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Most Yankees fans and media for that matter have focused on one name for the Yankees to target during their annual free-agent bonanza. 

The name should be familiar to every baseball fan by now. His name is Cliff Lee and over the past two seasons he has proven himself to be not only a difference-maker, but a clutch postseason performer. 

Last season after the Phillies acquired Lee in a trade from the Cleveland Indians, there was no looking back. No one would catch the Phillies as it seemed Lee would pitch a complete game almost every time he took the hill. Pitching to an ERA just a shade over one over the course of half a season is impressive, but none more than his history in the postseason.

Lee almost single-handedly took the Phillies to the World Series because of Cole Hamels not performing up to par throughout the season. In game one of the World Series against the Yankees, Lee pitched a complete game while striking out 10 batters. It was complete domination on the part of Lee and it has continued into this postseason.

Lee has become the first pitcher in history to have three, 10 strikeout games in a postseason career. For someone who had to be demoted in order to correct a flaw in his delivery this is impressive stuff.

No wonder the fans are clamoring for Lee, but I for one do not want the Yankees to go after Lee. He is a 32-year-old pitcher and the Yankees are already tied to CC Sabathia for another five seasons and AJ Burnett for three. 

Do you think it would be a good idea to be tied down to three pitchers going into their mid 30s? What is the likelihood of them breaking down over the course of their contract. It is a situation the Yankees should not want to enter.

The Yankees should instead resign someone who would only be looking for a one-year deal, but has proven himself to be Mr. Reliable. His name is Andy Pettitte and he is the most successful pitcher in postseason history. 

This season Pettitte was off to the best season in his career with a record of 11-2 and an ERA a shade below three before injuring his groin. There were many questions concerning how Pettitte would react in the postseason after not pitching for most of the second half. 

Yankees fans should have known better then to doubt Pettitte. In the playoffs he showed why he is the best in history. Against the Twins Pettitte allowed only two runs through seven innings of work and earning the victory.

For the American League Championship series, Pettitte was lined up to be opposed by Cliff Lee. Heading into the matchup, every media member gushed about Lee and thrust Pettitte into the background. 

Did they forget that Pettitte was the Yankees most consistent pitcher this season? Did they forget that Sabathia struggled early and that it was Pettitte holding together the staff with his 38-year-old left arm?

No matter, because once the game began people noticed Pettitte is one of the best performers to step on the mound in the postseason.

Yes, Pettitte gave up the early two-run home run, but surrendered nothing after it. Pettitte learned from his mistake and the Rangers hitters could do nothing against him as the Yankees hitters could do nothing against Lee. 

Pettitte stood toe to toe with the “God-like” Lee, and if not for one pitch the two may still be dueling it out. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they do not have another pitcher like Pettitte and it is the reason they were eliminated in the ALCS.

Pettitte proved himself to be the ace of the Yankees staff this postseason even at an advanced age. Not convincing Pettitte to come back for one last run would be the biggest mistake the Yankees could make this offseason.

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Almost seven months, 2,430 regular season games, an entire postseason completed and it all almost ended exactly where we were a year ago. Almost.

With this past weekend’s games resulting in the conclusion of both the ALCS and NLCS series, baseball fans worldwide were almost faced with a Yankees versus Phillies rematch for the World Series. It also would have marked the third straight season the Phils reached baseball’s most coveted destination. We almost watched as the Yankees competed for their 27th World Series title. Almost.

We almost ended the season following those ever so familiar faces of postseason heroes, who have made a living crushing the competition when the season mattered the most. The likes of Derek Jeter, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Alex Rodriguez…the list goes on and on. Almost.

Instead this year baseball fans will be tuning in to a series so new, for once, they really do not know what to expect. Sure the ratings certainly won’t be as high. How could they be? The Yankees and Phillies are located in two of America’s largest sports markets with fanbases of unmeasurable quantities.

Sure it would have been exciting to see CC Sabathia take on a Phillies lineup chock-full of talent, again. Sure it would be exciting to see if Cole Hamels and the rest of the Phillies All-Star rotation could hold off the Yankees erasing last season’s shortcomings. Sure it would be exciting to see if A-Rod, Jeter, Posada and company could do it again.

However, what is more exciting is the unknown this year’s Series most certainly presents.

