Bombers Banter: 2009 Season Outlook

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report for the Yankees this Friday, I figured it was a good time to break out the first Bombers Banter of 2009. Participating this time around are Todd Jackson, Marissa Marchese, Marisa Scolamiero and AJ Martelli.

1. What was your reaction to the recent report that Alex Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003 and what effect, if any, do you think this will have on the Yankees' upcoming season?

Todd Jackson: I have two reactions. As a fan of the game, A-Rod can sit right next to Bonds on the list of users that have lost my respect as historical contributors to the game. But as a fan of the Yankees, I support every person that wears pinstripes right or wrong. I am a fan of both the game and my team, and both have been tarnished by this man's actions.

That being said, there are many fans, teams, and players out there that enjoy the luxury of a lack of marketability in the magnitude that A-Rod and the Yankees have.  No team or player's dirty laundry sells more copies.

You can all take that to the bank.  This isn't the first or last controversy for our boys. It's old hat now, and they will be fine. It may just make a team out of them.   

Marissa Marchese: My initial reaction to this news was that I knew it would come up sooner or later. There's been speculation regarding his monster stats, and it sort of seemed inevitable.

Of course, I'd hoped it wasn't true, but once his name is mentioned, he's tainted forever. This will absolutely shadow the Yankees' 2009 season—his performance will be observed through a different lens by fans and analysts alike.

Marisa Scolamiero: At first, I was definitely surprised when the reports came out that Alex had tested positive for steroids in 2003. Then again, with 104 major league players on the list, I guess we shouldn't be surprised by anyone's name that comes up.

I think that when camp opens this week, Alex and the rest of the team are going to be bombarded with questions about his positive test, the number of times he used it, why he took it when he said he never did, and the kinds of steroids he used.

I think it's sad to start off the season with questions about steroid use, but it's unavoidable at this point. 

AJ Martelli: My initial reaction was confusion. If he took steroids in 2003, why all of a  sudden are they releasing this information now? If he tested positive in 2003, why didn't they make a big deal about it then?

The whole thing seems a little strange to me. I think where ever he and the Yankees go in 2009—whether it be Boston or anywhere else—he's going to hear steroid related chants and jeers. But there's always loud jeers for A-Rod where ever he goes, and it hasn't affected him to this point.

I don't think it'll bother him from the fans' standpoint. The media might press him about the issue, too. But I don't think that'll bother him that much either.

Jordan Schwartz: It was definitely disappointing to hear A-Rod admit to using steroids because he was supposed to be the clean guy to erase the dirty Barry Bonds' name from the top of the career home run list. 

That being said, I think Rodriguez did the right thing by quickly admitting his guilt because guys that do that (Andy Pettitte) are treated a lot kinder by the media than players that steadfastly maintain their innocence (Rafael Palmeiro) or ignore the topic altogether (Mark McGwire). 

It will be a little more difficult to root for A-Rod this year, but I'll have to because I want the team to be successful.

2. During the offseason, the Yanks acquired CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to fill out their starting rotation. Did the team do enough to improve its pitching staff for 2009?

Todd Jackson: I hope that health permits expectations to be met. If that happens we are fine, and yes enough was done, more than enough. If health is an issue we also have a decent reserve of kids who can be brought up properly. As in one at a time, and not putting the entire season on their shoulders before it begins.

Consider the obvious Hughes, Kennedy, and hopefully Aceves and Coke are good to go as well. I think all four will see big league action in some capacity. So our depth, which is most important, is stronger than last year. We aren't relying on three AAA starters to be major league winners this year.

That's a start.  

Marissa Marchese: The Yankees picked up the top two free agent pitchers on the market, which was basically all they could do. Ben Sheets would not have been a solid investment.

My thoughts are that they'll get maybe two legitimate seasons out of Burnett, and the rest of the time he'll either be injured or perform poorly (people talk of his high K count, yet most of his K's are against the Yankees).

They did what they needed to do to acquire CC, and there's no doubt they needed to improve their atrocious pitching staff from 2008. With an outlook of CC, Burnett, Joba, Wang, and possibly Andy Pettitte, I think they'll head into 2009 with a much stronger rotation.

Marisa Scolamiero:  The team finally made the right moves to improve their pitching staff. After years of talking about bolstering their rotation, they finally did it with two guys that have a lot of pitches in their arsenals and are under the age of 30.

Sabathia and Burnett have the ability to go anywhere between six and eight innings per start, which is something the Yankees will need. While Burnett has some injury history, I think both were really great moves for the team.

