Kuzul

The New York Yankees have to divert whatever attention is left from all the Cliff Lee drama, but there is no denying the painful disappointment still lingers.

Losing Kerry Wood to the Chicago Cubs was unexpected, but the signing of former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin gave the first ray of hope thus far in this offseason.

Why is signing Russell Martin such a positive? For two reasons:

1.   From veteran Jorge Posada to top prospects Austin Romaine and Jesus Montero, as well as current back-up Francisco Cervelli, Yankees have a plethora of uncertain players to fill the catcher position. In 2009, Posada, with 16 seasons and 39 years of age under his belt, had it all catch up to him. Cervelli was a productive hitter at the start of last season, but like Posada couldn’t hold runners on base, throwing out 14 percent of attempted basestealers. That’s only one percent difference from Posada, who never was known for his throwing arm, but who made up for it with his power bat. Martin brings a big upgrade defensively, throwing out potential basestealers at a 31 percent clip for his career, and 39 percent last season. Adding Martin to the mix gives the Yankees necessary breathing room to bring up the two up-and-comers, Romaine and Montero, at an acceptable pace.

2.   Russell provides General Manager Brian Cashman room to dangle Romaine and Montero as trade bait; with the hopes to fill the spot left open by Lee. It is no secret that the Yankees need to attain another starting pitcher to finalize the rotation. Word is that Andy Pettitte is actually going to return in 2011. Pettitte’s return brings reinforcement because the Yankees can afford to wait for the best trade before the season’s July 31st trading deadline. A retired Pettitte would leave another vacant spot that could be Sergio Mitre’s–God-forbid. No matter what, Martin gives the flexibility and Pettitte allows for patience. This could result in a better option down the road, as there are always teams that want to unload by the All-Star Break.

Martin doesn’t come without concern. Even as a two-time All-Star with the Dodgers who ranked atop all NL catchers in 2007, hitting .293 with 87 RBIs and 19 home-runs, there is cause for worry.

Martin’s production declined in 2008, followed by a season-ending hip injury in August of 2009. He does tend to draw a lot of walks at the plate.

Martin seems determined to get back to the hitter he was at 25, making him a young 27, which means Cashman is bringing a baby to the Bronx. Plenty of room to grow considering skipper Joe Girardi and bench coach Tony Pena were both successful catchers during their playing careers.

GM Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner know that many things have to happen before and during the 2011 season to keep the team on top.

Cashman has asked Yankee fans to remain patient, a tall tale to petition for of such an eager group.

I don’t think Yankee fans have a better option. Still, a lot of trust has been earned with the recent 2009 season, and the Yankee fans always believe their team is good to go. That is because the players won’t accept anything else.

In the words of new Yankee catcher Russell Martin:

“Talent doesn’t go away. I know that I can hit. I just want to get back to that consistency.”

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The New York Yankees are once again the center of the baseball world this off-season.

Drama tends to shadow any sports teams that exist in New York, but the Yankees manage to draw the most.

Blame it on the team’s history of success or the owner’s outlandishly deep pockets. Whatever the reasoning, it becomes irrelevant.

Fact is that people love to hear about what the Yankees are up to, lovers and haters alike. With emotions running so high whether you are playing or watching sports, untrue and over-exaggerated stories start to sound factual.

Here are a few off-season fictions and facts that New Yorkers are immersed in:

1. “And they just had him slip away in free agency despite outbidding the winning Phillies by about $50 million” – Joel Sherman, NY Post.

From my “non-sports fan” girlfriend, to my mom and even my doorman, all have stated that Cliff Lee taught the Yankees a lesson, as if the Universe should be very concerned for the future. Walking away from $30-50 million to NOT have to wear the pinstripes should speak volumes about the business approach the Yankees take.

Problem is this number was so overly exaggerated, as the Phillies will be paying Lee $18 million in 2011, $25 million for the next four and, if goals are fulfilled, Lee will pocket $27.5 million in 2016.

The Yankee offer was $138 for seven years. You do the math, because I can’t seem to find where the $30+ million dollars are hiding out?

THE FACT is Lee wanted to be a Philly, loves to hit and enjoys playing in the NL. The money had no weight because the offers were all in the same league. So, Yankee fans can stop worrying, but it is time for Philly fans to welcome their team into the “Evil Empire.”

1. “Brian Cashman may believe he has a championship-caliber team, but the oddsmakers no longer view the Yankees as World Series favorites.” – Mark Feinsand, New York Daily News

Not getting Lee has somehow made the 2011 Yankees into non-contenders. Words like “desperate”, “trouble” and “finished” have been the theme, along with the Red Sox making the World Series without question.

