Feb 06 2009
MLB 30 in 30: New York Yankees
Since I have been busy, I will do teams as I can, with more emphasis on the better teams remaining.
The Yankees had a disappointing season last year finishing 3rd in the AL East, and missing the playoffs for the first time in a very long time. They were faced with the injury bug all of last year forcing them to use rookie pitcher after rookie pitcher. They have made some HUGE changes this offseason signing some of the best free agents out there. They spent nearly a half a million dollars on SP C.C. Sabathia, SP A.J. Burnett, and 1B Mark Teixeira. They also traded for Nick Swisher who likely will be making 6 MM to ride the bench. They are still trying to trade either Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher. They lost Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, and Bobby Abreu to free agency while resigning Andy Pettite to a 1 year deal worth 5 MM.
Here is their projected position players:
C: Jorge Posada: Posada is another player coming off an injury, but he has stated many times that he will be ready to be the full time catcher. I, for one, doubt this and see him becoming a DH as well. If Matsui can stay healthy, this could lead to a Swisher or Nady trade midseason.
1B: Mark Teixeira: The new Yankees 1B who signed a 180 MM deal with the Yanks is expected to be what they had signed 6 years ago in Jason Giambi. He will give Alex Rodriguez the protection he needs to be successful.
2B: Robinson Cano: Robbie has been working over the winter on changing his swing. Cano once was a .330 hitter, so hopefully he can regain his form. He signed a 4 year deal and I would like to see him live out that contract with the Yanks. One can hope.
SS: Derek Jeter: Need I say more, except that I think he is vastly overrated. Regardless, he is still a great SS option.
3B: Alex Rodriguez: Again, what is there to say? A-Rod has had MVP years in odd number years dating back to forever, so hopefully he can return and be clutch again this year.
OF: Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, Brett Gardner: Gardner and Melky will be vying for the job, but I think Gardner will prove to win the job. I don’t know why they don’t have Swisher in there somewhere but he should be there. Matsui will also fill in a few days probably to give Damon a day off. Nady is playing for a contract but he has been in trade talks.
Here is the projected rotation and closer:
SP: C.C. Sabathia, Chien-Ming-Wang, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite, Joba Chamberlain: The Yankees just bought themselves one of the top rotations. They nearly made the playoffs last year and this year they will have a healthy Wang back, 2 all star pitchers, as well as Joba who is becoming a full time starter. I wouldn’t be surprised if the team wins 100 games because of this rotation, although I think 90-95 is more realistic.
CL: Mariano Rivera: The best closer in the game and in history, what more is to be said.
My expectations: I expect the Yanks to win the AL East and be serious contenders. With this rotation and having protection for Alex Rodriguez they should be a force not to be reckoned with. The Red Sox are trying some risky pitching options and the Rays have picked up Burrell, but I think the Yanks will prevail.
