New York Yankees : A 2010 Preview

As I sit here watching the Eagles game I find myself wondering what Derek Jeter is doing right now. Im sure he is sitting in his New York penthouse with a plethora of New Yorks finest females. As most people know I live by one rule " What Would Jeter Do" Call me any names you want but it is a great guideline to life. We see it with the Tiger Woods debacle. Tiger, if you have a sex addiction do not get hitched. Im sure Jeter has a sex addiction but what seperated him from you is the ball and chain. While Jeter and Tiger have the same sexual track record ( I do not think Jeter would talk to those piles of sludge, I mean Jeters lineup of women is a thing of beauty) Jeter is allowed to be a playboy because he is not tied down. He is just a boss. Honestly, who would not want to be the captain of the Yankees making 20 million a year going wild in New York?

But back to my original purpose of this blog. To talk about my favorite subject, the New York Yankees.

While the euphoria of winning their 27th championship is officially over the Yankees have quietly been putting together arguably the best off-season of any American League team (Seattle adding Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins is just as impressive). They acquired Curtis Granderson a .250/30/70/90 guy who will fill in for the departed Melky Cabrera. With Granderson moving from the joke that is Detroit to an actual baseball team, I project Granderson to be a .270/35/90/100 guy. Which is an upgrade over both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui (you both will be missed) The 2nd addition and quite possibly even more valuable then Curtis Granderson is the acquisition of Javier Vazquez. We all remember 2004 when Javier gave up a grand slam to Johnny Damon. How the tables have turned for Javier Vazquez. Last year Vazquez posted the best season of his career. Vazquez's was 15-10, with a 2.87 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 32 starts for the Atlanta Braves. He placed 4th in the NL for the Cy Young Award. Vazquez is slated to be the 3rd man in the Yankees ever growing pitching staff.

Why do I believe that the Vazquez trade was more important then Curtis Granderson? Joba Chamberlin. I strongly believe that Joba should NEVER NEVER have been moved from the set up role. I can not understand the logic. With the addition of Vazquez and the return of Andy Pettite, I see Phil Hughes and Joba battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.

In Joba's 3 years in the pinstripes he has posted a 1.50 era in 60 innings as the bridge to Mariano Rivera. You combine Jobas 1.50 era with Mos 2.25 career era (Would be lower if he did not post a 5.51 era as a starter in his first season) You are looking at the best 8th and 9th inning combination in the game, HANDS DOWN.

With the addition of Vazquez, Granderson and Nick Johnson (will not touch on him due to his variety of injuries) the Yankees have potentially the best offense and pitching staff in baseball. Lets look at this potential lineup. This also has my personal opinion intertwined.

  Lineup                                             Rotation

Granderson (CF)                              Sabathia

Jeter (SS)                                      Burnett

Teixeira (1B)                                   Vazquez

Rodriguez (3rd)                                Pettite

Posada (C)                                     Hughes (What I would do)

Cano (2nd)                                    Setup- Chamberlin (RHP) Marte (LHP)

Swisher (RF)                                  Closer- Mariano Rivera

Johnson (DH)

Gardner (LF)

What does the future hold for the Yankees??

I think the Yankees will remain somewhat quiet this offseason. Depending on any unexpected trades I see the Yankees making a very weak offer to Matt Holliday. I can expect the Yankees to add another arm to the bullpen, hopefully Chan Ho Park. The Yankees are very intelligent, they look ahead and game plan for the big strike. I do not see the Yankees adding another a big time left fielder due to the available corner outfielders in the 2011 free agent class. Carl Crawford could potentially be the base stealer the Yankees need as the cash strapped Tampa Bay Rays will not resign him. Another potential pick up for the Yankees is Jayson Werth. Jayson Werth will NOT be resigned by the Phillies (If the Phillies had the money they would have kept Cliff Lee) My prediction Jayson Werth signs a 4 year 60-65 million dollar contract.

After next season the Yankees will lose Andy Pettite and Javier Vazquez. I can see Andy Pettite returning to wear the Pinstripes with another 1 year deal. Javier Vazquez is another story. He will be 34, and might demand a 2-3 year deal which would be a very interesting decision for the Yankees. The Yankees can also make a splash with the signing of Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman who is expected to sign a 20-25 million dollar deal and is expected to hit the majors late this year or start next year.

Potential Pitching Prospects for 2011

Javier Vazquez, Andy Pettite,Josh Beckett, Brandon Webb, Aroldis Chapman (This year, with him playing next year)

Prediction

The Yankees went 103-59 last year. I am predicting (taking into affect that their are no injuries, no more Roy Halladay and a weaker Boston team) the Yankees will finish between 105-110 wins with the potential to win 115. They will repeat as the World Series champs and fill the holes in their lineup with 2 big signings in the off-season of 2011.

My next article for anyone who cares:

Philadelphia Phillies Preview

followed by Fantasy Baseball 2010 preview (possible 4 round 8 team mock draft depending on how lazy I am)