McCann, Ellsbury, Tanaka, were good additions. Of course no unproven Japanese League pitcher (unproven in US-MLB) is worth a fraction of the money he's getting.
I have a real bad feeling after watching Tanaka pitch today. He is conditioned well already, it appears. However, he's also used to only pitching every 7th day. I won't give him his kudos, until the season is over. Already throwing 93 mph, looks impressive for Spring Training (ST). I cannot foresee Tankaka being effective if at all, after the All Star Break. Over 50 yrs. of watching MLB, as a Fan-atic, Tanaka will have a rubber arm by July, if not then, no doubt by Sept. (I'd love to be proven wrong tho')...!!!
I don't think the Steinbrenner boys have a 1/2 brain between the two of them...!!! What are they thinking by continuing to allow a old team (age wise) to get even older. Where is the fresh blood of top prospects. Keep in mind less than 25 percent of top prospects go on to have a lucrative long career, let alone very few go on to dominate the game, or become consistent All Star material. The boys biggest mistake IMHO, was placing to much focus and attention on Tanaka, Ellsbury, Beltran & McCann signings, and letting Cano walk. Cano said as much, "they (yanks) did not make me feel wanted, they did nothing to make me feel at home". The Boys lack of true natural owner experience, shows worse than King George's flat years. Heck if George did not capture headlines with his trades, or big Free Agent signings, he would create his own news, ala the Elevator fist fight, not to mention a life of other OT news stories.
This being said, Beltran's signing was a big mistake, (again, I'd love to be proven wrong). Gardner is necessary along with Ellsbury for speed on the bases, and Outfield defense. Ichiro never ceases to amaze me, tho' he's getting oooold. Overall the team is to old, with a lack of top quality prospects. I remember to well, how many Yankee fans & posters thought Hughes was the 2nd coming of Roger Clemens. NOT!!! Thank God, Phis is gone, he should of been traded for true talent by his 3rd year.
Overall, with the Boys at the helm, I cannot foresee them ever putting together a Classic Great Yankees Team, like their Dad, the King, did consistently, over and over. Though the King did have more than a few flat, off years, when his team was the AL East Cellar Dweller. If the Boys think Big Free Agent Signings are the answer or key to another Yankee World Series Pennant, then they learned nothing from Dad, especially in his last ten years, (heck I'd be happy with a wild card at this point). King George settled down once Torre was aboard. I give Joe as much credit for turning a new chapter in King George's book of life, and Yankee Lore, by not firing his managers when they weren't the problem. Ex: Martin, Lemon, Pinella, Showalter, ______________,_________. (add other non-justified fired manager's names in blanks)