Arod? Wells? Rivera? Pettite? Jeter? Ichiro? Most of the Yankees are either too old or injury prone. They are too loyal.
Where to start.
ARod: Not Cashman's signing. He wanted to let him walk when the 07 opt out happened, signed back by Steinbrenner/Levine
Wells: Anaheim eating most of the salary, Yanks only on the hook for payment this year, no luxury tax impact next year. Harmless to them, with upside and made necessary by injury.
Rivera: One year deal, year to year, still elite. No problems or long term impact. Legacy HoF player
Pettitte: One year deals, earned it last year.
Jeter: No choice but to overpay, but earned it last year easily. Didn't give into original demands. Legacy HoF player
Ichiro: I don't like him on a two year deal at all, but it's short money.
Anyway, Rivera, Jeter and Pettitte are still performing, they haven't fallen off a cliff. The Yankees should be lauded for keeping the group together - it doesn't happen anymore.
You should have said Teixeira. But, even then, that's what he cost, and Boston set the market.
As for being old and hurt - Granderson and Teixeira's injuries aren't age related and they're not old. ARod's is due to a defect too.