This theory is ludicrous, as the Yankees are still a competitive team.

Taking no credit away from Boston’s GM Theo Epstein, who did his job superbly this off-season by acquiring Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Boston also lost Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, who were the glue that held Boston together in 2010 when more starters were on the DL than on Coach Terry Francona’s roaster.

Yes, the Red Sox improved by getting faster on the bases, an area which was never strong to begin with, so it will make some difference.

This is a free country, and everyone is entitled to an opinion, but predicating unreasonably only makes the source lose complete creditability. For anyone to say the Yankees team is screwed next season is so off base it’s preposterous.

1. “While the New York Yankees’ 2010 season came to a disappointing close, it would still appear inevitable that the team will want to re-sign Derek Jeter, its franchise shortstop. But it appears just as inevitable that his on-field performance isn’t worth nearly as much as he will likely want to be paid.” – Tephen J. Dubner, New York Times.

The performance of Yankees shortstop, and Captain, Derek Jeter has always had its critics, but he continually proved them wrong up until 2010 when Jeter’s slump seemed to be never-ending and the media said he was finished.

Yes, Jeter is 36 and age does eventually catch up to everyone, but to say he will never see productive days again is just stupid.

One out of seventeen seasons is pretty good and surely gives creditability in Jeter’s favor that it was a fluke. To pounce on Jeter like wolves and state that a retirement home seems a better fit than Yankee Stadium is just pure jealousy rearing its ugly head.

Players like Jeter should be praised no matter what because the sports world is now filled with celebrities who take their talents for granted.

Athlete’s respect for the game, whether it is football, baseball or basketball is becoming extinct. It’s all about “getting mine”, and “what did I accomplish”.

Kids everywhere idolize athletes and to be so quick to dismiss a man like Jeter is embarrassing. I can promise you that Derek Jeter will have a great year next season, if only just to prove everyone wrong is good enough for me. Still, Jeter did win the Gold Glove again so that ship has not nearly sunk at all and who’s to say attitude is not valued even more than talent.

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As Christmas approaches, fans of the New York Yankees have been left with nothing but coal in their stockings.  This isn’t by any means meant to be a slight on recently acquired catcher Russell Martin whose signing makes for a decent “stocking stuffer.”  It is the big prize though that has so far eluded the Yankees.

Fans of the Bronx Bombers expected their annual free-agent gift to be delivered in the form of Cliff Lee but were left with Ebenezer Scrooge-like feelings when he opted to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.  Now another Yankee target in Kerry Wood follows suit by making his own homecoming.

Around midnight central time, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal broke the news that Wood was returning to the Chicago Cubs.  Wood, 33, has agreed to a two-year pact with the “North Siders” worth $12 million to once again become their closer.  By returning to Wrigley Field, his career has now come full circle, back to a setting in which he made his debut as a 20 year-old rookie phenom.

Winter hopes haven’t come to fruition for Yankees general manager Cashman who has been left out in the cold all offseason.  The rival Boston Red Sox have already delivered two major presents to their fans in Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, something that Yankee fans are usually accustomed to.  Acquiring Martin and oft-injured starter Mark Prior wasn’t what most imagined would be the Yanks’ biggest captures thus far.

A growing number of Yankee fans have begun to question Cashman who will need to dip into his farm system to acquire not only one but two talented starting pitchers if Andy Pettitte decides to hang up his spikes.  Speculation that the enigmatic Carlos Zambrano is on his radar isn’t encouraging and anything short of landing Felix Hernandez or Zach Greinke will only make disgruntled fans’ voices louder.

The public handling of Derek Jeter’s new deal hasn’t helped Cashman’s standing as even outside the greater New York area, fans nationwide felt he insulted the revered Yankees captain.  His comment during negotiations infuriated many non-biased hardball addicts: “We’ve encouraged him to test the market and see if there’s something he would prefer other than this. If he can, fine. That’s the way it works.”

Treating Jeter like an over-the-hill utility man in contract talks infuriated baseball fans nationwide and even the classy shortstop admitted his distaste for Cashman’s methods.

“I was pretty angry about it, but I let that be known,” Jeter said.  “I was angry about it because I was the one that said I didn’t want to do it, that I wasn’t going to (test the market).  To hear the organization tell me to go shop it when I just told you I wasn’t going to, if I’m going to be honest, I was angry about it.  I never wanted to be a free agent.”

