What the Yankees Could Put on the Field for the Price of Jason Giambi

Tom McCartney by Correspondent Written on April 14, 2008
Giambi
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  Last year's NL MVP in my opinion is still only 24 but cranked nearly 30 homers last year, driving in 81 and stealing over 50 bags... from the lead-off spot.  If this guy gets any better, he'll be more of a household name than Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz combined.

Left Field- Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins- $1,440,000-  The highest paid player on this roster will not disappoint.  While his strikeouts need to come down, this guy is only getting better in every facet of the game.  His power and average should increase as he enters his prime, and he's capable of swiping a bag or two.

Center Field- Chris Young, Arizona Diamondbacks- $406,000-  Although he just signed a beefy extension, Chris Young's 2008 salary is a bargain for his ability.  Young cranked 32 homers in his sophomore season while swiping 27 bags.  He'd be the perfect two hitter for this lineup.

Right Field- Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles- $455,000-  Markakis just missed being a 20/20 guy last season while driving in over 100 runs and hitting .300.  The best part?  He's only going to get better.

Designated Hitter- Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers- $455,000-  Braun was last season's rookie sensation for the Brew Crew.  In only 113 games, he hit 34 home runs and drove in 97 runs.  He's capable of stealing 20 bases in entering only his second year, which would be scary if he gets better.

Ace- Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies- $500,000-  A lefty, 20 wins with this offense, a 3-something ERA, and somewhere around 200 K.  Chien-Ming Who?

Second Starter- Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners- $540,000-  King Felix is only 22 years old and is bound to become a star any start now.  He finished last season just shy of 15 wins with a 3.92 ERA and 165 K in 190 innings.  He'd be a great compliment to Hamels at the top of the rotation.

Stopper- Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants- $405,000-  If a team can somehow beat up on Hamels and Hernandez, they won't be able to stump Lincecum.  The 23-year-old had more strikeouts than innings pitched as a rookie last season while holding a sub 4.00 ERA.  This kid is the real deal.

Fourth Starter- Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins- $410,000-  While the effects of his Tommy John Surgery remain to be seen, Liriano was a stud in 2006.  He won 12 of his 16 starts, striking out 144 in 121 innings and held a 2.16 ERA.  Any questions?

Fifth Starter-  Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians- $457,800-  Another guy that just signed a beefy contract, Carmona comes at a value in 2008.  After struggling as a rookie in 2006, Carmona won 19 games last season with a 3.06 ERA.

Closer- Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox- $775,000-  For this kind of money, Papelbon could get paid only to dance for other teams.  Since entering the big leagues in 2005, Papelbon has recorded 72 saves while posting a 1.56 ERA.  Stud.

Set-Up Man- Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies- $775,000-

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written on April 14, 2008 Opinion

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