Saturday, April 01, 2006
What to Look Forward To...
Spring training is now over for our beloved Yankees and will begin a series against the Athletic's starting Monday. I'm not going to talk about the past because, honestly, it wasn't all that great with a losing April and an early ejection from the playoffs. This year is different.
During the off-season, the Yankees picked up perennial free agent Johnny Damon from the Red Sox and closer Kyle Farnsworth from the Braves who will be replacing Tom Gordon as a set-up reliever. The starting rotation has not changed much, or even at all.
Yankees wil throw out a line up that rivals the line up of 1927, 1932, and even 1952 that freatured Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. The 2006 line up features Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, who by the way has been in the playoffs every year of his career, 2005 MVP Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Hidecki Matsui, Jorge Posada, rookie sensation Robinson Cano, 2005 Comeback Player of the Year Jason Giambi, and Bernie Williams.
If the Yankees can stay clear from injuries, this season should be much better than last year's. Yankees are predicted (again) to win the division for a ninth straight year and, if they don't face the Angels, make it to and win the World Series.
The starting rotaion is not as deep as it used to be, but health comes into play again, especially for Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright.
The bullpen has never really been an issue. Tanyon Sturtz has been getting better throughout his career, Farnsworth should be more effective than Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera should be just as dominate as he was before.
Damon, who will be batting leadoff, may be not as hopeful as thought for his Yankee Stadium batting average is not one to be admired at, but as time goes by, should develope a swing that fits well.
Jeter should be as effective as in the past and has batted second before behind Alfonso Soriano. His glove will never change and his highlight reel is yet to be cut.
Alex Rodriguez finished the season with an MVP title and will chase down his right of passage to the Hall of Fame when he inches closer to 500 home runs.
Gary Sheffield may be under a lot of pressure as the steroid allegation hearings take place, but should still be as violent at the plate and scare off all third base coaches this year.
Jason Giambi will be in the same situation with Sheff, but will still prevail as a power hitter.
Jorge Posada is behind the plate again for all five pitchers, but will also step away to allow younger catchers to gain some valuable experience.
Hidecki Matsui, the Boston Killer, is only getting better. His reputation has declined against the Sox, but his career is not over for quite some time.
Robinson Cano, a huge Rookie of the Year favorite last year, but did not win it, will try to overcome the so-called "sophomore slump" and become a great hitting second baseman and improve his defense.
Bernie Williams is aging and this may be his last year in pinstripes. He will be sharing the role of DH and provide some relief for Matsui and Sheffield in the outfield.
Randy Johnson still has one more Cy Young season in him and hopefully this is his year.
Mike Mussina is slowing becoming the pitcher that we don't need. His ERA is rising and his former self is disappearing. He lost two perfect games against the Red Sox, and maybe, just MAYBE, will throw one before he retires.
Shawn Chacon pretty much saved the Yankees last year as his late arrival gave them the spark that lit the race. He will be there again, this time helping the Yankees win, not saving wins.
Chein-Ming Wang will be the fourth starter this year and his rookie season last year was a huge success. I saw him go from a great pitcher, and slowly become your average pitcher. His ERA started to rise at season's end. Watch out for more losses than expected.
Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano need to stay healthy this season and be the pitchers the Yankees signed them as. We don't waste money on failures. Although, the times that these pitchers were healthy, they provided enough umph the give the Yankees some important wins.
Pitching coach Ron Guidry and batting coach Don Mattingly should be important instructors for the Yankees. Mattingly played with Jeter and Williams before he retired.
Overall, the Yankees should win the East and the pennant and even win the World Series. I predict a 101-61 record with A-Rod in the race for the MVP.
Go Yankees!!!
Stay tuned...
Posted by Steve Kenul at 6:18 PM
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