The Yankees have done it again, signing free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira to an 8 year/180 million dollar deal, and I couldn't be happier.  The Yanks have had what amounts to a defensive black hole at first base since Tino Martinez left in 2001, and Teixeira fills that void.  He's been excellent with the glove his entire career, and oh yeah, the dude can mash.  How's a near guaranteed .945 OPS for the next five years sound?

It sounds good.  The Yankees, in the past, spent money unwisely, and for that I ripped them.  Jaret Wright?  Slap.  Carl Pavano?  Punch.  Avoiding Carlos Beltran?  Groin shot.

Therefore, it's only fair that I praise for them spending money wisely this time.  It's nothing but fact that the Yankees have by far the most available money of any baseball team.  Not signing Teixeira due to "budget restrictions" is so untrue it's a slap in the face to smart fans.  The Yanks don't have "budget restrictions."  When you make as much money as the Steinbrenners do, not spending it is evil. 

They applied their huge advantage to fill a need.  What's so wrong with that?

Let's move on to a little more about what Teixeira offers.

• Gold Glove quality defense.

• Excellent offensive production.

• No injury concerns.

• No Burnettesque effort concerns.

Another thing that makes me love this deal is the lack of an opt-out clause.  I expected each deal done by the Yanks would include one of those evil contraptions, but Boras didn't see the need.  That could've been Teixeira not wanting to take anything for chance.

Look at this lineup, pending the near-guaranteed signing of Manny Ramirez to DH:

CF-Johnny Damon
SS-Derek Jeter
1B-Mark Teixeira
3B-Alex Rodriguez
DH-Manny Ramirez
C-Jorge Posada
LF-Nick Swisher
RF-Xavier Nady
2B-Robby Cano

Bam.  That lineup can score over 920 runs.  What was once a potential weakness for the Yanks is yet again a strength.  And just think, the pitching isn't bad anymore either.

Time to watch out, baseball.  The Yankees aren't playing around.

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