Mark Teixeira: 'We're back to being Yankees again'

Mark Teixeira (right) took in a Knicks game with comedian Larry David last month. (James Devaney/Getty Images) After missing the playoffs for only the second

Mark Teixeira (right) took in a Knicks game with comedian Larry David last month. (James Devaney/Getty Images)

After missing the playoffs for only the second time in 19 seasons last year, the Yankees reloaded this offseason by adding catcher Brian McCann, outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran and starter Masahiro Tanaka. Despite losing Robinson Cano to the Mariners, first baseman Mark Teixeira, who played only 15 games last season due to surgery to repair a torn sheath in his right wrist, feels the Yankees are back. JAFFE: AL East spring training preview

"We're back to being the Yankees again," Teixeira told Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com on Sunday. "Last year, we weren't the Yankees. "We had so many injuries and we had so many guys that should have been in there to be lots of anchors [in the lineup]. That's back. There is not one guy that has to carry this team."

Teixeira, who turns 34 in April, is entering the sixth season of an eight-year, $180 million deal and said he plans on playing five more seasons.

"I know when I'm out there and healthy, my team is a better team and that is no different this year," Teixeira said."We had a great offseason," Teixeira added. "It was fun to watch. I was texting Cash [general manager Brian Cashman] every two weeks, telling him congrats on another great signing, great offseason. I basically told him, 'You did your job. Now, it is time for us to do ours.' No excuses this year, we have a team that can compete for a world championship."

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