So it’s been a while since I’ve updated this regularly, hasn’t it?

Well, with the New Year upon us, it seems like a good time to get back into it, no?

Anyway, here are some very non-coherent thoughts about the goings on of the Yankees and the baseball world.

  • Left field, left field, I love you, left field…

As it is, right now, the Yankees’ projected 2010 lineup looks something like this (I think):

1) Derek Jeter SS
2) Nick Johnson DH
3) Mark Teixeira 1B
4) Alex Rodriguez 3B
5) Jorge Posada C
6) Robinson Canó 2B
7) Curtis Granderson OF
8) Nick Swisher RF
9) Brett Gardner OF

Now, a couple of thoughts.

I think many of us assume Granderson will be in center and Gardner in left–assuming it’s these two and not Jaime Hoffman that make the cut.  Granderson’s defense certainly flies in center, but there’s a tremendous difference in the power that Granderson offers versus the power that Gardner offers.

Regardless of where they play, the question is simple–are you really okay with Gardner playing every day at center field?  Last year the Yankees’ line up was so potent that they could carry the Gardbrera construct in the nine spot and be okay, and it didn’t hurt that the two platooned (until Gardner was hurt and then again after).  The platoon kept both fresh and productive–when Gardner was injured and Melky Cabrera played every day, Cabrera’s numbers sagged.

So you probably want the Yankees to have another option in the outfield, if only for depth.  Austin Jackson and Melky Cabrera are now both gone; so too are Mike Cameron and Jason Bay.  Matt Holliday is available but will cost money that the Yankees don’t necessarily want to spend, and the Yankees and Johnny Damon seem to have reached an impasse.

It is here, then, that I make my pipe-dream plea:  re-sign Damon.

It’s not new that Damon would prefer a multi-year deal and won’t come cheap, but the market for his services is drying up and the fit with the Yankees is too perfect.

The kicker, though, (I think, and correct me if I’m wrong…) is that if the Yankees re-signed Damon, they could slot him into the two spot and then move Johnson elsewhere in the order–I’m thinking either fifth or sixth, assuming he remains healthy which is, of course, not a given–so you don’t end up batting Robinson Canó too high in the line up–remember how much he didn’t like that last year?

  • We gotta pitcher, not a belly itcher

Let it be known, I am as of right now a fan of the trade for Javy Vazquez.

The Yankees will now go to war in 2010 with, barring injury, four of the five rotation spots already set, and with the fifth likely coming between Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, with the “loser” ending up in the bullpen or AAA.

This is quite a far cry from, say, 2008, when the Opening Day rotation comprised of three largely inexperienced and kind-of-still-rookies.

The key, of course, is staying healthy, and I certainly wish that the Yankees had a little more depth in the minors, but even so they are much better off than a number of other teams.  Like, say, the Mets.

  • There’s a method to the madness

In 2009, with the exception of Nick Swisher, all the large off-season moves were done via free agent signing.  This season, with what’s widely considered a “thin” free agent class, with the exception of re-signing Andy Pettitte, the Yankees have accomplished all of their large moves via the trade.

A couple seasons ago, many of us argued that the Yankees should hold onto all of their top prospects and not trade for Johan Santana.  I would argue that most of us are still glad that’s the road the Yankees took.

This season, the Yankees did trade, but in doing so they have managed to hold onto Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Jesús Montero, who may very well be considered their most tradeable commodities.

Have they given up too many prospects?  It’s hard to say right now–the highest ceiling prospect they gave up may very well be A. Vizcaino in the Vazquez trade, but he is still at A ball and a long was from superstardom.

What the Yankees have given away is depth, and it’s hard to know how much it will come into play.

If 2010 plays like 2009 and everyone stays healthy, the Yankees can weather a shallower talent pool.

If 2010 plays like 2008, and there are numerous injuries–which, with an older team, is not uncommon–there might be an issue.

As it is, there’s no reason to freak out on December 30.  The Yankees, after all, did win the World Series last season.  They’re doing something right…