New York Yankees 2009 World Series Predictions: To begin the 2009 MLB season, the New York Yankees were prohibitive favorites, according to pundits and oddsmakers, to win the 2009 World Series. It just seemed all the stars in the universe were lining up to shine on New York. After all, the team had brought in baseball's best pitchers, A.J. Burnett and a Cy Young winner in C.C.Sabathia. The Yanks then proceeded to win the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes in a bidding war with rivals, Boston Red Sox.