Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Labels: 2008, free agency, hot stove, predictions, rosters

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

The 2007 Playoffs start tomorrow with the Sox taking on the Angels and on Thursday the Yankees play in Cleveland.

Although Cleveland finished with the best record in the season, the Yankees still have the upper hand, even with the schedule chosen by the Tribe.

I am not going to go on a tear and talk about the Yankees having a great season against their first round opponents. Last time I did, the Tigers won.

The problem this year may be the starting rotation. Joe Torre has said Phil Hughes will not pitch in the ALDS leaving the Yankees with two quality starters: Andy Pettitte and Chein-Ming Wang.
Mike Mussina is still up in the air, his last three starts were a huge lift, but the three before that were haywire.. Roger Clemens tweaked his hamstring; that usually happens to old athletes trying to compete in a younger league.
As for a fifth starter, its a toss up. Looks like the Yankees will need to keep the series a short one.

The main concern is the bullpen,as it was this past year.

The Yankees only have two reliable short relief men, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera.

They also have the pick of Kyle Farnsworth, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, Luis Vizciano and Brian Bruney, all are unpredictable. Again, only two reliable.
Seeing as Ian Kennedy and Hughes are not going to start, they should be the perfect fit in middle to long relief roles, right?
Let's hope Torre sees it this way.

We all know Mussina and Clemens won't last past the fifth inning, but rather than throw in a few pitchers with inconsistency, use a starter who has proven themselves and prepare them for later playoff rounds and give them post season experience.
However, seeing as the pitcher rules have virtually been non-existent this year ("We will not use Hughes this year", "The Joba Rules"), we will likely see Hughes and/or Kennedy in a starting role before too long.

Alex Rodriguez, thought I wasn't going to talk about him(?), is the one person with the most pressure on him this October. With a combined three hits in his past two years of playoff appearances (.103 AVG), and with the season he just had, there is a heavy burdon of success riding on him. Granted the MVP voting will be tallied (winner announced in November) by the time he takes his first at-bat, he still needs to perform. It's one to hit 50+ home runs and 150+ RBI, its another to go one-for-the-series.
Let's see what happens.

PREDICTIONS:
Yankees, behind the arms of Pettitte and Wang, will win the series in four games.

Don't kill me when I say this, but I do want the Red Sox to advance to the Championship Series ONLY IF the Yankees advance.
Everyone knows the Yankees can not and will not beat the Angels in the playoffs. Think back to 2002 and 2005.

As for the National League I have the Phillies (what happened Mets??) topping the Rockies in four and the Diamondbacks over the Cubs in five.

Labels: 2007, ALDS, Cleveland Indians, playoffs, predictions, Yankees

Monday, September 24, 2007

Labels: playoffs, predictions

Saturday, March 17, 2007

In 2001, the Yankees lost one of the most grueling World Series with an error by one of the most dominate and near-perfect closers in baseball history.
In 2002, the Yankees fell to the tough Anaheim Angels in the Championship Series.
In 2003, the Yankees reached the pinnacle of sports with a stunning home run only to fall short again.
In 2004, the Yankees were stunned by the most remarkable comeback in sports history.
In 2005, the Yankees fell to the mighty Angels, this time in the first round.
In 2006, the Yankees, heavily favored to win the World Series, came victim to a team who had lost 119 games only a few short years ago.

Welcome to 2007, a new year, a new season, and a new team.

Following the stunning series against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees had questions that needed to be answered.
How can the pitching improve, who will return, what changes will take place?

The first item on the agenda was pitching. The Yankees traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for a few young pitchers including Humberto Sanchez, who may have his share of injuries, but is also dependable and the possible new closer. The Sheffield trade also made the outfield selections more simpler and allowed more playing time to be split between the four currently sharing the field.

Randy Johnson was sent back to Arizona for three more pitchers, all whom will be playing in the minors and preparing themselves for the majors.

Jorge Posada (23 HR/93 RBI/.277 Avg.) remains one of the top catchers in the game. After replacing Joe Girardi for the permanent role, Posada has done everything right and coming close to breaking Yogi Berra's home run record. His outlook for this season still remains optimistic and is predicted to hit over 15 home runs with 75 RBI.

The first base issue was resolved with the signing Doug Mientkiewicz (4/43/.283) sending slugger Jason Giambi (37/113/.253) to the designated hitter slot. Mientkiewicz was signed primarily as a defensive signing rather than an offensive one. In this line up, Meinty is expected to his 5 home runs with 50 RBI.

The shift of Giambi to the DH role allows the Yankees to keep his bat in the line up so he can hit 35 home runs and drive in 90.

