With the exception of last year when he was injured, this year was the fewest innings EVER that Posada caught, since he became the Yankees regular catcher. Petite & Rivera being effective pitchers past the age of 35 ? The majority of all-star/hall of famer caliber pitchers were quite effective in their "old age", especially in the last 20 years or so. Guys like Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling, for example, actually got better after age 35. A .270 batting average, .360 on-base, and .475 slugging is shockingly good for Damon & Matsui ? Sounds a lot more like "shockingly average" as the average A.L. starting left-fielder has numbers like these. Looking at all of the Yankees starters -- given their past performance & current age, I would say that only Damon exceeded expectations. Equally important for the Yankees success, I'd say there was only 1 player (Joba Chamberlain) who failed to live up to expectations, although it's tough to project young players. It will be an interesting off-season. Who knows, for example, if the Yankees will even offer a multi-year contract to the reigning World Series MVP ?

Hard to say.

Both Damon and Matsui are up for free agency, and both probably have at least a couple of good years remaining Though their ages might be a consideration in whether trying to re-sign either. Jeter, Posada, Petite, and Rivera are all getting up there in years as far their playing life goes, and at some point, New York is going to have to develop or acquire new young stars.

As for Matsui, bad knees, though with the DH position, he could probably continue.

A solid core of experienced veteran players got the Yankees the title this year.

Whether they could repeat with the same basic line up next year would remain to be seen.