Other than giving ace CC Sabathia a new contract, almost too efficiently, and inking pitcher Freddy Garcia for another go, nothing has changed.

The necessity for another starting pitcher, as well as another lefty for the bullpen, has not disappeared, so why have the Yankees not even been a threat in tackling the free-agent market?

Seriously, the Yankees low-balling in the Yu Darvish bidding must have been a joke. As honestly, why even bother submitting a number reported to be under $20 million bucks? Just for giggles?

I get that the payroll is already huge, but this is the Yankees and Sabathia’s raise annually is only a few million, so where did the Cliff Lee money go?

By no means do the Yankees need to hand out a Lee-type contract, and not because of what the free agency lacked, but because the team doesn’t need to go that big to improve.

No one is losing sleep over not seeing CJ Wilson or Mark Buehrle in pinstripes, but the fact the Yankees have not even contacted Roy Oswalt is alarming.

Oswalt is a 34-year-old star with a terrible back injury history, so at the start of the offseason, it came as no shock that not one GM budged when the rumor was Oswalt was looking for a three-year deal.

Well, that is not the case anymore as two-days ago ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted: "Oswalt wants to show his back is healthy, have a big year and go back on the market and try to get a multiyear contract next winter."

Finally, Oswalt had come to his senses, so I waited with anticipation for some Yankees buzzing to start, but nothing.

Oswalt’s agent has even confirmed to ESPN New York that his client was "interested" in pitching in the Bronx, so why have the Yankees have not pounced on this?

Oswalt has an injury history, but so do Garcia and Bartolo Colon, so this makes no sense.

Yes, Oswalt would command around $7 million, but the fact he is willing to sign for one year to “prove himself” is enough said.

This is the ideal situation for the Yankees, as a trade isn’t happening because the reality is Cashman is not going to part with any legit prospects. This is another Yankee thing I don’t get, because why stock the farm system just to hoard it, but that bag of worms is for another time.

Right now the two facts are:

1)     Oswalt, who is over-the-top competitive to begin with, wants to prove his worth again for one season.

2)     The Yankees have done absolutely nothing, again.

So my question is, what is really going on in the Bronx?

Is the answer the prospects that we are never going to see, or Colon? Because it seems to be what the 2012 season is resting on at the moment, and that is not comforting at all.

At this rate my post called "Red Sox Been Caught Stealing", about losing Andruw Jones to Boston is could actually be happening, as the Yankees haven’t done squat. And Jones was great and cheap, so what are they waiting for here?

Hey, just maybe the Yankees are pulling a Lee by secretly going after Phillies' Cole Hamels?

Normally that question would not be a joke.

So, please…could someone explain to me why I am still under the impression that the Yankees want to win championships every season? 

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Here are my three reasons why:

1) If Burnett goes to an AL East team or a playoff contender, the Yankees might have to face AJ down the stretch. And if you forgot why the Yankees signed Burnett in the first place, a main reason was that they hated facing him. Wouldn’t that be a slap in the face if that started happening again?

2) The Yankees will have to eat $8 million of the $33 million still owed to AJ, but what will they get back for him? It is a risk because the Yankees are not going to get an arm with a better skill set than Burnett has, and acquiring a worse pitcher isn’t worth it.

3) Also, Burnett is liked by his teammates, he works hard and was the only positive thing that came out of the 2011 ALDS. Fact remains that Burnett came through when the team needed him most, under the intense pressure of a win-or-bust Game 4, and he did it not in Yankee Stadium. That is more than I can say about the rest of the Yankees.

So, now that everyone knows about Burnett being offered up, you have to presume word got back to him as well.

Let’s think…what is the percentage of a Burnett trade happening?

Slim to none, as teams want young players so they can cultivate them within their own systems. Teams are more likely to ask for Montero, Betances, Nunez or Gardner.

So, what did the Yankees really carry out here?

Nothing, team-wise.

GM Brian Cashman has himself to thank about giving more anxiety to a pitcher who so obviously struggles mentally already. And I believe an “I-am-sorry” phone call is in order before the season starts.

