Some things don't have to be mentioned. We know them to be true and we either respect it or criticize it. The Acquisition was a beautiful thing in the land of "Just Win, Baby" - so without even mentioning it let's look at this year's collection of talent.

Welcome to Part One. Let's call it "Pitching."

In years past there's been an underlying dark undertone in this Yankee fan's pre-playoff mindset.
Is the pitching as good as they say it is? Clemens, Pettite and Wells. That's been the nucleus the last couple of trips to the post-season. Good Enough? Well I guess the number of rings the last three years will answer that.

While those three haveleft the organization, I think it's important that we establish one thing. The Yankees are a better pitching team than last season. Mike Mussina is an innings-eater and will be among the winningest pitchers in the AL . Kevin Brown is coming off his most effective season in years (and healthiest) and is poised to return to his status as a premiere pitcher.

However, I don't think you'll find a more improved player in baseball this season than Javier Vazquez. After doing his time with Montreal he moves to the Bronx where he now gets ridiculous run support as well as matchups with the number three starter of any given team. He carried the mail in Montreal in recent years and put up respectable totals while doing so - even when going head-to-head with staff aces. It's funny to call him a darkhorse in any rotation given his success - but with company like this he actually stands to surprise a lot of people.

The bullpen is as solid as always, but middle relief still looms as a possible achilles. Jeff Nelson is gone, as is failed project Chris Hammond. In their stead is Tom Gordon, who after a bullpen stint with the White Sox last season has revitalized his career. Paul Quantrill will be a solid contributor, and the Yanks are looking forward to a full season with Felix Heredia. Lefty Steve Karsay was on the shelf for much of last year but will provide relief in a set-up role.

If anyone watched Mariano Rivera in last season's playoffs they know who the best money closer in baseball continues to be. He was absolutely dominating. There are a glut of great relievers out there but until Eric Gagne or Keith Foulke gives their team the same kind of boost that Rivera's presence provides, I'm sticking with Rivera. One pitch. Try and hit it when it REALLY counts (I'm talking October - not game 97 of the regular season). Same result.

Welcome to part two. Let's call it "Does it Really Matter if the Yankees Even Have Pitching?"

They're going to score a lot. The lineup makes Yankee fans giggle themselves to sleep at night. The power that could be generated by this order is sick. They are quite simply the best pre-season batting order that any team has ever put together on paper. Of course the octogenarians would be quick (ok maybe not that quick - reflexes are the first to go) to remind me that Murderer's Row or the M & M boys were the best. Or perhaps the Big Red Machine of the 70s.

This kid thinks that the new Yankees can top them all. The lineup is laden with hitters. Not sluggers. Not slap hitters. Hitters. Players that half just as much success with no strikes as they do 0-2. Players that can drive gaps and pull GOOD pitches into bleachers.

The most entertaining thought going into this season is where to put them. Who hits cleanup? There are six legitimate top-tier cleanup hitters in the lineup. Guys that also hit for average. Teams like the Dodgers (who are so desperate as to give Canseco a tryout) are wondering what they did wrong in the face of the Yankee lineup.

We know that offence alone does not win a championship. The Yankees have had enough offensive juice to coast them through the regular season in recent seasons. Problems arise when they hit the playoffs and face real pitching every night. They've been littleballed and pitched to death in recent postseasons. Sitting back and waiting for a three run homer is a fine strategy in June but rarely works in October. Change was most certainly in order.

I think the Yankees were absolutely right to go for a facelift of sorts this season. The formula wasn't working. I think last season was proof that the core mix of players from the championship season had run their course. What a course it was - but it's now time to embark on something new.

Teams may complain that this lineup ruins the game - but they didn't refuse their share of the luxury tax. Isn't this just the logical extension of a capitalist society? The rule in the Bronx is "Just Win Baby" - and now the table is set.

So there you have it. A preseason Yankee article that didn't mention the word "A-Rod".

Hey Wait. Damn.