Monday, March 31, 2008

Opening Day Scores N Stuffs

(Note: Normally I do these at the end of a postgame recap, but we don't have one of those today)

Yankees and Blue Jays and Colorado at St. Louis were both postponed.

Mets beat Marlins 7-2. Santana made his debut and did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.

Indians beat White Sox 10-8. Once again, Sabathia shows strike outs don't necessarily mean you'll have a good start. See Igawa, Kei for details. Also, Cleveland scored seven in the second, but the White Sox tied it by the eighth.

Dodgers beat Giants 5-0 in Joe Torre's Dodger blue debut. Barry Zito is apparently San Fransisco's #1 starter. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Ray beat Orioles 6-2 with James Shields starting in place of Scott Kazmir. My fantasy team mourns.

Nationals beat Phillies 11-6 with five in the top of the ninth. The Nats are now 2-0, but remember, it's not how you start...

Royals beat Tigers 5-4 in eleven. Miguel Cabrera had a home run, but Detroit has some serious bullpen issues, as had been said before.

Brewers beat Cubs 4-3 in ten. Game was scoreless until the ninth.

Diamondbacks beat Reds 4-2. Reds had three hits the entire game.

Rangers over Mariners, 1-0 in the sixth, Twins and Angels tied at two in the fifth and Braves over Pirates 4-2 in the top of the fifth.

Astros and Padres play later tonight.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Opening Day Pregame Notes

Happy Baseball Season everyone! If you're new to PBP, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay. Please do check out the blogroll on the right, most are updated semi-regularly, at least.

I don't generally liveblog, but on certain occasions, I might. However, I do recaps so make sure to check back after the game!

Normally I'll do these posts closer to game time, but I have class at 12.45 and likely won't be able to get this up before then.


So here we go...

The Yankees are coming off of what should be considered a good spring. If you're judging spring training by Grapefruit League records, you should probably be a Tampa Bay fan, no offense.

Everyone the Yankees need healthy is healthy...or in the case of Jeter and Pettitte, healthy enough. The pitching might not be perfect, but you have to have more confidence in a Wang-Mussina (yes, him)-Hughes-Pettitte-Kennedy rotation than Pavano--Igawa--whoever else it was.

Meanwhile, Toronto's already doing the injury thing it does so well: Janssen is gone for the year, Rolen is down, BJ Ryan isn't back yet, and Matt Stairs is also questionable.

However, Roy Halladay is healthy and he has traditionally pitched well at Yankee Stadium, so the Yankees need to count on a strong outing from Chien Ming Wang. Given that Wang's won 19 games each of the past two years, though, Wang is probably up for the task.

Of note: the Weather.com hour-by-hour forecast says that it's supposed to start raining at one and rain right on through to Tuesday, so there is a possibility we will have to wait a day. Though I figure that's what happens when you decide to start the season in March.


Scores from tonight:

The Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2 on a walk-off home run from Ryan Zimmerman in the bottom of the ninth. After scoring two runs in the first, the Nats didn't even get another runner on base until Zimmerman's home run.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away #YANKEES

Here we go. Last one.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Once upon a time, eight years ago, the New York Yankees finished the season with 87 wins. Though this number was significantly less than either of the last two years, the Yankees still found a way not just to win their division and advance to the World Series, but they beat the New York Mets in five games.

In 2008 87 wins could maybe buy a postseason berth in the weak NL Central, but it won’t even get the AL Wild Card. To win the AL East, the toughest (even if not the most wide-open) division in baseball, 95 wins is often cited as the minimum needed to even have a reasonable shot at it.

There’s an easy explanation for the 95 win mark: in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees, there’s also Baltimore and Tampa Bay. When a legitimate playoff team plays Baltimore and Tampa, it’s newsworthy if the O’s or the Rays win. When you get to beat up on Baltimore and Tampa 19 times a year each, well, that’s 38 games, 38 wins right there. Of course, it never works out quite that way—Tampa likes to give Boston fits and Baltimore was a thorn in the Yankees’ side all the way until September.

Still, while some may say that 95 wins is because of a lack of competitiveness from many AL teams—the O’s, Rays, White Sox, Royals and Rangers will probably be written off from playoff contention at the beginning of May—you still have to find a way to beat the Red Sox (or Yankees), Indians, Tigers, Angels and Mariners.

Can the 2008 Yankees do it? Yes.

Will they? That’s another question, entirely.

At first glance, if you just look at 1-9 in the batting order and 1-5 in the rotation, the roster doesn’t look much different than 2007. In fact, with the exception of the manager (which I’ll get to in a second), the biggest off-season moves were Re-signing players (A-Rod, Posada, Rivera) and a trade they didn’t make. You know what I mean.

However, if you look a little closer, you’ll see that there are some noticeable differences.

The most obvious difference is that there’s a new Joe at the helm. Instead of the man sitting at 2nd place all-time on the managerial wins roster, there is a guy younger than my parents who has exactly one managerial season behind him. A guy that I remember as a (very solid) player, and I’m only 21. Okay, so I turn 22 in two weeks, but that’s not the point.

With a new manager, there’s a new coaching staff, as well. The most satisfying name to hear on the list is probably that of Dave Eiland as pitching coach. Eiland worked with Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain in the minors and knows them best, and whatever you call them—the Big Three, the Three Amigos, the Holy Trinity, the Three Musketeers, Menage a—their performance will likely be a crucial pivot to the Yankees’ season. If they’re successful, the Yankees’ 08 season could be one for the ages. If not…it could be a long summer. Eiland’s been successful with the youngsters, and you know what they say about if it’s not broke and whether or not you should fix it.

The bench this year is different, too. Instead of Miguel Cairo and Wil Nieves, we have Jose Molina and Shelley Duncan. While Cairo and Nieves are good guys and we certainly wish the best for them, which pair would you rather have hitting in a tight spot?

The biggest difference, however, has nothing to do with who is on the team, but everything to do with the health of the team. This season, it exists.

This season, not only is Carl Pavano not our Opening Day starter; he’s not even in the rotation. Same can be said of Kei Igawa in the two spot. Bobby Abreu doesn’t have a strained oblique. Jason Giambi doesn’t have a weird foot problem.

Right now the Yankees very strongly resemble the team that played from July-September in 07, a team that had to play near a .700 clip just to make the playoffs.

That said, there are some large, looming questions that need to be answered. Just a few of them here:
+ Can Mike Mussina have a bounce-back year?
+ Can the youngsters—including Melky, Shelley and Robbie as well as the pitchers—play to their full potential?
+ Can A-Rod and Posada come close to repeating their monster years?
+ Can the middle relief hack it?
+ Can Joe Girardi survive a New York baseball season?

(first guess: yes, yes, no, not since 1999, yes)

Opinions you read on the Yankees will vary everywhere. Pete Abraham says the Yankees will miss the playoffs. Tom Verducci has them out in the ALCS. The Sporting News doesn’t have them in October. Lindy’s has them at Wild Card.

However hard it is to predict what the Yankees will do this season, there is one thing the Optimism Campaign cannot deny: for a team that thrives on the historic, and legends of October ghosts, 2008 is not just any other baseball season.

FOR THE FANTASY BUFFS

Buy: Robinson Canò, Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Joba Chamberlain
Sleepers: Ian Kennedy, Shelley Duncan

PREDICTIONS

Team MVP: Robinson Canò
Team RoY: Ian Kennedy
Team Comeback Player of the Year: Jason Giambi
Team Gold Glove: Melky Cabrera
All Stars: A-Rod, Jeter, Canò
Team we love to play: Kansas City Royals
Team we can’t stand: Toronto Blue Jays
Best months: July, September
Worst months: April, August

AMERICAN LEAGUE—How they’ll finish

EAST
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles

CENTRAL
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers*
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox

WEST
Seattle Mariners
LA Angels
Oakland Athletics
Texas Rangers

Yankees over Tigers
Indians over Mariners

Yankees over Indians

(Do you honestly think I’d pick different?)

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #29

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Chicago White Sox

It's hard to believe this team won the World Series in 2005; last year they had to fight off the Kansas City Royals just to stay out of the AL Central basement. In one series in July, the Yankees had a game in which they hit a barrage of home runs, and, in another game, when the White Sox had an eight run top-of-the-second, the Yankees repeated the feat in the bottom of the inning.