Putting Burnett on the trade block was unnecessary, unrealistic and just plain pointless. There was no need to act so desperate, in my opinion.

So, I want to apologize to AJ Burnett and thank him for stepping it up in the playoffs when no one else could.

Fact is the 2009 Yankees would not have won the World Series without AJ Burnett; and that makes him well worth the alternative of still looking for No. 27, instead of No. 28.

That is the same guy who kept the 2011 Yankees alive for another day when it mattered most in Yankees Universe, and that was in October.

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Pujols will be making $250 million over the next 10 years; while Wilson will be paid $77.5 million over the next five years.

If the Angels' new pricey transports work out like the 2009 New York Yankees, the Halos are banking on being World Series-bound in 2012, literally.

It must be a wretched day in St. Louis, Mo. My heart goes out the Cardinals fans who lost the face of their franchise today, as Pujols took money over loyalty and that hurts, no doubt about it.

Pujols is the West Coast’s version of A-Rod, which would make him A-Jols?

Need a better nickname than that, but you can’t fake the Yankees without an A-something, and the Halos got themselves an expensive one.

Since Rangers fans have only been around for like three years, who cares, but supposedly their offer to Wilson was no comparison to Anaheim's, according to Wilson. Boo hoo.

Now not to worry, Yankee fans, as it will take the Halos at least a decade more of overspending, while winning four more World Series, for them to ever catch the boys in the Bronx.

Hey, the Bombers are still the rightful owners of the highest paid player ever in Alex Rodriguez, so take that, Angels.

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The Yankees are one of the few, if not the only, team that could legitimately offer Pujols the money he demands; along with the stage and superstar teammates that will allow him to flourish.

Even though superstar Mark Teixeira now occupies first base, where there is a will there is usually a way.

Maybe you did realize that Tex did make 11 starts at third base, logging 99 innings and committing seven errors back in 2003.

This leaves the Yankees with the two scenarios.

1. Move Tex to third, A-rod to shortstop and Jeter to the outfield…and BAM—now there is room for Prince Albert.
2. Or keep the Captain at shortstop, Tex to third and A-rod can be the DH…and BAM—another way to get Pujols in pinstripes.

Do you want to know the truth about where I heard this rumor?

Can you handle the truth?

Well, I made it up and I apologize if anyone took this seriously. Maybe you just rode the slow bus to school because this will NEVER EVER happen.

In a nutshell, this explains how sluggish and mind-numbing this offseason has been, as it is causing my brain to deviate by imagining these ridiculous state of affairs.

The only way this would become Yankees reality is if the Boss was reincarnated, as Pujols is just the type of free agent that Mr. Steinbrenner would drool over. And what the Boss wanted, the Boss usually would get—especially when it made no sense, because he just couldn’t help himself.

As reckless as I found Mr. Steinbrenner to be at times, this offseason definitely makes me realize how much life he brought to the game itself.

And where the heck is that other son, Hank Steinbrenner?

Baseball could use some Hank Q & A to bring a little life to this lackluster of an offseason.

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My guess, or hope, is that the truth behind all this talk is more media-driven than coming from the actual Yankees themselves.

It is New York so never say never, but in Darvish's case the cons outweigh the pros by a long shot.

And here are four reasons why... 

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All it took was adding another year (with an option of adding a second) and $30 million increase.

Sabathia’s new contract, which supersedes the remaining four years and $92 million left on his original contract, is for five years and $122 million.

The 31-year-old lefty will earn $25 million in 2016, which is the last guaranteed year of the new contract, but there is a sixth year vesting option for another $25 million or a team buyout for $5 million, but that depends on health and other factors. So, ultimately Sabathia could rake in another $147 million in total.

Yankees fans are ecstatic about keeping their ace while avoiding any repeat of the drama that ensued from last year’s offseason.

This is not the outcome anyone expected after SI.com’s Jon Heyman reported Sabathia was definitely opting out and planned on becoming a free agent before Monday’s deadline.

