2014 Projected Yankees lineup

With all of these moves, where does that leave the Yankees’ lineup? I don’t think the Yankees are done dealing, but I expect any remaining moves to affect the rotation or bullpen more than the lineup. So, here’s where they stand.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF

2. Derek Jeter SS

3. Carlos Beltran RF

4. Brian McCann C

5. Alfonso Soriano DH*

6. Mark Teixeira 1B

7. Kevin Youkilis 3B**

8. Brett Gardner LF

9. Kelly Johnson 2B

Corner Infielders Conundrum: Who stays, Who goes?

Adams and Overbay vs. Youkilis and Teixeira. The great debate.

Two months ago if I told you these four corner infielders would be battling for two spots, I would have been laughed at. Now, it's a serious situation the Yankees soon must resolve. Both Youkilis and Teixeira are expected back around the first week of June. AKA, next week.

The typical Yankees reaction? It's a good problem to have. Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman are right, it is a good problem. Depth is important, especially when it comes to interleague play; however, what are they going to do about it when it comes down to filling up the lineup card each day?

First, let's hear from Twitter:

@lennysyankees wild stab in the dark: the players making $20 million and $12 million this year will get more playing time.
— Andy C (@23_Andy_C) May 27, 2013

There's no question salaries will be on the minds of Girardi and Cashman when making this decision. Then again, it isn't impossible for the Yankees to go with their guts instead of their wallet. We've seen it before.

@lennysyankees Tex at 1B, Youk at 3B, Adams back up both of those guys and play some as DH against LHP, Overbay traded for fringe prospect
— ZS (@zs190) May 27, 2013

This will likely be what happens as soon as both hobbled vets return. But hopefully it doesn't stay this way for long, and hopefully the Yankees take my advice about Overbay. See my cases for both debates below.

Would Yankees fans ‘YOUK’?

Alex Rodriguez’s impending hip surgery leaves a hole for the Yankees at third base and aging captain Derek Jeter, who is rehabbing from ankle surgery these days, increases the need for defense on the left side of the infield to even more dire levels.

The Yankees must switch their search from a big bat or young arm to an adept glove, and that was reportedly Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s mission* before the A-Rod surgery announcement on Monday.

*Disclosure: This linked news article is from the New York Daily News, my current employer. But this blog entry represents my opinion, not necessarily that of my employer.

But one factor Cashman must be conscious of as he pursues a talented infielder that is often overlooked is team chemistry. 

Will Jeter, Rivera or Pettitte leave Yankees?

When you're with one organization for 11 years and make such a great impact on and off the field, it's hard for fans to let go.

Such was the case with Kevin Youkilis and the Red Sox yesterday.

The Yankees might have a few of those moments in the next few years, and it could be even harder for Yankees fans because I'm talking about future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and borderline HoF'er Andy Pettitte (again).

One part of the linked article above by former LoHud Yankees blogger Peter Abraham stood out to me, and I think it's something all Yankees fans should read.

Nomar went. Manny went. Pedro went, Johnny went. They all go eventually.

All four Sox greats left Boston in the 21st century. In the 20th century, Gehrig never went. Neither did DiMaggio, nor did Mantle and nor did Williams. Back in the 21st century, Posada never went. It makes you wonder: What will happen to the rest of the Core Four?

Yankees likely have two undeserving All-Star starters

Every year, the fans miss a few players — and the reason for that usually circles back to New York’s overwhelming fan base. You could even blame mainstream media for not giving enough credit to some of these snubs, but for some players the fans just get it wrong.

Yankees who deserved to make the team (and likely will):
1. Mark Teixeira — Adrian Gonzalez (.352, 16 HR, 71 RBI) is the sure bet starter, but Teixeira (.243, 25 HR, 63 RBI) continues to pump out homers.

Manny Banuelos: The Little Lefty

If you still have never heard of Manny Banuelos, you need to add him to your list of must-know Yankees prospects. Why? His spring training numbers tell the story, but the Yankees have also raved of the little lefty constantly — and I’m not just talking about the GM, who always tries to boost all of his prospects’ value. 

Mariano Rivera, someone who rarely says anything quoteworthy, called ManBan the best pitching prospect he’s ever seen.

Just how little is he? He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds. For perspective, Pedro Martinez is 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds. They both share a nice fastball, curveball, changeup repertoire, but ManBan is a lefty and Pedro is a righty.

