Yankees Announce 25-Man Roster

After a brief weekend stay in Myrtle Beach and out of touch with baseball, the Yankees announced their roster for the 2008 season, which starts tomorrow afternoon.  The additions of Traber, Bruney, Albaladejo, Ohlendorf, and Ensberg were the only real surprises.

I was really impressed with Albaladejo in spring training and I am glad to see he made the roster.  Ohlendorf has a lot of talent and could be very dominant as a middle reliever.  Bruney lost a lot of weight in the offseason and I just hope that he pitches well as he will be on a short leash, I would imagine.  Ensberg is probably the biggest surprise to me.  It was said that Ensberg was making the team, but I don’t know if the Yankees really need him.  The Yankees already have Betemit and Duncan ( OF too) to man the infield.  I wouldn’t trust Duncan in the outfield.  Girardi probably wanted a major league bat off the bench if he needed one late in the game.  I probably would have substituted another pitcher for him.  Or I would have gone with another outfielder for the bench…particularly Brett Gardner as a defensive replacement or pinch runner.  (check out my previous 25-man roster prediction)  Billy Traber will be the lefty out of the pen for Girardi.  I don’t know how long he will last as the only reliable lefty, but he had a good spring training.  I just don’t expect him to be there all season.  You don’t need a lefty just to have a lefty in the bullpen.  You need your best arms on the roster at all times.  However, I do expect the bullpen to be better this season.

 The final roster looks like this:

Lineup- TBD
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF

Bench
Jose Molina, Shelley Duncan, Morgan Ensberg, Wilson Betemit

Rotation                                                                                                                                 Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain, LaTroy Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth, Billy Traber, Ross Ohlendorf, Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo

Pettitte is on the DL, but he will be back with the team shortly.  This means that probably Bruney will be sent down, or maybe Ensberg. 

Canseco Needs a New Hobby

Canseco recently claimed that he introduced ARod to his steroid’s dealer/contact (whatever you want to call him). All of this insider information about ARod is detailed in Canseco’s new book…which isn’t worth mentioning. I like how ARod is avoiding this issue right now and focusing his attention on winning a championship.  There has to be better ways to make a living than sharing secrets about the sacred baseball fraternity.

Maybe I should write a book about Canseco and his unethical life. Sure we know that he slept around and used steroids, but there has to be more right? I am sure it won’t be hard to find out information on him, since nobody likes him anyway. I can then ruin his life like he did to so many others. This could be a potential gold mine, but I am too lazy to write a book. My master plan has been unearthed…it’s ok to steal my idea.

Whatever you do, don’t read his book.

SP: Growing Pains

The Yankees resisted the urge to acquire arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball during the offseason. Instead they are committed to building a young starting staff with Hughes, Kennedy, and eventually Chamberlain along with the guidance of a few veterans.  Cashman knew a few years back that he has to build a strong pitching staff within the organization and the future looks bright for the big three.
The projected rotation of Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Mussina, and Kennedy could potentially be a good or a bad one. If Hughes and Kennedy mature, Pettitte stays healthy and puts the past behind him, and Mussina can regain some of his old form….the Yanks should be vying for a playoff spot in September. Of course that is a lot to ask far, especially since that there is a innings limit for the big three. There will probably be about 60-90 innings unaccounted for if the innings limit holds true. Who can fill those innings? (I know I am beating a dead horse here, but it is a legit concern) Igawa, Henn, Karstens, and Rasner are probably not the answers. If things go horribly wrong by midseason, the Yanks might have to make a trade for a starting pitcher or go the minor league route again. There will be growing pains at times for the big three, but that is to be expected, as it will be their first (almost) full seasons.

I anticipate that the Yanks will make a trade regardless of what their record is. I hope it is Harden…but the price when up after his first start against the Red Sox. Our rotation is not the best by any means but they can still keep our team in the game. Wang needs to be the ace of the staff again; let’s hope that he keeps his sinker down all season! With Joba starting the season as a reliever, will he have the arm strength when the Yanks finally put him in the rotation at midseason? Can we trust Farnsworth in front of Rivera?

Random Thoughts

-Emil Brown is on my s@*t list. No wonder the ROYALS didn’t want him.

-Brandon Moss…who?

-Is anybody going to read Canseco’s new book? Read something educational instead.

-How can an 85-year old woman working at Radio Shack know more about electronics and technologies than I do?

-Memo to Yankees: Get Harden! (has to be better than Pavano, Igawa, and Wright…right?) But don’t give up Kennedy.

-Papelbon is overrated

-So is Huston Street

-If you are in a fantasy league, don’t draft Rasmus or Maybin (unless it is a keeper league).

-Baseball Tonight needs Harold Reynolds back…I don’t care if he did do it.

-Trade Igawa and every other lefthander in the organization. Traber too…you just wait.

-Note to Jonathon Roy: If you want to be like your father, why don’t you try and stop pucks first instead of dropping your gloves for no apparent reason.