Maybe in the future Heyman should check his anonymous source's credibility before making such declarations and sending Yankee Universe into a tailspin.

Well, I couldn’t be happier that Sabathia is staying put and you can bet that skipper Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman will sleep well tonight.

Sabathia took to Twitter to let Yankee fans know of his decision: "Yankee fans, I’ll be here fighting for number 28 next year!"

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King confirms that a Yankees scout was in Denver for the second time in a week on Tuesday night, and not to watch the Rockies beat up on the Atlanta Braves. Just to see if Jimenez could.

How Much to Bring Jimenez's Talents to the Bronx?

The Rockies have made it clear that it will take a mountain of top prospects to move Jimenez out of the Mile High City.

The Rockies have mentioned a package containing Yankee prospects catcher Jesus Montero, right-handed pitcher Dellin Betances and left-hander Manny Banuelos.

Just the thought of that price sent Yankee Universe into a rage, but what else could be expected?

Essentially, if the Rockies ship off Jimenez, they are throwing in the towel. That is a total slap across the Rockies players’ faces, as this is a team whose reputation was built on being second-half slayers.

Personally, I am pessimistic about the Yankees giving up Banuelos to any team. Maybe because I have trailed this kid’s career since he inked in Mexico with the Bombers.

In my humble opinion, this 19-year-old lefty is something special. I just hope the Yankees don’t screw this one up.

GM Brain Cashman could add another arm, like Adam Warren or Andrew Brackman, in the deal with Montero and Betances.

Brackman has not been great this season, but he has made some positive baby steps. Brackman has been too erratic, which brings his value down considerably.

What Would the Yankees Be Getting?

Other than that my issue with Banuelos, the 27-year-old Jimenez is well worth the price tag. This season, Jimenez is 6-8 in 19 starts, including two complete games, with one shutout.

Jimenez has pitched 117 innings total, a 4.00 ERA with 108 strikeouts and 45 walks, giving up 10 home runs and 52 earned runs. His walk numbers are high, but Jimenez has held batters to a .244 average.

Overall, Jimenez is young and talented. His record and ERA don’t tell the story, as the Rockies have been underachieving big time this season.

Jimenez started 2011 going 0-5, but in his last 10 starts, he is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA, issuing only 15 walks and striking out a whooping 63.

With barely any legit starters available, the Rockies have the advantage, as 17 teams sent scouts to watch Jimenez within the last week.

Whether the Yankees season hinders on acquiring another solid starter like Jimenez is a crap shoot at this point, but I don’t see how it could hurt.

How Risky Are the Yankees' Alternatives?

Truth remains that counting on Bartolo Colon, Freddie Garcia and even Phil Hughes grinding it out through the playoffs is a tad far-fetched. It sounds idiotic because no one expected the two veterans to make it this far, as Colon and Garcia have exceeded expectations already.

Hanging off a steep ledge for the rest of the season just adds pressure, and the Yankees know that they might not survive like that.

Looking at the situation from a statistical and injury history angle, it is almost unfair not to take measures. In Yankee language, this would translate to fans that this season is not very important if Cashman sits on his hands.

Then, outings like this past Tuesday night happen. Fans watched Colon vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, and it made me realize that he can still pitch darn well.

The Yankees lost 3-2, but that was no fault of Colon, as he pitched six solid innings, giving up just one run and fanned nine Rays in total.

The loss could have been easily avoidable, and it broke up a three-game winning streak. Luckily, the Orioles finally beat the Red Sox, so the standings stay at a standstill with the Yankees trailing by a game-and-a-half.

This definitely was something the Yankees needed to see after Colon’s two earlier starts since coming off the DL he had posted an ERA over 11.

It was clear that Colon was not favoring his left hamstring anymore, as he admitted that injury concern had hampered his pitching mechanics initially.

Unfortunately, Colon’s start only relieved pressure off Cashman for a moment, as it was reported on LoHud Yankees Blog that prospect pitcher Ivan Nova had to leave his start in Triple A with a sore right ankle in the second inning.

