Let the Gnashing of Teeth Begin

The Yankees landed their third big fish this off season by grabbing free agent, Mark Teixeira, out from under the Red Sox' noses. Let the gnashing of teeth begin.

The Yankees are one of those polarizing franchises in sports. Flashing the most money, the best history and in the best market, the team is either loved passionately by its fans or hated acrimoniously by all other fans.

To fans of the team, this is the prize they've been hoping for. A big bat from both sides of the plate, a la Mickey Mantle, Teixeira is also seen as a clutch performer and his playoff experience last year seems to Yankee fans like the anti-A-Rod.

To those who hate the Yankees, this will be one more spike in the Yankee voodoo doll hanging in each sports den. The critics will say: "Nine of their players make more than any other TEAM in baseball." Calls for a salary cap will come clamoring across the land and Internet pipe.

But, in reality, the Yankees pay their dues. The same day the deal was announced, the league assessed a $29 million "tax" on the Yankees that will be distributed to other teams around the league. The team's "tax" tab the last five years exceeds $100 million.

The Yankees also have a new stadium to fill and expensive seats to justify. Filling their glaring needs when they have cleared enough payroll to do so is their right and, face it, two of these acquisitions are for the best players on the market.

The deal should also settle A-Rod down a bit as he no longer has to be THE big bat in the lineup. Now he has his tandem in Teixeira. He should have a big year.

And so the two polarized camps will be having different reactions. To those that hate the Yankes with boundless passion, a raised fist and a "Damn Yankees!" will reverberate. To Yankee fans, fists will be pumped and a gigantic, "Yesssssssssssss!" will fill the land.