Yankees sign Feliciano for 2 years, $8MM

The Yankees signed LOOGY (Lefty One-Out GuY) Pedro Feliciano for two years, $8 million with an option for a third year. Feliciano pitched the first eight years of his career with the Mets, and he led the majors in appearances the last three years.

Swisher, Youkilis candidates for Final Vote

 

After the idiotic All-Star Game rosters were announced yesterday, there was only one question left to ask. Who are the candidates for the Final Vote?

Nick Swisher finagled his way into the vote, while Kevin Youkilis was snubbed out of the preliminary roster making him the heavy favorite in the Final Vote.

But Swish does have one thing going for him: A way better video campaign.

Swish’s vid, Youk’s vid

In all seriousness, does Swish have a prayer? The roster already has three backup outfielders and only one backup first baseman (two if you count DH David Ortiz). Here are the numbers:

Name	AB	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
Nick Swisher	287	13	47	.293	.373	.505
Kevin Youkilis	274	17	54	.299	.416	.584

Like I said, it doesn’t look good for our guy, Swish. But hey, it’s up to us to vote! And for those who have no lives, you can keep voting until your heart stops.

**…/\…/\…/\……/\………/\………………………………**

Yankees sending 6 (7) All-Stars to Cali

The Yankees are sending two starters (Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano), three pitchers (Phil Hughes, CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera) and two Joe Girardi selections (Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez) to Angel Stadium for the All-Star Game on July 13. Since Sabathia will start the Sunday before the All-Star Game, by MLB rules, Girardi is allowed to replace him. In all likelihood, that man will be Andy Pettitte.

Jeter & Cano
Jeter and Cano were no-doubters; not much competition for Jete at short, and Cano is still a top MVP candidate at the midway mark (81 games as of yesterday). But Hughes over Pettitte, really?

Hughes Is Lucky
Steve Lombardi of WasWatching outlined it best. Hughes had a great start but has been on an awful stretch for more than half of the season thus far. Plenty of other starters, including Pettitte, deserved Hughes’s spot.

Mo No Surprise
Mo pitching in the ninth inning of the All-Star Game is a very safe bet. In the eight All-Star games he’s been healthy enough to pitch in, he’s pitched in the ninth of each game. Yes, 8/8. 9/8 (not a typo) really wouldn’t be that surprising for the alien.

A-Rod over Youk?
Girardi selected A-Rod over Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Anyone but Girardi and the Yankees will tell you the rivalry affected the decision, and it’s a disgrace, just like the All-Star Game. Justice will likely be served when Youkilis will be voted in with the final vote. This is a clear example of the perennial All-Star getting the benefit of the doubt as well as bias picking by Girardi.

ASG Is A Joke
Of all the rules in baseball that could be changed (instant replay, realignment, etc.), the All-Star Game’s meaning is the most disturbing to me. The fans’ vote turns into a popularity contest, automatically generating snubs, but the game’s outcome determines homefield advantage for the World Series. Even MLB.com admits more-deserving players don’t get selected year after year. Evidence?

Above is a snippet of an article’s headline from MLB.com. By saying “inevitably” it proves MLB knew the system was flawed before the vote, but still didn’t change the rule. With a fan vote, the All-Star Game should have no meaning and the team with the better record in the World Series should get homefield. I’d love to hear someone refute this point in the comments.

Red Sox rally back against Yankees for Opening Day victory

Everything was going right for the Yankees on Opening Day until J.D. Drew singled off CC Sabathia with two out in the fifth inning. The Red Sox tired out the big lefty, scored three off him in the sixth, three off Chan Ho Park in the seventh, and went on to beat the Yankees 9-7.

Quick ‘Cap:
Kevin Youkilis played the role of Yankee killer tonight, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two doubles and two RBIs. His two-run triple off Sabathia in the sixth made the score 5-4 and he scored the tying run on Adrian Beltre’s single off Dave Robertson.

The Yankees regained the lead in the seventh with two runs, but the Sox stormed back with three in the bottom half against Park. Dustin Pedroia’s two-run homer tied it, and Youkilis scored the game-winner on a passed ball after doubling.

Jorge Posada (3-for-4) and Curtis Granderson slammed back-to-back jacks in the second. Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano had two hits apiece. Gardner actually was credited with a steal of home on a double steal with Jeter in the fourth. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
I think the fifth inning really got to Sabathia and he should’ve been taken out before facing the meat of the order in the sixth. Park dug himself into a hole tonight in his Yankee debut after blowing the two-run lead. Damaso Marte and Joba Chamberlain also looked bad out of the pen after him — and I expected the bullpen to be a strength for the Yankees this season.

