The New York Yankees have long been the villains of Major League Baseball, but over the past two seasons they looked to have ceded their status as baseball's baddies to the free-wheeling Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Yankees aren't giving up their status just yet though, according to first baseman Mark Teixeira. "I know when I'm out there and healthy, my team is a better team and that is no different this year," said Teixeira, who missed most of the 2013 season with nagging wrist injuries. Tex said he "absolutely expects" to hit 30 home runs in 2014 and drive in 100 RBI.
The Yankees lost Robinson Cano this offseason, a move that does not scream "Evil Empire," but upgraded in multiple spots all over the diamond. "We're back to being the Yankees again," said Teixeira. "We had so many injuries and we had so many guys that should have been in there to be lots of anchors [in the lineup.] That's back. There is not one guy that has to carry this team."
Cashman, the architect of New York's big-spending offseason, pleased Teixeira with his work. He brought in Brian McCann at catcher, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran in the outfield, and then signed the biggest fish, Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka, to a seven-year, $155 million deal on top of a $20 million posting fee.
"We had a great offseason," Teixeira said. "It was fun to watch. I was texting Cash every two weeks, telling him congrats on another great signing, great offseason. I basically told him, 'You did your job. Now, it is time for us to do ours.' No excuses this year, we have a team that can compete for a world championship."
Texiera is one of the Yankees with the most to prove. He will be 34 years old this season, and hasn't hit above .256 in the past four seasons in pinstripes.
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