The pressure will surely increase on Cashman if he is unable to acquire a dominant starter, make due with an unpopular trade or force unproven young arms into the Yankees rotation.  Cashman whose job is “to play Santa for the Yankees” has a long list in front of him if he is to assemble a team capable of challenging the Red Sox for the AL East, let alone a squad capable of making the World Series. 

Besides a top-tier starter or two, New York is in need of a new setup man in Wood’s absence.  David Robertson had an awful postseason, as he gave up vital runs that led to their 2010 playoff elimination at the hands of the Texas Rangers.  Joba Chamberlain can’t be trusted either as the formerly standout reliever is now seen as an unpredictable question mark.

Some baseball analysts feel that Nick Swisher should be moved after the free-spirited outfielder had yet another poor postseason.  In his two seasons as a Yankee, Swisher complied pitiful playoff averages of .128 and .176 in 2009 and 2010 respectively.  His erratic defense and lack of range also add credence to the thought that New York would be better off without the right fielder.

Instead of focusing on speedy outfielder Carl Crawford, Cashman turned his full attention to the pursuit of Lee, who behind the scenes made little indication that he wanted to come to the Bronx.  With Brett Gardner as the Yankees’ only consistent base-stealer in their lineup, Crawford would have been a welcome addition.  He would have given the Bombers two speedsters capable of swiping 50 bases apiece.

Along with Gardner and Curtis Granderson, Crawford would have made the Yankees outfield one of the most athletic in all of baseball and a long-term heir to Jeter’s spot in the top of the order.  With Crawford snapped up by the Red Sox, Cashman should still consider dealing Swisher and finding a younger, more athletic outfielder to improve New York’s flexibility in not relying on the long ball.

All of this being said, Cashman is still a very shrewd businessman.  He has stockpiled coveted minor league talents to deal away to reshape the Yankees roster into one that is worthy of returning to the Fall Classic.  It will be interesting to see how he goes about addressing his club’s needs as he definitely has his work cut out for him.

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Brian Cashman struck out in free agency this winter, something he’s rarely done in his brilliant career as the New York Yankees general manager.

Cashman failed to acquire the Yankees‘ primary offseason target, Cliff Lee, and in doing so, the Yankees were beaten to Carl Crawford by their hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

About a week after Crawford chose Fenway Park instead of Yankee Stadium, Cliff Lee chose Philadelphia over New York and Texas. With Lee out of the picture, the Yankees need pitching.

Veteran left-hander Andy Petitte has not decided if he will return for another season in Yankee pinstripes, and if he chooses to retire, the Yankees have real problems in their starting rotation.

Manager Joe Girardi has only one dependable starter on his staff, CC Sabathia. Phil Hughes has shown promise, but his ERA is much too high for Girardi’s liking. 

To improve the pitching staff, the Yankees could go a number of ways. They could pursue a few trades, sign some lower tier free agent pitchers or trade some veterans for prospects and either rebuild with them or use them as trade bait.

Possible trade possibilities include Zach Greinke of Kansas City, but given Greinke’s history of anxiety, many baseball executives feel he would fail playing in a big market. Matt Garza of Tampa Bay is another pitcher who has been put on the trading block, but the Rays are unlikely to trade Garza within the AL East.

If Cashman cannot find a trade to improve the rotation, there are a few veteran free agents who could be temporary fixes for this season.

Brandon Webb is still unsigned, and the former NL Cy Young award winner is looking for a fresh start after multiple injury ridden seasons in Arizona.

Several years ago the Yankees outbid the Boston Red Sox for starter Carl Pavano of the Florida Marlins. In 2010, the Yankees would be wise to again pursue Pavano, who had a solid year with the Twins.

If these veteran free agents aren’t the solution for Cashman, he could explore some ways to acquire prospects for trades or to develop internally.

Either way Cashman decides to go, he has his work cut out for him. The Yankees are an older team and may not even make the playoffs in 2011.

Pitching wins in baseball, especially in the playoffs, and right now, the Yankees pitching staff is average at best.

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The New York Yankees have an abundant amount of money to spend after losing out on signing Cliff Lee, who went to the Philadelphia Phillies.

All possible options will be tried, as cash is never short in New York and especially when the team is in need. Nobody puts Baby in the corner; not the Phillies, not Lee and certainly not a lack of free agents.

So, when the news came that the Yankees signed pitcher Mark Prior to a one-year minor league contract, the possibility of what Prior was and could be started to cause butterflies in my stomach.