With the stage set and the world of baseball tuned in, we turn the focus not to the ever so recognizable faces of the New York and Philadelphia ball clubs, but to the faces of baseballs new generation.

With a sport already widely considered “boring” or “too slow” it surely does not help when the same faces pop up every fall. In a sports world where the call for youth and personality has never been stronger, isn’t it time baseball got with the program?

Look at hockey with the emergence of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos in recent years. Basketball? Try Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans and even LeBron James. Even football with the likes of Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson and company has seen a shift to focusing on the players of the “new school.”

Finally we have not only a series featuring a Giants club who has not reached a World Series since 2002, where they infamously choked away a 5-0 lead in Game 6 eventually leading to a championship for the Angels, but a series featuring a Ranger’s club who has previously never won a single playoff series.

That, ladies and gentleman, is excitement.

Along with the change of teams and scenery comes that calling for the new “era” of baseball. Replace CC Sabathia and Cole Hamels with two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and the Rangers young ace C.J. Wilson. Derek Jeter for Elvis Andrus, A-Rod for Pablo “Kung-Fu Panda” Sandoval, Posada for Buster Posey. What are you left with? A Series full of under-25 players starving for their first taste of postseason glory.

One thing is for sure, for the first time in a while, nothing is for sure. Baseball finally got the facelift that has been needed for years. A changing of the guard that not only shook up this season, but will have implications on many seasons to come.

Don’t let the ratings fool you, this World Series will be the best one played in recent memory. And to think we almost had a repeat season. Almost.

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I recently looked into who will be available in this year’s free agent class. There are many big names, but these names will likely come with expensive price tags. Additionally, many of these big name players are not so young anymore.

Whoever is in charge of making the decisions in Queens (which according to Jeff Wilpon we will find out shortly!), it might be a wise strategy to avoid these big-name free agents and either improve the team via trade or letting the young players develop.

Here are only some of the big-name free agents available and how the Mets should approach them this offseason.

Cliff Lee

Of all the free agents out there, Lee is the golden goose. His numbers don’t lie. This guy is at the top of his game and has proven he can be clutch in the postseason. Lee will likely get upwards of a six-year deal worth well over the $100 million mark.

As much as I and other Met fans would like to see Lee in Flushing, let’s be honest. It’s not going to happen.

Carl Crawford

Of the players available right now, no other player would more help the Mets win immediately than Carl Crawford. Crawford can do it all: hit for average, a little power, field, throw and boy can the man run.

He would be an ideal fit for Citi Field. Imagine a healthy Jose Reyes, Angel Pagan and Crawford (in no particular order) atop the Mets lineup. They would be deadly on the bases. Jason Bay would have to shift to RF if the Mets signed Crawford (don’t know how that would work out).

However, Mets fans, this seems like another deal that’s not going to happen. Crawford is about to cash in big like Lee, and the Amazins really aren’t in any position to be adding huge chunks of payroll.

And with Carlos Beltran still in house, the only way the Mets would make a play for Crawford is if they trade Beltran (seeming more unlikely each day).

Adam Dunn

In my opinion, Adam Dunn is the most consistent player in the game today. Every year, he hits 40 HR, drives in 100 runs, walks 100 times and strikes out 150 times. He is a legitimate power threat and even Citi Field cannot contain him (remember that shot he hit to the bridge?).

Dunn however is a one dimensional player. He may be better off suited to a DH role in the AL. The only reason I mention Dunn as a possibility is if the Mets trade Ike Davis for a starting pitcher, which would leave a hole at first base. I’m not saying I think or even want the Mets to do this, but I figured I would list it as a possible option.

Manny Ramirez

Oh Manny. Manny, Manny, Manny. You’re 38 now, when did that happen? It seemed like only yesterday you were crushing balls over the Green Monster and even orchestrating a late season playoff push in LA.

And now you’re a free agent again. I wonder how many teams will come knocking. I hope one of them is absolutely NOT the Mets. If this was three years ago, I’d say go for it. The man proved he could still hit like a machine despite his age. However, now is not the time to be adding Manny.

We have enough headaches as it is. Thank you K-Rod!

Victor Martinez

Ever since he came up with Cleveland, I have envisioned V-Mart on the Mets. He has serviceable (but not fantastic) catching skills, but is a terrific contact hitter with plenty of pop. It looks like the Red Sox will try to retain him in any way possible.

