2007 TEAM OUTLOOK: NEW YORK YANKEES

OFFSEASON OVERVIEW: We're used to seeing the Yankees spend money like its their job, so considering the past, it was a relatively quiet offseason for the Boss. Rather than blow all their money on one player, the Yankees tried to both sign players to help them win in 2007, while also strengthening their farm system. Their two biggest moves were trading veterans Jaret Wright, Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson. Both players had proven to be susceptible to injury, and the Yankees were lucky to unload them for quality prospects. The Yankees used the rest of their offseason to reassemble a pitching staff that was devastated by season's end in 2006. They re-signed Mike Mussina and brought back familiar face Andy Pettite to the team. Also, the Yankees took a risk on Kei Igawa, a Japanese starter that should fit somewhere in the middle of the Yankees rotation. The only other notable move of the Yankee offseason was the signing of Doug Mientkiewicz, who will play first base and gives the Yanks a lift defensively. The only losses to free agency that the Yankees suffered were that of hardly used middle relievers, but it should not be a hard to overcome because they replenished their bullpen with solid arms Luis Vizcaino and Chris Britton. On a whole it was very successful offseason for GM Brian Cashman and company.

OFFENSE: Like usual, the Yankees are stacked with possibly the best offense in baseball. The lineup will look very similar to last season with Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter hitting at the top of the order. Also, Bobby Abreu would be the logical choice to hit third considering his high OBP and decent power. Their ability to get on base should once again give plenty of RBI oppurtunities for Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and Jason Giambi. Newly acquired Doug Doug Mientkiewicz should hit towards the bottom of the order with Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano. Despite having very solid numbers, the Yankees will most likely keep Cano ninth to act as their second leadoff hitter. Bench player Andy Phillips could see a decent amount of work as well if Mientkiewicz, struggles against lefties like has in the past.

PITCHING: Clearly the biggest question mark on this team is the pitching staff. Veterans Andy Pettite and Mike Mussina will headline the rotation. The third starter will be Chien-Ming Wang, who's tremendous sinker ball led him to a terrific 2006 season in which he led the AL in wins. He is quite possibly the most reliable pitcher on the staff. Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa will most likely start the season as fourth in the rotation, while Carl Pavano, the highly touted Phillip Hughes, and Jeff Karstens will all compete for a chance to start. The bullpen is as strong as ever and will once again be headed by the league's best closer Mariano Rivera. The fire ballers Scott Proctor and Jeff Farnsworth will be the main set-up guys, and Luis Vizcaino, Chris Britton, and Mike Myers should all see significant work this year.

X-FACTOR: In an odd scenario, the Yankees X-factor is not even a member of the team. The player I speak of is Roger Clemens. The Rocket clearly seems poised to pitch in 2007, and if he chooses the Yankees over the Red Sox and Astros, it will provide a huge lift to the rotation. While the Yankees have several solid starters, Clemens would give them the one ace that is both an ace and a big time postseason pitcher. With Clemens it may once again be the year of the Yankee.

BEST CASE SCENARIO: Clemens signs with the Yankees, Igawa is even better than Daisuke Matzusaka, and A-Rod sheds the label of baseball's biggest loser. If all this happens, it would be hard to find any reason why the Yankees would not be celebrating their 27th World Series title.

WORST CASE SCENARIO: No one steps up as the fourth and fifth starter, A-Rod continues his postseason struggles, and the team is once again plagued by injuries. A season like this could be the first one in over decade that will see the Yankees missing the playoffs.

-David Cassilo