It could be, however, that Steinbrenner is right.

New York, after winning three straight championships in '98-00, hasn't won the big dance since. After falling to Arizona in the 2001 Fall Classic, the Yankees have repeatedly come up short. They made it back to the Series in 2003, only to be defeated by the upstart Marlins.

Will 2006, in fact, be the year the Bronx Bombers again hoist the championship banner at Yankee Stadium? Well, with a payroll of $206 million and the best lineup in recent memory, chances are they will.

Imagine you are an opposing pitcher. You take the hill and are faced with Johnny Damon, the former heart and soul of the Red Sox, standing in the batter's box. Damon, a career .300 hitter with pop in his bat, is only the tip of the iceberg. After Damon comes Derek Jeter, no picnic under any circumstance. Following Jeter is Alex Rodriguez, arguably the most complete hitter in baseball. If you manage to get by these first three, then you have to deal with Gary Sheffield who, even though aging, still has the fastest bat in the game. After Sheffield, up steps Hideki Matsui, followed by a rejuvenated Jason Giambi.

Talk about "Murderer's Row." And it doesn't get any easier with Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano at the bottom of the order, plus whoever Torre may decide to use as Designated Hitter on any given day.

Make no mistake, the Yankees are going to score a ton of runs. The fly in the ointment, however, is a questionable starting rotation, led by two guys who are long of tooth. Randy Johnson, in his prime, was untouchable. The problem is, Johnson is well past his prime. The Big Unit can still be imposing, but the big question is whether or not he can remain healthy. After Johnson comes Mike Mussina. Mussina is a great clutch pitcher but is also well past his best days. Beyond Johnson and Mussina, the Yankee rotation is a series of question marks.

Still, I figure the Yanks can score enough runs to beat just about anyone in the American League, with the possible exception of the White Sox.

Boston, the Yankee's archrivals, is in trouble this season. Damon's defection, coupled with holes at shortstop and third base, spell trouble for the Red Sox. Boston's pitching staff, also led by two members of the geezeerfied Gentry, is questionable at best. No one knows how Curt Shilling's ankle is going to hold up and David Wells, is, at best, an enigma.

Josh Beckett, over from Florida, may help but Beckett is not enough. Boston's bullpen is also in disarray, lacking both depth and a proven closer.

New York's biggest challenge in the East will probably come from Toronto. The Blue Jays opened up the vaults in the off-season and are much improved. A.J. Burnett comes over from the Marlins to join Roy Halladay, by many accounts the best pitcher in the American League, at the top of the Blue Jays' rotation. In a brilliant move, the Jays also signed B.J. Ryan, a southpaw closer, who will most likely have a break out year in 2006. Toronto also added some pop to its lineup with the signing of Tony Glaus, Lyle Overbay and Benjie Molina. Look for the Jays to bolt past the sagging Red Sox and make at run at the Wild Card spot.

Tampa Bay is also improved and, although nowhere near ready to compete with the big boys, can still make noise as a spoiler.

Baltimore is a sinking ship and may wind up in last place.

How far will the Yankees go in 2006? Is King George right in claiming the title, even though it is only March? Stay tuned.