Line of the Night:
Youkilis: 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, 3B. My player to watch really bit the Yankees where it hurt tonight.

Up Next:
The Yankees look to even the series on Tuesday at 7 p.m. I’ll be in attendance to see A.J. Burnett and Jon Lester duke it out.

Unrelated Note: Speaking of Duke, GO DUKE on Monday.

Yankees-Red Sox series preview: Why history won’t repeat itself

The last time the Yankees and Red Sox met on Opening Day, the world was upside down. The Red Sox snapped an 86-year drought of winning it all the year before, and were facing a pack of hungry Yankees and fans at the old Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees won 9-2 behind Randy Johnson’s gem in his Yankee debut.

Now it’s the Yankees that are coming off a World Series victory and entering a ticked off Fenway Park. Expect plenty of boos and angered fans tonight. This one could get ugly early.

I like how both teams are extremely healthy to open the season. Daisuke Matsuzaka will open the year on the 15-day DL, but that’s about it for both teams.

Who isn’t excited for tonight? For me, every rivalry game is a blast to watch. But in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter what happens tonight? Opening Day could actually be argued to be the most meaningless game of the season because there are the most number of games remaining in the season.

Here’s a series preview:

Game 1: CC Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett (tonight, 8 p.m.)
I tend to favor the home team in games like this. Like I said earlier, the Yankees are really in for it tonight. I’m betting on David Ortiz hitting a ball over the Monster tonight off CC. The big lefty didn’t make it out of the fifth inning last year against the Orioles on Opening Day. Meanwhile, Beckett owned the Rays in his Opening Day start last year.

Game 2: A.J. Burnett vs. Jon Lester (Tuesday, 7 p.m.)
I’ll be at the game, so it’s an automatic win, right? Well, I’ve only been to Fenway once before, and that was to see the Yankees crush the Red Sox 9-1. But those were the days of Nomar Garciaparra and Hideki Irabu. I’ve heard a lot of fans — Yankees and Red Sox — pick Lester for their preseason Cy Young Award winner. Let’s just say I’m not about to put $100 against that. I’m hoping for a close game or a Yankee blowout. If it’s the latter, I might not make it back to Quinnipiac in one piece knowing Red Sox fans.

Game 3: Andy Pettitte vs. John Lackey (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
I say the Yankees take this one despite Lackey’s great history against the Yankees. Lackey will have all the pressure on him, while Pettitte will be cool as ice.

Players to Watch:
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez. He missed all of April last year, and I think he misses it. Historically, April is his highest monthly OPS besides August.
Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis. He just scares me, especially at home.

Prediction:
Red Sox win the battle tonight, but lose the war in Games 2 and 3.

Poll Results: Red Sox offseason just OK

In my latest poll, the majority of fans graded the Red Sox offseason as OK, while a modest percentage voted it was a good offseason.

I fall with the majority because the Red Sox bolstered their pitching and defense, which is good. But the lineup is still lacking a few important pieces. Without a normal David Ortiz, Jason Bay, or Manny Ramirez, the team is different.

A lot of the weight lost falls on the shoulders of first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Next poll: What was the most important part of the 2009 champs?

Youkilis: ‘I’ve always wanted to pitch’

With the help of my friend Ian over at Sox & Dawgs, I found out that Kevin Youkilis told Peter Gammons and Tom Caron (NESN broadcasters) that he has always wanted to pitch.

He said he could always play any position in the infield, he’d try and stay away from the outfield, and he always wanted to pitch.

Why am I posting this? Because I want everyone to chant “Bring in Youk!” when the Yankees are up 18-5 in the ninth inning of Opening Day.

He probably wants to pitch because he saw how much love Nick Swisher got when he pitched last April.

USA falls to Venezuela 5-3

Derek Jeter was thrown out at second base at the backend of an attempted double steal in the bottom of the ninth inning against Venezuela tonight.  Francisco Rodriguez struck out Kevin Youkilis on the next pitch to end the game, 5-3.

USA will play Puerto Rico on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Venezuela will play the Netherlands at 1 p.m. in Miami.

The teams have really gotten into this tournament.  The effort and desire to win is clearly visible, although probably more in the non-USA teams.  Poor Jeter has to hit third, right between two Red Sox players.  Before Youkilis struck out swinging, he looked at two fastballs right in his wheelhouse.

Photo from WorldBaseballClassic.com