Let the speculation begin

After winning the World Series, the Yankees go into the offseason with the idea of tweaking their title-winning team by settling on a left fielder, firming up the back of the starting rotation and solidifying their bullpen.

But this being the Yanks, speculation will swirl about their possible involvement in major trades or free-agent signings, with several big names already mentioned: Roy "Doc" Halladay, the brilliant Blue Jays starter, John Lackey, the ace of the Angels, and Curtis Granderson, an outfielder with Detroit.

Let me go on the record here: I don't think the Yanks need Granderson and shouldn't consider that trade unless they are planning to let go of both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. And even then, I would only do the trade if they didn't have to give up any major young players. He's a nice player and would certainly help the Yanks get younger, but not a difference maker.

As far as pitchers, I want no part of John Lackey. He is a good pitcher who would help any team, but I think he would mess with the strong chemistry the Yanks developed this year. And the Yankee struggles during the 2004-2008 period proved how important chemistry is to a team and how detrimental bad guys in the clubhouse can be: Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown, etc.

I would love to have Doc Halladay and would make the trade in a second if the Blue Jays asked for Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes. I know both Joba and Hughes have great potential, but getting Halladay would put the Yanks on top for the next three to five years, assuming he signs a contract extension to stay with the Yanks. Imagine this rotation: CC Sabathia, Halladay, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte and whichever player stays between Joba or Hughes (or a healthy Chien-Ming Wang, then you have a former #1 guy as your fifth starter). That's unbeatable!

Thanks to Keith Allison via Wikipedia for the photo.