YANKEES: CONTRACTS

The following are the details of the new Yankee contracts:

Brian Cashman Senior VP, General Manager
3 years/about $6M (2009-11)

• signed extension 9/30/08

C.C. Sabathia lhp
7 years/$161M (2009-15)

• signed by NY Yankees as a free agent 12/11/08

• $9M signing bonus (paid in 3 installments: 12/31/08, 3/1/09, 7/31/09
• 09:$14M, 10-15:$23M annually
• salaries to be paid semimonthly over all 12 months of year, rather than semimonthly during season
• Sabathia may opt of of deal after 2011 season
• no-trade protection
• perks: suite on road trips

Mark Teixeira 1b
8 years/$180M (2009-16)

• signed by NY Yankees as a free agent 12/23/08
• $5M signing bonus
• 09:$20M, 10:$20M, 11-16:$22.5M annually
• full no-trade clause

A.J. Burnett rhp
5 years/$82.5M (2009-13)

• signed by NY Yankees as a free agent 12/12/08
• 09-13:$16.5M annually
• limited no-trade clause (Burnett may block deals to 10 clubs each year)

Nick Swisher of-1b
5 years/$26.75M (2007-11), plus 2012 club option

• signed extension with Oakland 5/11/07, replacing 1 year/$0.4M deal for 2007 signed 3/07
• $0.5M signing bonus
• 07:$0.7M, 08:$3.5M, 09:$5.3M, 10:$6.75M, 11:$9M,
• 12:$10.25M club option ($1M buyout)
• 2012 option increases to $12M with top 5 in MVP vote any year 2007-11
• limited no-trade clause 2011-12 (may block deals to 6 clubs)

Damaso Marte lhp
3 years/$12M (2009-11), plus 2012 club option

• re-signed by Yankees as a free agent 11/12/08
• 09:$3.75M, 10:$4M, 11:$4M, 12:$4M club option ($0.25M buyout)

If I missed anyone let me know...

JETS AND METS

I think the image above pretty much describes what a Mets & Jets fan like me feels like every year...
You start off running every year with high hopes just like Charlie Brown did every time Lucy would put the ball down..
Then right at the end you had the high hopes of making the playoffs or going all the way just as Charlie did in kicking the ball...
Then right at the end you collapse and end up with a headache and nothing left to show for it..Like Lucy picking up the ball and Charlie missing the kick in anguish...

RIGHT ON THE MARK

Buster Olney has reported that the Yankees have come to terms with Mark Teixeira.

Terms and details of the contract have not yet been revealed but reports are stating its around 8 years 180 Million dollars.

Tex will slot nicely into "a desperate for offense Yankee lineup".

Starting pitchers across the league probably have just soiled their pants at the thought of a A-Rod Teixeira 1-2 punch.

Are the Yankees overpaying here? the answer to that is Definitely.

But in my opinion the fact that we kept him off the Sox is worth a boat load of money in its own right.

Mark Teixeira is not a Hall Of Fame type player and he probably will not put up the same offensive numbers Manny will in the next few seasons. With all that being said, I'm still thrilled to have this guy on my team .

Ultimately I feel the Yankees made a great decision here.

Tex, has not been injury prone and is as consistent as they come .

Plus, in his limited post season experience he has put up monster numbers.

Great Signing all around.

I think its safe to say Happy Chanukah/Merry X-mas And happy Quanza to all Yankees fans.

Probably the greatest off season of all time.

I love being a fan of the Evil Empire, now lets get Manny...

NFL: PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

AFC:
#1 Titans - BYE
#2 Steelers - BYE
#3 East Winner - see below
#4 West Winner - see below
#5 Colts
#6 Wild Card winner - see below

Jets:
Division
1) Win over Miami, Pats Lose to Buffalo
Wild Card
1) Win over Miami, Ravens Lose to Jaguars

Patriots:
Division
1) Win over Bills, Jets win over Phins
Wild Card
1)Win over Bills, Ravens lose to Jaguars, Phins beat Jets

Dolphins:
Division
1) Win over Jets

Ravens:
Wild Card
1) Win over Jaguars

Chargers/Broncos:
Division
1) Win

PS - If Ravens and Pats lose then Ravens get Wild Card and NYJ/Miami play for division.

NFC - UPDATED AFTER SUNDAY & MONDAY NIGHT GAMES