Anybody out there wondering the same thing I am?

At this point, I'm liking my chances of being on Santa's good list — although I still have 36 hours or so — but is there any way I can get on Hank Steinbrenner's?

Like an eccentric rich uncle handing out money hand over fist, the New York Yankees senior vice president and part-owner (along with his brother Hal) has had a very interesting December.

He shelled out $161 million over seven years to 2007 American League Cy Young winner CCSabathia, then turned around and signed Toronto Blue Jays free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett to a six-year, $82.5 million contract.

In baseball, that's guaranteed money, although Sabathia has an out in his contract after three years.

An out for what? Stupidity. I wouldn't walk away from that. I seriously doubt his stock — or his weight — could be any higher.

The pitcher, who tips the scales at about 290 pounds, had a huge 2007 (19-7, 209 K, 37 BB in 241 IP), then was traded by the Cleveland Indians in late June to the Milwaukee Brewers.

He was a mediocre 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA, but 123 K and 34 BB, then went to the National League where he dominated his new league, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, 128 K and 25 BB in about the same number of innings.

Now he returns to the American League in a town that will ridicule him if he struggles on the mound or with his weight. Proving the Yankees were not to be outbid, they overpaid — again.

For a player who will work just once every five days, that's a lot of money to give away. At least with Alex Rodriguez, his $28 million really can't be justified, but at least he's out there 162 games a year.

The Yankees are coming off a respectable but un-Yankeelike season (89-73, third in the AL East, eight games behind Tampa Bay) and just three games ahead of fourth-place Toronto.

The payroll last season? $207,108,489. Six players got $13 million or more, which also includes Derek Jeter's $21.6 million and reliever Mariano Rivera's $15 million. So what's George's son to do? Spend, spend, spend.

With Sabathia, Burnett and now Ching-Ming Wang signing for a one-year, $5 million deal Monday, the Yankees have committed $164 million for 15 players next season.

Plus, don't be surprised if the Yankees make a push for outfielder Manny Ramirez (who is seeking four years, $100 million ... good luck with that) or first baseman Mark Teixeira, who could be pushing the eight-year, $200 million plateau.

There's still the rest of the 25-man roster that must be filled out. The Yankees are looking to make a big splash before moving into their new stadium and are lining up the star power.

But as baseball has shown, big names don't always translate into highly successful seasons. And there's a lot of pressure to perform, especially in these tough economic times.

So, Mr. Steinbrenner, what does it take to get on your good list? Other than hitting a baseball or the more-lucrative throwing the baseball, I'm sure I could fit in somewhere.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.