"Should we let steroid users into the Hall of Fame?"

I think the answer is, yes, we should.  Now before I get bashed and people tell me I am not a real fan of the game, hear me out on why I think it is time to accept this "cheating."  For the longest time I was against this but recent events have changed my opinion.

Since the adoption of the drug policy, we have seen some big name players connected with performance enhancing drugs.  Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire just to name a few.

While there are many more who have been linked to steroids, just the names listed above would make one hell of an All-Star team.  Of those that I just named, at least eight were a lock to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

After seeing all of these names, I think we should let these players into the Hall of Fame, and here are the reasons why:

Everyone is doing it...

While I know I am generalizing when I say "everyone" you have to realize that there are more players using PED's than you would have originally thought.  I know there have been players that have stayed away from any accusations such as Derek Jeter, Jim Thome, Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Jr., but it does not mean they have not done them.

Now don't get me wrong, I would be crushed if I ever found out Jeter or Griffey used steroids, but just because we don't think they haven't, doesn't mean they have.  There have been 25 different players suspended since the drug policy was introduced, now we can't really believe that they are the only ones who have used PED's, can we?

Bud Selig knew what was going on...

Bud Selig is as hypocritical as it gets.  After the strike-shortened season in 1994, the MLB had lost a lot of fans and they were in need of something that would help drive ticket sales.  Alas, the Summer of '98, when McGwire and Sosa both chased Roger Maris' single-season home run record of 61.  Both players ended up breaking the record, McGwire finished the season with 70 home runs, and Sosa finished with 66.  Then in 2001, Bonds once again broke the record by hitting 73.

As dumb as Selig may look, he is a smart business man.  He knew that fans loved to see home runs, so why take that luxury away from the people who were paying your salary?  He allowed players to do whatever it took to bring in money for both the league and themselves.  After doing some research, I found that these steroids stay in your system anywhere from four days to 18 months.  So even if a player had stopped before the testing started, it is possible he could have tested positive.

So I ask you, can a player be punished for doing something that he was allowed to do?

Some PED's are actually being used to heal injuries...

Andy Pettitte made this claim when he was caught using HGH.  He claimed that he used the HGH to heal an existing injury so he could get back on the field faster.  Someone like Pettitte has always been viewed as a professional and a great teammate.  However, he seems to get a "free pass" on his usage because he owned up to it and because it was to heal an injury.

I am a huge fan of Pettitte but how come other players can't be using the PED's for the same reason?  Many people are going to say, "none of the players being accused had serious injuries."  Then I point out, maybe it is because of the drugs that they did not have the injuries.

Someone is considered a "team player" if they take a discount to play for a team or if they constantly play hurt because it will help the team, so why isn't someone a team player if they want to stay healthy and on the field and help them win?

We cannot leave these players out of the Hall of Fame...

Is it really the Hall of Fame if some of the greatest hitters to ever live are not inducted? 

For example, Bonds was a Hall of Famer before he started taking steroids, he had already collected three NL MVP Awards, countless All-Star games, and was one of the best players of the '90s.  He finished his career with seven NL MVP Awards, 762 home runs—which is the all time record—14 All-Star games, eight Gold Gloves, 12 Silver Sluggers and two batting titles.

Can we really leave the all-time home run leader out of the Hall of Fame?

The same goes for Rodriguez.  In 2009, he admitted to using PED's while he was with the Texas Rangers.  A-Rod was supposed to be the one who broke record and would go down as the greatest player to ever live.  While his legacy is definitely tarnished, should a player who has three MVP Awards, over 600 home runs, 13 All-Star games, two Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers and a World Series Championship, be kept out of the Hall of Fame for using steroids for three years?

And before anyone says "you can't prove that he used them for only three years." I point out that he has not failed a test since the drug policy has been adopted.

Five years ago, Clemens was arguably the greatest pitcher to ever live and now he is fighting just to stay out of jail.  While again, I am not condoning the use of PED's, I think players are being unfairly judged.  Clemens was pitching to guys who were using PED's, so where is the advantage?  He won 354 games to go along with seven Cy Young Awards, can you really say no to him?

