It shouldn't be too tough to improve. Probable regression from the corner OF spots, but you're also very likely to see improved performance out of 1B, 2B, C, CF, and DH. SS and 3B could go either way. Of course, so much of this depends on health.
Even if Posada is injured again for some reason (although there's nothing to suggest that he would be... it wasn't a chronic injury), there's still plenty of room for likely improvement in the lineup outside of his spot. And he doesn't need to put up a 120 OPS+ over 150 games to help the Yanks. Even being a slightly below average hitter for only half the season would be an improvement over what we saw from the position last year.
I think Damon will be fine, but Nady may not hit as well. Though, in this lineup, it would be hard for him not to hit. He's going to see better pitches than he would have in Pittsburgh. You're going to see a marked difference in production out of 1B. If Matsui is healthy we'll be good at DH. 2B we're all obviously crossing out fingers in the hope that Cano's winter exercises have paid off. I'm cautiously hopeful there. CF is a big ?, but it should be okay at the very least. Clearly as long as Posada returns to health we're greatly improved there. Jeter will hit. By year's end, he always does. With Teixeira or Alex hitting behind him, it should help him more than either of them will help each other. Alex should be able to hit this year. It's an odd year and he'll have loads of protection in the lineup. Plus, rumor is, he's with Kate Hudson now. He's moved on and up from that old wanna-be-brit Madonna. This is why I say that if there isn't a marked improvement heads will roll. And they should.
I'm sure he'll be fine, too... just not quite as good as last year. I don't know if many people realize that last year was one of the best of his career. I think he'll hit just as well as he did for us last year... and I think Swisher will hit better than he did last year, but they're going to be compared to Abreu's numbers from 2007, and I think they'll be a little worse in that sense. Not a lot worse, and probably not any worse than what we would've seen from Abreu had we brought him back this year, given his steady decline over the past 4-5 seasons, but a dip. Regardless of whether we'll see Cano put up a line like he did in 2006 (.342/.365/.525), I think it's a very safe bet that we'll see improvement over last year's line (.271/.305/.410). I think this is another very safe bet that it will be better than last year. Our CF might not put up sparkling numbers, but it will almost certainly be an improvement over the performance we got from the position last year.
Cano's has an absolutely beautiful swing when he's on. You could start to see it come back in the way latter part of the season. Now we all know Cano is a perennial slow starter, but a hot start would lock him into a strong season. I predict he will have a hot start.
Guys this thread has been dead for days. I'm under the impression Cashman is waiting until the last minute to make a move for Manny, in order to score a deal.
Manny is a nice luxury but I'd prefer a Center Fielder worth a damn. Seems as if Cashman has to move Nady/Swisher first. Nady is due arbitration. Maybe the picture will clear up after that. Cashman can't keep Matsui, Damon, Swisher, Nady, Melky/Gardner. And add Manny? Too many OF's making too much money.
Unless some team wants to offer to take Matsui's contract off the Yankees' hands, there's pretty much zero chance that Manny will be wearing pinstripes in a couple months.
I dont think we win it all this year. But next year nothing is stopping us. I'm thinking next year's lineup looks a lot like this: RF - Swisher CF - Austin LF - Holliday SS - Jeter 3B - ARod 2B - Cano 1B - Tex Catcher - Posada/Cervelli platoon DH - Montero We've got Wang peaking, Joba's first 200 IP year, solid year from Hughes with a rotation of Sabbathia Wang Joba Burnett Hughes I think we make a serious run for it in 10. I still consider this year a wash due to Matsui and Damon. Really hope we don't resign Jeter though. :grin:
you really expect someone who is going to be playing in High-A (Montero) to be the DH for the Yankees next year? unlikely
I just saw the Yanks paid Melky 1.2. edit: oh and Nady too...6.65/1yr What about Ankiel next year in RF?
Nice reduction. No matter what else they may do now they are assured of a lower opening payroll than last year because they probably won't make any additions without subtractions at this point. Amazing they could sign those 3 guys and still be 20 million under at this point. "At the moment, the Yankees are committed to paying $187.975 million to 17 players, according to salary information compiled from the Cot's Baseball Contracts web site. That number would climb above $190 million if the Yankees spent $10 million more on pitching and followed through on their plan to trade Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher. But the payroll still would be below last season's Opening Day figure of $209 million." http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9112648/Don't-be-foolish,-the-Yankees-aren't-done-yet
You're right. Having stormed his mental woes and developing him at another posistion. Subsequently seeing him exceed expectations at the new position, they can't let him go...but that Yankee money is fun to spend.
He has always been a good hitter, which is why they even agreed to try the experiment out. The fact that he has gotten back to the bigleagues so soon is a testament to his talent.
Mets, Yanks front-runners for Garcia Why? "According to a FOXsports.com report posted late Wednesday evening, the Mets and Yankees "have emerged as the leading contenders" for free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia. Citing Major League sources, the report said that Garcia, a 33-year-old righty, has "pretty much narrowed it down" to the two teams, adding that two other teams might still be in the mix. " http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090121&content_id=3762410&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