I like Josh Thole. He’s not going to hit home runs like Mike Piazza used to, but he can be an offensive weapon. He sprays the ball well to all fields, and has good gap power. He will most likely hit seventh or eighth.

V-Mart would be a great addition, but it looks like another deal that won’t happen.

Carl Pavano

Something should be noted about the free-agent market for starting pitchers. A guy has ONE good year, and everyone is ready to throw big bucks at him. Some examples: Gil Meche (five years, $55 million contract with KC), another one, and of course Oliver Perez (three years, $36 million…sorry I just threw up a little).

Pavano has had two good years his whole career: 2003 with the Marlins that allowed him to cash in with the Yankees, and now 2010 with the Twins in which he won 17 games.

He is a solid back of the rotation option, but the Mets should stay away from him and his stache. Who needs his stache when we got Keith Hernandez?

Orlando Hudson

The O-dawg has openly expressed his interest in wanting to play for the Mets (that can’t exactly be said for many players). I have touched on this possible signing in the past. He may be a good option on a one-year deal, but with Ruben Tejada on the verge of becoming an everyday player (hopefully), I’m not sure if the Mets will pull the trigger on Hudson.

So there you have it, some free agents who are available this winter that will garner much attention from many teams. But the Mets might be better off sitting tight, maybe making a trade or two to improve and hope that they can field a competitive team.

I may have missed a few free agents this year who may be on the Mets radar. Please comment on who you think may be a good signing that I missed.

For the Mets, it will come down to patience and hope. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again.

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The San Francisco Giants have not won a World Series in over 55 years. Their counterparts, the Texas Rangers, have never won period.

Nonetheless, both of these squads have proven themselves worthy of dancing in the Fall Classic. Texas found their way in a six-game upset (if you can call it that) of the powerhouse Yankees, while San Franasco (thank you Tommy Wiseau) marched into Philadelphia and conquered the Phillies.

Great, is it not?

Yet as Giants closer Brian Wilson caught slugger Carlos Beltran (err, Ryan Howard) looking at strike three to end the NLCS, baseball commissioner Bud Selig shared the same look of shock. It was at this moment he realized, the 2010 World Series (just one year after a thrilling New York/Philadelphia stand) would be split between San Francisco and Arlington.

I’ll say that again. San Francisco and Arlington.

It is no secret to people any longer. The game of baseball is dying in the public eye. Even as a lockout looms ahead, the NFL draws huge on weekends. College football is carried on virtually every channel. Ball fields are being torn up and replaced by million-dollar dog parks.

In 2005, Major League Baseball experienced their first major drop-off in World Series ratings. For the first time since total viewer stats were released in 2001, the classic failed to reach 20 million viewers for at least one game of the series. Not even Chicago, a market who had the White Sox searching for their first World Series since 1917, could generate a substantial number of spectators. Since then, only two World Series games have reached that plateau, both of which were series clinchers (’07 and ‘09).

Feel like adding insult to injury? Throw in Game 3 of the 2008 World Series between the Phillies and Rays, which failed to eclipse 10 million viewers. That’s right: people were more interested in spending $10 at a movie theater on a Saturday night than watching a World Series game for free.

Now, we fast-forward to 2010. The Giants will obtain home-field advantage after the National League won the All-Star Game (ironically in the home of the last team San Francisco faced in the World Series), meaning a 4:30 PM local time start for just about every game of the series. With only two of the games taking place on a weekend, that means that a majority of west coasters will likely be in their office for the first pitch. Unless you work for Michael Scott, things don’t look too good for you.

Then, the Arlington argument comes into play. I mentioned earlier that the 2005 World Series brought in dismal ratings. The Houston Astros, a Texas product, were the National League representative. If a city of 2.3 million could not spur some steam, how are we to expect Arlington to do so?

So Mr. Selig, things may not look so great for you. Because of two pesky teams spurring on with a “no-quit” attitude, you miss out on a repeat of a fairly marketable rematch.

However, perhaps this is not exactly a bad thing. While the 2010 World Series may be a ratings-bruiser, the battle of the Rangers and Giants could also restore credibility to a game which could use a boost in that particular field.

