Alas, baseball is here!
With spring training drawing to a close this week, MLB's regular season is set to kick off. With spring in the air, there's a still a heap of snow in my town. The great American pastime is back!
For now, the top three teams in the league are projected to be in one division—the AL East. With the Rays and Red Sox to compete with, the Yankees will have a tough go of it this year as they did last. Perhaps they will be better prepared for the Rays' pesky offense and will have the starting pitching to match up with the Red Sox. What needs to be done for the Yankees to succeed? That's what you're about to find out.
I will begin with the situation in right field. Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher? As it is slated the X-man should be starting in RF. This is how it should be, Swisher will get playing time yes but he had nowhere near the season Nady had last year. Not that Swisher is a bad player, he has a high career OBP and SLG but his batting average last year was just too atrocious to ignore, a .219 batting average cannot go unnoticed, therefore I dub him backup outfielder and DH and the top choice in a pinch hitting situation such as Jose Molina or Cody Ransom being up in the eighth with two outs and a man on. X-man gets the spot and the award for best first name on the team.
Center field is another concern we need to put into perspective. Brett Gardener or Melky Cabrera? It appears to me that Melky and Gardener will most likely split time although my first choice would be Gardener every time. I don't see Melky as a second lead off guy in the 9 hole, I just don't. Gardener is quick, athletic and will get on base and steal some bases. Melky will probably get a lot of playing time too which could be a great idea if you want to use Gardener to pinch run late in the game. Both guys deserve playing time and I think that'll be based on the righty and lefty pitcher situation. Melky switch hitting will probably buy him some time against lefty pitchers and Gardener can take on most of the righties.
Health to me is the heart of this organization's troubles. People being hurt all the time like A-Rod, Pavano, Matsui and Posada last year does not help, not one bit. It's imperative that the Yankees stay conditioned and loose. Injuries can't be taken lightly, the starting pitching especially, a rookie can't be starting every day. Burnett is the biggest concern here as he has a history of being hurt. Health is the greatest difference this team needs to make.
What was missing from that Yankees aura last year? It was run production. The veteran leaders like Posada were hurt. Jeter had an off year in those clutch situations e has come through in time and time again. A-Rod was hurt part of the year as he is going to be for the start of the season this year. The middle of the order hopefully has some added help with Texeira and Matsui hopefully being healthy this year but a big bat was lost, Bobby Abreu unfortunately is in Anaheim now and let's all pray that Tex can give us Abreu's production as a Yankee. This also means Jeter and Damon have got to get their OBPs up and make sure there's always someone on base.
My opinion, Hughes should be the five guy and Joba should be in the pen, seeing as that probably won't happen the pitching staff if set and ready to go. Looks strong with C.C., Wanger, A.J., Andy and Joba in the starting rotation and the bullpen including Edwar Ramirez, DeMaso Marte and a name we all know and love, Mariano Rivera.
On paper, the Yankees can beat anyone but they've got to get it done on the field. That's why they play the games. The future looks bright for the Yankees with Austin Jackson coming up through the minors along with some great pitching prospects.
Let's get ready to rumble in 2009 with the New York Yankees!!!!!
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