Christmas miracle: Mark Teixeira is a Yankee

December 23, 4:48 PMNew York Yankees ExaminerPete Sabatini

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Dare to dream, Yankees fans.  Merry Teix-mas!  Your Christmas wish has come true, just a couple days early.

Many skeptics said it was just too much money for the Yankees to spend after grabbing CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett.  Undeniably, it’s a lot of money -- eight years and $180 million for Texeira bringing their total contracts to the three to $423.5 million.

Too much money?  Who cares, it’s not yours. 

Irresponsible to spend in a recession?  Not a chance, they’re reinvesting in their thriving business.

The Yankees clearly needed to cement a strong hitter in the middle of the order to decisively push ahead of the American League East on paper. 

Now, on paper, the Yankees have done it.  They’ve assembled all the personnel to make themselves, once again, the favorites for 2009’s World Series race. 

The signing is still pending a physical, but all indication is that it’s happening for eight years and $180 million.

Mark Teixeira brings to the Yankees the promise of a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs, 100+ runs, and 110+ RBI.  That’ll look mighty nice batting behind, or even ahead of, Alex Rodriguez.

Teixeira takes over first base, relegating recent addition Nick Swisher to backup first base/DH/center field.

The Yankees’ team salary is now pushing toward the 2008 mark that Yankee brass aimed to lower significantly. 

Whether the Yankees will continue to pursue Andy Pettitte for an additional $10 million or trade for Mike Cameron which would also be an additional $10 million is yet to be seen.

• Prior reports on Teixeira here and here.
• According to Orioles Examiner Jay Trucker here, a Yankees fan's miracle is an Orioles fan's nightmare.
• Check in with Mark Fuery, Boston Sports Examiner, on the Red Sox missing out on the Teixeira sweepstakes here.
• MLB Examiner David Pinto adds his take here.
• Alex Brown, MLB Examiner, on how the Red Sox are the losers here.