Teixeira in Pinstripes

It seems like it's the real deal.

Jon Heyman says the Yanks and Tex have reached an agreement on an 8 year $180mm deal.
Buster Olney says his sources claim the Yanks and Tex agreed on an 8 year deal for more than $170mm.

I can't even believe it. That's a lot of money, and a lot of years, but for right now I'm pretty excited. Tex gives us another power bat and great defense too. The best part is that the Red Sox don't get him. He's pricey, and most certainly overpaid, but money aside, you have to love this lineup...

LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
RF Nick Swisher
CF Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner

Financially though, it is kind of embarassing that the Yanks will have the 4 highest paid players in baseball on their team (A-Rod, Jeter, Sabathia, and now Tex). However, I guess if you have money, spend it. Ken Rosenthal thinks that Tex will most likely get an opt out clause, like Sabathia.

Other good news, this means we almost certainly won't sign clubhouse cancer Manny Ramirez.

The Tex signing will most likely result in a trade of Xavier Nady, who seems to be the odd man out now. He had a great 08 campaign, and is going into his walk year, so he should definitely have some trade value. The Yanks will most likely look to get young pitching or a center fielder in a Nady trade. I wonder if they might try to trade him for a utility guy.