THREE QUESTIONS1. Can A-Rod handle the headlines?
He'd better. If Alex Rodriguez wilts, the Yankees' hopes will wither with him. After his admission that he used performance enhancers, A-Rod will be up against more scrutiny than ever. A strong start is crucial because it would give his critics one fewer reason to bash him. Unfortunately for A-Rod, he has not exactly been the king of clutch. He has a .159 average with one homer and one RBI in his past 13 postseason games. His teammates have one reason to thank him: Rodriguez will not be around them much this spring because he is playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.2. Is Jorge Posada done?
Coming back from a season-ending shoulder surgery on your throwing arm is difficult enough. Doing so as a 37-year-old catcher adds to the challenge. But the Yankees need Posada to return to form almost as much as they need a fast start from A-Rod. According to reports from Tampa, Posada's throwing is progressing. He won't be ready to catch games early in spring training, but the Yankees expect him to be ready opening day. When Posada doesn't catch, the Yankees' offense suffers because backup Jose Molina is an offensive liability (but is the better defender). If they put Posada at DH, the Yankees then have to figure out what to do with Hideki Matsui, who is coming off knee surgery and might not be ready to play left field. The Yankees would rather keep Johnny Damon in left instead of putting him back in center.3. How will the new guys adapt?
New York isn't the easiest place to live up to a mega-contract, but the Yankees will have three key newcomers trying to do just that. Scouts believe the veteran Sabathia, known for his accountability as much as his durability, should have fewer difficulties adjusting than Teixeira and Burnett. The switch-hitting Teixeira proved he can produce for a winner by thriving (.358, 1.081 OPS) in his 54 games with the Angels in 2008. Burnett, however, is a candidate to be bothered by the situation.
For the rest of the preview go here.GRADES
Offense: A. When Rodriguez and Teixeira form the heart of the order, you not only have the highest-paid 3-4 hitters in the game, but the most productive. Both have gone .300/30/100 in each of past two seasons. They should not lack for RBI opportunities with Damon and Jeter hitting ahead of them.
Pitching: A. With Sabathia, Burnett and Chamberlain, the rotation has three starters with 95-mph plus fastballs. In Wang, Yanks have one of the best sinkerballers. Pettitte is an experienced, crafty lefty. Add the game's best closer and a solid bullpen, and the Yankees have as strong a staff as any team in the game.
Bench: B. Switch-hitting Nick Swisher gives Yankees insurance at first base, DH and in the outfield, Angel Berroa is a plus-defender in the middle of the infield, Molina is one of the game's better backup catchers, and offensively challenged Gardner could end up starting in center.
Manager: B. With a year of managing in New York behind him, Girardi will be better equipped to handle the pressures of his job. And no manager will be under more pressure. Girardi made a good first move in spring training by openly admitting what everyone knows: His job is on the line if the Yankees don't perform to expectations.
Sporting News prediction: The Yankees don't hand out ridiculous contracts to just anybody. They hand them out to very good players. As a result, they can make a case for having the best in the game at first base, third base, shortstop, closer and top of the rotation. With that kind of talent, they should win the World Series. This season, they will.
I can't argue with anyone who thinks the Yankees will win it all this year. I think they have a pretty good chance to win too. At least if they stay healthy there's no reason why they shouldn't.
2 Comments:
They should win it. No excuses. They have the pitching which is important if you're thinking about a championship.
What will likely happen and really be great come October is Joba might be coming out of the pen.
He has an inning limit that he will likely reach by the end of September.
With CC AJ Wang and Pettitte the fourth starter there is almost zero chance Joba is going to be making starts in October. Which sucks because I'm sure he would great.
With him likely getting no starts in the playoffs he will likely be in the pen and serve as a late inning shut down guy.
By that time hopefully Melancon would have established himself as a very good late inning guy too.
With Melancon Joba and Rivera in the pen along with the starters, come October the Yankees will be a very hard out.
Posada is my biggest concern (I think they may need to trade for a catcher), but if AJ can pitch up to expectations, they will be unstoppable.
Berroa isn't a plus defender as a SS:
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=591&position=SS
Post a Comment