George Steinbrenner officially turned control over the New York Yankees over to his son Hal Steinbrenner on Thursday. The eldter Steinbrenner was the boss of the Yankees for the last 35 years and now all Yankee fans are hoping that Hal can take over for the next 35. If that happens, things will be going very good for the Yankees in my opinion.

The Yankees won three world series under George so Hank says “”My dad is, needless to say, a tough act to follow.”

We can also expect Hank to stay involved in the team as well as he overlooks Brian Cashman and the baseball operations.

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The “Moose” will not be coming back to the New York Yankees as he announced he will be retiring from the game of baseball on Wednesday. Mike Mussina was one awesome pitcher in his career and could still throw the ball a lot better then most major league pitchers.

Mussina, spent the last eight seasons with the Yankees after pitching for the Baltimore Orioles for the first 10 years of his career. His 270 wins rank second among all active right-handers, behind only Greg Maddux.

We wish the Moose all the best as he spends more time at home with his family and away from the game of baseball.

Wow has it been a busy week for the management of the New York Yankees. Earlier in the week the team announced that they had signed pitcher Damaso Marte to a new three year – $12 million dollar contact. Marte will make $3.75 million next year, $4 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011. The 2012 option is also worth $4 million and includes a $250,000 buyout.

And then on Thurday the Yankees picked up Nick Swisher and a minor leaguer from the Chicago White Sox via a trade that sent Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquiz, and Jhonny Nunez to the White Sox. Expect Swisher to get looked at to the everyday starting first basemen. He can also play all three outfield positions for the team.

Swisher has three years left on a five-year, $26.75 million contract. He’s scheduled to make $5.3 million in 2009, $6.75 million in 2010 and $9 million in $2011. His deal also includes a $10.25 million club option for 2012, with a $1 million buyout. As you can tell, the deal didn’t come cheap for the Yankees.

On Tuesday the New York Yankees declined options and starting pitcher Carl Pavano and first basemen / dh Jason Giambi. Pavano’s option was to be worth $13 million instead it was bought out for $1.9 million. Giambi’s was worth $22 million and he was bought out for $5 million. Not a bad payday for going on the free agent market if you ask me.

Pavano could possibly be re-signed by the Yankees if he will take a cheap deal but don’t look for the Yankees to really negotiate with Giambi.

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