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Despite the loss of Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira believes the Yankees have the talent to win the World Series.

(David Manning-USA TODAY Sports)

TAMPA, Fla. — The 2013 version of the Yankees was unique. Injuries ravaged the roster, transforming a lineup full of stars to a collection of anonymous faces surrounding Robinson Cano. It was foreign to a franchise transfixed on featuring marquee names.

Mark Teixeira was one of the players sidelined. His season cut short in June due to a torn sheath tendon after playing in only 15 games. Now, he and Derek Jeter, also injured for nearly all of 2013, are on schedule to return and they are joined by four top-flight free agents in Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran.

“I think the great thing is you look at our lineup, we’re back to being the Yankees again,” Teixeira said. “Last year, we weren’t the Yankees. We had so many injuries and we had so many guys that should’ve been in there to be lots of anchors. That’s back. There’s not one guy that has to carry this team.”

But Robinson Cano isn’t back. He is now a member of the Seattle Mariners and $240 million richer. Teixeira said the Yankees will "miss" Cano. It will fall on him and the new cast of characters to replace the All-Star second baseman’s production.

“We had a great offseason. It was fun to watch,” Teixeira said. “I was texting Cash every two weeks telling him congrats on another signing and great offseason. I basically told him you did your job, now it’s time to do ours. So no excuses this year. We have a team that can compete for the world championship.”