2009 Preditcions for the Whithering Yankees

I will start with the prediction of what the roster could look like.

Starting Rotation

1. C.C. Sabathia - LHP
2. Chein-Ming Wang - RHP
3. A.J. Burnett - RHP
4. Andy Pettitte - LHP
5. Mike Mussina - RHP

Bullpen

• Mariano Rivera - RHP (CL)
• Francisco Rodriguez  - RHP(CL)
• Joba Chamberlain - RHP (SU)
• Phil Coke - LHP
• Damaso Marte - LHP

Lineup

1. CF: Johnny Damon - B:L
2. SS: Derek Jeter - B:R
3. RF: Bobby Abreu - B:L
4. 3B: Alex Rodriguez - B:R
5. 1B: Mark Teixeira - B:S
6. DH: Hideki Matsui - B:L
7. LF: Xavier Nady - B:R
8.   C: Jorge Posada - B:S
9. 2B: Robinson Cano - B:L

Article:

     I will start attacking the roster rather than any other writer beating around the bush the first paragraph. The rotation in 2008 was repulsive period.  The only highligh was Mussina re-invented himself and in my heart won another year in the rotation, and same for Pettitte he showed just enough. The rotation needs the stability of crafty veterans, reasons? They can be turned to in a important game to show their worth, they will rub off on the youngsters, and its automatically 15 wins on average to the rotation, and because of their ages they will come cheap for a 1 year contract.  Now when it comes to free-agents, the front office will be throwing money around which they have not wanted to do since signing Damon back in '06.  C.C. will come at first scent (of money) since everyone seems to agree only the Yankees can afford him and he has already expressed he wouldn't mind playing for them.  Next, since Wang will be back that is 2 powerhouses that click for 17-20+ wins.  But still one man down who can fill one more spot in the rotation why not another ace in A.J. Burnett he pretty much guaranteed 14-18 wins but it also depends if he wants to test free-agency. Other possibilities are bring Hughes back get him more used to the majors but he still is very young let him develop one more year and call him up in September, so a better choice would be bring in someone like powerhouse Ben Sheets, or someone with great October experience John Smoltz, then you have these other free agents who will fill in perfect - Derek Lowe, Randy Johnson (no joke he has another year in him he reinvented himself like "moose"), Livan Hernandez, Jon Garland, Clemens is still an option, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and so on there is plenty of stabilizers out there.  Bullpen, as you noticed i threw in K-Rod. Him and Mariano are necessary since Rivera will not be available as often throughout the season.  So for a night (or day) Rivera cant pitch in a dire situation Rodriguez is there, AND vice versa or if 2 innings are needed, or if either or get into a jam the other can save the day.  Onto Joba, he belongs in the setup role because 97 I'd say of the time its a scoreless 8Th and then its game over and a win in the ninth its perfect pieces to the puzzle.  The lefty situations have been solved, Marte and Coke enough said.  As for the rest of the bullpen Yankees can bring in whoever they please there is plenty of relievers to choose from and the choices are not hard.

     The story with the hitting, is yes the Yankees will have a lineup that can put up 1,000 runs this year.  Last year was all injury to the majority of the superstars.  Rodriguez is fine no need to "boo" him he had no protection in the lineup.  Abreu will comeback because of his unique approach that includes patience and a pesky line-drive gap swing, he still has plenty of pop left and the short porch will be around in the new stadium so the more lefties the better. He drives in 100 RBI's and he has a perfect On Base Percentage which is very very important to revolve a team around, and he can still run, has an arm, and will produce in RISP situations.  Bye, bye Giambi, yes it is hard to let go of the "Giambino" but age is getting to him, his hitting eye is sliding, his fielding is not enough and will not drive in runs anymore his production is straight out sliding fast im sorry but a healthy team is the answer.  Teixeira will be the answer, he can provide power from both sides of the plate (30+ yearly), gets on base overall with both walks and hitting for a .300+ average, drives in a lot of runs in all situations (121 RBI in 2008), and plays a gold glove first base. Now picture this Abreu, A-Rod, Teixeira perfect 3-4-5 pure power.  With Matsui back thats 100 RBI's again and Matsui in 2008 before he went down to injury in my opinion was an unsung hero in the beginning of the season how many times did he give the yankees a tie game or the lead and yet the pitching blew it....countless times tsk tsk tsk.  So Matsui's bat is a major plus, Nady is plain he will filll the void perfect he will do his share. Damon will control center field, his range and speed is needed.  I love Melkey but i prefer for him to prove himself again and Gardner to prove a little more as well so they will be on the bench come opening day. Cano will bounce back strong...in the nine-hole, that's where his success first came he still needs to adapt to some pressure situations so batting ninth will suit him well.  Posada will also be a big revival cause his bat doesn't handle it all its his brains and guts behind the plate that makes the pitching staff winners. If he had'nt have gone down the pitching staff would have been much stronger and more contending and maybe would've kept Pettitte out of his 5 game losing streak.

With a refreshed team and all the peices ready to fall into place this off season i picture the yankees ready to be a team of 95 or more wins once again.