Why Are The Yanks Obsessed With Satana When Other Issues Loom Larger?

No, Andy Pettitte may not return next season and may chose to retire instead. However, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, and three extremely promising youngsters in Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy could be a very dominating five.

If Pettitte returns it just makes the Yankees that much better however, it is not necessary he returns, although Yankee fans would surely love to see Pettitte donning the pinstripes for at least one more season and heading the staff.

The more important issue for the Yankees is first base.

Jason Giambi is set to make $21 million this season and then the Yankees are expected to use their option and buy out Giambi's contract for 2009, costing them $5 million to release him instead of $22 million to hold onto him.

As of now, Giambi is set to be the every day first baseman but that has been what the Yankee brass has expected since they signed him back in 2002. However, Giambi quickly became the back-up first baseman and full time designated hitter.

It seems like the Yankees have had a revolving door at the first base position, letting anyone and everyone play there.

Currently, the Yankees have not re-signed Doug Mientkiewicz, leaving the first base position up to sure-handed Andy Phillips, the extremely versatile Wilson Betemit, and the powerful and enthusiastic Shelley Duncan to try and pry the job from Giambi.

Phillips however has had to much of an inconsistent bat to stay in the line-up although has proven power in the gaps and over the fence. Betemit is a huge force from the left side, but not so much from the right side, and Duncan is really an outfielder who can also play first and DH some. He is on the team for his power, not his glove, much like a cheaper and younger Giambi from the right side.

So, what do you do if you are Brian Cashman? Do you continue with this platoon of players, make a trade, or sign a free agent?

Problem is, in the free agent market, there isn't much of an aisle to shop through.

The biggest names are probably former Yankee hero, Aaron Boone, Miguel Cairo, who the Yanks used quite a bit last season, another former Yankee, Tony Clark who has spent most of his time as a platoon player, and current Yankee free agent Mientkiewicz.

None of these players seem to really provide an upgrade for the team at first - with all due respect, while they are all very solid players, but there is a reason they are all former Yankees.

So, that leaves it up to a trade, so who is out there?

There is of course Miguel Cabrera who the Yankees were trying to deal for as a replacement for A-Rod at third, however, Cabrera can also play first and the corner outfield positions although third is his "real"position.

Problem is, he will cost them about the same as the Yankees would have to trade for Santana, so that looks to be unlikely.

There is the 34 year old Todd Helton, but he would just add to an already ridiculously high payroll and won't come cheap in terms of prospects either. If you are going to have to give away probably about the same amount in prospects, you probably go after the younger, cheaper player in Cabrera.

Lastly, there is Mark Teixeira. His contract is not as ridiculous as Helton right now, but is not as cheap as Cabrera, and will once again cost the Yankees a ton of talented prospects and will have to negotiate a contract extension with their good old friend Scott Boras.

So, it looks like either the Yanks part with some key prospects now or have another year at first base were you may see four or five or six or seven players patrol the position.

Best bet is probably let Giambi play first this season and then go throw as much money as necessary at a young, gold glove, power hitting, Teixeira at seasons end. If they want to try and sign Giambi to a cheaper contract to DH, that would be fine, but he isn't the long term answer for the Yanks at first.

The first base pool is thin next season as well, currently including players such as Ben Broussard, Carlos Delgado, Nomar Garciaparra, Richie Sexson, and of course, Giambi.

Last and final option is to build from within. Some of their prospects that can play first include Eric Duncan, however he is not yet performing at the level they expect him to play at, or Juan Miranda, who is on their 40 man roster, unless they have a dark horse in their minor league system that has yet to emerge.

Whatever the case is, the Yankees need stability at first and if Giambi can't provide this season and in the years to come, it will be time for a change.