The Texas Rangers are the epitome of front office perfection. With new ownership at the helm (not to mention the greatest pitcher of all-time at the helm of the helm), Texas soared past the AL West-laggers, at one point controlling the best record in baseball. They brought in an aging slugger to be their designated hitter, a retiring catcher to call games, a pissed-off outfielder to gun out runners and a southpaw who has established himself to be one of the best clutch-performers of all-time. Throw in an MVP superstar and a manager looking for redemption, and that proves to be a pretty effective formula.

As for the Giants, they are the captains of charisma. Having accomplished a remarkable comeback to capture the NL West, their youth and heart has driven them to greatness. They traded a retiring catcher (quite possibly the same one mentioned above) to bring in a rookie star. Their manager, a World Series-alumnus himself, worked through a blown $126 million investment and a torn pitching staff to reach the pinnacle of the baseball world. Also, be sure not to forget an NLCS MVP who was claimed on waivers a few months back.

While the 2010 World Series may not prove to be the most efficient for the sport of baseball, this type of story has been in the making for a long, long time. Both squads have upset the odds, and are incredibly hungry for a taste of champagne (or even ginger ale). It may be true the series may not be watched by many, but for those who do, it will undoubtedly be enjoyable.

Oh, perhaps I forgot to mention something. The last time the Giants were in the Fall Classic was also the last time a World Series game eclipsed 30 million views.

In the words of Wilson, this championship match-up may be quite “delicious” for the real fans of baseball.

This article can be found on SportsFullCircle!

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Last night the season of the beloved Phillies came to an end when the San Francisco Giants defeated the favored Phillies in Game 6 of the NLCS.

Already fans are complaining, “The Phillies should be in the World Series! or The Giants got lucky! This isn’t fair!”

My response is that it is fair.

Don’t get me wrong, being a huge Phillies fan I’m very disappointed that they lost.

However, I’m not going to say that the Giants don’t deserve to be there.

We all know that the Phillies are the better team on paper, but in reality, it doesn’t mean anything.

We play the games for a reason.

If the best team on paper made the World Series every year, there would be no point for the regular season or the postseason.

That’s not baseball.

Philadelphia fans should know this since they experienced a similar story when the Phillies won in 2008.

This year’s 2008 Phillies were the Giants. 

Halfway through the season, the Giants were just a game above .500 (41-40).

Down the stretch, they turned around and stunned everyone by outlasting the San Diego Padres and winning the NL West.

Suddenly, they shock the entire nation by defeating the reigning National League champions.

Who knew that waiver pickup Cody Ross, and the rookie Buster Posey would be great?

As a respectful baseball fan I won’t talk down on the Giants, but instead tip my hat off saying, “Hey, you were the better team and deserve to be in the World Series.”

As Philadelphia fans, we can’t look at this in a negative way, even though it’s hard.

We have to say, “We’ll get them next year!”

In baseball, we witness miraculous triumphs and unbelievable underdog stories that are unpredictable.

It’s the beauty of the sport.

We have seen these events happen before when the 2004 Boston Red Sox overcame the curse that no one ever thought would be broken, or when the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

This is what baseball really is.

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Free agency. It is what consumes GMs, owners, players and fans during baseball’s offseason.

This free agent market looks to rival that of 2008-09, when the New York Yankees went on a shopping spree scooping up CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, AJ Burnett and Nick Swisher.

Names like Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Jim Thorne, Derek Jeter, Josh Beckett, Mariano Rivera, Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn, Jayson Werth, Derrek Lee, Jorge De La Rosa, Brandon Webb and Javier Vazquez are all on the market.

Rivera and Jeter will stay in pinstripes, as they are the face of the Yankees and are vital elements to New York’s allure. Yankees ace Sabathia waived his opt-out clause to stay in New York through 2016.

Same story goes for Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett. Beckett is the leader of the Red Sox pitching staff, which has a lot of young talent that look up to Beckett, which means his recent back problems get over looked.

The same cannot be said for starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, whose second time around as a Yankee was even worse than the first. Neither side should want to continue this relationship because it has not benefited either. Vazquez will get offers; my guess would be mainly from National League teams.

As a Yankees fan, GM Brian Cashman first order of business should be to pick-up the option for Kerry Wood. Wood was the best pick up of the year by Cashman and he has electric stuff out of the bullpen, as well as a nice mentor to Joba Chamberlain whom the Yankees owe at least another season to straighten himself out.