AJ Martelli: They did do enough to improve the pitching staff. The hottest free agent was CC Sabathia, and they needed him for good reason. As great as Chien-Ming Wang is, he is not a number one starter. Sabathia is a horse, and a viable No. 1. A.J. Burnett also fills a hole in the rotation.

If Burnett stays healthy and demonstrates what he did in 2008, the Yankees will be in good shape. He was another sought-after free agent, and the Yankees persisted and got him; they both have to prove themselves, though. Re-signing Andy Pettitte was also a huge move the Yankeees needed to make.

With Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte, and Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees have a viable rotation. They did the right thing and re-vamped with the biggest names on the market, and I believe it will be a huge step up from the makeshift rotation of 2008.

Jordan Schwartz: Before the 2008 season, Brian Cashman chose not to acquire Johan Santana and opted to build his rotation from within with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy.  We saw how well that worked out. 

I applaud Cashman for nabbing the two best starters on the market this time around and I hope the organization doesn't baby Sabathia and Burnett and lets them reach their full potential. Re-signing Andy Pettitte was a key move as well because it keeps a veteran presence at the back of the rotation and allows Hughes one more year to develop.

I do hope that Pettitte remains the No. 5 guy, however, while Joba Chamberlain is allowed to up his innings count as the No. 4. 
3. Offensively, New York picked up first baseman Mark Teixeira and center fielder Nick Swisher. How do you feel about these two additions and could the organization do more to improve the lineup?

Todd Jackson: I think Swish is a guy who can definitely replace Betemit, and I'm elated to know we won't rely on him every day at any one position this year. As for Tex, I almost got fired when I read the news. I was at work and jumped out of my chair hollering.

Not only needed dearly, but stolen right out from under those other guys' noses.  That's like sneaking out the back door with the prom queen while her date is busy in the bathroom checking his hair.

The Sox were busy trying to save money and we were like hey, does anyone have dibs over here?

Replacing this year's version of Giambi was not going to be hard, we replaced almost every facet 10 fold, and Swish as a backup. I'm fine with it. You can always do more but I think in more ways than one this offseason, the Yanks have done enough.   

Marissa Marchese: The acquisitions of both Tex and Swisher were intriguing to me; now that they have Tex, I see no need for Swisher. While he had once been a strong home run hitter, he is now nothing more than a platooner.

With Tex at first, he won't see much playing time there, and with an outfield depth chart of Nady/Damon/Matsui/Melky/Gardner, I don't see how they'll fit him in. 

Marisa Scolamiero:  I think the Yankees jumped on Swisher because they weren't sure if they were going to be able to land Teixeira. Swisher has been playing the outfield for most of his time in the majors with the occasional time at first, but the Yankees felt that he could play first.

He's a switch hitter and is definitely an improvement from Giambi's defense, however, Mark Teixeira is the better offensive and defensive first baseman. Once the Yankees got him, Swisher's position became somewhat obsolete.

I'm not saying that the Yankees won't be able to use him at all, but considering all the money they spent on Teixeira it's unlikely since he is also a switch hitter that he won't be playing almost every game at first base.

I don't really think there was anyone else for the Yankees to go after in terms of position players, and I still think there's a chance that they might try to trade Swisher.

AJ Martelli: I feel great about adding Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher. With Jason Giambi leaving (thankfully) they needed to get a real first baseman.

They first got Swisher which was a good move because they weren't sure if they could get Teixeira. Pitching was the main concern, but they were able to steal Tex from under the Red Sox' nose, and I think he'll fit in well.

He seems like a personable player, and he has the numbers and gold gloves to back it up. His history speaks for itself, but we'll see how he'll do in his first season wearing the pinstripes. I think he'll succeed.

Jordan Schwartz: Replacing Jason Giambi with Mark Teixeira was like (insert major upgrade here). Giambi has been the Yankees' Human Rally Killer for years and Tex is just the opposite. The Swisher acquisition was a complete waste. He had the lowest batting average among all qualifiers in 2008 and he's now sixth on the outfield depth chart. 

I don't understand letting Bobby Abreu go.

He was the most consistent hitter on the team last year, and while his range in right field is not the best, his arm is still a major weapon defensively.  Now the Yanks are left with a piecemeal outfield that looks very similar to last year's starting rotation.  And to add insult to injury, Abreu is now with one of the Yankees' biggest rivals, the Angels.

4. How comfortable are you with Jorge Posada returning to his role as starting catcher following shoulder surgery?

Todd Jackson: One of my favorite modern Yanks. I use modern loosely. Time is catching up with my Yankee catcher.  This year will tell us a lot.  I want a back up plan that isn't named Jose Molina in place.  Not only for this year but for the next five years.  What I find most disturbing is the utter confidence by the organization in assuming all will be well.

