Yankees add Curtis Granderson

The New York Yankees, fresh off their first World Series title since 2000, show why they may be the team to beat in 2010. As a Red Sox fan it pains me to say this, but the Yankees are becoming an franchise that is run with brains and not just a wallet. Gone are the days of George Steinbrenner doing anything and everything to win the World Series. Barren farm systems and mismatched major league rosters appeared to be the case during this most recent title drought.

Don't get me wrong, the Yankees can flex their financial prowess like the giant Godzilla they are. Case in point, last offseason the Yankees outspent the ENTIRE American League for free agents by a whopping $265 million. But again, they now spend wisely on guys who make sense for their ballclub.

This past week, at the winter meetings in Indianapolis, the Yankees finalized a 3-team deal involving the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers. The end result was 28-year old, All-star center fielder Curtis Granderson. The kicker, from my perspective, is that they Yankees did not touch their major league base. In order to obtain Granderson, they dealt Austin Jackson, their top outfield prospect; Phil Coke, a left handed relief pitcher; and Ian Kennedy, a once promising starting pitcher who is coming back from injuries. All of their major chips - Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Jesus Montero - are still in play should they wish to make another major move. Perhaps Roy Halladay?

Curtis Granderson will make the Yankees better, and frankly that's a bit scary. He hit 30 home runs at Comerica Park (not your typical hitter friendly ball park). It is not going over the top to assume he'll slug 40 at the launching pad known as new Yankee stadium. I'll add that only two other Yankee center fielders in their history have ever belted more than 35 home runs in a year -- Joe Dimaggio and Mickey Mantle. Yikes. Granderson brings alot to the table - he plays great defense, he is a tremendous base runner, and he's well liked in the clubhouse.

As a Red Sox fan, I am worried on two levels. First, the World Series champs (our biggest division rival) got even better. Second, on a larger scale, the Yankees appear to be matching the smarts with their George Costanza sized wallet. That's a scary, scary thought.