There's no denying that manager Ozzie Guillen is a colorful character, but that alone does not a playoff team make.

They've got some pitching talent in Javier Vazquez and Mark Buerhle, but when you still have Jose Contreras in your rotation, you know something is very, very lacking.

Paul Konerko at first base is an underrated player. I end up with him on my fantasy team every year, so I'm partial.

Bobby Jenks is great when the team needs him, but when you have a season like the White Sox did last year, being the closer is probably not too much fun.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, proceed normally.

The White Sox don't instill a whole lot of confidence. That said, some of the bats can do some big damage, but in a division with the Indians and the Tigers, they aren't likely to be much of a threat.




All right, just one more left--I'll bring you all a Season Preview of the Yankees tomorrow!

Friday, March 28, 2008

There's Some Good in the World...

The good folks over at River Ave Blues have teamed up to organize a pledge drive to support Jorge Posada's foundation to fight craniosynostosis.

Even if you only have a few nickels to spare, it's worth checking out.


You know, now that were on charities, I thought it might be a good time to check out what various Yankees do for a good cause....

Johnny Damon is active with the Wounded Warrior Project. From the website: "The WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq , Afghanistan , and other locations around the world. Many of the injuries are traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blast injuries that will retire these brave warriors from military service. "


Derek Jeter has his Turn Two Foundation. The Turn Two foundation says "our mission is to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles."

Bobby Abreu was the Phillies' 2004 representative for the Roberto Clemente award. He bought $10,000 worth of tickets for children in the 2003 and 2004 baseball season for his Abreu's Amigos program.

Alex Rodriguez is active in the Boys and Girls Club of Miami, University of Miami and the Children's Aid Society.

Hideki Matsui personally donated $500,000 to the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Jorge Posada has his own foundation. The foundation provides emotional support and financial assistance to families of those diagnosed with crainiosynostosis.

Robinson Canò is a member of the 2008 Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet.

Andy Pettitte is involved in the San Jacinto College Foundation and has visited Walter Reed.

Mike Mussina serves on the Little League Board of International Directors.

Mariano Rivera is involved in numerous charities in his native Panama.

So there you have it, some of the other Yankees and their community involvement. Of course, you can't forget the Stienbrenners' community service, or community service done at the minor league level as well.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #27 & #28

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins

At first glance, these AL Central teams look like they're heading in opposite directions. Detroit's recently stocked up with Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, while Minnesota unloaded ace Johan Santana for....Phillip Humber?

Detroit is by far the easier team to read.

They are in a win-now mode, and with Magglio Ordoñez, Gary Sheffield, Ivan Rodriguez, Placido Polanco and now Miguel Cabrera in the line-up, it's hard to see how the team won't score 1000 runs this season.

Detroit's problem--and it could easily be one big enough to keep them from the postseason--is twofold: A very questionable pitching staff and the injury bug. In fact, these two things are combined in the personages of Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya, though you have to feel for Zumaya who injured his shoulder while moving furniture from those massive California wildfires last fall.

Still, outside of Justin Verlander, the Tigers' rotation does not inspire a terrible lot of confidence. Dontrelle Willis is coming over from the National League, on many accounts a league simply not as good as the American, and he did not have a great year last year. While he's young, he's not that young: he was on the Marlins when they won in 2003. Kenny Rogers is on the wrong side of 40 (for a pitcher not named Satchel Paige, anyway). Bonderman can be really good. Or not.

Worse for the Tigers, their bullpen is currently resting on the shoulders of Todd Jones, and not Joel Zumaya or Fernando Rodney.


Tigers threat to the Yankees: Orange, exercise extreme caution.

Despite the pitching question marks, the Tigers line up is that good, and if the Yankees falter or suffer a large growing pain, the Tigers could easily step in and make life very difficult.


The Twins are a harder team to read. On one hand, they lost franchise player Torii Hunter to the Angels and traded Johan Santana--the best player on the team, and one of the best pitchers in the entirety of baseball, and got next to nothing in return (as far as we can tell). On the other, they signed Joe Nathan, one of the game's best closers through to 2012.

Perhaps Francisco Liriano can come back from missing last season; but the fact that Livan Hernandez is the Twins' #2 starter is not encouraging in any sense of the word.

It's kind of confusing; a few years ago the Twins were a legitimate playoff team, and they could have easily built on a strong roster, but instead they seem to have gone all Florida Marlins on it. Strange times.

Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, Exercise Caution

They're not an NL team and we do play them. Liriano and Bonser could come through and surprise people. However, this is not a team that is likely thinking about October.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Matsui Gets Married

Hideki Matsui has gotten married.

So, of course, major congratulations to him, and, judging by the sound of things, the Yankee clubhouse is a great place to be right now.

Still, that does leave one very, very nagging, pressing question:

What about all that porn?

In other news, Reggie Jackson will throw the first pitch for Opening Day.


I had hoped to be able to live blog the game, but unless I take my laptop to class, I won't be able to tune in till about the fourth inning or so. I can always hope pregame ceremonies last a long time...


****

I've got a ton of work, so I'll do a double preview tomorrow. Maybe I'll treble it and make it an AL Central Spectacular. Probably not.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Optimism Campaign 2008

After hearing about George King's article today, and reading the ESPN capsule preview, I've come to one conclusion:

It's time to launch the 2008 Optimism Campaign: Mission 27/08


What's the Campain?

The Optimism Campaign is a campaign to spread an optimistic outlook on the New York Yankees, to focus on what's right, and not what's wrong, but what can be improved. It is a campaign to spread the belief...nay, the knowledge...that the Yankees are fully capable of their 27th World Championship, and that intangibles, the things you can't get from sabermetrics matter. It is a campaign to appreciate the glorious history of the franchise with an eye on the well being of our future. It is a campaign that recognizes that while the team will make mistakes, it does no good to dwell on them, and, instead, to focus on how we can prevent it from occurring again.

What do we believe?

  • There are 27 outs to a baseball game and you must play all of them before the game is officially over.
  • Everyone on the Yankees roster has the capacity to be the hero of that game, regardless of past actions.
  • That intangibles, such as clubhouse chemistry and ability to perform in the clutch, matter.
  • That whether or not Joe Girardi is the right choice of manager isn't the big issue (even though he is), but that we will support him throughout the season in one of the toughest jobs in all sports.
  • That, whatever comes out of his mouth, Hank Steinbrenner (and his siblings) know what he (and they) are doing.
  • That the youngsters, here defined as Melky Cabrera, Robinson Canò, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Shelley Duncan, may go through harsh growing pains, but that their upside is tremendous and that not trading any one of them has been a good idea.
  • That Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina will have bounce-back years.
  • That Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Chien Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte will continue to perform at a level appropriate for their position.
  • That pessimism is a product of tabloids and certain broadcast media that exists to provide entertainment and rile emotions.
  • That negative opinions have every right to exist as long as they are expressed in a civilized and reasonable form, even if we do not hold them ourselves.
How can I be a member?

All you have to do is say you're an optimist, and you're in! While you don't have to agree with every single bulleted point above, the first one is absolutely crucial.

What are the perks of membership?

Sharing a bond with Yankee fans just like yourself, and scientific studies have shown a positive outlook increases life expectancy.

What is Mission 27/08?

It is the mission for 27 Championships in 2008.

A Preview A day Keeps the Winter Away, #26

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Kansas City Royals

A couple of years ago the Royals were the worst team in the American League (if not all of baseball) no questions asked. While they still might not be legitimate playoff contenders, they have made some significant strides--nearly finishing out of the AL Central basement last year as well.

In Gil Meche, Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister are solid pitchers, though there are significant questions outside the three.

While they don't have many names that jump out at you as far as regulars go, but they did sign Jose Guillen and some of their young players, such as Billy Butler show potential.

The Royals have not made a postseason berth since 1985 and it's not likely to change this year, but they are laying the foundations for a future run, and look to be moving in the right direction.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

I don't remember what our record against them was last year, but I know we swept them at least once, and I think maybe twice (or we at least took two of three), so I doubt the Yankees feel terribly threatened by them.

While You Were Sleeping...

...(or working on your thesis)...

The Yankees claimed Felix Heredia, LHP, off waivers from Cincinnati.

Yes, again.

