The New York Yankees returned to dominance in 2009 by winning the World Series. A lot of the reason for that was the fact they spent money after the 2008 season. They signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira to big contracts that paid off.

The 2009 offseason starts with the Yankees not settling with the team they have. Today they traded for Detroit Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson.

In the three-way trade, the Detroit Tigers received lefty reliever Phil Coke from the Yankees and two young pitchers, Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks got All-Star pitcher Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and Ian Kennedy from the Yankees.

But the main focus of this trade is on the Yankees. Granderson is a major upgrade over Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, who patrolled centerfield last season for the pin stripes.

Granderson was a first time all-star last season when he hit 30 home runs, knocked in 71 RBI’s and had 20 steals.

Add these stats to a lineup that already boasts Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, and Derek Jeter and I think the Yankees will be well on their way to trying to repeat as World Champions.