New York Yankees

"The Best Team That Money Can Buy." That's how some people describe the 2009 Yankees.

Balance. The Yankees have impact players in all phases of the game; offense, defense and pitching. They can hit the ball well against good pitching and they can torch mediocre pitchers.

What more need be said about Mark Teixeira? Of course he should be among the Most Valuable Player candidates in the American League. Derek Jeter is as critical and as impactful as Teixeira. He hasn?t stopped hitting and his presence on the club is beyond that of a Captain. He is more like the glue that holds it all together. Robbie Cano, Don't Ya Know, has rebounded from some very spotty play last season. Cano has had some huge hits for the Bronx Bombers. He is my candidate for American League Comeback Player of the Year. ARod has caused his own mess. The Law of Averages, never approved by Congress I might add, dictates that Rodriguez should break out of his career long Playoff slump and actually contribute at the plate. I'm a believer in the Law of Averages. But quality pitchers have a way of breaking the Law. It's his time though. There will be millions of eyes and ears watching and listening as ARod tries to climb his way out of the Playoff Outhouse.

The outfield is sound with Johnny Damon in left, Melky Cabrera in center and probably Nick Swisher and Eric Hinske splitting the duties in right. Swisher is the bopper among the crew, but he also has the ability to kill a rally as fast as anyone. To me, Swisher is like a vitamin supplement. He adds value after all the food groups have been eaten with diligence. I feel his game is not the same as it was due to injuries,.

Jorge Posada still handles his pitchers extremely well and he can contribute at the plate. Any catcher with more than 20 homers and 70 runs batted in has to be pitched to with care. He fits that mold. Hideki Matsui is an outstanding Designated Hitter. He is dangerous, puts the bat on the ball and makes pitchers sweat. He has outstanding plate coverage with good discipline.

The pitching. Ah, the pitching. You pay your millions and you take your chances. The rotation probably starts with the Ace of (Broken) Hearts, C. C. Sabathia. All you have to do is consult the Cleveland Indians to learn about C. C. in the Playoffs. Up tight? Wound like a watch? There is no bigger stage than the Bronx for Mr. Sabathia to redeem himself from other Playoff busts. Then Joe Girardi can turn to the Ace of (Many Baseball) Diamonds, A.J. Burnett. Who knows? And in the 3 spot in the rotation is the Ace of (Many Previous) Clubs, one Andy Pettitte. If he can lift his hand above his head without his elbow or shoulder crying out in pain, Andy Pettitte gets the ball. Other than Josh Beckett is there a better living Playoff game pitcher than Pettitte? He's the # three. Actually, depending upon their opponent, Joe Girardi is thinking about pitching Pettitte second in the rotation. But that would give the Yankees back- to- back front-line lefties. That's why they pay The Manager the big bucks. They have some tough decisions to make at Playoff time. Regardless of their pitching order, the top three are Sabathia, Pettitte and Burnett.

After the first three it gets very interesting. Very interesting indeed. Does Joba rule here? He has to. You know what bugs him? Bugs in his face, that's what. A little levity here folks. Four starters. Seven in the pen. That's 11 pitchers. Will they keep 12? Decision time for Girardi once again.

We know that Phil Hughes will set-up for Mariano Rivera. We know that Rivera will close. That leaves 5 to go. I like Phil Coke and Damaso Marte as the lefties. That leaves Brian Bruney, and then?

The Yankees have incredible fire- power. When they are running on "full" they can beat anyone. My concern is with their pitching. I would guess that's their concern as well. The rotation is heavy at the top but then it gets thin. That might not matter so much in a Playoff series. The choice of bullpen arms will be critical. Who makes the Playoff roster?

The Yankees may have trouble with the running Angels of Anaheim if they both get beyond the first round to meet each other. No question, the Division Series should go the Yankees way. It's the Championship Series that will create the hiccups and the heartburn. That's when the running should begin. Or, that's when the other team's balance will come to play. And, that's when the other team's pitching will come to the head of the class.

Overall, the Yankees are balanced and have outstanding hitting, three good starting pitchers, a very good set-up man and a World Class closer.

The Yankees love hitting in The Bronx. They can take any pitcher deep at any time. But the opposition will also be hitting in the homer haven. But careful, A. J. Burnett can be a home run pitcher. If the games get to the eighth with the Yankees ahead, watch out. That's when Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera take over.

I like the Yankees to get by either the Tigers or the Twins in the AL Division Series. Once that happens, I'll be back to preview Round Two, the AL Championship Series.

That's my opinion of the Yankees. I'd be interested in yours. Feel free to comment below.