Much to consider, re the POSSIBLE RJ trade...
a) The trade still needs to be completed--the Dodgers will hold up the NYY for a large part of Vazquez' salary...Green appears to want to stay in LA and has a No Trade clause (is his agent still Jeff Moorad, the individual currently running the DBacks? Is this a conflict?)...everyone has to pass physicals...this will take a bit of doing.
NYY WON the AL East last season--the ONLY 2004 Pennant that will be flown in the Bronx. If RJ is a Yankee and STILL pitching complete games in the 2005 ALCS, God Bless him and shame on Joe Torre...a relief apperance notwithstanding, but would they push Rivera to the side?
c) Theo and trio aren't done yet--and I'd rather be future-proofed than completely empty out the farm system. The Yankees have opted to sell out their future. If RJ, 41 or 42 yr old, gets injured during the season, the NYY will have nothing in the cupboard.
The Hot Stove season is FAR more interesting as defending World Champs, no?