New York Yankees: The Superstars Are Starting to Step Up

Let's take a look at the Yankees' stars: Jeter, Rodriguez, Posada, Cano, Wang, Giambi, Damon, and Abreu. With these and other superstars, how can the Yankees be just four games over .500? This calls for a closer inspection.

Yankee Pitching

Last year, the Yankees had the starting pitching but not relief. This year, they've faltered in both categories. Relief has been getting better with Ohlendorf and Rivera leading the way, and hopefully by the end of the season they will be where the organization wants them. 

Mike Mussina is back! The man can pitch, and he is tied for AL wins with 10. After a slow start, he is pulling his weight and then some.

At 8-2, Chien-Ming Wang is on target to get his 19th win for the third straight season. Although on Sunday, Wang appeared to injure his foot as he rounded the bases after a two-run single by Derek Jeter. He left the dugout on crutches, and his next start is iffy.

Darrell Rasner has three years of experience, same as Wang, but not nearly the name recognition. That might be because he has one fewer career win than Wang has this season. Although this is his third season with the Yankees, he still has yet to break in with the fans. We'll have to see if the fans accept him.

Andy Pettitte isn't having the best season, but he has been somewhat solid. And when he is on, he is deadly. Yankee management just needs to get him out of the game before he gives up the runs.

Ian Kennedy is in his second season, and he's doing a little under what we would hope. Ok, a lot under what we would hope. He's 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA. Last season, he stepped up when the Yankees needed him, so we'll have to wait an see where his career takes him.

At only 21, Phil Hughes will definitely go places. Or at least that's what we thought. This season, he is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA. He's on the DL, so we're going to have to wait to see what happens on his arrival.

As a relief pitcher, Joba Chamberlain was brilliant. But as a starting pitcher, he's only been good. His first two games as a starter were not what he would have liked, but then he played the Astros. In this third career start, he went six innings, allowing only one run, while he gave up six hits, struck out two, and walked four. Let's see where this 22-year old goes. 

The Yankees' Infield

Star studded is the only thing that can be said about it.

After being on the DL, Jorge Posada is finally back in the lineup. And what a boost that will be to the team. Currently, he's batting .318, and today, he hit his third homer of the season. If he holds true, we can expect to see about 20 more. 

After losing about 15 pounds in the offseason, Jason Giambi's ability to play first base has greatly improved. Not only is his glove gold, but his bat is smoking as well. He has already surpassed last season’s home run total, and there is no end in sight. 

Robinson Cano has a very bright future. He will certainly be with the Yankees for many seasons to come. His batting could be a little better (currently he's batting .225), but I'm sure that that will come in time. After all, he's only 25.

What can I say about Derek Jeter? He is a three-time Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron award winner, Rookie of the Year, ESPY Play of the Year, World Series MVP, and finally All-Star Game MVP? Jeter is the kind of player managers dream about. This season though, his hitting has hit a bit of a skid.  He's only batting .273. But he's Jeter, so we're not worried. 

A-rod is one terrific baseball player. Batting .326 with 12 homers and 37 RBI, he's on his way to another amazing season. And he better. He is the highest paid player in any major American sport.

Yankees' Outfield

Here we have another star-studded group of players.

They certainly don't call Hideki Matsui "Godzilla" for nothing. This season, he's batting .325, with seven HR and 34 RBI. After hitting his sixth career grand slam on his birthday, he has continued to roll. Although with the Yankee outfield is so crowded, he may also see some playing time as a DH.

Johnny Damon has never batted above .300 for the Yankees, but that could soon change. This season, he is batting .328 with six HR and 31 RBI. With his bat this hot and his golden glove, look for this guy to be playing for a long, long time.

Melky Cabrera has been a starter for the New York Yankees since he was 20-years old. And for good reason. He's one HR shy of last year’s total, and his defense is phenomenal. Although his average could be a little higher, fans aren't worried.

Bobby Abreu is the rock in right field. He plays his heart out every game, and it shows. His batting is decent, and his fielding is great. Batting third, he always seems to come through in the clutch, but then again, it helps to have two guys ahead of you that always seem to be on base.

The Yankees Overall

After struggling to stay at .500, they may have just had their breakthrough. For the first time in the 2008 season, the Yankees are four games over .500, and they looking to add to that lead. There will be a fight for the playoffs, but then again, there is every year. And this year, if the Yankees continue to play like they are, there could be a World Series ring in the dugout of Yankee Stadium for the first time in eight years.