(It's buried on the ESPN MLB transactions page. You may have missed it. 24 March.)

Also, check out for that day the last entry for Toronto:

Activated pitcher Cory Lidle from 15 day DL.

[edit]: I can't decide if this is real or some sick joke. I'm going to go look at some other sources and see what comes up.

[edit]: MLB.com has nothing of the sort. Some sick April Fool's joke? (The Lidle bit, obviously.)

[edit]: Looks like ESPN might be having some trouble with their software. It's late. My neurons are beyond fried. Only so much Yorkist rebellion I can take in a day.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #25

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Colorado Rockies


Of all the possible opponents for the Red Sox in the World Series last October, the Rockies seem like they would have been the most unlikely--they had to win 21 of 22 games just to get there.

The Rockies have lost LaTroy Hawkins and Kaz Matsui, but they have gotten Luis Vizcaino (remember him?)

While their pitching is as strong as it's been in the Rockies' short history, their true strength is their infield: Todd Helton (remember when he was supposed to hit .400 in a season?) Marcus Giles (okay, so he's so-so), Garrett Atkins and Troy Tulowitzki, who used to idolize Jeter. Matt Holliday in the outfield is also a good reason the Rockies can be considered a postseason contender.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally

We don't play the Rockies this year though they did sweep us last year. I have my doubts they'll repeat as NL champs.

Now that the Rockies were my last National League team (from hear on out it's Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees), I can have some basic NL predictions. Keep in mind, I'm about as good a fortune teller as that dude at your local Rennaisance Faire.

East:

Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nationals.

Central:

Cubs
Brewers
Reds
Cardinals
Pirates
Astros

West:

Diamondbacks
Padres*
Rockies
Dodgers
Giants

Diamondbacks over Padres
Cubs over Phillies

Diamondbacks over Cubs.

Padres over Phillies
Diamondbacks over Cubs

Diamondbacks over Padres

(What? Sorry Chicago, but after Bartman, I don't have any faith...)

Monday, March 24, 2008

Some Notes from a Monday

1) If the Yankees play all their games like tonight, we'll be in good shape. Well, in terms of offense, anyway. Canò was a double shy of the cycle, and the Yankees had a bunch of home runs. Don't ask me to list them all, I know Canò and Cabrera and Giambi had bombs but can't remember if anyone else did.

2) Hughes looked much better today than in his past couple of starts, but 86 pitches through five is a bit too many, even for a strike out pitcher. Still, he's progressing very nicely and if you're a Yankee fan and not encouraged, then there's something very, very wrong.

3) Rivera was vintage.

4) Boston and Oakland open the season for real tomorrow. I will not be waking up at 6 AM, sorry. I didn't do it when the Yankees went to Japan, so I sure as heck am not doing it for Boston.

4a) Speaking of Boston, I'm going to the Yankees-Red Sox game on 4/12, which happens to be the 22nd anniversary of my birth. Thus, that weekend, blogging is likely to be very sporadic, but I promise pictures, unless my camera dies or gets stolen.

5) I've broken the 30 page mark on my thesis, which is good. I only have 50 more to go. I have three weeks. And a full courseload. Oops?

6) I'm in love with the German band Faun. Most of you will probably not like the medieval pagan folk music, but if you're like me and a medieval history geek, or if you're up for trying something new, give them a listen. They don't sing in English, though, just so you know.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #24

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Boston Red Sox

Admit it. No other team matters nearly as much to a Yankee fan as the Red Sox, with good reason: they're in our division, and they're (usually) good. Their rotation, if healthy and living up to its potential, can win a World Series (heck, it just did). They don't have a line up like the Yankees or Tigers, but they've got a knack for clutch hitting. You know as well as I do how much your heart bounces when Mo's on the mound, bases loaded, David Ortiz at bat...

Anyway, let's start by looking at the starting pitching:

Josh Beckett: Undisputed ace of the staff. He's shut down the Yankees a few times, and seems to pitch better in more important situations. He's been having back spasms, though even my friends who are Sox fans believe the injury is not serious and being used as a decoy to keep him from Japan.

Curt Schilling: Out until at least July. He's kind of the anti-Yankee, killing us in 2001 and 2004, so while you don't want to see anyone hurt, the Sox missing him on staff is both theoretically convenient for the Yankees, and (more importantly) exposing of the lack of depth in the Sox system.

Daisuke Matsuzaka: Japanese import who, last year, didn't quite live up to expectations. He racked up the strikeouts, sure, but was not the dominant All Star many hoped for. Both Yankee and Red Sox fans agree that last year was likely a fluke, but where we diverge is in what kind of year we expect him to have this year. Red Sox fans believe that he'll have a great year now that he's used to AL hitting, Yankees fans (of course) think the opposite. If he lives up to expectations, the Red Sox are in much much better shape. If he doesn't, it won't be pretty in Boston.

Tim Wakefield: Getting older in a hurry. Is either really on or really not. You probably remember him for throwing a pitch to Aaron Boone in 2003. Does not inspire much fear for the Yankees, though his knuckleball can still pack a punch.

Jon Lester: Great story, coming back from cancer, but it tends to overshadow his ability to pitch. Made 12 starts last season without a loss, but his official record was 4-0. He is still young, though, so there is room for improvement.

Clay Buchholz: Threw a no-hitter in his second start, which is awesome, but then again, Boston was playing Baltimore. Still, he's the Sox prized pitching prospect (try saying that three times fast), and with reason. The question for Yankees fans and Sox fans will be whether or not he's on an innings cap (it'll be a mistake if he isn't), and what that innings cap is.

Summary: Boston's got a great rotation if, and only IF, it can stay healthy and live up to expectations. This shouldn't be a problem for Beckett, and possibly Matsuzaka, but everyone else is hit-or-miss. With Schilling out, there is a considerable lack of pitching depth in the rotation.

Good thing Boston's got, arguably, the best bullpen in the league if you're a Red Sox fan.

Hideki Okajima: Was a throw-in in the Dice-K deal and then pitched himself to a 2.22 ERA (0.83 before the break) and .202 BAA. Seems to have gotten tired at the end of the season, though given that the American season is longer than the Japanese season, it's not that surprising. Will be interesting to see how (if) he adjusts this year.

Jonathan Papelbon: The Sox think he's better than Rivera. He's good, no questions ask, but better than the greatest of all time is pushing it. Can do a mean Irish jig.

Manny Delcarmen: Had 44 appearances last year and pitched to a 2.05 ERA.

However, the bullpen's not going to help your team score runs, so let's look at the line-up:

Dustin Pedroia: Rookie of the year for a reason. Got off to a slow start, but when he picked it up, he REALLY picked it up. Played the final two months last year with a broken bone in his wrist. Batte .317, 8 hr and 50 RBI. Had .380 OBP.

Kevin Youkilis: Target practice for Joba. Had 1080 chances to make an error on the field last year and made none. Had a .388 postseason batting average.

David Ortiz: Bane of pitchers everywhere. Last year was an off year and he still hit 35 home runs. Best as a DH. When hitting in front of Manny forces pitchers to pitch to one of the two. Rumored to be a good guy off the field.

Manny Ramirez: First Yankee game I went to, he hit a home run for the Indians. I'm not a huge fan. However, excellent hitter. Not-so-great defender. "Manny being Manny". Get past Manny and Ortiz and the rest of the lineup looks like a cakewalk.

J.D. Drew: Boras client signed to a multi-year deal, who very promptly had a not-up-to-expectations season. Had a better September and October to finish .270, 11 HR, 64 RBI.

Mike Lowell: Had an excellent season last year, and World Series MVP. Best third baseman in the AL outside of Alex Rodriguez. Finished .324, 21 HR, 120 RBI. Good in the field as well.

Jason Varitek: Aging catcher. Has ten postseason home runs and hits over .300 after the seventh. Over all, he finished .255, 17 HR, 68 RBI. Good game caller. Doesn't usually catch Wakefield, but with Mirabelli released, it will be an interesting situation.

Coco Crisp: Breakfast cereal fielder will probably be replaced by Jacoby Ellsbury, the Sox's prized rookie position player. Can still hit, but strikes out a lot. Good fielder.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Prized rookie. Sox wouldn't trade him for Santana. Untested over a full season, but shows all-star potential.

