New York Yankees 2011 Lineup: Why They Will Be Just Fine

1 of 12

GREENWICH, CT - NOVEMBER 12: 2009 World Series Yankees Trophy at Manfredi Jewels on November 12, 2010 in Greenwich, Connecticut. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Manfredi Jewels)

Donald Bowers/Getty Images

The Yankees missed on Cliff Lee. They didn't act on Carl Crawford. Zack Greinke landed somewhere else. Many think it is doom and gloom for the Yankees. Instead, it's all about the boom...the lineup. In 2010, the Yankees led the league in runs (859), RBIs (823) and OBP (.350). They were amongst the leaders in homeruns, OPS, hits.

In 2011, expect things to get even better with a healthy ARod, Posada being a full-time DH, Gardner improving and Cano no longer a slow starter.

Leadoff: Brett Gardner

Pretty fast for a guy with only one leg
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

In 2010, Gardner hit .277, had 47 RBI and an OBP of .383. Not to mention his 47 stolen bases and only being caught nine times. Gardner is the guy to leadoff for the Yanks in 2011.

2: Derek Jeter

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees hits a double in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Not a lot to be said here. Mostly my opinion, maybe I'll catch a lot of heat, maybe I won't.

Jeter doesn't have the numbers to be a leadoff hitter anymore. However, he still gets plenty of hits, so I think the two hole is the best spot for him.

3: Robinson Cano

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees sits in the dugout prior to playing the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (P

Elsa/Getty Images

Coming off an MVP-like season, he surely deserves at least consideration to move up in the lineup. I wouldn't put him at the cleanup just yet, although he raked whenever the Yankees put him there in 2010.

From the stats I found, in 12 games where Cano hit cleanup for the Yankees, his numbers were .491 (26-for-53) with five doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs. Sure, they would drop if he were the everyday cleanup hitter, but for the foreseeable future, that is ARod's spot.

For the time being, I say put him in the three spot. This would stop pitchers from being able to pitch around him anymore because ARod would be on deck waiting, and it would probably see a spike in his numbers.

Cleanup: ARod

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees bats against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 6-1. (Pho

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Say what you will about ARod getting older, about his declining fielding skills, but the guy can still hit. In 2010, he had another 30 HR season and 100+ RBI outting. That was with only 137 games. Give him 23 more games and he's bound to hit another 5-10 bombs and a good 20 more RBIs. Also, with Cano in front of him, and Teixeira behind him, he'll be even harder to pitch around.

5: Mark Teixeira

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees bats against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Ge

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Putting Tex at the five spot instead of three will take some pressure off him, and make the Yankees' middle of the lineup that much better. It would allow for another switch hitter in the middle to back-end of the lineup, giving Girardi more to work with. This would allow for Girardi to have three consecutive switch hitters potentially in Tex, Posada and Swisher.

6: Jorge Posada

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees hits a RBI single in the bottom of the second inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx boroug

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Now that Jorge will be a full-time DH, expect his body to get healthier, and stay healthier for the year. His knees will be less strained, hips healthier, fingers, wrists, toes, you name it. Catcher is the most demanding and taxing position in baseball, and once he is no longer the backstop, his numbers should likely improve.

7: Nick Swisher

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Another switch hitter with good power and okay speed. Just when you think you are through the middle of the lineup, Swisher walks in with his fat lip and you have to get past him.

8: Curtis Granderson

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Curtis Granderson #14 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice prior to playing the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arl

Elsa/Getty Images

I went back and forth on this. I'd still like to see Granderson at the top of the lineup, probably at the two spot, but for now, I'll leave that for Jeter. Having Curtis in the bottom isn't bad at all; it allows for some speed back there and great power. If Jeter has another sub-par season, don't be surprised if the Gardner and Grandy are starting off the lineup. The G&G Boys?

9: Russell Martin

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI double which accounts for the game's only run in the eighth nning against the New York Mets on July 25, 2010 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Let me start off by saying, Martin is not my choice, but the Yankees are continuing to say that he is the starting catcher over Montero and Cervelli. In my earlier post, I suggested the whole third base option for Montero, so we'll see what happens. For now, Martin is the nine hitter. I mean. where else would you put the guy? The Yankees lineup is pretty stacked with speed and power, and I'd say he is the weakest link. Not as weak as Molina was however.