http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6938410

So Rosenthal put together a pretty compelling article today about the Yankees making a push for Mark Teixeira and how the Yankees should pull the trigger regardless of Phil Hughes' involvement in it. Let me say this: the Yankees have me at the point where I'm petrified of their trading away of farm guys, and even more so when those farm guys are pitchers.

We all watched Phil look brilliant at a time when the Yanks were struggling and it gave us a newfound hope not only for this season but for the future. I know the prospect of having a gold glove power hitting 1B sounds like music to our ears considering Miguel Cairo is the current man filling that void, but is he really the answer we want for a multiple choice question?

Rosenthal is absolutely right about the uncertainty regarding minor-leaguers and how part of the importance of having a good farm system is for moments like this when Teixeira-type players become available; the farm guys become bargaining chips. I get that. But we now see that Cashman has been extremely careful about how he handles things and the team has been better served for it. Personally, I would love to have Teixeira, but I would also like to see Phil Hughes get his shot to grow up as a Yankee. Our pitchers are getting older and other than Wang we have a mini-retirement community in the starting rotation. That has to change, and if we ship off the up-and-comers for Teixeira we may just end up with more years of hoping we can out-hit the opposition. I'm far too sick with that notion.

Additionally, I'm not all that sold on the idea of trading away Melky Cabrera. Sure it sounds foolish to say that when it's Teixeira we're talking about, but if Melky is part of a package we'll need a guy that can roam center and has a good arm. Where will we get that? Rosenthal says outfielders are readily available, and I'm sure he's right, but are there outfielders readily available who have good range in centerfield and a reliable throwing arm? His capability at the position have helped the defense by leaps and bounds, so much that I am really beginning to question how necessary Johnny Damon is at this point. Seriously. Surely his hitting has been curtailed because of injury, but I'm sick and tired of short fly balls resulting in runs because his throwing arm is as intimidating as a pomeranian.

First base must be addressed this year without question, but when I think of what is necessary to get a franchise player, I'd rather pass on Teixeira. As much as I would love to have him, I'd rather bite the bullet and get a guy with a mediocre bat that can handle himself in the field. The World Series can be won without a lineup full of bombers, and a balanced team is something the Yankees have not had in years, which may indeed be why the championships have been harder to come by.