Julio Lugo: Weak hitter--.237 last year. Subpar fielder. Very, very weak spot in the line-up.

Summary: The top four guys in the Sox line-up have enough power to knock a pitcher on his backside, but the rest of the lineup, outside of Lowell (last year, anyway) is very pedestrian. They do play their home games in a quirky park they can use to their advantage, and they do.

Overall summary: They've got a good team when everything's clicking, but there are some serious weaknesses. It's not if, but when the weaknesses get exposed, and what Theo Epstein and company will do about it. Not trading for Santana could hurt, especially if Buchholz doesn't pan out, but that's a big if.

Threat to the Yankees: Red: Danger!

I really don't have to explain this one. If I do then you're probably really, really new to baseball.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #23

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Cincinnati Reds

The Reds were not supposed to be a legitimate contender last year, but the NL Central is such a weak division, that at one point towards the end of the season you couldn't count them out.

Ken Griffey, Jr., is obviously their most recognizable player, and he can mash, but only when he stays healthy, which he seems to have more than a little bit of trouble doing with any regularity.

However, the Reds have a true #1 starter in Aaron Harang, and one of the top rookies in all of baseball in Jay Bruce. Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips also have some considerable talent. It's not enough to make the team a realistic contender for anything other than the Wild Card, but it is a start after seven losing seasons in a row.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally

We do play the Reds three times this year, but on the whole they're unlikely to impact our place in the standings. Anyway, when was the last time Griffey stayed healthy through all 162?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #22

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa is not one of the league's best team, not even really a contender, but they ARE much improved from the Rays of old, and if the Yankees are not careful, they could be more than a thorn in the side for the season.

Let's start by looking at their pitching:

Scott Kazmir: Legitimate #1 pitcher. Makings of an ace if he can stay healthy. Has a lot of fun beating the Red Sox and losing to the Yankees, but has some injury concerns.

James Shields: Good pitcher, but he was on the mound when the Yankees scored 21 back in July. Good #2 guy for the Rays.

Matt Garza: Came over from the Twins in the Delmon Young trade. Young and fairly untested, but with a relatively high ceiling. Highly strengthens the Rays' rotation.

Edwin Jackson: Not very goo, but gives the Yankees fits.

Andy Sonnanstine: Same deal.

I'm not going to go into the Rays' bullpen, because, well, it's really not very good. If you can get past the Rays' starting rotation, you should be in the clear, as long as you're not down by like, I don't know, 20.

As for the line-up:

Akinori Iwamura: 3B will likely move over to 2nd to make room for prized prospect Evan Longoria. Lead-off type hitter.

Carl Crawford: This guy is FAST and, I think, was the only Ray to make an all-star team last year. Excellent in the field and with a bat, though not everyone thinks he's playing up to his full potential.

BJ Upton--Fast, like Crawford, and with a strong bat. Doesn't project as high as his brother Justin, but when you consider how high Justin projects, that's not really saying a whole lot. It's like saying you're not as good of a third baseman as A-Rod.

Carlos Peña--Had a resurgence last year. Probably won't put up the same numbers again, but no reason he can't come close. Yankees gave up on him too soon, but oh well, if we hadn't we would have not gotten to know Shelley!

Cliff Floyd--Good bat, not so good OF.

Evan Longoria--The Rays' prize rookie, and perhaps the best prospect in all of baseball outside of Jay Bruce. Not sure about the relationship to Eva. The Rays starting him in the minors is a bit like overcooking the meat.

Rocco Baldelli--On the DL with an undiagnosed fatigue condition. Thoughts and well-wishes with him.

Dioner Navarro--He was once our top catching prospect. Yeah, I know.

Jason Bartlett--Okay, I guess, but nothing special.

Summary: The Rays have some serious talent on the team, especially in the outfield positions. On a day when Kazmir, Shields or Garza is pitching, there's no reason they should be considered an AAAA team, especially when you consider Baltimore or San Francisco.

Threat to the Yankees: Orange, Exercise Extreme Caution

This team is still a season or two from a serious postseason run, but it is one of those teams that, talent-wise at least, has the ability to sneak up on you, and if the Yankees start taking them for granted, which is somewhat tempting, they may very much regret it.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Morgan Ensberg Satisfies Paulie Fans Everywhere

The Yankees have added Morgan Ensberg to their 40-man roster.

As stated in the above link, he's in for a new number, which means the Yankees can be that much closer to retiring Paul O'Neill's number.

Carl Pavano was placed on the 60 Day DL to make room.

This gets nothing but an awesome from me.

Some Notes From Today

1) What's wrong with this statement: The Yankees and the Rays, dueling in a scoreless game in the eighth inning, Rasner having started for the pinstripes...

[EDIT: So it's not scoreless any more, but it was when I started this post!]

2) So I get not calling Davidson and Western Kentucky getting lucky, but how the heck does my brother bet San Diego on a coin flip and I...don't? St. Joe's and Vanderbilt are killing me as well. As my brother said, "Madness? THIS IS MARCH!" (don't worry, he hasn't kicked me into a bottomless well...)

Also, when they do those studies about how March Madness costs millions in productivity, they need to study how many hours of productivity college students lose...

3) I know my posts have been sporadic of late; this week has been fairly tough academically wise and it'll get worse over the next few weeks before it gets better. Until it clears up, I do apologize.

4) Tampa's offering two tickets to opening day for $20. I am very, very tempted. However, on that note, I will find out around dinnertime tomorrow whether or not I have tickets to Yankees-Sox on my birthday next month. If I do go, I'll make specially sure to take some great photos.

5) Brian Bruney still can't locate.

6) Some of you have asked about "The Season". I am still working on it, and apologize for the lack of updates. There's a reason for it, but I don't want to get into it right now. Let's just call it a secret.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #21

Hey, whaddya know, it's officially spring!

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Texas Rangers

No matter what happens, the Rangers will likely always be known as the team that gave us A-Rod, which is okay, as long as you remember that this is a team with an offense that, despite losing A-Rod a few years ago, could still put up a 30-spot against the Orioles.

Granted, to not score an abysmally high number of runs against the Oioles is pobably moe worthy of notice, but 30 runs is...30 runs.

Anyway.

The Rangers haven't done much to improve their pitching staff, which is a head-scratcher seeing as theirr pitching staff was arguably the weakest point of their team last year, even after they traded Gagnè to Boston.

The angers have decided to take a chance on Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley, who can be great additions if they stay healthy and keep their tempers in check.

Michael Young is an excellent shortstop, and with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Frank Catalanotto, it's alphabet soup at the bottom of the order.

Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, exercise caution.

The Rangers are not a playoff caliber team, especially not in the AL, but the Yankees do play them six times and it would be unwise to take the team for granted. Then again, this was the team that Phil Hughes was no hitting....

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Preview a Day Keeps the Winter Away, #20

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Pittsburgh Pirates

Go on and name me five players on the Pirates. Can you do it?

I don't know if there's no better hallmark of a team that hasn't had a winning season in fifteen years than being, generally, irrelevant. In the NL Central, probably the weakest division in the Majors, it can easily be argued that only the Pirates can't realistically entertain hopes of winning the division.

The Pirates aren't the worst team in the majors; they're not even the worst team in the National League, but they aren't a good team, at least, not yet. Perhaps starters Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell can significantly distance themselves from the pack, and Damaso Marte might be the most sought-after bullpen lefty specialist, but there's no one on team that immediately grabs your eye, with the possible exception of Xavier Nady who just has a really, really cool name.

Don't get me wrong, the Pirates have some solid athletes--like Freddie Sanchez--but there's still something missing. They'll be better than San Francisco, and possibly the Marlins and the Nats, but it's a long way to go before they're truly ready to compete at the top level.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

Well, we did sweep them last year, and we get the luxury of trying it again this June, though hopefully this time we won't be distracted by Roger Clemens un-retiring for the fourth, fifth or sixth time.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Penned In

Joba Chamberlain to start in bullpen

I don't know about you, but I don't find it all that surprising. We have a very strong rotation, if we stay healthy, but our bullpen has a lot of questions outside of Rivera, and, it seems, Traber, and, well, we've learned the har way what happens when you don't have a dependable bullpen.

We all know how dominant Joba was in the pen last summer, so we have some idea about what to expect from him this year.

