A rumor on the ESPN website is saying that the Yanks may be trying to acquire Albert Pujols from the Cards via trade. Supposedly, they would like him to be the DH. It also says that they are also monitoring Joe Mauer, Prince Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez.

Unless Mark Teixeira has a career ending injury, I don't think there is any chance in hell we get Pujols. Even if Tex does sustain a career ending injury, I don't think there is much of a chance the Cards would trade him for anybody (including Jesus Montero). But I was thinking, Pujols started his career as a left fielder, how interesting...

To be honest, I'm not sure if this is just a monitoring the situation job or if they're actually serious about this. Here is the rumor, because you need an ESPN Insider account  to read it on the website:

"Could you imagine the lineup in New York if Albert Pujols ended up in pinstripes? Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote Sunday that the New York Yankees are keeping their DH spot open for the possibility of acquiring Pujols, via trade or through free agency.

Rogers also writes that the defending champs will monitor the situations of Joe Mauer, Prince Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez, as will the Boston Red Sox, and that both clubs are staying out of the Matt Holliday race this winter in order to retain the flexibility necessary to be a player for one of the four.

If it came down to free agency, it's a free-for-all where the rich get richer, but in a trade situation, the Yankees and Red Sox wouldn't be alone. The problem for the other 28 teams in the league, however, would be getting the player they are acquiring to agree to a contract extension before the farm is sold to bring him aboard.

Pujols in the Bronx, hitting behind Derek Jeter and ahead of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira -- that's scary, as is the payroll tallies should the Yankees be able to pull it off.

As for King Albert's deal, right now he's got $16 million coming next year, with a $16 million (no-brainer) team option for 2011. But if there's no extension done by next fall, expect things to get really interesting."

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. You guys tell me:

Not making any more signings this year. I know we wouldn't be as good as we can be this year, but stay with me. We're coming off a world series championship. That means our team is capable. I know we would be missing Johnny Damon and a 5th starter, but I'd be willing to deal with that. We put Melky Cabrera in left. He is clearly a defensive upgrade over Damon. For all we know, he could have a breakout season at the plate. He's only 25 which means he can still get a lot better. From what I've heard in the past about pitchers, the "prime" begins at age 27. I'm not sure about batters, but it's probably similar. Even if he ends up hitting .274, which is what he hit last year, that's not TERRIBLE. Besides, we are allowed to have one hole in our great lineup. We can also solve the 5th starter problem internally. Here's where it gets interesting.

Next year, we can use the money we don't spend this year. the first thing we do is obviously resign Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. i really don't see that being difficult. next, unless melky has a breakout year, we sign Jason Werth and/or Carl Crawford. after that, we sign either Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee, or Brandon Webb. Finally, we sign Adam Dunn to DH. imagine what Dunn could do with the short porch

If during the year, we really need another bat and Melky is hurting us, we can always call up our old buddies the Pirates for some help...

I think the Yankees are in a great position right now. I don't think the Yanks need that much. I'm hoping for the following:

1) Resign Damon to a two-year deal (perhaps with a team option for a third year)

Yes, I would rather have Damon than Holliday even though Holliday is younger (7 years), has more power, and is a better fielder. I have many reasons for why I would prefer Damon. First off, Damon's uppercut swing is perfect for Yankee Stadium. I know that Holliday obviously has more power, but there is also the lefty vs. righty point. Although Holliday spent half his season in the pitcher-friendly Oakland stadium last year, they both had 24 homers. This is also considering that Holliday had 31 more at-bats than Damon. Also, Damon is a great guy to have in the clubhouse. Honestly, I have no idea what Holliday is like with his teammates. Furthermore, we all saw how great Damon hit in the World Series. I remember Holliday winning NLCS MVP in '07 with the Rockies, but he only hit .167 with 1 rbi this postseason (with you know who in front of him). Lastly, we would need to give up a draft pick for Holliday and he would require more money.

2) Sign another starter

So far we have CC, AJ, Pettite, Joba, and Hughes. I like that a lot. However, due to the Joba/Hughes Rules and for the sake of the bullpen, I would like to have one of them start the year in the bullpen. If the starter is having major trouble, switch them. If he is doing decently, switch them at  the all-star break. If he is doing excellently, obviously keep him in the rotation and use the as the set-up man. Therefore, they would need one more guy. I don't want to trade for Roy Halladay. I also don't want to pay Lackey the huge sum of money and lose a draft pick. Here are my ideas: Joel Pineiro, Justin Duchscherer, Jason Marquis, or Ben Sheets. Since Sheets and Duchscherer have an injury history, if they get injured, the other Joba or Hughes (the one who isn't already in the rotation) will get a crack at it.

3) Strengthen our already strong bullpen

If we are able to complete my first two points, our 25 man roster not including the bullpen will look like this: Posada, Cervelli, Tex, Cano, Jeter, Pena, A-Rod, Granderson, Damon, Swisher, Melky, Gardner, Hinske, CC, AJ, Pettite, Pineiro/Duchscherer/Marquis/Sheets, and Joba/Hughes.

That leaves room for seven relievers. So far, we have Mariano, Joba/Hughes, Aceves, Marte, Robertson, Gaudin (long man), and Edwar Ramirez/Melancon/Albaladejo. I would love to keep Edwar, Melancon,and Albaladejo in AAA and sign Mike Gonzalez or Jose Valverde (yes, I know that we would have to give up a draft pick).

4) Resign Chien-Ming Wang to an incentive-laden minor league contract

We all know how good this guy could be. Why not try to fix him? If he got back to his old self, our rotation would have 2 possible 20 game winners (CC and Wang), and 2 possible 15 game winners plus whatever we would get from our fifth starter.

What do you guys think?