Shave and a Haircut, $52 Million

Just when you (me) were really beginning to believe every word from Brian Cashman - the Yanks aren't looking for splashy moves - they go reel in the splashy move of splashy moves this winter. Bubba Crosby won't be patrolling centerfield this spring for the Yanks, no, it will be the very Steinbrenner-esque choice of Johnny Damon.

Let me say right from the start that this definitely makes the Yankees a better team. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to think.

I was pretty angered by the signing - a complete reversal in philosophy by Cashman - before reading this account of the midnight dealings by Buster Olney. That helped ease the pain somewhat. The deal wasn't so much of a Steinbrenner directive ("I want HIM and I don't care what it takes.") as it was a last-ditch/take-it-or-leave-it/final-offer kind of thing where the Yankees decided to put Damon to a decision and then, if they got rejected, move on to other options. To Damon, the choice became clear(er) - the Yankees were pushing hard (4-yrs, $52m - a full $3m/yr better than Boston's offer) while the Red Sox were busy coming up with Plan B's (Jeremy Reed) - the Yankees wanted him more. And so the Yankees got him.

I have to say a good part of me is disappointed - I was becoming very excited to see what Bubba could do with a starting job. Looking back, it was pretty foolish - the Yanks would have never started the year with Bubba in center. Going the Bubba route likely would have meant adding a second centerfielder, which would have provided some great insight to how the new Yankee philosophy was working. Now, I'm beginning to doubt that such a new philosophy actually exists. Are we still in the free-wheeling Steinbucks days? Or is Brian Cashman really interested in changing the way this team operates? The answer isn't as clear as it was yesterday.