Losing Jorge hurt bad last year, it will hurt just as bad if it happens again. Worth noting is the strong need in Boston for a catcher on the lower side of 30 as well. Both teams in need of a young capable backstop over the next couple years should prove interesting for the rivalry, especially when top tier talent becomes available in that time. Jorge is a soldier, but time marches on. 

Healthy Jorge, very comfortable, unhealthy Jorge, got to make a move.

Marissa Marchese: Although I'm rooting for him to do well, Jorge will never be the same catcher he used to be. Guys will be running on him now more than ever. His arm strength has declined since the surgery (obviously), yet I'm sure he'll be fighting hard for his spot, seeing as he's publicly shot down the idea of playing 1B or DH-ing.

Marisa Scolamiero: I feel great about Jorge returning as the starting catcher. He is very steadfast in his resolve to be the catcher so I believe that will motivate him to rehab as quickly as possible. I think it's great that the Yankees have a solid backup in Jose Molina, but I think Posada plays better on a whole when he's catching.

He likes to know that he's taking care of the pitching staff, and with the additions of Burnett and Sabathia, Posada is going to want to be the guy calling the pitches on the days that they are on the mound.

I think the Yankees have to be careful considering he's 36, and rest him when they can, but overall I think he will recover fine following the surgery.

AJ Martelli: Brian Cashman said it best when he said, "Jorge is a guy that just can' t be replaced." He really can't, and he has to come back from the shoulder injury and be effective. Jorge is so valuable to the team; he knows the pitchers very well, especially Pettitte, and his role is as important as ever this year. 

I have confidence in him because he's always been a fighter.

Jordan Schwartz: I hope Posada's arm is fully healed, but if it's not and base stealers continue to run on him, the Yankees have to pull the plug and get Jose Molina back in there.  They can't be as stubborn as Jorge; he can still help the team as a DH. 
5. What are your expectations for the Yankees this season?

Todd Jackson: Nolan Ryan used to start every game working for a no hitter, then a shut out, then one run and so on. Every spring I want a ring, then I step back and focus on the division, or the wild card, or then player accomplishments. 27 is what I expect, I'll leave the rest to the team and take it from there.

One thing I will say is this, the more I think about Brett Gardner, the more I think of Dustin Pedroia.  I don't see Melky doing enough to justify the money.

Not with Brett right there equally as capable in different facets, for less money. Brett Gardner will be widely known by September, and keep your eye on Alfredo Aceves.  Those are two no one sees coming and they are capable from what they have shown us last year.

Marissa Marchese: I expect a lot of pressure on this 2009 team—whether it be from the fans, the organization, Hank, or themselves. If they don't make the postseason, let alone the World Series, heads are gonna roll. The clubhouse will surely be different, as they're missing Abreu, Giambi, and countless others, but I have a feeling the whole A-Rod scandal will either boost this team or tear it apart.

Marisa Scolamiero:  I expect the Yankees to be on top of the AL East. They have a serious rotation for the first time in years. Their line up is stacked and you could easily flip flop Teixeira, A-Rod, Posada, Matsui or Nady in any particular order and it's completely solid. If everyone stays healthy I don't see any reason why the Yankees shouldn't win the AL East.

They have to capitalize on their opportunities and not play catch up like they tried to do for most of last season. They really need to ride on the shoulders of their rotation and their line up and that should be enough to keep them on top.

AJ Martelli: They have spent the money. They got the pitching. They have the talent. They added offense. They'll have to find the team chemistry. I am going to go ahead and say it: I am expecting them to win the World Series.

If a team spends a quarter of a billion dollars in players, there is really no reason not to win it all. I think last year they had to take one step backward to take two steps forward, and this year could be it.

Robinson Cano has to have a big year, Teixeira has to hit, and if they get the type of years that they usually get out of Derek Jeter and A-Rod, they'll be in decent shape. 1923, the Yankees opened Yankee Stadium and won the World Series. 2009, the Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium and...

Jordan Schwartz: After New York got CC, AJ and Tex, a friend and Yankee-hater told me that the Bombers will be the biggest disappointment ever if they don't win the World Series this year. I told him it's always a big disappointment when they don't win the World Series because that's the only goal every season.

The starting rotation is the most important part of any team and the Yanks finally have that piece in order so that's huge.  I worry about the outfield, but I think New York should be the favorite to win it all.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com.

Jordan can be reached at [e-mail]