The New York Yankees fell just short of defending their World Series title when the Texas Rangers eliminated them in the American League Championship Series. During the regular season, the Bronx Bombers finished 95-67 and had a winning record or at .500 in just about every win/loss split. If there was one deficiency the Yankees had last season it was their pitching. Aside from their ace C.C. Sabathia, the rotation was not able to pitch deep into games and therefore hand the ball to the middle relievers earlier into games. The other issue the Yankees had was the fact that there was really no pitcher who could bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and closer Mariano Rivera. Yankees’ relievers blew 18 saves during the 2010 season and allowed 29% of their inherited runners to score.
This offseason, the Yankees didn’t make the big splash that we are accustomed to seeing, but they add some players. The team added a much needed setup man in Rafael Soriano. Soriano was the closer of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 and saved a total of 45 games. Although Soriano will not be closing in New York, he will serve as an incredible setup man. After being the full-time closer in Tampa Bay last season, it will be interesting to see how Soriano adapts to pitching in the seventh or eighth inning again. He was the setup man in both Seattle and Atlanta before closing for the Rays. The Yankees also added catcher Russell Martin, outfielder Andruw Jones, third baseman Eric Chavez, and starting pitchers Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon. This eclectic group of veterans will be given a chance to resurrect their careers and be used to fill out the major league roster. Russell Martin is slated to be the opening day catcher tomorrow against the Tigers. Andruw Jones will be used to come off the bench and get the occasional start in the outfield. Eric Chavez will also come off the bench but will be used to get the occasional start at first base, third base, or at designated hitter. Freddy Garcia was named the number five man in the starting rotation this season. Bartolo Colon will be used out of the bullpen this year.
Bartolo Colon did not win a spot in the starting rotation because of Ivan Nova. Nova was in a position battle for the final two spots in the starting rotation for this season. During spring training, Nova finished with a 2-0 record and an ERA of 1.80 in 20 innings. His spring numbers apparently made the case to solidify a spot in the starting rotation. Nova actually pitched in 10 games for the Yankees last season. He went 1-2 with an ERA of 4.50 in 42 innings. If Nova fails to keep his spot in the rotation, Colon can always take his place or the Yankees can seek options outside of the organization.
Much like last season, the Yankees lineup shouldn’t run into any problems. This year, manager Joe Giardi is going with left fielder Brett Gardner as their leadoff man followed by team captain Derek Jeter, first baseman Mark Teixeira, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, second baseman Robinson Cano, right fielder Nick Swisher, designated hitter Jorge Posada, centerfielder Curtis Granderson, and catcher Russell Martin. Shortstop Derek Jeter is 74 hits away from 3,000 career hits. Only 27 players in major league history have reached that plateau. This lineup figures to score a lot of runs night in and night out and that’s probably how they are going to win most of their games in 2011.
The Yankees are not known for having young talent in their minor league system, but they do have a young left-hander out of Mexico named Manny Banuelos. This kid can pitch very well. In 12.2 spring training innings, he went 1-1 with an ERA of 2.13 struck out 14 batters and held opponents to a .227 batting average. Hopefully, when the trading deadline arrives this season, the Yankees would have the presence of mind to keep the young prospect for a change.
If the Yankees are going to make another run at a World Series this season, I believe they are going to have to acquire another starting pitcher. Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova are adequate options for now, but this team is going to need another top of the line starter in that rotation. Despite that moves that the Red Sox made this offseason, the Yankees still have a shot to get into the playoffs. We could very well see a Yankees-Red Sox ALCS for the first time since 2004. This would make for an exciting summer and fall in the Bronx.
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