If......

Let's just look at a few things to ponder....

Here are possible lineups and defensive alignments for certain signings.

If we sign Manny

CF Damon
SS Jeter
3B Rodriguez
LF Ramirez
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
1B Swisher
RF Gardner/Cabrera

I figure Nady is a worse hitter than Manny, Damon, and Matsui, and he has trade value, so he would be traded away. Damon's arm can't survive in RF, so he'd play center, where his arm will still be a problem. Damon in center and Manny in left? That does not sound good for our defense.

If we sign Tex

LF Damon
SS Jeter
3B Rodriguez
1B Teixeira
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Gardner/Cabrera

The outfield defense is much improved with Damon in left where his athleticism is useful, and his arm less important. Swisher can play fine defense in right and Melky and Gardner could be above average defensive center fielders. Teixeira is a little better than Swish with the glove, and having him in the infield would definitely be good for the defense. Again, I think this would lead to Nady being traded away.

If we were to sign Adam Dunn.

CF Damon
SS Jeter
3B Rodriguez
LF Dunn
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
1B Swisher
RF Gardner/Cabrera

This leads to the same defensive problems as a Manny signing. I figured infield defense is more important than outfield defense. However, the Yanks could possibly do this

LF Damon
SS Jeter
3B Rodriguez
1BDunn
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
RFSwisher
CFGardner/Cabrera

It seems like a Teixeira signing would be the smartest, at least for 09. However, Tex also would be on the payroll for 8 years, while Manny or Dunn would be gone after 2 or 3. That's why I'm in favor of Dunn, he's short term and he isn't a doofus like Manny. I just like to know that someone we are paying a lot of money to play baseball will actually play baseball and not sit themselves out because of made up injuries which are only cured by being traded and having your contract options removed.