-How can No Country For Old Men win ‘Best Picture?’

OF: Too Many? or It’s About Time!

If you were told a few years ago that the Yanks would have an outfield of Damon, Matsui, and Abreu, you would be pretty excited right?  That certainly isn’t the case anymore.

Johnny Damon used to be one of the best CF’s in all of baseball and now he is relegated to LF duty because he can’t hack it in CF anymore.  What the heck happened?  I am still wondering that myself.  He had a down year last year and with the emergence of Melky Cabrera as the everyday CF, Damon took a back seat for the time being and I commend him for his positive attitude.  The plan is to have Damon play most games in LF, as he is the better defensive player between the two, thus leaving Matsui to DH most of the time.  If Matsui does DH the majority of the time, Giambi or Duncan will have to sit out.  Both players can still really rake, but their defensive skills have deteriorated drastically.   Damon usually has some nagging injuries during the season and Matsui had some freak injuries and minor surgeries.  These could be a factor once again in 2008.  However, I still think both can get the job done on an everyday basis, regardless who is in LF.  In terms of offensive production, Damon could be an unknown, but Matsui will give you his typical .280-25-100.  With the rotation of Matsui and Damon, both should remain relatively healthy throughout the season.

Melky Cabrera will be the CF for the time being.  Girardi had stated that there is a battle for the CF spot between Gardner and Cabrera.  I would be very surprised to see Gardner roaming CF come opening day, despite his productive spring training.  Melky was one of our young players that was thought to be on his way out of NY via trade during this offseason.  Things fell apart between the Twins and the Yankees and Melky will be the everyday CF for at least another year.  Gardner is considered by many publications to be a top 10 prospect in the Yankees organization.  I personally think that he has the potential to start, but he is best suited as a 4th outfielder.  His speed and his ability to make contact at the plate make him a great defensive replacement and/or pinch runner late in a crucial game.  He runs out every ball and I don’t care if he stumbles out of the gate, I want to see that in every player.  Cabrera has more pop and probably plays better defense, but ultimately his experience will make him the go to guy most of the season. But don’t count out Gardner.  If Cabrera falters early, he will be the first in line to be his replacement.

Bobby Abreu, like Damon, regressed in the last few years.  But unlike Damon, he usually remains relatively healthy.  Abreu has always been a rather underrated player throughout his career, but his production says otherwise.  Abreu is also getting older, much like our LF, but you know what you are going to get.  He is just a stop gap until the Yankees finally unveil Tabata.  Austin Jackson might be ready for full time duty in CF as early as 2009.  Both have tons of potential and are expected to anchor the outfield for years to come.

And the Winner of the 2008 World Series is…

Not going to be the Yanks. 

I was really excited about getting a chance to catch the Yanks on Yes while I am home for Easter break.  Yesterday they weren’t on and I had to resort to watching March Madness.  Well, I am not a big fan of basketball to begin with, but that is a another issue. 

I have watched maybe two games all spring because I only get ST games on ESPN in North Carolina.  I knew the game was being televised today, so I turned on the boob tube in anticipation of some quality Yankees baseball.  Instead I watched the Barnum and Bailey Circus take the field in Tampa.  The game didn’t even go 2 innings due to the torrential downpour.  Heck it didn’t even go 1 2/3 innings.  Here are some highlights in case you missed the game:

-Derek Jeter missed an easy ground ball that could have been easily turned for a double play.  The ball went threw Jeter’s legs and into leftfield.  On that groundball, Shelly Duncan (who was in LF for a reason I still have yet to figure out) threw the ball to third and the hitter advanced to second base.  Everybody was safe.

-In the same inning, Shelly Duncan ran in on a shallow ball and tried to make a basket catch.  The ball glanced off his glove and yet another hitter reached safely. Well, when you are an average fielder at best (am being very nice), please don’t get fancy.  He didn’t need to do that.  Save those catches for Andruw Jones and Jim Edmonds. 

-Jonathon Albaladejo started the game for the Yankees.  He was touched up for 6 runs on 5 hits in the first inning.  Granted, some of those runs were unearned, but he didn’t help the cause either.  He didn’t have it today.  Even Marco Scutaro hit a freakin’ triple (I think) off him.  I can’t find the box score so bare with me. 

-And the Yankees were held scoreless by Blue Jays pitcher Randy Wells.  Did I mention he was a Rule 5 draft pick?  Did I mention he never pitched in high school?  Once again it was only for 1 1/3 innings, but seriously guys, you can’t even get 1 run? The worst part of it all was that instead of watching the Yanks, I had to watch basketball again and watch my brackets go to hell.   

I just hope they forget about this game because it doesn’t count anyway even if they finished it or not.  I hate saying that ST means anything at all, but the season is less than a week away.  They are not going to dethrone the Red Sox with that style of play.          

