The 2008 New York Yankees

The fact that the New York Yankees will not be catching the Boston Red Sox to win the AL East in 2007 is pretty much accepted by most people who follow baseball. It is also worth noting that besides being 13.5 games behind the Red Sox - the Yankees also are 7.5 games behind the Tigers for the AL Wildcard. When you look at the lead and the talent that the Indians and Tigers have - you have to start thinking that the Wildcard may also be realistically out of reach of the Bronx Bombers.

I know there are a lot of games left to play and I'm not saying Yankee fans should abandon hope. What I am saying is that maybe its never too early to start planning for next year.

Accordingly - here are some moves the Yankee front office should make and some moves they should avoid making for next year.

DO - Make every effort to sign Ichiro Suzuki to play rightfield. Ichiro has a gun for an arm and can play center if Johnny Damon gets hurt. It should also be noted that Ichiro is perhaps the most media savvy player in baseball and the media crush of playing for the Yankees is something he should easily handle. That can't be said for all players and it should not be overlooked as a factor. The Yankees could easily take the money they save by not re-signing Bobby Abreu and get Ichiro signed to a 5-year $90 million contract.

DON'T - Trade Johnny Damon. Damon doesn't have a true no-trade clause but he does have a list of 12 clubs he would approve a trade to. It should not be overlooked that Damon plays hurt and has the mental make-up to deal with the NY press. He's popular with the players, gets on base and does what it takes to win. Damon hasn't played less than 145 games in a season since becoming a full-time player 12-years ago and even though he's slumping this season - he's still got a very decent .362 OBP. The Yankees would have to get either Andruw Jones and Ichiro or Torii Hunter and Ichiro to make up for the loss of Damon. A bird in the hand rings true in this situation.

DO - Make a huge trade bid for Mark Teixeira. Chances are that he'll sign with the Orioles after the 2008 season because he's a local player and he's dreamed of playing for the hometown team and the Orioles are drooling over him. However, the big trade bid perhaps drives Baltimore out of the picture by giving the Yankees a year to work out an extension.

DON'T - Bring back Doug Mientkiewicz. Dougie Alphabet does have a great glove but they Yankees need to do something about 1st base (if only because a shake-up is needed and 1st is one of the few positions where a big contract is not embedded). If the Yankees can't sign Teixeira then they should take a risk on a Carlos Pena type player. Bring three of those types of players into camp and have them fight it out for the position. Let their desire cause a fire among some of the other players who frankly have become too blaise in their approach.

DO - Make a big bid for Carlos Zambrano (assuming the Cubs don't wrap him up). The Yankees rotation next year should be Wang, Mussina, Pettitte and Hughes. There is no real ace in that group. Zambrano could be an ace. At the very least he should eat innings. If Zambrano is not available then Mark Buehrle should be Option B for the Yankees.

DON'T - Attempt to sign Bartolo Colon. That signing would kill George Steinbrenner. Just seeing the huge Colon in pinstripes would potentially cause a stroke each time Steinbrenner laid eyes on him. You'd be better off with Costanza in the parking lot with a World Series trophy. I'm not saying Colon isn't a very talented player but I am saying he wouldn't do well with the Yankees. In fact I'm pretty sure a big contract in New York could turn Colon into Mr. Creosote.

DO - Re-sign Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. The Yankees want to get younger but they have no choice with these two players. Both deserve to be rewarded.

DON'T - Bring back Carl Pavano or Roger Clemens. I think Clemens will prove to be a bust - so that situation will work itself out. Also his money will be better used toward a Carlos Zambrano ot a Mark Buehrle. As far as Pavano is concerned - at this point it would be best for all if Pavano was given a season somewhere else to prove whether he can or cannot still pitch at MLB levels.