While maybe this is just my personal opinion, I feel like we just have to accept what the players are doing.  We do not have to approve of it however, I do not feel like we can keep these players out of the Hall of Fame because then we do not have the "best of the best."

The Hall of Fame is made to enshrine the best players the game has ever seen.  If someone is to say that these players are not some of the best that the game has ever seen, then they are not the real fan.

Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com

He took the mound in Game 3 in New York and dazzled everyone in attendance with his eight innings of one-hit ball and added in 13 strikeouts as well.  I would say that is a pretty solid audition, wouldn't you?

While the Yankees were upset in the ALCS, they had high hopes for the offseason—they would sign Cliff Lee and turn their attention to Carl Crawford.

Here we are two months later and neither of those things have happened.  In fact, things could not have gone worse for the Yankees.

Carl Crawford signed a lucrative seven-year deal with the rival Boston Red Sox and we received word late Monday night that Cliff Lee decided to return to the Phillies.

Now what?

We all know the Yankees have money to spend, but right now they may have more than usual.  They set aside a large chunk of change to sign Lee and possibly Crawford but with both players going elsewhere the Yankees are going to have to do something, and fast.

The Yankees are left with several "Plan B" options, none of which they ever thought they we have to resort to however, that nightmare has become a reality.  Here are some possible options they could explore.

Erik Bedard, 2010 Team: Mariners

Bedard has been a guy who has always had a ton of potential but has not lived up to it because of injuries.  He missed all of 2010 with a shoulder injury which is cause for concern, but he is a "low-risk,high-reward" type of guy.  In 2007, he set the Orioles single-season K/9 record with 10.93. 

The Yankees should consider signing Bedard to an incentive-laden deal full of performance bonuses.

Carl Pavano, 2010 Team: Twins

Just kidding.

Brandon Webb, 2010 Team: Diamonbacks

Webb is a former Cy Young winner, has won at least 16 games three times, and like Bedard could be a steal for a team willing to give him a chance.  However, in Webb's case, he has missed the last two seasons with a shoulder injury and his velocity has yet to get back where it was. 

However, he is a veteran guy who does not rely on his fastball as his "out" pitch and he induces a lot of ground balls which is just what Yankee Stadium needs.  Like Bedard, a contract would have to be incentive-laden and full of performances bonuses.  Webb could end up being one hell of a fifth starter.

Chris Young, 2010 Team: Padres

Young was a beast for the Padres in 2007, was solid in '08, and was injured in '09 and most of '10.  However, in limited action in 2010, Young posted a 2-0 record with an ERA of .90.

Like Bedard and Webb, Young is only 31 years of age and could still have his best years ahead of him.  Young generally gets between 140-170 strikeouts and could be a nice compliment to Sabathia, Hughes and Burnett.

Andy Pettitte, 2010 Team: Yankees

Please God, don't retire yet!  Pettitte has considered calling it a career however, with the season he was having before his injury I think he will return for one last run.  Pettitte was 11-3 with an ERA of 3.28 before he got injured.  The Yankees will really need to persuade him to hold off on retirement for one more year.

Brian Fuentes, Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier, 2010 Team: Twins

The Twins were given awful news when All-Star closer Joe Nathan injured his shoulder in Spring Training and was told he would miss the whole season.  However, Jon Rauch stepped in and was great and the Twins loaded up on bullpen help by acquiring Fuentes at the deadline and threw him into the mix with Crain and Guerrier. 

Fuentes has closer experience and is left-handed, while Crain and Guerrier have set-up man experience.  If the Yankees rotation is not very strong, they will need a solid bullpen to keep them in games.  I have more faith in Crain and Guerrier but the addition of any of these players will help solidify the pen.

I know Bedard, Webb, and Young all have injury histories but the Yankees do not have many options.  The Red Sox seem to be the team to beat in the AL now so the Yankees need to show they are willing to put up a fight.  Maybe none of these guys are the options that New York is looking for, perhaps they are looking to acquire a pitcher via a trade. 

The biggest name on the trading block has been Zack Greinke but could you imagine a guy who has anxiety issues pitching a Game 7 in New York?  Edwin Jackson's name has been involved in some talk but he is very inconsistent and the New York media would rip him up. 

