I’d take Teixeira. Not only does the Yankee offense project as a moderate stinker in 2009 but Teixeira addresses a need at 1B and also represents less risk of default on his contract. In short, I more or less know that Teixeira will put up close to his career stats from age 28-33.

Sabathia is a good pitcher and the best free agent starter available. But there’s certainly a risk that he turns into Bartolo Colon. Given their body type and the workload, I’m less sure about Sabathia’s future returns starting in Year 3 or Year 4 of a six year deal.

That being said, the Yanks have the capacity for both and should be aggressively pursuing both at the same time.

MJ, if you were Cash and for some reason you only had enough payroll to afford either Tex or CC, who would you take?

YankCrank, I don’t disagree with you about Swisher being the everday 1B in the event the Yanks don’t get Teixeira. My comment was more coming from the point of view that I think we NEED Teixeira and, hence, Swisher’s bat in LF would be his greatest utility (since he won’t bring defense to the position, the least he can do is hit while letting the better 1B have the spot).

Insofar as Montero is concerned, let’s forget about him for a while. He projects to be a good hitter but he hasn’t even advanced beyond A+ ball yet. The Red Sox have a similar stud hitter in the making in Lars Anderson, who is closer to the big leagues, and they’re not worrying about his path being blocked just yet.

Even with Teixeira, Montero wouldn’t necessarily be blocked since by the time he’s ready (let’s say 2011) Posada will be in his last year and could be a DH by then, if he’s even still playing as a man who would turn 40 during that season.

Swisher is a hyper/super role player on this team. He’s a nice player BUT the Yanks need at least one player like Teix to make up the offense lost from Jasteriod Giambi and Booby ” I don’t like walls” Abreu. Offense was weak last year and the Yanks need to improve that right quick. Instead Cash Man’s focus is on CC, AJ, and DL…not Derek Lowe (DL) but that’s where CC and AJ will end up if they sign with the Bombers! This is another case where Cash Man makes the wrong adjustments…..

“Swisher’s best value to the Yanks, frankly, is in LF. That way he doesn’t clog up Teixeira’s spot.”

You just admitted that Swisher in the outfield contributes to a brutal defense, so how is that Swisher’s best value? I never said Swisher was better than Tex, I said in case we don’t get Tex (which we probably won’t get unless we lose out on CC) we still have a viable option at 1b in Swish. Swisher’s best value is at 1b where he is strong defensively, and the fact he’s versatile he can move to the outfield when Posada needs to rest his arm a day or two a week from catching. Then when Montero is ready in the bigs Swisher can either be a full time outfielder or the Yanks can dump his affordable salary. Swisher brings talent and roster flexibility which is very valuable.

I’m not downplaying what Tex would bring to the team if we were able to obtain him. I was simply saying in case we don’t get Tex, Swisher is a viable option at 1b with all of what I just listed.

Frankly if CC doesn’t want to be in NY than I don’t want him there either. An unhappy player is an unhappy performer.
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No one said CC doesn’t want to be in NY. Further, I challenge you to prove that he’d be unhappy in New York if he signs the offer and, beyond that, that he’d be a poor performer EVEN IF he didn’t want to be on the team.

I understand you thoughts on Tex, but don’t forget about Swisher. He is a very capable 1b in case the price for Tex gets too high.
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Not a substitute for Teixeira offensively, especially not in light of the fact that without Giambi/Abreu, this offense looks to be worse in 2009.

Swisher’s best value to the Yanks, frankly, is in LF. That way he doesn’t clog up Teixeira’s spot. Yes, a Swisher/Damon/Nady OF is gruesome defensively but in a year’s time both Damon and Nady could be gone and Austin Jackson could provide improved offense and defense.

Frankly if CC doesn’t want to be in NY than I don’t want him there either. An unhappy player is an unhappy performer. I wouldn’t doubt Cashman hasn’t done it already, but I think he should start lining up other #1 & 2 starters to pursue.

The CC story is not done yet and who in hell is gonna give CC crazymadstupidmegabuck Yankee money? Sabean? Sabean f&*ked up with Zito and needs hitters. LA? Jason Scmidt was a bomb, as was Jones and Pierre, do they need another expensive pitching piece? THe Angels seem to want to bring Garland back and they could afford him. So, if a team gets him other than the Yanks it would be Moreno’s Orange County Assholes of Pasadena. BUT still, I don’t see Arte throwing even 120 at a pitcher for 6 years……

jane:

I understand you thoughts on Tex, but don’t forget about Swisher. He is a very capable 1b in case the price for Tex gets too high.