Back in 2002, when Prior debuted with the Chicago Cubs, the level of excitement could only be compared to that of Washington Nationals phenom Steven Strasburg.

Yes, Prior was that good. At just 22 years old, he was joining team ace Kerry Wood, and in 2003 they made a tandem of the best one-two punch in the majors.

That season Sports Illustrated dubbed them the “Chicago Heat” and it was well deserved. Combined, Wood and Prior posted 522 strikeouts, seven complete games and three shutouts over a total of 422 innings in 2003.

Prior finished with a 2.43 ERA, was named to the All-Star team, finished third in the NL CY Young voting and ninth in the NL MVP. Wood posted a 3.20 ERA, leading the Cubs to 88 wins and a division title.

Cubs manager Dusty Baker was frivolous with his two stars, as fans voiced concerns about the constant high pitch counts. Prior was averaging 113+ pitches during that 2003 regular season, and the number jumped to 126 in September through the postseason.

Baker’s irresponsibility clearly was at fault and he is the reason for all the anal pitch counts across baseball with young prospects. After that 2003 season, neither half of the “Chicago Heat” did anything except be on the DL and Chicago fans were devastated but blamed it on the curse of the Cubs franchise.

Wood was about four years older then Prior, so he managed to hang out in the bullpen but Prior imploded by 2006 and hasn’t pitched in the majors since.

Yankee fans are familiar with Wood, after he joined the pinstripes post All-Star break last season and dominated as the team’s eighth inning pitcher.

For Cubs fans, it was déjà vu because Wood not only dominated, but also stayed healthy through the end of the 2010 season.

Yankee fans’ relationship with Wood was an immediate love affair and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t want Wood back in 2011.

Presumably I expect to hear that Wood is back within days, confirmed the minute GM Brian Cashman announced the signing of Prior.

Cashman well knows that these two are not going be the “Chicago Heat” ever, but Cashman’s genesis behind it could be brilliant.

If Prior can be as good as Wood in the Yankees bullpen, the “New York Heat” could have a major impact in a huge way.

The humbled “Middle-Men,” also known as the bullpen or the set-up guys, hold such a critical role for every team across baseball. Being dominant in the seventh and eighth innings is without question a game-changer in any situation.

If this little experiment works out, Cashman would be deemed a literal genius. Even if it fails, Wood is still solid and Prior cost the Yankees under $1 million, which is literal pocket change.

This should give Yankee fans some comfort because Cashman is going to try any and every formula possible to make sure the 2011 team can win again.

It’s nice to know that hasn’t changed.

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Late Monday night, word came out that not only was there a mystery team in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, but that they had won his services.

The Phillies got back the piece they sorely missed last post-season, and in the process put another 500 pounds of pain on the Yankees off-season.

While they re-signed Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera as expected, the Yankees real top target all along was Cliff Lee. Now that they’ve missed out on him, and rival Boston added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, the Bronx Bombers may be scrambling to get their rotation improved.

You’ve heard Zack Greinke’s name tossed out there, but its believed that he wouldn’t accept a trade to New York, or that new York doesn’t think Greinke can handle the pressure. Both theories produce the same result.

So, aside from Brian Cashman’s public statements of patience, what could be the next plan for the Yankees? Well, one name that surely will be kicked around is 2010 Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.

However, here are 10 reasons they won’t be able to make that deal happen.

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According to ESPN’s Karl Ravech and confirmed by other sports news outlets on Twitter, it appears the Texas Rangers are aggressively going after former Boston Red Sox third baseman, Adrian Beltre.

If that is the case, it is certainly fair to assume that the Rangers believe they are likely out of the race for Cliff Lee and the New York Yankees are in perfect position for the left-handed ace to sign on the dotted lines for them this offseason. Cliff Lee’s decision is expected to come very soon. The Yankees and Rangers have been patiently awaiting Cliff Lee’s decision.

While terms of the offers have not been released, it is believed that the deals are both very close in terms, though the Yankees are believed to be offering Lee a bit more money. Texas doesn’t have a state income tax though and thus, levels the playing field a bit between the two offers. It has also been reported that the Yankees offered Lee’s requested seven-year offer while the Rangers stuck to six years.

It is unknown when Cliff Lee will make his announcement, but many expect it to be sometime this week.

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I’m sure Cliff Lee had a nice little weekend in Arkansas, doing whatever it is that people in Arkansas do.

Couples boar hunting with Kristen? Smoking a pipe on a porch? Waiting out a tornado in the cellar?

