not find it acceptable to spend so freely during a time of significant economic turmoil. Also, something must be done to level the playing field in Major League Baseball. I love MLB, but more so than any other pro sport, it features an unacceptable discrepancy in payroll. Parity is a good thing. There is a reason why the Royals always stink and the Yankees and Red Sox always contend, and a big part of that reason is payroll.

Commissioner Selig, please act. One of your teams has enough money to start another government bailout, and this is not good for your sport.