Second priority, at least I hope, is that Cashman goes after Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. Werth’s attitude, bat and personality are a perfect fit for the Yankees. Werth is a big-game clutch hitter, he can steal bases and would be a nice addition in the outfield next to Curtis Granderson.

A question remains about who would not start, Brett Gardner or Nick Swisher, if the Yankees did get Werth.

Swisher hits power, but Gardner is a pest with his legs as he is fast as hell on the basepaths. Both are known to draw long at-bats and have great eyes at the plate.

Swisher and Gardner sharing time would be a nice option for the Yankees manager to have at his disposal because Werth and Granderson will both start for the majority of the time.

Starting Pitcher Cliff Lee’s arm will be the 2010-11 offseason’s prize for sale. Everybody wants a piece of Lee because he is that good, but he is 32 years old and has suffered from back problems.

The Yankees don’t need another pitching arm of that caliber, but that is not why Lee won’t come to the Bronx. To be honest I don’t think Lee wants to be a Yankee. The Yankees need a bat like Werth to help the aging lineup and a four-man outfield of Swisher, Werth, Gardner and Granderson is solid.

I fully realize that Rays‘ Carl Crawford is a dynamite player and will be coveted by many teams. Crawford in pinstripes doesn’t work for me. Yes, Crawford’s numbers are ridiculously good, but he is young will cost more money and years than Werth. Plus, Brett Gardner is maturing and the Yankees would be dumb to let him go anywhere, just to load up on all-stars.

Another factor is how the new Yankees ownership of Hal and Hank Steinbrenner without “The Boss” in the background any longer with the final say. Let’s see how deep Mr. Steinbrenner’s sons’ pockets are in comparison to dad’s generosity.

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While I knew that Cliff Lee belonged high on this list, choosing the top 10 players from both rounds of the AL playoffs was a somewhat difficult task.  What follows is one man’s opinion that you may or may not agree with.

If you were sleeping last night, you may not have heard that the upstart Texas Rangers defeated the venerated New York Yankees, 6-1 to advance to their first-ever World Series since joining the league as the Washington Senators in 1961.

So, who were the top 10 players, including pitchers, in the AL playoffs? 

Do we include anybody from the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost in five games to the Rangers in ALDS? Will anyone from the Minnesota Twins—a team with high hopes, but one that played poorly in losing three straight to the Yankees—make the grade?

How does one compare pitchers and position players?

Read on, my friends!

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By Tyler Ward

The Texas Rangers are moving on to their first World Series. Their opponent, though, we are still waiting to find out if it’ll be the Phillies or Giants. But, for now, it’s the Rangers’ time. They will be appearing in their first World Series, even though they just won their first postseason series earlier this month when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

In a pitching matchup that featured Colby Lewis and Phil Hughes, only one would do well. And that was Lewis. The pitcher, who was added to the roster earlier this year after spending two years in Japan, threw a spectacular game.

Lewis pitched eight strong innings, surrendering three hits and one earned run. He also walked three batters and struck out seven.

Hughes, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. The young pitcher managed to only pitch 4.2 innings, giving up four earned runs and four hits. He also walked four, struck out three, and had a crazy wild pitch.

The Rangers got off to a good start in the first inning when Vladimir Guerrero got the first of his three RBI. He was able to ground out to second, but Elvis Andrus scored on the play to give the Rangers a 1-0 advantage.

New York would answer in the top of the fifth when Alex Rodriguez scored on Colby Lewis’ only mistake—a wild pitch. But, there was some controversy on the play. Lewis’ pitch clearly hit Nick Swisher in the shin, but the umpire did not see it that way. He ruled it as a wild pitch and Swisher did not reach base on the play. Rodriguez still scored on the play and the game was tied 1-1, but it wouldn’t last for long.

In the bottom of the inning, Guerrero stepped up to the plate again, slapping a double to center and scoring Mitch Moreland and Josh Hamilton on the play. After the play, Hughes was relieved by David Robertson. However, Robertson would then proceed to give up a two-run homer to Nelson Cruz, sealing the Yankees’ fate.

The blast by Cruz put the Rangers up 5-1 and that’s all they needed. Two innings later, in the seventh, Ian Kinsler hit a sacrifice fly to to left field, scoring long-time Ranger, Michael Young. As far as runs go, that was the end of it.