Nova had already posted three strikeouts. The Yankees are waiting for the exact diagnosis, so whether Nova will make his next start is unknown.

While it doesn’t sound serious, Nova gave Cashman some breathing room to not make a panic and desperate move.

Rumors that the Yankees bosses are already feeling the urgency became clear when Cashman alluded to the fact that he “has bosses” that have gone over the GM’s head, aka Rafael Soriano.

My guess is the baby Steins doesn’t want another slip-up like the Cliff Lee-Mariners-Rangers trade. It is comforting to know that the boss’ sons like to win their good old dad and will drop the hammer when needed.

What Fans Can Expect

My advice to Yankee fans is to be ready for the next week, as insinuations will be flying all over the media.

Don’t hold your breath expecting the Yankees to make a move any earlier than when the clock strikes midnight on July 31st.

There is no guarantee it will be Jimenez, but I will be shocked if there is not a new player in Yankee pinstripes before the trade deadline, and that does not include Cashman shopping at the bargain bin.

This time it is quality before quantity.

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Well, things don’t get much easier for the Bombers who’s first task is to host their rival Boston Red Sox for a three-game set.

The last meeting between baseball’s most famous rivals was back on May 13 where Boston swept the Yankees at the stadium. So far the Red Sox have won five of six on the season, and trust me that is not sitting well with Yankee fans.

As usual, ESPN has hailed Boston the hottest team in baseball, even though the Red Sox have failed to take over first place from New York, who are currently ahead by one game in the AL East standings. This is typical for ESPN but when your main analysts consist of two ex-Red Sox (Garciaparra, Schilling) and one angry ex-Yankee (Boone) what else can you expect? Now the Yankees can numb my pain and not let the BBTN guys be right by winning…please.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the Yankees' June schedule provides absolutely zero relief, as the team will be tested to the core.

Anyone who wants to know a hell of a lot more about the Yankees watch the next two weeks. Things are about to get even harder and questions will be answered as the top teams in the American League will be visiting the Bronx.

Here are three questions that will be answered:

Are the first placing Indians for real?

With both teams playing good baseball, who is hotter Red Sox or Yankees?

Will the Rangers pitching hold up much longer? And can Josh Hamilton stay healthy for a full month?

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With 27 championships, countless baseball records, MVPs and Cy Young winners...the Yankees'list of accomplishments could go on forever, literally.

Reading the names of great players who wore the Yankee pinstripes is actually very intimidating.

It only naturally lead me to imagine of all the Yankees players, what names would be inked on the ultimate All-Time Greatest Yankees Team roaster.

This list became an utterly burdensome task, really fast.

So, my thought was that since 2010 was deemed to be "The Year of the Pitcher" that I would focus on starting pitching.

Here are picks of Yankee pitchers that I would want on my baseball dream team.

As Hall of Fame Pitcher Waite Hoyt once said:

"The secret of success in pitching lies in getting a job with the Yankees."

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Just as the Yankees do with everything and anything, the task of building up a reputable farm system was met with relentless determination to do whatever it took to be deemed one of the best. 

As I go through a zillion stats and video clips, some prospects stood out more than others.

Based on all my tireless research and notes from whom I liked down in Tampa, I present my New York Yankees All-Prospect Team.

My list covers all fielding positions and the DH, but no pitching as that talent deserves it's own slideshow.

(PLEASE EXCUSE THE SLIDES SANS A PICTURE, BUT BR DIDN'T HAVE ANY FOR SOME IN THE DATABASE)

**SIDE NOTE: The Yankees looked for certain distinct traits during the 2010 draft, as they grabbed more overall athletic players with risk, instead of grabbing guys with more definite talent. It baffled other teams scouts, as it made no sense when the Yankees could have waited and gotten a majority in the later rounds. 

Either the Yankees front office is trying to build a young bench, while hoping one or two turn into Brett Gardner twins....OR the only future these youngsters have is being used as pure trade-bait with no intentions of ever making them the future of the Yankee because most of there prospects have the potential to be a huge star, but not without a lot of risk. 

This is just what first popped into my head.....it is just a guess.

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