Soriano/Mariano puts Yankees in playoffs...but that's it

With their signing of 2010 AL Saves leader Rafael Soriano, the Yankees have made sure they didn't leave the winter free agency party empty handed. After watching their plan B (Carl Crawford) disappear even before their plan A (Cliff Lee) decided to return to Philadelphia, the Yankees were going into the 2011 season with only Russell Martin as their only addition. While that roster would've still left the Yankees as the probably favorites for the AL Wild Card, the move for Soriano clearly puts the Yankees ahead of other possible Wild Card teams (Angels, A's, Twins, Tigers & White Sox).

With Soriano on board, the Yankees will be able to go back to the strategy that won them a championship in 1996. Six innings from the starter, 2 middle relief innings (Mariano in those days) and the closer for the 9th. Soriano gives the Yankees by far the best middle relief/closer combo in all of baseball. While questions remain about the Yankees rotation behind C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes, Soriano takes pressure off the starters having to go deep into games. Soriano now pushes David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain out of the set up role and into the 6th and 7th inning. It also gives the Yankees the option of moving Joba Chamberlain back into the rotation, giving them another option for the 4th and 5th starter spots in case Andy Pettitte doesn't not come back. Add in the performance of Boone Logan last season with the signing of Pedro Feliciano and the Yankees could have the best bullpen in all of baseball.

While the move almost guarantees the Yankees a playoff spot, a championship is still a bit far off. The Yankees rotation does not stack up with that of the Red Sox (if their starters are healthy and Josh Beckett is back to his old self). Offensively, while still a talented and stacked lineup, their are some questions (can Posada adapt to the DH role, can Martin adapt to NYC, can Cano repeat his 2009 season, is Jeter getting old, etc.). And while Soriano has been a great reliever, he is a guy with an injury history and has had attitude problems, something that just doesn't fly with the Yankees. Until Brian Cashman can add at least one more reliable starter behind Sabathia and Hughes, look for Boston and the Phillies to be the favorites to win it all.