So that leaves our starting five as: Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Hughes and Kennedy. I'm guessing the rotation will end up being something akin to as it is now, but I like the idea of spacing Hughes and Kennedy out to give the bullpen some rest.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #19

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies went to the playoffs last year on smoke and mirrors. They were good, sure, but they weren't supposed to be nearly as good as the Mets, and a rash of injuries, most notably to Chase Utley should have lead to an early winter. However, the Phils never said die, and with a little help from Lady Luck, they made an October appearance.

In Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, the Phillies will hopefully have something this year that actually resembles a pitching staff, and if there was ever a guy that understood the concept of aging gracefully, it's Jaime Moyer.

Philadelphia has a more-than-solid infield with Utley, Rollins and Howard, but it won't do them much good if they can't stay healthy.

The Yankees have already played them twice in Spring Training; there's no secret that the Phillies could be considered favorites to repeat as NL East Champs.

Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, Exercise Caution

They are a legitimate NL Playoff team, like the Pares, and thus should not be taken too lightly.

Baseball Heals Us

I've been trying for a couple hours now to get a post out about how baseball heals us, how it is the one American sport that can unite us through the worst of times as much as it can during the best, but I've been having trouble with it.


See, sometimes, there is nothing more to say.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #18

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The San Diego Padres

I don't know about you guys, but when I think about the Padres, I think all the way back to 1998...and, aside from Trevor Hoffman, a much different team.

The Padres now are not a bad team, and they are a competitive team in a division where only team can be said to not have a realistic shot at a playoff berth.

However, one cannot ignore how their season ended last year, with their inability to close out frist over the Brewers and next over the Rockies. As much as one might want to blame Trevor Hofffman, one player does not a team make.

In Jake Peavy and Chris Young the Padres have an excellent 1-2 punch, but Maddox, while still effective is not young and Randy Wolf has injury concerns. They've got solid position players, though Jim Edmonds has been known to have back problems.

Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, Exercise Caution

The Pares are a legitimate NL playoff team, and, for that reason, the Yankees should be a little more mindful of them than say, the Giants.

Monday, March 17, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #16 and #17

(Call it Irish luck, but you get two today)

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Washington Nationals and The Baltimore Orioles

You have to feel for baseball fans in the DC metro area; they're blessed with two baseball teams, but they're cursed by the Montreal Expos and Pete Angelos at the same time.

As the former Montreal Expos, have not had the expectations of being a serious contender, although last year they did take to the role of spoiler quite nicely. Just ask any Mets fan.

Of note for Yankee fans: Tyler Clippard and Wil Nieves are on the Nationals now, so if you're a fan of either of them (or both) you might want to pay attention to the days that Clippard starts.


Nationals Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

They were much better last year than they were supposed to be, losing "only" 89 games instead of the 100 they were supposed to, but this is still not a team likely to play in October.


Now, the team that will be of greater interest to most of you: The Orioles.

The Orioles are easily the worst team in the American League, and quite possibly the only team that has not taken steps to improve. It's one thing if Boston or Cleveland doesn't do much in the off-season, given the philosophy of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but the Orioles have not had a winning season since 1997.

The best way to sum it up, is that the Texas Rangers, a team with no postseason plans whatsoever last year, beat Baltimore in a game by a score of 30-3, and now, the only really significant move Baltimore has made is trading Erik Bedard to Seattle--their one, and possibly only, decent pitcher.

Daniel Cabrera is supposed to be good, but like Edwar Ramirez, he's either really really good or really really bad. No one else on the rotation has distinguished himself.

It doesn't get much better in the field. Brian Roberts is all-star caliber, but there's not much else there. Kevin Millar (Cowboy Up?) batted .215 as a DH last year (though he did have a .999 fielding percentage). Melvin Mora had two home runs after the break last year. The outfield, complete with Payton, Gibbons and Huff (et al), is not very good, and that's putting it nicely.

Of course, a lot of Baltimore's poor fortune can be blamed on owner Pete Angelos's really, really bad decision making, but these birds are going to be grounded for a long time to come.

Threat to the Yankees: Orange, exercise extreme caution

Huh, you're asking, right?

Well, remember, they weren't much better last season, but it wasn't until SEPTEMBER that we were able to take a series from them. No team ever goes 0-162.

We play the Orioles eighteen times in a season, and that's more than enough to impact the standings. The worst mistake the Yankees could make wold be to take the team for granted, even if they should demolish them.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Brackets, Not Braces

I know I owe a season team preview, the Nationals are up next, but I'll likely have to do two tomorrow.

Anyway. Syracuse still has my heart broken. Round One upset picks in bold. Most picks are from my gut and have no scientific basis.


Play in Game: Mt. Saint Mary's over Coppin State.

Round One:

UNC over Mt. St. Mary's.
Indiana over Arkansas
Notre Dame over George Mason
Washington St. over Winthrop
St. Joe's over Oklahoma
Louisville over Boise State
Butler over South Alabama
Tennessee over American
Kansas over Portland State
Kent State over UNLV
Clemson over Villanova
Vanderbilt over Siena
USC over Kansas State
Wisconsin over Cal State Fullerton
Gonzaga over Davidson
Georgetown over UMBC
Memphis over Texas Arlington
Oregon over MSU
Temple over MSU
Pitt over Oral Roberts
Marquette over Kentucky
Stanford over Cornell
Miami over St. Mary's
Texas over Austin Peay
UCLA over MVSU
BYU over Texas A+M
Drake over Western Kentucky
Connecticut over San Diego
Purdue over Baylor
Georgia over Xavier
Arizona over West Virginia
Duke over Belmont


Round Two:
UNC over Indiana
Notre Dame over Washington State
St. Joe's over Louisville
Tennessee over Butler
Kansas over Kent State
Clemson over Vanderbilt
Wisconsin over USC
Georgetown over Gonzaga
Memphis over Oregon
Pitt over Temple
Stanford over Marquette
Texas over Miami
UCLA over BYU
Connecticut over Drake
Purdue over Georgia
Duke over Arizona

Sweet Sixteen:

UNC over Notre Dame
Tennessee over St. Joe's
Clemson over Kansas
Georgetown over Wisconsin
Pitt over Memphis
Stanford over Texas
UCLA over Connecticut
Duke over Purdue

Elite Eight

UNC over Tennesee
Clemson over Georgetown
Pitt over Stanford
UCLA over Duke

Final Four

UNC over Clemson
Pitt over UCLA

Pitt over UNC



Saturday, March 15, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #15

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The New York Mets

Well now, what can you say about a team that last September just had to win two games, with 17 to play, to grab a playoff spot...and couldn't?

You could say that they needed to make some changes, and, well, trading for Johan Santana is certainly up there, but aside from that, they haven't done much. Omar Minaya, who scouted the likes of Sammy Sosa, has done a less than stellar job as Mets GM.

This was a team in first place since May, that could not hold on, and that, for a time this spring, had exactly TWO healthy regulars. It almost makes you feel for them, but, of course, they're the Mets.

It's the last year for Shea Stadium as well, but of course Shea isn't quite the same as Yankee Stadium, and I will never forget the wet peanut shells on my seats when I went...yuck!

Anyway

Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, Exercise Caution

We do play the Mets the same amount of times we play AL Central and AL West teams, so thus we can't ignore them. They've got a legitimate shot at the NL East title as well, though I'd be suprised if the Wild Card came out of that division as well.

Some Notes From an Interesting Day

1) There's a reason I'm terrified of tornadoes

2) If you haven't heard Shelley Duncan's audio in response to his suspension, hop on over to Yankees LoHud/Pete Abraham and listen. Pete's got it right; he really does sound like a kid that's on the verge of tears. If nothing else, this is a kid that's got baseball in his heart, and whatever you think of his play, we are lucky to have him.

3) I understand (even if I don't agree) with Shelley getting suspended more games than Johnny Gomes, but I am at a loss as to why Melky also got three games when Gomes just got two.

3a) This brings up an interesting who-will-DH question. So, who do you guys think will be our Opening Day DH?

4) I've been spending each night at the Big East Tournament, and have tickets to tomorrow's game as well. It's a lot of fun, but not the same without Syracuse there. However, for something really cool, check out how Minnesota-Indiana ended.

