2008 MLB Preview: The AL East

Despite holding onto young arms such as Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain, the pitching staff will probably fall victim to “Over-the-Hill Syndrome”. What I mean by this is that Andy Pettite and Mike Mussina will be joining Hawkins and Rivera in the Over-35 Pitcher club (other possibilities include Ron Villone, Scott Erickson, Ramiro Mendoza and Marc Valdes-if the find their way back to the Yanks).

They also have two pitchers that I couldn’t trust in big games in Chien-Ming Wang and Kyle Farnsworth as both “proved their worth” in the playoffs versus Cleveland last year.

The Yanks have gotten younger this year (which is impressive after they seemed to sell off all of their youth the past few years) especially in the bullpen, but unless they still have an ace up their sleeve, I don’t see the Yanks pitching staff making enough of an impact to get their team to the post-season.

Ok so enough of the Yankees pitching staff-let’s get to the position players. Jose Molina-one of the Flying Molina Brothers-is backing up Posada, which provides the Yankees with a fairly adequate backup catcher. The staples on the infield include Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, and while there are no indications that A-Rod is slowing down, Jeter will be 34 by the All-Star break, continuing the trend of the aging Yankees (and Yankees purists have to admit that Jeter could hit the wall at any moment-especially considering the way he plays).

Did I mention that they have no true first baseman on the roster aside from Jason Giambi (who’s switched to DH)? Doug Mientkiewicz shed his pinstripes in the off-season, leaving a giant hole beside Robinson Cano (possibly the biggest steal of a second baseman ever…(pending the finalization of his 4-year/ $30-million deals.). Although Morgan Ensberg played some first in his brief time in San Diego, he’ll have a lot of work ahead of him if the Yanks plan on using him at first.

The outfield may be the best part of this club. There are five quality fielders on this team in Melky Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Jason Lane. However, that combined with new manager Joe Girardi won’t be enough to make a difference.

Oh, and don’t expect Girardi to have the same effect in New York as he did in Florida. These are two VERY different situations.

2008 Record: 83-79, Third in AL East

 

Tampa Bay Rays (66-96 in 2007, Fifth in AL East)

A new name and a new team! And even a new place in the division! Hell, they even have a new attitude!

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