New York

New York Yankees prospect Tyler Austin was not a well-known player at the start of the 2012 season.

But in less than one year, Austin has steadily risen through the Yankees' ranks to become the No. 3 prospect in the organization.

Still just 22, this 6’2”, 200-pound Georgia native is a speedy athlete with steadfast lumber and an above-average arm.

The New York Yankees off-season has been a quiet one due to ownership implementing a new frugal stance.

Instead of story-lines about signing the biggest free agents, Yankee fans were relegated to watching the realities of missing the 2013 postseason grow by the day.

So as a result, fans, the media, and bloggers alike have been provided with plenty of things to grumble about.

Just a month and change remains before the thrilling kickoff to spring training 2013.

As the thump and thwack and crunch of cleats scurry through our imaginations, questions remain regarding what the everyday lineup for the New York Yankees will look like this campaign.

One thing fans do know, however, is that Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki and Robinson Cano will be swinging at the top of the Yankees order come April.

The American League East is the most competitive division in baseball. From this division, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs last October. The Tampa Bay Rays came up just short in their playoff push, but have competed for the division crown in each of the past five seasons.

New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson is in a very interesting situation going into the 2013 season.  

Granderson, who will be turning 32 in March, will most certainly be looking for a huge payday when he reaches free agency in 2014.  

Sure, the Yankees could hold on to him and potentially contend for another pennant in 2013, but they could also trade him before free agency hits and get valuable prospects in return.  

Recently, ESPN writer David Schoenfield wrote a detailed feature about the New York Yankees and their success in spite of old age.

Rebuking doomsayers, Schoenfield time-traveled 18 seasons (to when Jack McDowell wore pinstripes) to show why it would be unwise to count the Yankees out in 2013.

Let me begin by saying this is never an article I envisioned I would ever have to write.

There are times in the world where we, the fans, lose sight of what is important in the world. We become so obsessed with free-agency signings, poor performances, wins, losses and lockouts that we forget that the games we become so obsessed with our merely that: games.

We all remember musical chairs. It was a simple numbers game—there was no other way to look at it, unless you grew up spittin' game like me and always lined up behind the cute girl in class so that as soon as the music stopped you swooped right underneath her so her backside conveniently landed right in your lap—but that's neither here nor there. There weren't enough chairs to go around.

The New York Yankees hot stove has felt more like an icebox this offseason, and every one wants to know why.

As this winter has been full of mixed messages, causing a wave of emotions amongst Yankee fans—some sad, others angry and the rest in complete denial. While other MLB ball clubs are getting stronger, faster and younger, the Yankees have gotten worse.

Have to give it to some people in today’s sports media. These folks sure knows how to douse the New York Yankees with high-pressured negativity.  

Talk about a core of hacks who have mastered the art of Anti-Pinstripeism.

Here is a ballclub that has fought through injury and at times ineffective pitching to win 11 of its last 15 games.

Here is a team that is on pace for another 90-plus win season and a trip to the playoffs.