New York Yankees: 6 Things Fans Should Be Concerned About for 2012

They say the only two things you can count on is death and taxes.  While that is true, with the exception of 2008, you can always count on the New York Yankees being in the postseason.

Brian Cashman, not distracted by his issues regarding his infidelity and his poor choices of mistresses, has assembled a team entering spring training with six-plus potential starting pitchers and a number of options at DH.

Derek Jeter will turn 38, A-Rod will be 36.  Mariano, who seems to never age, is 42.  Andy Pettitte is gone, Jorge Posada is gone.  Is Robinson Cano the new superstar leader that can carry this team?

Other than Boone Logan, this team still doesn't have a healthy lefty coming out of the pen.

C.C. Sabathia

Will the real CC Sabathia please stand up?

You have to have a few concerns about the Big Guy.   He showed up for spring training last year slimmer and more agile, but by the end of 2011 it appeared as though he had put all of the weight back on and then some.

Will his weight be an issue again sometime this year?

Will he be complacent knowing he is signed through 2016, plus a vesting option for 2017?

Since his arrival, he has a winning percentage of .720 while everyone else in the rotation has a winning percentage of just .563.

Also, take away CC's numbers from the World Series-winning 2009 postseason and his playoff numbers are downright awful.  

Dosen't this make you just a little bit concerned?

Alex Rodriguez

Is A-Rod aging gracefully or is his body possibly starting to break down?

Also signed through 2017, what are your expectations of him?

His numbers are declining. He hasn't played in more than 138 games since 2007. 

He'll turn 37 this summer and contrary to what he thinks, he'll definitely be DH now and again, especially with the departure of Jesus Montero to Seattle.

I'm not sold on Raul Ibanez being a full-time DH against righties, so there will definitely be a rotation of Andruw Jones, A-Rod, Ibanez and perhaps even Derek Jeter shuttled in and out of the DH spot.

He's been on the disabled list three times in the last three years and I think its a sure bet that he won't make 150 games in 2012.  

Will Joe Girardi still bat him fourth by the end of the season?

Don't be too concerned as long as you're realistic that it's not 2007 anymore.

Goodbye, A.J. Burnett

Throughout the winter, even with an open offer to pick up part of his remaining salary, the Yankees couldn't find any takers for A.J. Burnett.  What does that tell you?

Enter the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For a guy that was brought in to be a No. 2 starter, he wasn't going to be very popular here in 2012.  Over the last two seasons, he's been brutal, with only 21 wins, an ERA over five and a WHIP of about 1.50.

This is basically addition by subtraction.  Even if A.J. goes and wins 17-plus games in the relative comfort of the NL Central, he wasn't going to succeed here in New York. 

Too bad the Pirates don't play the Yanks in interleague play, I would have liked to see if A.J. would try and take a shot at Joe Girardi.

Nick Swisher

Nick Swisher comes across as a fun-loving goofy kind of guy.  If he hits, that's great.  If he dosen't, he comes across as really annoying and irritating.

Can Nick get a productive hit in the postseason once in a while?

One of the reasons for the Yankees' failure to advance in the playoffs in 2010 and 2011 is right here. 

10, count 'em, 10 hits in two years.  Good for a .187 batting average and countless men left on base.  Even the year the Yanks won it all in 2009, he hit a robust .128.

Decent regular season guy, kills you in the postseason.

The Yankees would ideally like a bit of an upgrade in right field if they could get one.

Mild concern for 2012.

Mariano Rivera

There will be a day when No. 42 will not be shutting things down in the 9th inning.

There are no concerns for Mariano for the 2012 season, but if his hint that this could be his last one is true, there definitely should be concern for the 2013 season.

I doubt there is anyone on the roster who is currently capable of closing if Mariano were to be injured this year or retire next year.

David Robertson?  Nice set-up guy coming off a career year, but has never closed.

Joba Chamberlain?  Coming off an injury and hasn't been mentioned as the heir apparent since his dominance in 2007 and 2008.

Rafael Soriano?  Coming off an ineffective and injury filled 2011, he could be the new A.J. Burnett: the overpaid bum who just can't produce in New York.

World Champion Albert Pujols, Now Residing in Anaheim

The New York Yankees won 97 games in 2011 after winning 95 games in 2010.

Even the most diehard Yankee fans will admit the American League is that much tougher this year. 

Albert Pujols now resides in Anaheim and will no doubt add to the Angels' offensive output along with their strong starting rotation.  Prince Fielder's in Detroit, Yu Darvish is in Texas. 

Back in the AL East, expect the Red Sox to play hard for Bobby Valentine, at least until he wears out his welcome down the road.  The Blue Jays have improved and have an excellent farm system.  The Orioles are slightly better and does anybody do more with less than Joe Madden and the Rays down in Tampa?

The Yankees will still be the Yankees, which means anything less than a World Series victory is considered a disappointment.   That climb to the promised land got a little more steep.