I want to start out by introducing myself. My name is Gary W. Marchese Jr. I am very excited to have this oppurtunity to be writing for Number One Baseball. I am 32 years old, married with a 13 month old baby girl. I currently work as a social worker for the county I live in. I live in Wayne, NJ and I plan on becoming a full time writer one day. I hope you will enjoy my work and come check me and this website out frequently. I also have a blog called Yanks and more which I hope you will come visit as well. I will now get down to business, here is your New York Yankees preview.
The New York Yankees wrapped up their 27th World Championship in November. It was a long 9 years for them as they are used to winning and winning some more. The Yankees last year were led by newcomers CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett. Nick Swisher who was aquired in a trade also brought a great attitude to the clubhouse that has been so business like for so long. He is a good fun natured guy and it really rubbed off on the team. The old saying goes pitching wins and the Yankees sure had pitching last season. CC Sabathia became the true ace that the Yankees have been seeking for a few years now. He won 19 games and was brilliant in the postseason. A.J. Burnett adjusted well and was a solid pitcher, he won 13 games but went through a stretch where he kept getting no decisions and a lot of them weren’t his fault.
The Yankees pitching staff for this upcoming season will shape up this way: CC Sabatia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Javier Vazquez, Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain. I think it will be in this order and I know that the Yankees are saying the 5th starter job is a open competition between Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves but I just don’t believe that. I actually think Phil Hughes will be the 5th starter with Joba Chamberlain going back to the bullpen. I think either Mitre or Gaudin will be traded in spring training and the other will be a long man out of the bullpen. I think the bullpen will shape up nicely with MO as the closer and Joba Chamberlain setting him up. I think Dave Robertson will be the other main set up man with Damaso Marte as the main lefty. I think that they will carry a 2nd lefty but it will be a open competition between Royce Ring, Boone Logan, Wilkens Arias and Kei Igawa.
The Yankees starting lineup is pretty much set with left field being the only exception. The Yankees will be without Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui who played well last season. Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson will be replacing them. Nick Johnson came up through the Yankees system so I don’t think he will be a problem at all, it is just if he can stay healthy as that has been his biggest drawback. Curtis Granderson seems like a easygoing fun personality and should fit in just great with this team, he also will love the short porch in rightfield. Here is how I would project the Yankees lineup to be:
Derek Jeter, Nick Johnson,Mark Teixeira,A-rod, Jorge Posada,Robinson Cano,Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson,Brett Gardner/Randy Winn. I think that Marcus Thames may make the team but they also have rule 5 pick Jaime Hoffman. I could also see the Yankees going with Gardner in center and Granderson in left but that will all play out in spring training. Francisco Cervelli will be the backup catcher and I think Ramiro Pena will be the utility infielder once again. I think all in all this is a team that will once again compete for a World Championship. I think the toughest thing for them will be the division they play in with the Red Sox and Rays being so good also.