The Rays are shopping Matt Garza but would not trade him to a division rival.  The Phillies are said to be shopping Joe Blanton and that would give the Yankees another innings-eater to join Sabathia.

Whatever the Yankees plan on doing, they need to do it fast.  They have yet to improve their team this offseason as they have just re-signed their own players.  They just signed Russell Martin but that does not help their pitching staff.  It may be tough to think about, but the Yankees window to win may be closing as they are getting older.

George Steinbrenner once said, "The Yankees don't rebuild, they reload."  Well unfortunately there may be only one shot left, so use it wisely.

*UPDATE-Yankees agree to a minor-league contract with Mark Prior.

Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com

Now that all is said and done, we have our two remaining teams: The New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Yankees will try and continue to re-write history as they go for their 27th World Series Championship.  The Phillies, on the other hand, will try to make history by being one of the few teams to win back-to-back World Series Championships. 

I decided to do a position by position analysis for both teams to see who has the upper hand.  I did this last year for the Rays/Phillies series and I thought it would be a great idea to keep up with the tradition.  So let's get started.

Catcher

Jorge Posada - One of the four remaining Yankees from the Championship days of the '90s and 2000.  Posada had a great bounce-back season after his 2008 season was cut short due to shoulder problems.  Jorge will be making his sixth World Series appearance and has plenty of postseason experience.  He is only a .238 hitter in the postseason, but does have 11 home runs; so while his average is not great, he can still hurt you with the long ball.

Carlos Ruiz - What a surprise Ruiz has been for the reigning World Champs.  He is currently hitting .346 this postseason and has come up with numerous clutch hits.  There are a couple drawbacks with Ruiz in the postseason: inexperienced in comparison with Posada, and does not have the pop in his bat that the Phillies would probably like.  While the postseason experience is kind of irrelevant in the sense that every player has to start somewhere, the lack of power could become an issue.

Advantage - Yankees

First Base

Mark Teixeira - The Yankees scored big with the offseason signing of Teixeira.  After a slow start, he got hot fast once A-Rod came off of the disabled list.  Tex has provided gold glove defense, but has not been the big bat in the postseason that the Yanks hoped for. 

He is hitting an abysmal .205 this postseason, but has come up clutch when the Yanks have needed it.  He hit a walk-off home run against the Twins and had a bases-clearing double against the Angels in Game Five.  It is just a matter of time before Tex gets the bat going, but until then it is hard to give the Yanks the advantage here.

Ryan Howard - The Phillies slugger has been a beast this postseason, as he is hitting .355 with two home runs and 14 RBI.  He was so good that he was named the NLCS MVP and in the process tied a major league record for most consecutive postseason games with an RBI (8).  Howard is a .295 career postseason hitter and has more experience in the playoffs than Tex. 

Advantage - Phillies

Second Base

Robinson Cano - Where to start with Robbie Cano?  Some days this kid looks like The Natural, other days he looks like Tony Womack (when he was with the Yankees).  Cano is only a .238 hitter in the postseason throughout his young career; however, we all know he is capable of hitting about 100 points higher.  His defense was always a question mark, but this year he greatly improved his play in the field.  It will be interesting to see how Cano plays in his first World Series.

Chase Utley - Utley has become the best all-around second baseman in the game.  Whether you want defense or offense, he delivers.  While he is only a .245 career hitter in the postseason, like Cano, we know he is capable of much more.  The thing that concerns me is that Utley has more protection before and after him in the lineup.  Cano generally hits in the seventh spot, so he has Posada and Swisher around him, which at times can be great, but not always the case.

Advantage- Tied

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez - Is this the same guy at third base from the last few postseasons?  A-Rod has been on a tear in the playoffs and has been the hero for the Yanks, who have needed several clutch hits.  A-Rod is much more relaxed with Tex in the lineup to take some pressure off of him.  He is hitting .438 this postseason, with five home runs and 12 RBI.  A-Rod will be making his first World Series appearance and hopes to finally exorcise his demons and help the Yanks win a championship and finally become a ''Yankee."

Pedro Feliz - .161 postseason average thus far, enough said.