Easter Break

Went back home to see my dog (not doing so well).  I will be back in action in a few days.  

Yanks Pay Their Respects

Photo by AP

Today, the Yankees played a exhibition game against Virginia Tech University to honor those who lost their lives on the campus last year. George Steinbrenner donated $1 million to the VA Tech memorial fund after the tragedy and immediately offered to have the Yankees come and play an exhibition game during spring training. This is the least the Yankees could do. I am sure that the Yankees were touched emotionally by the events of today and were very happy to help in any way possible. ARod even said that this was his most important game as a Yankee. Also, a member of the VA Tech baseball team, even wore a Yankees jersey over his Red Sox shirt.

It is nice to see many ballplayers, coaches, and front office staff pay their respects to the many families and friends that were affected by the tragedy that struck the campus of VA Tech. Living just outside of New York City, I had friends who lost family members in the catastrophic disaster on 9/11/01. I was indirectly affected by 9/11 and I remember how everyone came together. I, like many others, turned to one of my joys in life, the Yankees for support and comfort. It just echoes the sentiment that there is a life outside of baseball and that the Yankees can help the healing process.

MLB Predictions – American League

AL:

West – LA Angels of Anaheim (the name still doesn’t make any sense)

It seems like the Angels are in the thick of things year in and year out, and this year is no different. They added Garland to an already good rotation and F-Rod is one of the best closers in baseball. They also have added Hunter to man centerfield. Their bullpen isn’t the same as it used to be and their stars are getting older and breaking down slowly. They are the only team that really scares me because they always play the Yankees hard. The Mariners could make some noise, especially with Bedard and Hernandez, back to back in rotation. I just can’t be sold on their up and down offense…mainly Sexson.

Central – Tigers

This division is a two-team race with the Indians trailing closely behind. To add the second best hitter in the National League in Cabrera, and a emotional veteran in Willis to anchor the staff, well, you can say that it was a productive offseason. The Indians would like to build on their success from last year. I just don’t think that with the lack of changes in the offseason, they can improve on last year and finish ahead of Detroit. The Twins are in a rebuilding stage and the White Sox and the Royals will fight it out for 4th place.

East – Yankees

Did you have a feeling I might predict the Yankees to win the East? Yes, I admit that I am just a little bias, but heck, they are still a darn good team. They need to get off to a really good start in order to win the division. They failed to do this last year and the Red Sox…well you know the rest. The Yankees have inning limits for Joba, Kennedy, and Hughes which really concerns me. Who will be called upon to pick up those innings late in the season? Kei Igawa…think again. Who will be in the bullpen this year? Whomever they are, they will be on a short leash, as AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre will be stocked with arms ready for the call. The shuttle between NY and PA will surely be constantly moving. The Blue Jays have gotten better and the Devil Rays are only going to get better with more game experience. The Orioles might be the worst team in the majors.

AL Wild Card – Red Sox

The Red Sox have their problems as well. Schilling is probably out for most of the season and their bullpen is not the best. But, until someone else is crowned the World Series Champion come October, the Red Sox are still the team to beat.

AL Cy Young- Justin Verlander

AL MVP – Miguel Cabrera

AL ROY – Evan Longoria (if he plays all year)

ALCS Winner – Yankees (usually very honest but I told you I am bias)

MLB Predictions – National League

NL:

East- Mets

With the acquisition of Johan Santana, the Mets become the favorite to represent the National League in the World Series. If Maine and Perez can build on last year, along with Martinez making a comeback, this rotation has potential to be dominating. The bullpen needs to return to 2006 form. If any regular or starter is out for a significant amount of time, I expect the Mets to lose ground in the East. The Braves and Phillies have the potential to do serious damage in this division. I also expect all 3 teams to be in the race with one month left in the season.

Central- Brewers

The Brewers are a very dangerous team that cannot be overlooked despite their relative youth. They have serious pop in their lineup: Fielder, Braun, and Hart, just to name a few. Their pitching is going to be the key to their success. Sheets needs to remain healthy along with the support of their young hurlers, Villanueva and Parra. The Cubs are really the only other contenders in this division. The Reds are probably a few years away of making any real noise in the division. Bruce, Cueto, Bailey and Votto will be fun to watch though.

West- Diamondbacks

Arizona might have the best rotation with the addition of Haren. Arizona is young team that has showed it can compete despite the youth movement. This might be the toughest divison in all of baseball and the Dodgers, Rockies, and Padres will battle it out until the last day of the season.

Wild Card- Dodgers

With the arrival of Joe Torre, the Dodgers have to be considered one of the top teams in the NL. Their rotation is solid and their bullpen is even better. All eight position players can hit the ball and let’s hope that Torre doesn’t overuse the bullpen. Poor Scott Proctor!

Cy Young- Dan Haren

MVP- David Wright

ROY-Kosuke Fukudome (should go to the real rookie…Colby Rasmus)

NLCS Winner- Arizona