Second base remained secured by Robinson Cano (15/78/.342) as he was resigned to a one-year contract. His surprising sophomore season last year was a much needed one, ranking third in the batting title race behind team mate Derek Jeter. Robby's glove also provides an up-the-middle defense one of the best in baseball. If Cano has a great encore season, he will duplicate his stats and be in the MVP race this year as his offensive totals increase.

It seems as the Yankees had placed a franchise tag on Derek Jeter (14/97/.343) by naming him captain of the Yankees a few years ago and have not regretted that decision. Jeter was the front runner for the AL MVP award falling just short and placed second in the batting race. His timely hitting and clutch performances keeps him atop in the shortstop ranking and always a threat at the plate. Jeter had never let down the Yankees and he will once again help guide the Yankees to the playoffs.

Third base hosts Alex Rodriguez (35/121/.290) who's 2006 season was below average. His 24 fielding errors ties his career mark and his clutch production was anything but. However, his offensive production was still available hitting 35 home runs with 121 RBIs. He won the 2004 MVP award and will most likely see a rebound year. Rodriguez will have a comeback season now that some personal issues have been resolved. A-Rod should see around 45 home runs pushing him into the exclusive 500 home run club at a tender age of 32.

The outfield consists of Hideki Matsui (8/29/.302), Johnny Damon (24/80/.285), and Bobby Abreu (15/107/.297) with Melky Cabrera (7/50/.280) ready to play any side.

Matsui missed most of last season due to a wrist fracture making a diving catch and would not return until the Yankees were in a pennant race. Matsui will bounce back from his injury and use his wrists to snap 25 home runs with 80 RBI.

Johnny Damon came over from Boston and thanks to the short right field porch, saw his home run totals increase to a career high 24, and he says that he was playing under pressure. Damon has a very good chance of breaking his home run mark and could hit close to 30 this year with 90 RBI in the lead off position.

Gary Sheffield roamed right field whose presence at the plate us still a scary sight striking fear in all personnel down the third base side. Sheffield's stats are slightly obscure to an injury that led way to Cabrera's debut.

Melky provided both a glove and a bat much needed and his game saving catch of a home run from Manny Ramirez won him the "This Year in Baseball" award for defensive play of the year.

Bobby Abreu, who came in from the July 31 trade deadline last season was a huge help. His offensive numbers par better than his days in Philadelphia and will be an insurgent force. Watch for him as he hits close to 35 home runs and 110 RBI.

The starting pitching rotation was the largest concern. The Johnson trade helped out the Yankees by dumping a player who had elbow issues and back surgery in the off season.

Chein-Ming Wang (19 W/76 KO/3.63 ERA) rose as the ace of the staff tying the major league mark in wins and placing second on the Cy Young award voting. His style of pitching allows more induced ground ball outs replacing his low strike out count.

Mike Mussina (15/172/3.51) had a strong first half season fighting for the league lead in wins only to see some time on the disabled list in the second half with elbow injuries. This season, the aging pitcher will not only be valuable on the mound, but also as a tutor for the surplus of young pitchers in the bullpen.

Andy Pettitte (14/178/4.20) is making his return to New York after spending three years in Houston. People say that his elbow injuries will be a distraction and the weak spot in the rotation. All I can say is 17 wins is a reachable goal.

Carl Pavano (0/0/0.00), whose name is said next to physicians constantly last year and a target for batted balls. Pavano will be under the watchful eye of both Joe Torre and millions of Yankees fans.

Japanese import Kei Igawa (14/194/2.97 [Japanese baseball]) who is so far having a rough spring could improve to be the possible final rotation spot. Although Japanese and American pitchers are different, both have one goal, pitch like you want to win.

The middle relief consisting of Jeff Karstens, Mike Myers, Kyle Farnsworth, Brian Bruney, Ron Villone, Scott Proctor, and Darrell Rasner have been the sore spot last season giving up enough runs to lose over 25% of the games that the Yankees should have won.

Mariano Rivera (5/55/1.80/34 SV), in his last year of his contract, once again proved how valuable he is to the Yankees. Rivera is only 25 saves away from ranking third all-time and has won all two DHL Delivery Man of the Year awards handed out to the best closer in baseball including three Rolaids Relief Man awards. In his career, Rivera has received votes in both the MVP and Cy Young awards.

2007 Projections:

101-61 1st in AL East
World Series champions

LINE UP:
1 - CF - Johnny Damon
2 - SS - Derek Jeter
3 - DH - Jason Giambi
4 - 3B - Alex Rodriguez
5 - LF - Hideki Matsui
6 - C - Jorge Posada
7 - RF - Bobby Abreu
8 - 2B - Robinson Cano
9 - 1B - Doug Mientkiewicz

STARTING ROTATION:
1 - Chein-Ming Wang
2 - Mike Mussina
3 - Andy Pettitte
4 - Carl Pavano
5 - Kei Igawa

Labels: 2007, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, hitting, pitching, predictions, preview, projections, Yankees