My understanding of landlocked American states is extremely limited.

And while I may be ignorant in the ways of the “The Natural State” (thanks Wikipedia!), I do know that Arkansas’ best pitcher didn’t announce this weekend where he’ll be playing baseball for the next seven years.

From the reports we’ve heard, it’s down to the Yankees, Rangers and a third “mystery” team (which I assume is the Jets, who plan to convert Lee into a quarterback).

If you’re beginning to worry that Lee won’t be standing on a podium beside a beaming Brian Cashman this week, you may be onto something. Every day that passes with no commitment makes you wonder if the Yankees have been trumped.

Which leads itself to the next question: What happens if the Yankees don’t sign Cliff Lee?

I’m sure it would unfold in a series of stages.

• Stage 1: Outrage: Cashman would be blasted, with extra scrutiny given to his inability to complete the trade for Lee last July. Fans will demand to know how the Yankees could be outspent, and if they weren’t, how the negotiation process failed despite the financial edge. There will be pitchforks and torches involved with a lot of people using the Google Earth application to find Cash’s house. Not pretty.

• Stage 2: Panic: This is when all the mongos call Mike Francesa with ludicrous trade offers—”Ivan Nova and one Legends Seat ticket for Roy Halladay”—prompting Francesa to say things like “Yaawwre laaawwwst” and “Youwwwre out of yawr mind” before giving the hand wave. Zack Greinke will be brought up often during this stage, his acute discomfort in the spotlight and past psychological issues conveniently brushed aside.

• Stage 3: Resignation: This will be particularly rough if Cashman—working under the assumption he isn’t iced during Stage One—is unable to make a move that satiates the fanbase. There will be talk of the Red Sox winning 120 games. Yankees fans will be wholly depressed, but will still be infinitely happier than catatonic Mets fans.

It’s easy to forget that the Yankees were one of the best teams in baseball last year. That could be considered an achievement when you factor in all that went wrong:

Javier Vazquez and Nick Johnson flopped. Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada regressed. Andy Pettitte got hurt. Mark Teixeira mysteriously struggled, and A.J. Burnett…well, let’s just say poor A.J. went off the grid on us.

All those issues, and the Yankees still won 95 games, posting more victories than all but two teams. They even won a postseason series, in a sweep no less.

But this is the Yankees we’re talking about, where success isn’t judged by scrappy ALDS conquests. The Boss may be dead but his doctrine lives on: Anything less than a World Series title is considered failure.

The Yankees have a very good team as it stands now. They can compete with the Red Sox right now, even with Boston’s improvements. Can the argument be made that the Red Sox have become the favorites in the AL East? Sure, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to blow the division away by July. If the Yankees stay upright, they’ll compete.

Lee is not the only chance the Yankees have of making it back to the World Series. As good as he is I’m sure there will be people in the organization that will feel like they dodged a bullet. It’s all about perspective. If they fail to land Lee, that doesn’t mean they need to decimate their farm system just to say they got somebody this winter. A little patience could go a long way.

Cashman knows this. At least, I hope he does. But Yankees fans should understand it, too. They may lose the battle for Lee, but that won’t guarantee they lose the war.

Dan Hanzus writes three columns a week on his New York Yankees site, River & Sunset. He can be reached at dhanzus@gmail.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danhanzus.

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The Yankees know full well that offering Cliff Lee a seven-year guaranteed contract is a bad idea. At least, I think they do.

Lee will turn 33 during the 2011 season. Signing him to a deal that would conceivably pay him over $20 million the year he turns 40 doesn’t exactly reek of fiscal responsibility.

No, it doesn’t approach the mind-numbing idiocy of Alex Rodriguez‘s contract. The foolishness of that deal—home run “milestone” escalators and all—will be remembered by historians the same way they recall Napoleon’s decision to invade Russia in the dead of winter. Thanks Hank!

A better parallel may be Jason Giambi, another established veteran star the Yankees signed to a multi-year contract using the “Win now! Worry later!” strategy. Nearly 31 and having packed on roughly 80 pounds of muscle mass during the second Clinton administration, New York ignored the red flags and signed the Oakland MVP to a seven-year, $120 million deal nine years ago this Monday.

The Big G had his moments in pinstripes, but his PED non-admission admission combined with a steady decline in production made it a regrettable contract by its halfway point.

It’s certainly conceivable the Yankees would feel the same way about Lee’s deal.

