From leaves to Yankees

After reading Chuck’s blog about leaves, it prompted me to ‘think’ about writing about leaves in my yard and what I go through to get rid of them. Cynthia can attest to the fact that I have to sweep the leaves from the garage every time we raise the garage door and the wind blows a few of them in. But, no, I started thinking, how that’s nothing more than only looking for something to write a blog about.

There’s surely something else with which I can bore my blog readers? Then, I came up with something a little closer to the heart. Like, the New York Yankees. Yeah, that’s it. Since I’m obviously searching for something to blog about anyway, the Yankees it will be.

So, do you realize the season begins in only 145 days, or close to it? Yep, another major league baseball season opens in early April. A new Yankee Stadium opens April 3-4 with exhibitions game against the Chicago Cubs. No, I won’t be there, either. Just like the old Yankee Stadium, I won't get to see the new one. That doesn’t stop me from being a Yankee fan, however.

The latest Yankees news is that Mike Mussina is retiring and that Hal Steinbrenner is going to take a more active role in the ownership of the Yankees. It won’t be only Hank who is replacing father George. Hal is more of a business man, than Hank, who is more like George in that he’s somewhat outspoken.

General manager Brian Cashman has said he intends to get the Yankees back in the playoffs again. Everyone knows the way to do that is with pitching and other general managers know that the Yankees can certainly afford it. With Mussina officially out of the picture, now the Yankees have to outbid everyone for lefty C.C. Sabathia and possibly add another starter, say A.J. Burnett. Both will be around $150 million, or so. (did I mention that the Yankees are getting ready to open a ‘new’ Yankee Stadium and they need to fill it)

That’ll give them Chein-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain to go along with maybe Andy Pettitt, if he decides to stay in New York , rather than go back to the Houston Astros. I’m convinced Pettitt can no longer be an ‘ace,’ because he would be only good enough to be the fifth starter, especially if the Bombers bring Sabathia and Burnett aboard. And, don’t forget. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes will be back and could figure into the starting rotation.

They have traded for Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox to take Jason Giambi’s place in the place on the field and/or at designated hitter. Hideke Matsui will be back to man left field, Xavier Nady, the slugger brought over from the Pirates, will be in right field, and a combination of Johnny Damon-Melky Cabrera-Brett Gardner will return to center. A-Rod will be back at third base and can resume his chase to become the major league’s greatest home run hitter, Derek Jeter will be at shortstop, Robbie Cano at second base and Jorge Pasada behind the plate as catcher or at designated hitter, if they decide to use Jose Molina full time.

So, there’s your off-season analysis of the Yankees, for anyone that cares, and I have another blog written.