A little more then a month since capturing their 27th World Championship, the Yankees are right back at work trying to build a team that can repeat as Champions a year from now.In an off-season where GM Brian Cashman declared that the team would not spend as much as they did last winter, $400 million worth for A.J. Burnett, C.C. Sabathia and Mark Texiera, the Yankees are indeed willing to spend some big bucks nonetheless.
First the Bombers pulled off a three team trade with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, that will bring center fielder Curtis Granderson to the Bronx. Granderson is a better option than free agent Johnny Damon, because of his age, 29, and because of his ability to play excellent defense, and still hit the ball with power. Granderson hit 30 home runs in 2009 in spacious Comerica Park in Detroit.
Plus, the trade give the Yankees flexibility to move the out-of-position Melky Cabrera, who is a dreadful center fielder to either left field, or better yet package him in a trade.
The Yankees sent Ian Kennedy to Arizona in the trade, while packaging both Phil Choke and top outfield prospect Austin Jackson to Detroit. The Tigers in turn sent one of their better pitchers, Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, while recieving Mark Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth in return from Arizona.
Meanwhile, the good news keeps flowing in for the Yankees.
They completed a one-year $11.75 million deal with Andy Pettitte, bringing back the dependable left hander for another season. Pettitte was brilliant in the playoffs, pitching in the clinching game in all three of the Yankees playoff series this fall.
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