Advantage - Yankees

Shortstop

Derek Jeter - The Captain is a career .308 hitter in the postseason and has been the face of the Yankees franchise for well over a decade now.  Jeter had a great bounce-back season and even made a case for AL MVP this year.  He is hitting .297 this postseason and has surprised many by adding in three home runs.  Jeter is one of the remaining four from the glory days and will try to get his fifth World Series ring.

Jimmy Rollins - The NL MVP from 2007 seems to take a step backward when the postseason comes around.  He is a career .234 hitter in the playoffs and is hitting .244 this postseason.  Those are not exactly the numbers the Phillies want to see from their leadoff hitter.  It is his job to get on base for the rest of the guys behind him, something he has not done.

Advantage - Yankees

Outfield

Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher - After a terrible ALDS, Damon responded nicely by hitting .300 in the ALCS to go along with two home runs.  The Melk Man has had a great postseason by hitting .314.  He hit an astounding .391 against the Angels and any team will take that from their number nine hitter.  Nick Swisher has been a headache this postseason for the Yanks.  He has hit only .125 and has not even been drawing the walks that he usually gets.

Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth - Ibanez was on pace to win the NL MVP until a groin injury sidelined him for about a month.  He has not been very effective this postseason, as he has only hit .226.  Victorino has been such a boost for the Phillies offense, as he has hit a whopping .361 this postseason along with three home runs.  Werth has hit .281 this postseason with five home runs thus far and has an OBP of .395.  Yankee fans would love to have that type of production from their right fielder.

Advantage - Phillies

Designated Hitter (Only Games in NY)

Hideki Matsui - Godzilla had a great season as he was the full-time DH for the Bombers.  He hit 28 homers and drove in 90 RBI.  He has struggled so far this postseason, but is a career .292 hitter in the playoffs and should turn it around in the World Series.

Matt Stairs - In limited playing time this year, Stairs only hit .191 and has yet to get a hit this postseason.  He is a career .125 hitter in the playoffs and has not been productive at all, to say the least.

Advantage - Yankees

Starting Pitchers

CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte - The Yanks will once again go with a three-man rotation.  Sabathia was almost unhittable in the ALDS and ALCS and was named the MVP of the ALCS.  Burnett has been a wild card all year for the Yanks and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure of a World Series game.  He pitched great in his first two starts this postseason, but was knocked around in his final start. 

Pettitte is now the all-time leader in postseason wins.  He pitched a gem in Game Six against the Angels and will have a chance to cement his legacy as one of the greatest big-game pitchers of all-time this year.  Like Jeter and Posada, he has seen this all before and should step up and be the beast the Yanks need him to be.

Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, J.A. Happ - Lee has been unhittable since being traded to the Phillies at midseason.  He has been even better this postseason.  Hamels has struggled so far and it will be interesting to see how he does against a potent Yankee lineup. 

We all remember Pedro calling the Yankees his daddy a few years back when he was with the Red Sox.  Add a few years onto a shoulder that already had quite a few miles on it and let’s see what we get.  Happ was a great surprise this year and will most likely be the NL Rookie of the Year.  He has not pitched well thus far, having an ERA of 7.36.  He could be writing his own death-wish, as he will face a monstrous Yankee offense in the World Series.

Advantage - Yankees

Bullpen

Yankees - The Yanks' bullpen was their biggest strength once they put Phil Hughes in the setup role.  He has struggled during the playoffs to the point where Joba Chamberlain was given the 8th inning spot in Game Six.  Alfredo Aceves was a huge surprise as he won 10 games out of the pen.  The Yankees still have the great Mariano Rivera, who you can always count on for a save in the postseason.

Phillies - With the struggles of closer Brad Lidge this season, you have to think that the Phillies have a backup plan just in case he struggles again.  He does have a great track record in the playoffs, but anything can happen.  Joe Blanton has pitched decent out of the bullpen, but is really a starter; and many starters do not like coming out of the bullpen, as they say it messes with their mechanics.

Advantage - Yankees

From the looks of it, the Yankees have the clear advantage.  While this is just a preview, as we all know anything can happen, it still just seems as if it is the Yankees' year to win it all.  I am looking forward to the start of the series and I also look forward to anyone’s comments or concerns.  I will also make my World Series prediction. 

Yankees Win Series 4-1

World Series MVP: A-Rod

Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com