New York Yankees Seating Chart

After failing to even reach the playoffs last year, the New York Yankees made some major additions in the offseason.

It was an offseason that saw a lot of major league teams use fiscal restraint due to the struggling economy, which just allowed the Yankees to take even further advantage of the free agent market.

The biggest signing was left-handed pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who comes back to the American League and will be the team's bonafide ace.

Sabathia had a dominant 2008 season, but the switch back to the American League and arguably baseball's toughest division could prove a difficult transition from the weak lineups he faced on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Coming in a close second was the signing of All-Star first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Yankees weren't thought to be a player in the Teixeira sweepstakes, but they came in at the last second to steal him away from the rival Boston Red Sox.

To go along with the Teixeira move, the team allowed first baseman Jason Giambi to become a free agent and he eventually signed with the Oakland Athletics, returning to where he began his career.

The Yankees also signed pitchers A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. Mike Mussina did not return, instead opting for retirement.

Replacing Mussina will be tough after the ace had his best season ever in 2008, finally reaching the 20-win plateau that eluded him numerous times throughout his career.

Closer Mariano Rivera had offseason shoulder surgery, the first of his career, but is coming off of his best season in the big leagues. Even at 39-years old and coming off of an injury, I wouldn't expect him to slow down.

Shortstop Derek Jeter is also coming off of a disappointing season that has some wondering whether or not age is starting to catch up with him. It will be interesting to see if he can get back to his normal offensive production.

It will be interesting to see how the Yankees do this year given their huge spending spree in the offseason. The formula hasn't worked well for them in the past, and patience is wearing thin in the Big Apple.