The Yankees Spending Spree.

Before I start, yes I do realize I went 0-4 in this weekend's NFL playoff predictions. Oh well. Let's just move on.

You know the funny thing about all the money the Yankees spent on CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeria? They are still the best third place team in baseball. In fact I would argue that they are not even as good as they were last year when they only won 89 games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Start with CC who I actually think was a great pickup. He will likely win 20 games next year but Mike Mussina won 20 last year and he retired. So they are really only replacing Mussina's wins with CC's. I think CC will be great for three years then opt out of his contract and go pitch for the Dodgers. I wouldn't be too worried about his weight either. There isn't much corelation between being fat and pitching poorly - just look at David Wells. CC has great mechanics and is not injury prone.

Now for Teixeira. I really like the guy but is he that much better than Jason Giambi? He's certainly better defensively and hits for a higher average but it's not like he makes them 7 wins better than Giambi at first place. Personally I think it was ridiculous the amount of money they gave him. Do you really think of Mark Teixeira as one of the most feared hitters in baseball? Do you think he is going to making opposing managers sweat at the end of close games the way Pujols, Manny, ARod or Ortiz do? Hell no. Then why is he the third highest paid player in baseball? Another tip of the cap to Scott Boras for that one.

Finally AJ Burnett. I love the fact that the Yanks were stupid enough to give this guy $17.5 million per year. If they honestly think this head case will stand up to the pressure in the Big Apple they are nuts. I guarantee you Burnett will never win nmore than 12 games as a Yankee and get lit up almost every time he pitches in Fenway.

The Yanks still have a piss poor middle relief, a big question mark in Jaba Chamberlain (who I don't see as an innings eating starter), an aging Mariano Riveira, no offense from behind the plate because of Posada's surgery and an awful defensive outfield with Bobby Abreu not coming back.

Meanwhile the Rays add David Price, who will likely win 15 or more games, to their rotation and have Evan Longoria and BJ Upton and other young guys who should better next year. (Quick update: Now the Rays have added Pat Burrell who should hit 40 home runs in that banbox in Tampa next year) And the Red Sox have not lost anything and have a full year of Jason Bay.

Don't get your hopes up Yankee fans. Your team is still going to be watching the playoffs from home next year.