Don’t make them angry, you won’t like it when they’re angry.
The last time the New York Yankees were really angry was after the 2008 season. A season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993. The result was an off-season spending-spree that would make Bill Gates blush. They signed C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, Nick Swisher, and went on to win the 2009 World Series.
It must be ground-hog day, because missing the playoffs in 2013 (second time in 19 years), coupled with the hated Boston Red Sox winning their third championship in 10 years, proved to spark another loaded off-season for the pin-stripers. Yankee Stadium welcomed four big names this offseason, each with pretty dollar being thrown their way (totaling $471 million), notes Bleacher Report.
Key Departures:
2B Robinson Cano (Free-Agent)
RP Mariano Rivera (Retirement)
SP Phil Hughes (Free-Agent)
RP Joba Chamberlain (Free-Agent)
Key Additions:
C Brian McCann (Free-Agent)
OF Jacoby Ellsbury (Free-Agent)
OF Carlos Beltran (Free-Agent)
SP Masahiro Tanaka (Free-Agent)
The biggest news for the Yanks in the off-season was the loss of star 2B Robinson Cano. Cano signed a mega-deal with the Seattle Mariners that the Yankees shockingly didn’t want to match. The additions of McCann, Ellsbury, Beltran and Tanaka though quickly changed the topic, but there’s no doubt they’ll miss Cano’s immense productivity at 2B.
Losing Mariano Rivera to retirement will be the other big-hole to fill. Assumed closer RP David Robertson has enjoyed recent success in the set-up role, but it’s a whole new ball game when you’re asked to replace the greatest closer in baseball history.
The newcomers have added solid depth to the lineup, and putting Ellsbury along-side Brett Gardner in the outfield makes that tandem a terrific defensive duo. McCann will provide veteran leadership and give them a professional hitter behind the plate. Beltran can give them something they haven’t had in a while: a clutch post-season performer. Masahiro Tanaka is the biggest wild-card of the bunch. Coming over from Japan, we know what he did, but how will that translate here in the states?
Projected Lineup:
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Derek Jeter
RF Carlos Beltran
1B Mark Teixeira
C Brian McCann
DH Alfonso Soriano
3B Kelly Johnson
2B Brian Roberts
LF Brett Gardner
Bench: OF Ichiro Suzuki, C Francisco Cervelli, IF Eduardo Nunez, IF Brendan Ryan (R)
Speed will be a much welcomed addition to the lineup in 2014. Jacoby Ellsbury provides stability at the lead-off spot that they haven’t had in a while (52 stolen bases in 2013), notes ESPN. At first glance the outfield is stacked, as it might become a chore to get Ichiro at bats. The infield on the other hand is not what it was a couple years back. Kelly Johnson could be a nice pickup should he hit to his capabilities.
Pitching Staff
SP C.C. Sabathia (L)
SP Masahiro Tanaka (R)
SP Michael Pineda (R)
SP Ivan Nova (R)
SP Hiroki Kuroda (R)
LR Adam Warren (R)
MR Shawn Kelley (R), Dellin Betances (R), David Phelps (R)
SU Preston Claiborne (R), Matt Thornton (L)
CP David Robertson (R)
Pitching wins championships, which is why nobody knows what the Yankees will do in 2014. Their pitching can go either way. Unknowns reside in the starting rotation and bull-pen. Two guys to keep an eye on are youngsters David Phelps and Dellin Betances. Phelps has proven he can pitch in the majors. The problem is they don’t know whether is fate will be as a starter or in the pen. In 2014 the Yankees will need him in the pen and he can be a valuable piece. Betances is one of those post-hype prospects that can get back on track. Once considered destined to be in the Yankee Rotation for a long time, injuries and poor play have him battling it out to finally make the big ball club.
Can the Yankees stay healthy all season?
Injuries can kill a season before it even gets started. The Yankees are an older team, and injuries are a reality (as seen in 2013). 1B Mark Teixeira and SS Derek Jeter played a combined 27 games. Teixeira is a huge cog in that lineup and his power is needed. Jeter, as he plays the final season of his career, will also be looked upon to play a full season.
What will this pitching staff provide?
The Yankees ace, C.C. Sabathia, had a down year. He finished with a 14-13 record with a 4.78 ERA, according to CBS Sports. Those numbers are not acceptable in the eyes of many, including himself. The decline in his fastball velocity has many fans worried if he’ll be able to continue anchoring this rotation. Sabathia must reinvent himself as a pitcher.
Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda are on the unknown list. Tanaka brings all of the hype from Japan with him, and Pineda is finally ready to pitch a full season after two very injury-plagued seasons.
New York won 85 games last year, finishing fourth in the AL East. While that may be a wild success for many teams, it is not okay in the Yankees world, especially because right now is the Red Sox world.
Can the Yanks send their beloved captain out on top in 2014? Or will his fare-well tour end in the regular season? The Yankees should be a fascinating team to watch all season long.