Neftali Feliz came into the game in the ninth, pitching a perfect inning. He would strike out Curtis Granderson and get Robinson Cano to pop up. Alex Rodriguez was the last batter of the game and Feliz struck him out to end the game. Fireworks would go off and the celebration began. 

Outfielder Josh Hamilton was named ALCS MVP after he hit four home runs in the series, tying an American League record for most home runs in the championship series. Hamilton was also intentionally walked five time, a major league record, including three times in the clinching game. A humbled Hamilton was more than happy that he helped his team reach their first World Series. 

“I don’t want to talk about myself,” Hamilton said. “I want to talk about them, because we are the reason we’re here.” 

The ALCS MVP would then go on to say, “This group’s here because they don’t know how to fail. The chemistry on the team is something like I’ve never known anywhere. All the guys love each other and we support each other. And we love the fans.”

Michael Young, the longest-tenured player on the team, was also more than happy. He was ecstatic. “The World Series is coming to Texas,” Young said. “Totally worth the wait, totally.”

Hamilton and Young weren’t the only happy people on the field. Co-owner, team president, and former Rangers great Nolan Ryan witnessed their victory from the front row—he headed onto the field after Feliz struck out Rodriguez to end the game.

Ryan was the first person to hold the ALCS trophy at the postgame celebration and the fans gave him a roaring ovation. “Our fans have waited a long time, this organization has waited a long time,” Ryan said. “This team coming out of spring training was on a mission.”

The Yankees were dominated in every aspect of the game in the series. Their run differential of minus-19 was the second-most in team history; they were minus-23 in the 2001 World Series when they lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks, their first championship, too. They allowed 37 runs in the ALCS, also the second-most in team history—they gave up 41 runs in the 2004 ALCS when they lost in seven games to the Boston Red Sox.

When it comes to sports, it’s not about which team is the best. It’s about which team plays the best, and the Rangers did that.

If there were a Game 7, Cliff Lee was expected to be the starter, but now with the Rangers’ victory, it looks like Lee will start Game 1 on Wednesday against the Phillies or Giants. The Giants currently lead the series 3-2.

The Rangers’ series win was somewhat bittersweet. The Rangers, in their only three postseason berths prior to this season, were knocked out by those very same Yankees. Now, the Rangers finally got their revenge. The Yankees and their $200 million-plus payroll could not withstand the Rangers’ pitching and hitting. There were many questions entering the postseason, including whether or not the Yankees’ pitching could hold up.

It appeared that there was validity for those questions. The Bronx Bombers’ pitching was nothing, but mediocre at best. As a team, they had an astounding 7.11 ERA for the series and frankly, that will not win games. New York will now have many questions to answer in the offseason, as they are still looking to claim their 28th World Series championship.

A disappointed Joe Girardi said after the game, “We didn’t accomplish what we set out to. And as I told my guys, this hurts. I’ve been through it as a player. I’ve been through it as a coach and now I’ve been through it as a manager. It’s not a lot of fun watching other teams celebrate. They beat us. They outhit us, they outpitched us, outplayed us and they beat us.”

With the Yankees sent home, the Rangers are now looking forward to their World Series matchup against the Phillies or Giants. Game 1 will be on Wednesday and the Rangers are hoping they can bring Texas their first championship in the team’s 50-year history.

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What do the years 2001, 2003 and 2010 all have in common? They all involve deep playoff runs and subsequent disappointing playoff exits for the New York Yankees.

Following the 2001 and 2003 seasons, the Yankees acquired a dynamic hitter and veteran pitcher in each offseason, Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina after ’01 and Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Brown following ’03, and now it is very possible 2010 will also share that distinct similarity.

Don’t get me wrong, every postseason that doesn’t end with a World Series title is a disappointment to the Yankees and Yankees fans, but the 2001 World Series was a huge letdown and the 2003 loss was the official end to that Yankee dynasty.

2010 wasn’t a World Series loss, but an ALCS exit where the Yankees were truly over-matched and could not perform in the clutch was still hard to watch.

So who might the Yankees be targeting this offseason? Well, the popular pick is Cliff Lee and I think (hope) that he will be in pinstripes next season, after what he has done to the Yankees in the past, just signing him and keeping him away from other teams would be a bonus.

By the time it is all said and done he very well could be the highest paid pitcher in baseball history, because a bidding war is certainly going to take place between Texas and New York, along with whoever else is interested in him.

