But the Yankees are in a no win situation

"New York!!! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York"Alicia Keys couldn't have sung it better on Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" song (off his Blue Print 3 album in stores now). And the New York Yankees seem to have an Empire State of Mind of their own.Led by Derek Jeter the New York Yankees seem poised to win the American League and play for their 27th World Series title. The dynasty looks as if they are back and ready to go on another title after taking out the Minnesota Twins 3-0 in the Division Series Sunday night.This series win was a complete team effort. The Yankees were the only team with 100 wins in Major League baseball They cut payroll by signing C.C Sabathia, A.J Burnett and Mark Teixeira this past offseason. And finally, in an offseason that was overshadowed by Alex Rodriguez's positive test and admission to using "Boli" (a supplement banned by baseball), the Yankees still won the A.L East.But the Yankees are in a no win situation. If they don't win the World Series then it was another season of "The Evil Empire" outspending everyone else and failing.

But if they do win it all, then it's because the Yankees out spent everyone else. It all points to a clubhouse that is special, and that was not the case in years past. It has made players more relaxed and more comfortable, especially Alex Rodriguez, who always seemed to be uptight and pressing.The healing and bonding started right after Rodriguez addressed his teammates when he reported to spring training. He came clean and opened up to his teammates like never before. With Jeter, Swisher, Teixeira, Burnett, Sabathia leading the way, the Yankees joined their teammate in his moment of need to show support, and that was a defining moment for this team, in my opinion.As we all know Rodriguez missed the month of April after hip surgery, and upon his return the Yankees (and Teixeira) took off. Here is a stat most Yankees, and baseball fans already knew, he entered this past post season in an 0-16 slump with runners in scoring position. No one knew what to expect from him this post season.

The "experts" were split on his impact, but for the first time since he came to New York, the pressure wasn't on A-Rod's shoulders. The Yankees "new investments", Teixeira, Burnett and Sabathia were getting the attention for their "new roles" in the post season for the Yankees. Rodriguez was at least fourth on the list.Now back to the team, we'll come back to Rodriguez a bit later.All season long there was a different look to the Yankees. They seemed to have a different swagger about them and of course, Derek Jeter led the way Jeter may have had his finest season at the age of 35.

He batted .334, hit 18 hr's, 27 doubles, a triple, stole 30 bases, scored 107 runs , drove in 66 and had 212 hits. Jeter also became the Yankees all-time hit king with a total of 2,747 hits passing the great Lou Gherig He has to be near the top of the A.L. MVP race.Jeter's outstanding year may have been overshadowed by Teireira's great year. He was everything that the Yankees had hoped an more after signing an 8 year $180 million dollar deal. He provided Gold Glove defense at first base and he was great in the clubhouse. Offensively Teixeira was the perfect number three hitter in the line-up He hit 39 home runs (tied for the A.L. lead), drove in 122 runs, hit .292 and slugged .565. Sabathia and Burnett were brought in to give the Yankees two front end pitchers to lead their rotation and give them two dominenet pitchers in the post season.