New York Yankees: How Hot Will the Stove Burn for the Yankees?

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Hello, once again! To start, a big congrats to the World Champion New York Yankees! It has a been a long time coming for us fans, and the team definitely earned it this year with their clutch play!

Honestly, this was one of the best teams the Yanks have had in the last 20 years or so, I would say the only one that might best them would be the incredible 1998 Championship team. Enough about the past though, let us look ahead into the future to the 2010 team that will look to defend their championship.

Alright, so, the great thing about this team is that all most of it is under contract for next year, which is a good thing. This team had tremendous chemistry and character, and that is in part to the additions made last winter.

Hats off to Cashman and company for pulling off an outstanding 2008-2009 winter of signings, they really did their research into the person, not only the player, and everyone seemed to fit in perfectly.

A winning team has to have several things: Talent, Chemistry, and will to win. From the moment A-Rod returned to the lineup, these are the elements this team had, and that results in championships. The one great thing is that most of the players will be returning.

This writer is a firm believer that championship teams should be preserved as much as possible, with some differences to add the balance of natural change. The biggest question mark in this offseason market will be what free agents from the 2009 team do we re-sign?

There is no doubt in my mind that everyone of our free agents want to return. This list includes reserve players Jerry Harriston Jr., Jose Molina, Eric Hinske, and Freddy Guzman, and of course the big names, Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui.

Here is what I say the yanks should do: All of the reserve players are replaceable, but I would like to see Harriston return, I think he added great versatility to the bench being able to play almost every position, and some pop and timely hitting.

I also think that he wouldn't mind returning to a team that gave him his first postseason in his 10+ year career, and his first WS ring. Hinske, though I like his bat, he is definitely replaceable, though he would still be a keeper. He is also very expendable though, because you have Shelley Duncan who is virtually the same player, only batting right-handed.

I would also like to see how Duncan would do with a full season in the majors after his monster year at AAA. Guzman has speed, and just about nothing else, so he is no real issue. The real issues are Damon and Matsui. Who do you re-sign?

I do believe that one of these veterans will be back in pinstripes, but which one? Damon is definitely in better shape, and has shown durability in his career, playing in at least 140 games every year, but his fielding is average to below average, and he can be a liability in LF in the years to come.

His agent, Scott Boras, is saying that they are looking for possibly another four-year contract, which will never happen. If the Yanks do want him back, it will most likely be for one year with an option, or at the very most two years with an option for a third, and that would be pushing it.

I do feel that he would come back for less money, but I can see him go. He added great chemistry to the club when he came over four years ago, but his job is replaceable, which is unfortunate to say. He is one of those cases that can go either way, if he stays, great, and pray for the best, if he goes, it will not the the BIGGEST loss, but he would be missed.

The same would have to go for Matsui.

Now, the World Series MVP had a great season as the full-time DH, which sparred his balky knees, and he proved to be a big time run producer with clutch hitting. The unfortunate thing is that he is now a full time DH, and that is it.

The Yankees have expressed the desire to be able to mix and match the DH spot, spelling Jorge, Jeter, A-Rod, among others to keep them fresh, but still in the lineup.

This is where the dilemma comes into the Matsui discussion. Matsui is too good of a hitter to be part time, so what do you do? I know it would be hard to see him in another uniform, but it is a big possibility. The problem with Damon and Matsui are their age, and with age, there is a bigger risk of durability.

What happens if they re-sign them, and they break down, then it is an "I told you so," and a mistake. If they re-sign and stay healthy and produce, the it will be a "no-brainer." Only time will tell, but it is too hard to predict those two, but I do predict one will resign.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?