As for the bat, that remains to be seen, but some two of the most talked about hitters out there on the market are Adrian Beltre and Adam Dunn.

Beltre is coming off of a fantastic year in Boston hitting .321 with 28 home runs and 102 RBI, along with 49 doubles to lead the league. He also has a two Gold Gloves at third base.

Dunn is a much more one-dimensional player being a typical middle-of-the-order power bat, having not hit fewer than 38 home runs since 2003. His defense is nothing to brag about, but he can play first base and the corner outfield spots.

Both players would make the Yankees lineup even more stacked than it already is, but there would be one problem with signing either one of these All-Star caliber players. The DH spot would be jammed.

Beltre could play third base and A-Rod could move to the DH, but with an aging catcher, I have a feeling Jorge Posada is going to be the everyday DH next year, which brings me to my next point.

The Yankees don’t really need to sign either of these expensive free agents, because they have the young phenom catcher Jesus Montero waiting for his opportunity and next year the starting catching job could be his.

This is a player the Yankees have been high since they signed him as a 17-year-old. Now at age 20, he has shown at every level of the minors that he has a major league ready bat, having hit 21 home runs and knocked in 75 RBI this year at triple-A Scranton, while hitting .289. His defense was a concern but it is reportedly improved this year.

I have no doubt that by the end of next year, that Montero is the Yankees starting catcher and is an impact bat in the lineup, maybe not to the degree of Dunn or Beltre yet, but he certainly looks like he has the potential to hit 30 home runs in a season. And obviously, he is a much cheaper option than most free agents out there.

So maybe the Yankees just sign Cliff Lee and a few lesser free agents, possibly Johnny Damon, and go with Montero as their new starting catcher. Either way, if history repeats itself, the Yankees are going to have some new faces around in 2011.

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A phenom who struggled with substance abuse; a manager who endured the same problems; a pitcher who was traded for an upgrade; another pitcher that wasn’t going to make it in the majors; a veteran whose career was declining.

These are just some of the players that make up the now 2010 AL Champions and have led the Texas Rangers to their first World Series in the team’s history.

The Rangers sealed the deal tonight by beating the defending World Series Champion New York Yankees in game 6, winning 6-1.

The 2010 Texas Rangers are a true story of comebacks.

Things hadn’t gotten off to a good start for the rangers at the beginning of their season. News reports had come out about manager Ron Washington‘s cocaine use and how he had tested positive in a 2009 drug test. Rangers management could have fired him at the time but decided against it because of Washington’s admittance of his drug use prior to the test results.

With the talk of Washington’s issues, it was difficult not to remember Josh Hamilton’s similar experience with addiction problems. In his early playing days Hamilton had been indefinitely banned from the MLB for drug and alcohol abuse. Hamilton got his life together and the Rangers decided to give him a second chance. That decision would end up paying great dividends to the Rangers, especially this season with an MVP caliber season.

Another question mark, Vladimir Guerrero, was acquired during the offseason. His old team, the Los Angeles Angels, showed very little interest in re-signing a player who had provided for them during his entire stay there. Guerrero had only 15 homers, had 50 RBIs and played in 100 games for the Angels last year and was thought to be washed up. This season he played in 152 games, had 29 home runs and 115 RBIs, proving that the Angels were too quick to give up on him.

Then in the middle of the season the Rangers made one of there biggest acquisitions by trading for Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. Lee had been traded to the Mariners from the Phillies because the Phillies were upgrading with star pitcher Roy Halladay. With the Mariners headed to a losing season, the Rangers lucked out and were able to get the staff ace that they were looking for.

Now with all of the pieces together, the Rangers have beaten the Yankees with the most unlikely contribution of all. Pitcher Colby Lewis was playing in Japan last year, with fleeting hope of making it in the MLB.

But the Rangers are a team that believes in giving people chances. The chance with Lewis payed off. Lewis gave the Rangers 8 innings, 3 hits and 1 run in the ALCS clincher to advance the Rangers to the World Series.

In the ultimate story of irony, the Rangers defeated the player that used to be the face of the franchise, Alex Rodriguez. To finish the series closer Neftali Feliz struck out Rodriguez for the final out of the game.

Now a team built on second chances is headed to the World Series. They better hope to win it in their first try though. Not too many teams get a second chance at a championship.

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