Friday, March 14, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #14

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Florida Marlins

If there's ever been a team the victim of poor ownership and fan indifference, the Marlins certainly seem to fit the bill.

It's a team whose entire payroll is less than that of A-Rod's yearly salary, and just as they're about to win it all, they are broken up and shipped out. Hard to believe it was only five years ago that Beckett and Pavano won rings together.

This year's Marlins will have to do without franchise star Dontrelle Willis and power bat Miguel Cabrera, but they did receive two young, highly valued talents in return--Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. While most seem to think that, for now at least, Detroit came off better in the trade, I'm going to go ahead and say that if not this year, than in a feew, the Marlins will have gotten the better end of the deal.

It's likely that just as last year, the Marlins will be fighting the Nationals to stay out of the NL East basement.


Threat to the Yankees: Green, proceed normally.

While I still haven't forgotten 2003, I do have to thank the Marlins for a) giving us Joe Girardi, and b) taking Hanley away from Boston.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

AAAAARRGGHHH Matey! (Exhibition Game Notes)

Today's game exemplifies why you don't pay attention to the score in a Spring Training game.

1) The story of today will be Billy Crystal. It SHOULD be Mike Mussina. He retired 15 straight, and while I grant that Pittsburgh doesn't really have a great line up, to see Mussina look as good has he did is a very encouraging thought. What's interesting is that even though last year was a bad year for Mussina, he was still above .500 for the year. Hmmm...


2) Okay, the Billy Crystal thing was kind of cool. He did strike out, but he worked the count full, and he did make contact. his swing actually looked better than some other players who shall remain nameless.


3) Karstens and Traber did not have good outings. You like to say one bad outing, no big deal, but when there are all these other people vying for your spot, it's not really the time to be messing up.

4) I don't know who Cody Ransom is, but I like him more each game.


5) Molina is having an excellent Spring Training.


6) Paulie + Coney in the broadcast booth = genius.


Right, am off for night one of three in a row of college basketball! If any of you have tickets to the Big East Tournament, come find me and say hi!

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #13

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Seattle Mariners

The Mariners won't generally get the same reaction from Yankee fans that the Angels will, mostly because we can and have beat the Mariners when it mattered, but this is not a team to take lightly.

They have some weak spots (I'm looking at you Richie Sexson) in their line-up, but, they've also got Ichiro and Adrian Beltre, and guys with cool names, like Kenji Johjima (it's just fun to say!), who can also hit.

Their pitching staff, which was a large part of their undoing last year, is much improved with the addition of Erik Bedard (so they don't have to worry about having the bad Weaver), and J J Putz in their bullpen might be the most underrated closer in the league.

The Angels, for one, had better watch their back.

Threat to the Yankees: Orange, exercise extreme caution

This team has the possibility to slip under the radar, kind of like it did last year, and the Yankees shouldn't let that happen. They might not be up there with the Indians, Angels and Red Sox, but they are getting close.



Brent of The Bronx Block
will have a Mariners preview up a little later, he asked me to ask you to take a look, and so you should.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Shelley's Shoes

Some notes from today's exhibition game against Tampa, as gathered from various blog sources and Gameday:

1) Shelley's slide was dirty. It doesn't mean I don't like him as a player or that I'll never root for him again, just that his slide was, well, dirty. If you see a picture, his spikes are nearly taking Iwamura's manhood with them, and, well, I'm no athlete...not even a male...but that play wasn't clean.

That said, it's great to see these kids playing with some intensity. This is not Joe Torre's team.

1a) It doesn't sound like the pitch that buzzed Longoria was intentional, and that the umpire over reacted.

2) Albaladejo had a poor showing, which is bad no matter what, but when you're at this part of Spring Training, when you're getting called into the manager's office because he's about to cut you it's REALLY not good. Albie may have punched himself a one-way ticket to Scranton.

3) Posada had a double and Patterson pitched well.

4) Thoughts with Stump Merrill

5) SYRACUSE BROKE MY HEART. I'm sorry. I need to get it out there. I have tickets for tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, and I was hoping to get one last look at 'Cuse before I graduate.

The irony is that they won it all when I was in high school, and will have a better chance next year, when I am gone.

A Contest By Any Other Name...

Moshe Mandel over at the Bronx Block is running a contest to name the Three Amigos.

They're giving away prizes and stuffs.


Now, back to Syracuse basketball.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #12

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Cleveland Indians

If someone mentions "Indians" to you, and you're a Yankee fan, you'll probably remember midges. Lots and lots of midges.

Probably a good idea to remember that Cleveland's got a pretty good baseball team, too.

It's got virtually no similarities to the Indians team of the late nineties, but one could argue that this year's squad is better than that team. In CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, they arguably have the best 1-2 "punch" in the American League. In Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera they have some excellent young talent.

Cleveland's biggest issue right now is tht they have to play in the same division as Detroit. While Cleveland clearly has less questions concerning its pitching staff than Detroit does (outside of Verlander, the Tigers' staff doesn't inspire much confidence), Detroit's line up is much more intimidating.

This isn't to say Cleveland doesn't have a good line up. In fact, with Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner, Cleveland's got a better line up than most teams. It's just that Detroit, right now, probably has the best line up in the league, and given that of the Yankees, that's saying something.

So keys to Cleveland's 2008 Season:

1) Like the Yankees, they need the young guys to produce. This wasn't much of a problem last year, so it theoretically shouldn't be a huge problem this year.

2) Establish pitching depth outside of Carmona and Sabathia. They have a great prospect in Laffey, but the division in talent between their first two pitchers and Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd is considerable.

3) Stay healthy. I might as well.


Threat to the Yankees: RED--DANGER

Well, they did beat us last October, and while you can blame one game on freak midges, you can't blame all three losses on it.

We don't play them the same amount of games as the AL East teams, but not only are they a very likely playoff foe, there's a considerable possibility we wi8ll be fighting them off for the Wild Card spot, unless Detroit utterly collapses.

Which has been known to happen.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Quick, Someone Tell Michael Kay

On his blog, Phil Hughes says that he and Joba and Ian decided on The Three Amigos as their nickname.


I don't know about you, but, personally, I think anything is better than Generation Tre.

Three Amigos is classic and doesn't sound awkward in the English language.

Something Cone-y This Way Comes (Exhibition Game Notes)

Some notes from today's game against Toronto:

1) Chien Ming Wang looked MUCH better today than he did his last time out, keeping it a little too high in the first inning, but getting much better as the game went on, which is obviously a really good thing.

2) The bats did their thing today. If there's one aspect of the 2008 Yankees I'm really not worried about (well, at least, not right now), it's the offense.

3) Molina was totally safe on the slide, but, that aside, I'd pay good money to see him and Posada in a foot race. An Olympic track star, he is not. However, trying to steal on him would be like signing my own 'out' warrant.

4) Cone was awesome in the broadcast booth. I could listen to him game in, game out.

5) Girardi, to use a geek term, pwned Michael Kay during the interview, and it was a beautiful thing.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #11

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The San Francisco Giants

Well, there's no reason to sugar coat it: without Bonds, the Giants aren't even mildly intriguing. The only team in the entirety of the major leagues that could possibly be described as out of contention on April 30th, would likely be Baltimore, and the Orioles don't even play in the National League.

The Giants do have a couple young arms in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and you (of course) can't ignore that they have a Molina catching, but that's it. I mean, their shortstop is Omar Vizquel, who is a little past his prime.

It could be argued that the Giants' front office hasn't been able to see past Bonds--there is little other way to explain it, but one hopes that when the fans stop coming, because Bonds isn't there any more and the team is still losing, the FO will finally realize what sort of mess their team is in.

Threat level to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

Yeah, umm. If the Yankees and the Giants play each other this year, we would probably be having a conversation about the oddest year in baseball, ever.

Honestly, the Rays are a bigger threat.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Seeing Reds (Exhibition Game Notes)

So I saw most of today's baseball game, which is the first time i've been able to do that since, like, the beginning of last week, though I did miss most of Joba's pitching to eat dinner. Anyway, some notes.

1) Joba does need to get his pitch count down. He got the job done, but if he is to succeed as a starter, he's got to throw less than 45 pitches over two innings. I have no doubt Joba can do it, but I won't lie, I was a little nervous in the first where he was getting behind in counts and whatnot...but maybe I've just been spoiled by Phil Hughes.