For a more positive outlook, point to Mike Mussina, who began a six-year, $88.5 million deal with New York when he was 32, the same age Lee is now. Mussina never won a ring with the Yankees, but was more or less as good as advertised, even winning 20 games in his final season. He also drank Mountain Dew by the case and weirded out lughead teammates with his high intelligence, but that’s neither here nor there.

And while past signings have produced mixed results, there’s no disputing that the Yankees find themselves in a precarious position as things currently stand. Their biggest rival has turned the winter meetings into a personal playground, adding two (twenty-something) All-Stars in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford who stand to shift the balance of power in the American League.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it—the Yankees need Lee just to keep up with Boston. Other than Crawford himself, no one benefited from the outfielder’s mega-deal with Evil Empire (NESN Division) more than Lee did. It made the Yankees desperate, the exact scenario every blue-chip star dreams of when he reaches free agency.

To further complicate matters for the Yankees, the clock is ticking. Derek Jeter is 36. A-Rod is 35. Jorge Posada is 39. Mariano Rivera is 41. Andy Pettitte (assuming his return) is 38. A.J. Burnett will be 34.

The bill is coming due. Maybe not this year, maybe not the next, but there’s an urgency to contend now before their high-priced veterans go from strengths to liabilities. The “Win now! Worry later!” roster makeup will eventually send New York into a rebuilding period of some kind. Signing Lee gives you the best shot for a title in your core’s glaucoma golden years.

And if Lee doesn’t sign with New York? Well, that’s when Cash gets on the horn with Carl Pavano’s people.

And that’s when I donate my body to the Human Centipede doctor.

Dan Hanzus writes three columns a week on his New York Yankees site, River & Sunset. He can be reached at dhanzus@gmail.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danhanzus.

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And just like that, the power has shifted in the American League. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Carl Crawford has agreed to a seven year, $142 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. 

Just days after trading for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Theo Epstein and company made the biggest splash of the Winter Meetings thus far by signing Crawford.

It was previously believed that Crawford would not make a move until Cliff Lee was signed.

In theory, Crawford may have hoped that if the Yankees could not acquire Lee, they would throw more money his way.

However, with a contract as lavish as this reported deal, it is understandable why Crawford would wait no longer. 

Now, the question looms: What does this mean to the rest of the American League? Are the Red Sox front-runners for a World Series run? 

Coupling Crawford with the newly-acquired Adrian Gonzalez, the Red Sox will boast one of the league’s best lineups. Crawford, who will play left field as he did in Tampa Bay, will likely lead off, followed by Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz. 

Jacoby Ellsbury will also be in the mix.

It is likely that with such a powerful lineup, Ellsbury will bat ninth, however, this makes the Red Sox that much more dangerous.

With the speed of both Crawford and Ellsbury, the Sox will boast two of the league’s best leadoff hitters as the lineup turns over each game. Both players have the ability to turn walks or singles into doubles with their speed. As a result, the Sox power hitters will have twice as many opportunities to knock in runners from scoring position. 

Another part of Crawford’s game that is often overlooked is his power. Last season, Crawford hit 19 home runs while driving in 90 runs. While he will not have as many opportunities to drive in runs in Boston, he will certainly benefit from the short porch in right field. 

The Red Sox will also return a strong starting rotation and bullpen in 2011.

While the pitching staff underachieved as a whole in 2010, if starter Josh Beckett and closer Jonathan Papelbon can bounce back, the Sox will also have one of the best staffs in baseball. Following stellar seasons from 26-year-old starters Clay Buccholz and Jon Lester, Boston has a rotation with the ability to shut down opponents on a nightly basis. 

With two blockbuster deals, the Red Sox have put themselves ahead of the pack in the American League. The New York Yankees, who were also in hot pursuit of Crawford, are undoubtedly concerned after seeing the Red Sox acquire two of the league’s best position players available. 

These deals put even more pressure on Yankees GM Brian Cashman to make a deal for Cliff Lee.

The Yankees pitching rotation was a disaster in 2010, as dismal seasons from starters A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez derailed the Yanks’ World Series hopes. The Yankees needed another top-end starter to compete in the American League prior to the Red Sox transactions. Following these mega-deals, the acquisition of Cliff Lee is more imminent than ever.

Howver, even if the Yankees are able to sign lefty Cliff Lee, this deal immediately puts the Yankees in a hole in the American League East. Carl Crawford was not the priority for the Yanks. While they would have loved to have him, he was essentially a backup plan if the team was unable to acquire Lee.

However, if there was one team in baseball the Yankees did not want to sign Carl Crawford, it was the Boston Red Sox.  

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