Throughout the course of history, the New York Yankees have won 25 World Series Championships, 39 American League pennants, and 9,383 total games. The team has made the playoffs every season since 1995. They have also made it to the American League Championship Series in six of the last 10 seasons.
Yet all that may not be enough to save the Yankees in 2008.
The most prestigious team in the history of sports is not projected to make the playoffs this season. As for any questions on how that could be, a simple look at their current roster could provide the answers.
The Yankees starting rotation this season is filled with question marks.
Behind former Cy Young candidate, Chien-Ming Wang, and the steady-staying Andy Pettite, the Yankees have a staff of potential, but no promises.
The Bronx Bombers will look to the veteran Mike Mussina to help balance a primarily young rotation, but with numbers like last season's 11-10 record, 5.15 ERA, and strike out total under 100, Moose looks as though his days of 18-win seasons are long behind him.
Behind Mussina, the Yankees have three young hurlers in Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Joba Chamberlain.
Hughes, while appearing to be the "real deal," lacks the experience that Joe Girardi needs to have confidence in him.
Kennedy, the least proven of the trio, is going to be relied on as the Yankees' number five starter. Kennedy is a true wild card for this team, and the risks may be greater than the rewards.
Meanwhile, pitching's latest phenomenon, Joba Chamberlain is very confident in his abilities, but less experience than his two young colleagues, it's not yet known whether or not Joba can truly lead this team.
If this rotation manages to get some leads, the Yanks will need solid arms to hang on to them, and with the 2008 bullpen, that stands as a task to be seen. Ahead of one of the greatest closers in the history of the game, the Yankees have pretty steady LaTroy Hawkins, high-ERA yielding Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Veras, inconsistent Brian Bruney, and last season's injury-plagued Jeff Karstens.
As for Joe Girardi's offense, it's pretty consistent with the likes of Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, and reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez. But with other players constantly aging, there are questions surrounding stamina and health.
The Yankees will look to prove the critics wrong and overcome the odds to make the playoffs yet again, but one must question if this 13-year reign of dominance has finally come to an end.
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