2) Ian Kennedy got notably better as his innings went on.

3) Traber and Hawkins were good; Rivera was vintage. You would think he's got fifteen years left on his contract.

4) Cincinnati has this pitcher named Volquez, which keeps making me think of Star Trek, but the point is, Volquez struck out eight in four innings, including six in two. I haven't heard of him before tonight, but DANG.

5) The offense did its thing, of course.

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #10

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The LA Dodgers

I won't lie: the fortunes of the Dodgers this year will be on the mind of many Yankees fans, and for one reason: Joe Torre.

Yankees fans are, of course, lucky that the managing job Torre got was in LA, meaning that the Dodgers' fortunes are unlikely to impact our own, and thus, Torre fans need not feel bad rooting for him, and Torre haters may not feel bad rooting against him.

Anyway, as for the Dodgers themselves...last year, there was a large issue with the veterans and the youngsters being, shall we say, not the best of friends. They've got a great starter in Brad Penny, and some solid bullpen arms (well, at least until Torre has his way with them), but their line up has some serious question marks--they were the team that bit on Andruw Jones after an awful year with Atlanta last year, as well as with Jeff Kent and Rafael Furcal.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally

If the Dodgers can figure out a way to work out all the kinks, they might have a chance at a Wild Card spot, but given the other competition, especially in their own division from Arizona, Colorado and San Diego, it's not likely.

The biggest threat the Yankees will have is when Torre comes to town to play the Mets, and steals a back page or two.


Sunday, March 9, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #9

(Okay, so I'm a horrible person and lied about having this up this morning. Apologies)

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks don't bring back many happy memories for the Yankees, but that isn't the entire story as, from the perspective of a fan of the game, the 2001 World Series was one of the most intense, indeed, one of the best, played in recent memory, if not ever.

However, that team is largely gone, and, like the Yankees, 'Zona has gone with youth, such as Justin Upton, brother of BJ, and Brandon Webb, who pitched something like three straight shut outs, or near to it. In fact, with the exception of Randy Johnson, no one on the team is older than Augie Ojeda who's an ancient 33, and now they've added Dan Haren to their staff as well.

Arizona's largest problem, however, is their offense--which they have not remedied in any significant way this off season. Last year the Diamondbacks were actually outscored; while they could outpitch the Cubs the lack of offense hurt them in the NLCS.


Threat to the Yankees: Yellow, Proceed with Caution

I haven't forgotten 2001.



Saturday, March 8, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #8

Between yesterday and today, this is the first chance I've had to update, so I'll do one now, and one tomorrow morning.

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The Chicago Cubs

If you don't feel for the Cubs, a team that hasn't won a World Series in exactly 100 years or been to the big show in over fifty, well, you're not much of a baseball fan.

Thus, when there finally is a competitive Cubs team out there, like there is now, you can't help but pay attention.

The last time the Cubs flirted with a National League Pennant was 2003, which many agree should have happened if not for one "fan" who thought more about a foul ball than the fortunes of his club. Before that, it was a team built around the youth of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, which...well, let's just say there's a reason Phil, Joba and Ian are under an innings cap.

Anyway, this year's Cubs team has a good chance, given the overall weak NL Central to do some playoff damage.

The rotation will be built around Carlos Zambrano (of the mammoth $90 million contract extension) and Ted Lilly, while in terms of the line-up the most intriguing development is the addition of the most sought-after Japanese player this off-season, Kosuke Fukudome (Foo-Koo-Doh-May. Not...yeah, you get it.) Also, keep an eye on Geovany Soto, who was the Pacific Coast League MVP

Threat Level to the Yankees: Yellow, Proceed with Caution

The Yankees won't play the Cubs unless in the World Series, but the Cubs, if they remain healthy, have a great shot at the Postseason, and, well, if the Red Sox could win in 2004, who knows what might happen in 2008?

So the Cubs aren't likely to threaten the Yankees, but imagine, a Cubs-Yankees WS the final season of Yankee Stadium?

Yeah, I just felt a shiver up my spine.




Friday, March 7, 2008

Some (Really Late) Notes About Today's NYY/HOU Game

(I've lost track as to which number game this is)

The four hour drive from Syracuse to NJ has left me exhausted and with an "I" key that won't function properly.

1) Apparently Andy was okay and made one noticeable mistake.

2) Rivera is apparently already in midseason form, needing just eight pitches to retire the side, throwing seven of them for strikes (and two strike outs, so yea.)

3) Yanks got a bunch of production out of the 9 spot.

4) Brian Bruney hasn't done anything to improve his chances of making the team.



On another note, this week's installation of The Season will be delayed some given plans I have for tomorrow, but it should be up by Sunday evening.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #7

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The St. Louis Cardinals

I'm going to let you guys in on a little secret: the 2007 Cardinals were, more or less, the immediate inspiration for The Season. All the off-field problems they had to deal with would be enough to ruin any season; that the Cardinals stayed in the running until near the very end speaks volumes.

Rick Ankiel had some amazing heroics last year, and Albert Pujols is arguably the NL's greatest player, but their starting rotation has been bit bad by the injury bug, and Tony LaRussa is rumored to be a, shall we say, interesting presence in the clubhouse?

Yeah. It's a wonder this team won the World Series in 2006, but then I generally think of that entire baseball season as an anamoly.

Anyway.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

In the NL Central, the Cardinals have to contend with the Cubs and the Brewers, and in the Wild Card, the entire NL West (save the Giants). The likelihood they will have any impact on the Yanks is extremely slight.


(I know this was a really short one but I'm tired and have to drive four hours tomorrow, and, yeah, it's not like the Cardinals are in the same league, let alone the same division).

Predicting the Roster

I missed all of the Yankees' exhibition game today and didn't even get the chance to follow via text message (that's what three midterms will do to you), so, alas, no postgame notes.

It's still early, but you can basically get a feel for what the Yankees roster is going to look like:

LF Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui
SS Derek Jeter
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
C Jorge Posada
1B Jason Giambi/Shelley Duncan
2B Robinson Canò
DH Shelley Duncan/Jason Giambi/Hideki Matsui
CF Melky Cabrera

Bench: Wilson Betemit, Morgan Ensberg, Chris Woodward Jose Molina.

Wow, I am REALLY off my game today.

Pitching (I'm not projecting the rotation order, just who's on the pitching staff)

1. Chien Ming Wang
2. Andy Pettitte
3. Mike Mussina
4. Phil Hughes
5. Ian Kennedy
6. Joba Chamberlain
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Kyle Farnsworth
9. LaTroy Hawkins
10. Jeff Karstens
11. Billy Traber
12. Ross Ohlendorf

Now you can argue the roster all you want, but if I were you, I'd just be glad all these guys are healthy. If you don't get what I mean, take a look at the Mets depth chart and look at all the red crosses.

To put that in perspective, it'd be like Abreu, Melky, Damon, Matsui, Giambi, Shelley, Robbie, Molina and Betemit all going down.

So yeah. Healthy is good. Hopefully we stay that way.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #6

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The Milwaukee Brewers

Suffice it to say that last year the Brewers were first one of the great, feel-good surprises of the season...and then they were one of the great disappointments.

On paper, they should be competitive enough, especially at the corners in Ryan Braun (who put up numbers that defy, well, everything his rookie year) and Prince Fielder, who would have been treated like a king if not for A-Rod's monster season.

However, there are some major pitching questions. Ben Sheets appears to be taking lessons from Carl Pavano, Chris Capuano lost something like (at least) eighteen straight starts (okay, at that point it's luck herself doing you in) and, well, they signed Eric Gagnè, which should tell you quite a bit.

In the NL Central, they'll get some serious competition from the Cubs for the division lead, and it seems most likely that the NL Wild Card is going to come out of the West in either Colorado, San Diego or Arizona (not to mention the Dodgers), so the Brewers have quite a task ahead of them. Are they better than, say, 75% of the National League teams out there?

No question.

However, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades (and midterms that give partial credit).

Threat level to the Yankees: Green. Proceed Normally.

The two would only play each other in a World Series, and, while technically possible, it's not likely to happen. Unfortunately, however, by taking Gagnè, we may now have lost a significant anti-Boston ally....

