New York Yankees Pre-Season Preview...

[Anthony]

Team: New York Yankees
Manager: Joe Girardi
Where they ended up last season: 2nd place in AL East, Wild Card Champions, Eliminated by Cleveland Indians in 1st round of the playoffs

Key losses: Manager Joe Torre, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, RP Luis Vizcaino, SP Roger Clemens

Key Signings: 3B Alex Rodriguez, SP Andy Pettitte, C Jorge Posada, CP Mariano Rivera, RP LaTroy Hawkins

Other Signings: 1B Morgan Ensberg, OF/IF Jason Lane

Trades: Tyler Clippard to the Nationals for RP Jonathan Albaladejo

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Potential Starting Rotation:
Chien-Ming Wang
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain
Ian Kennedy/Mike Mussina

Potential Starting Line-up:
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Jason Giambi, 1B
8. Hidek Matsui, DH
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

Potential Bull-Pen:
Mariano River, CP
Kyle Farnsworth, SU
LaTroy Hawkins
Ross Ohlendorf
Edwar Rameriez
Jonathan Albaladejo
Billy Traber

Potential Bench:
Shelly Duncan, 1B/OF
Wilson Betimitt, U
Jose Molina, C

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The Yankees have some pitching concerns both in the rotation and the bull pen. The Yankees have a crop of young arms in guys like Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jonathan Albaladejo.

Phil Hughes is going to have to show The Yankees and their fans that he has the stuff to make it in New York. If not, Yankee fans will be upset because Johan Santana will probably be tearing up the National League pitching for the cross-town rival New York Mets.

CF Melky Cabrera is also going to have to make some improvements in his hitting. Throughout the 07 season, Melky was a bit inconsistant and streaky. If he is going to be the long term answer for an outfield position (either LF or CF) then he's going to have to start putting up big numbers in 08.

Joba Chamberlain will have an intersting roll on the team. He is preparing to pitch as a SP but may start the season as the Set-Up man, which would demote Kyle Farnsworth to either long relief or middle relief. If Chamberlain does start the season as a reliever, do not expect him to stay there long. The organization is content with keeping Chamberlain as a starting pitcher and quite frankly the should. The Yankees cannot keep such a great hard throwing pitcher like Chamberlain in the bull pen to pitch 1 or 2 innings in a game. Chamberlain can become the Yankees ace for years to come.

Ian Kennedy will probably start the season as the #5 starter, depending on how well Mike Mussina does in spring training. The Yankees will keep a close eye on Kennedy's innings pitched. They don't want Kennedy's arm to fall off (thank God Girardi is managing... Joe Torre would make him pitch 8 innings every game).

Joe Girardi: Girardi is replacing some pretty big shoes in the Bronx. Torre has been the Yankees manager for 12 years, every year including play-off apperances, and has managed 4 World Series teams. Girardi is really a rookie manager, only having managed the Marlins in 2006. Girardi, however, did win the NL Manager of the Year in 06. He is a smart guy who is tough and speaks his mind.

Should be a fun year for the Yankees. If their young pitching comes through, they can be World Series contenders.

[kc]

Girardi did good things with the Marlins, well from what I saw. I went to a few games this summer when I was visiting my Aunt. He knew how to manage the MLB's youngest team well. He should do wonders with the Yanks.

But go Tigers this year.

[Hobo]

no one cares about your silly hockey, ant

[Anthony]

stfu

[Smurf]

except Joba is starting the season in the 'pen, thus making this inaccurate....

[Anthony]

"Joba Chamberlain will have an intersting roll on the team. He is preparing to pitch as a SP but may start the season as the Set-Up man"

I said he is preparing to pitch as an SP but may start the season in the bull pen.

Didn't read the whole thing, buddy.

[Smurf]

Nope. I didn't, but you projected him in the rotation.

[Anthony]

When I wrote this, it was still a bit up in the air on Joba's role. Girardi was saying he might start the season as a starter. Depends on spring training really.


Besdies Joba will be in that rotation no matter what even if the Yankees decided to start him in the 'pen. He's too valuable as a starter.

[Hobo]

hockey is dumb

[Anthony]

Agreed