The Yanks need to open the wallet big time this offseason. Because they need to worry about more than just the Red Sox.

The Red Sox have a good young core. And they’ll be creative in the offseason. The Sox aren’t going anywhere for a while.

The Rays will be in the hunt again next year. They’re young and good. And some of their young players are only going to get better. Their pitching staff is very good. With David Price in the mix, their staff is great.

Since the Yanks don’t have a great young core or great prospects…they need to spend:

I don’t want Abreu back. I don’t want Cano back. I don’t want Giambi back. I don’t want

They have a gaping hole at first base. Unless they can trade for a front line, young, slick fielding firstbaseman, Texiera is a MUST. People are balking at $20 million per. But then again, isn’t that approximately what Giambi was paid? Sign him or Boston will.

I don’t like the idea of Cameron. The plan is that he would be a stop gap for Austin Jackson who won’t be ready until 2010. Who the hell is Austin Jackson? They’re holding a spot for him? Is he the next Mickey Mantle? Jackson is as highly touted as Melky was. And Melky sucks. Will he be better than Melky? Who knows! The Yanks always overrate their prospects. I say send Cano, Melky, Jackson, Hughes, Gene Monahan, whomever…to get something young and very good. The Yanks need to deal with KNOWN quantities since they know as much about evaluating prospective talent as I know about marine biology.

If they can sign BOTH Burnett and Sabathia. Do it. And if one of them gets hurt, so be it. It’s called taking a risk. Pavano was a good risk. The Yanks lost. Igawa was a BAD risk. And the Yanks lost. Burnett MAY be a bad risk. BUT….he’s demonstrated that he can pitch in the major leagues. Igawa couldn’t pitch for your local deli’s softball squad.

Also…

Randy Levine and the Yankees’ army of attorneys should do whatever is necessary to ensure that A-Rod gets the type of advice that will finalize his divorce prior to spring training. This guy needs a clear head or we’ll witness a repeat of 2008.