NEW YORK -- Hank Steinbrenner believes the Yankees are in position to repeat as World Series champions after adding pitcher Javier Vazquez and outfielder Curtis Granderson during the offseason.
The Yankees' co-chairman chatted with The Associated Press on Thursday in Tampa, Fla., speaking highly of general manager Brian Cashman's offseason moves to bolster New York's rotation and change the appearance of the club's outfield.
"The two trades that Brian did, I was really pleased with and very proud of," Steinbrenner told The AP. "I think that is going to make a big difference for us."
Acquired from the Braves, Vazquez will slide into a rotation that already includes CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, with the fifth starter yet to be decided.
The hope is that Vazquez solves an issue the Yankees had last October, when they had to lean on a three-man rotation to get through the postseason and World Series.
"We needed another top-notch starter and got one," Steinbrenner said.
Granderson, a 2009 American League All-Star, was obtained from the Tigers and will play either left field or center field in 2010. New York also added designated hitter Nick Johnson and outfielder Randy Winn during the offseason, while bidding farewell to Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, among others.
Tampa resident Derek Jeter has started working out at the club's Himes Avenue Minor League complex and spent time with Hank Steinbrenner and his brother, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, according to The AP.
"I asked him his opinion, and he said, 'It's all about pitching,'" Hank Steinbrenner said of Jeter.
Jeter is entering the final season of a 10-year, $189 million contract. The Yankees have a policy of not negotiating new deals until after a player's previous contract, and Cashman has said that his plan is to maintain that stance with Jeter.
"We'll get into all of that eventually," Steinbrenner said. "Jeter's place in Yankee history is obvious, so I think you can pretty much assume from there."
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