I Miss Twinkies (Exhibition Notes, Game 5)

Okay, I miss all those devil dog-like things with immortal shelf lives, but that's not what you care about, I'm guessing.

Anyway, some notes:

1) I missed the first half of the game, when the Yankees scored all their runs, taking a mid-term. I'm assuming there's no correlation there.

2) I did see Joba's second inning of work. He looked shaky, but I'm assuming he was using the opportunity to work on a curve and a change, in which case the shakiness is to be expected. If he's still pitching like this in the middle of May, well, then I might get a little concerned, but, dude, if you can hit 97 MPH on March 5th, I'm not exactly worried.

3) Albaladejo was good enough, in my opinion, but Edwar is a little worrying. He's simply either really good or really bad, and, well, when it's the ninth inning with a one run lead in September at Fenway with the division on the line, do you really want to be worrying about whether or not it's a good day or a bad day?

4) So right now I'm thinking the Yankees may get more production out of their first base platoon situation than the mainstays. Or maybe Shelley is just that insane.

5) I'm waiting for this game to end so I can go make pasta and study Neuro, but it doesn't want to end. One of those things, I guess.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #5

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The Atlanta Braves



It seems like just yesterday when you could pen in the Braves for an appearance in the NLCS, and an October appearance in New York at Flushing or Shea (and on one occasion, both), but those days are a long way gone now.

Sure, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Chipper Jones are still on the team (in Glavine's case having taken a brief hiatus in New York), but they are...how do we put it delicately...not young any more.

Okay, Smoltz packs a mean punch, and talking about rotation, Hudson's not half bad, either, but it's a far cry from the Maddox-Smoltz-Glavine combination of the nineties.

However, this isn't to say that Atlanta is a bad team. In fact, they're much more on par with the Blue Jays than, say, the Astros. In fact, they're like the Jays in that they really are a middle-of-the-division team, only, in the NL East, the Mets and the Phillies have more smoke and mirrors than a stranglehold on the division.

Mark Teixiera at first base is arguably Atlanta's most talented player, even if he's not the face of the franchise, and Jeff Francoeur will likely be around a while as well. Of course, Teixiera is a free agent at the end of the year, which means he'll likely have a very very good year because, well, that's the cool thing to do in your walk year.

Bobby Cox is still at the helm, which is just plain impressive. I mean, there's not much else you can say; he's like the Jaime Moyer of managers, not in terms of age, but in terms of longevity.


Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

The Yankees and the Braves don't play each other at all during the regular season, and they don't play any AL East teams. The only possible impact the Braves could have on the Yankees outside of the World Series is if the Yankees lose in the Wild Card race to Anaheim or Seattle by one game...and yeah, you get the idea.

They're a much bigger concern to that other NY team.

Speaking of those Blue Jays...(Notes, Exhibition Game #4)

Once again, I did not catch the game so these notes are solely based on text messages sent during my lunch break.

Also, I found it funny that we played Toronto given my Toronto preview yesterday.

1) Kei Igawa had three perfect innings. Next stop, pitching against a Major League level roster...

Okay, joking aside, it'd got to be great for his confidence. I'm not saying I want him in the rotation (I don't), but if he can figure out how to pitch American style, he could be really helpful out of the bullpen. It's a big if.

2) I know Phil Hughes isn't going to be perfect every time out, but it's still nice to see!

3) Shelley Duncan wants to play. Badly. At the rate he's going, I'd say that he wants it more than anyone else out there. Could you imagine if we had this competition for every position? It really does make the team better.

4) The weather deities don't seem to like me us very much.

Monday, March 3, 2008

A Preview A Day Keeps the Winter Away, #4

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up Today: The Toronto Blue Jays





The first division rival preview here, so it'll be a bit more in-depth than the other ones.

The Jays, quite simply, have the misfortune of playing in the the AL East. Short of winning a World Series or losing 100 games (and that's not even a hyperbole) they will be overshadowed by the Sox and Yankees when they're good, and the Orioles and Rays when they're bad.

It would, however, be a bad idea to overlook the team. Consider this: Toronto won 83 games last year, in the AL East, while losing significant time due to injury from Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, Ryan, Overbay, Glaus (now departed for more Cardinal-y pastures), Zaun, Johnson and (breath) Wells.

And you thought the Yankees had injury problems in '07!

Imagine if all of them were healthy.

Anyway, so let's start off looking at Toronto's likely starting rotation:

Roy Halladay: This guy's an ace. There's no other way about it, and, to add to it, he pitches pretty dang well against the Yanks. He's 10-4 with a 2.99 ERA in his career against the Bombers. So, basically, he makes Josh Becket look like fodder.

AJ Burnett: When he's healthy, he can be up there with the game's best. When he's healthy. He did manage 165 inning last year, which I'll admit I was surprised to see given his reputation for being an injury-risk.

Dustin McGowan: Held right-handed batters to a .198 average last year. That shouldn't be too much of an issue for the Yankees, who could likely put together a line-up with just one right-handed bat if they really wanted to (they don't.)

Shaun Marcum: Not up to the Halladay/Burnett/McGowan standards, but then, there's a reason he's not the number one starter. Had a 7.47 ERA in his last seven starts, but also had a torn meniscus, so yeah, that's not totally surprising.

Jesse Litsch: I'll put it this way--in a September game last year we were all excited we didn't have to face Halladay or Burnett (I forget which one, but I think it was Halladay), and we got to face Litsch instead. We, uh, kinda sorta lost that game, and it wasn't a pretty one, either.


Rotation summary, as it effects the Yankees: You know, I'd be more scared of facing this rotation than Boston's. Granted, I'm not really afraid of any rotation, but I really would rank a healthy Toronto rotation ahead of Boston. The, uh, problem is, though, the healthy bit.


Out of the bullpen, Accardo and Janssen are solid. Ryan is slated to return from TJ surgery, so we'll see what that does.

As for the regular line-up, highlights:

Alex Rios: Let's put it like this--there's the Jays line up, and then there's Alex Rios. He's got a .338 average against the Yankees, not to mention a poster child for a good right field arm. He is THE highlight in a line-up that, outside of Frank Thomas, does not inspire much fear.

Frank Thomas: Now that I've mentioned him, might as well...he's only a threat at the plate, as he can't play in the field, but he's still a threat. He was one of Joba's very first outs, though, so take that as you will.

Aaron Hill: Not quite Robbie Canò with with the bat, but he did tie a franchise record for home runs set by a second baseman.

Line-up summary: Toronto's strength is not their line up. If they took care of their line up the way they did their pitching, there'd be a likely chance that the race for the AL East would be a three-way. I wouldn't be surprised to see Toronto make a major push near the deadline for some serious line-up help, although, given what I've seen of Toronto's farm system up here in 'Cuse...well, I mean, when you have ten errors in a game...yeah. Doesn't bode too well.


Threat to the Yankees: Orange, Exercise Extreme Caution.

Why Orange, when they probably don't make the playoffs?

The Yankees still have to play them nineteen times this season, and if their rotation stays healthy, they are anything BUT a walk-over. I imagine the race for third in the division with Tampa is going to be very, very intense.

In another division, the NL Central and NL East come to mind, the Jays could easily be a contender, but that geography...it'll get you every time.

Moose 'N 'Pen: Notes from Exhibition Game #3

So, I did not catch today's game and thus the notes are second-hand information.

1) Apparently Moose struggled a bit in his second inning today. It's certainly much too early to draw any conclusions (see Ford, Whitey: Spring Training for details), but he is so far the only starter to have given up more than a hit in two innings of work. I am not worried at this point, because, well, it'd be un-optimistic.

2) According to the box score that was on my cell phone, Morgan Ensberg had a couple hits and a couple RBI. As did Shelley. It would be kind of funny if our 1B combined in the season for A-Rod-ish numbers.

3) Karstens pitched WELL. Don't count this kid out, he might be the 'sleeper' on the team, the guy that ends up being much more important than we realize.


***

On another note entirely: I have been hotly debating this for some time, and I still have mixed feelings about it, but I will likely start running ads. Well, an ad.

See, I do love not having ads, but there are a few reasons to run at least one. I don't want to get too detailed into it, but I'm hoping you guys will forgive me this little bit.

Anyway, the writing's not going to change. Not a bit. You'd probably have to shoot me first.*




*Except that the writing might change in that the more I do this, the better the quality.