Where's the Weakness?

is the only real weakness the team has. If they can stave off Father Time for another year we’ll be in the clear.

But so did the NY Giants defensive line coming in to the 2009 season, inc depth.

Some got hurt.
Some had almost career worst seasons.
They finished near the bottom in perf for the season.
It can happen anywhere.

Grandy will flouish in Yankee Stadium.
Swisher – not sure he can replicate 2009
Winn, Gardner will do OK but disappoint overall
Javier will be OK – no more. Lots of innings not lots of wins

If I am right that means big seasons are required of:
Jeter
ARod
Posada
CC
AJ

I am cautiously optimistic. It is a long season. But I think with a little luck the Yanks will be back in the WS.

I like that Vasquez and Granderson deals. That filled a need in the starting rotation, and replaced Melky in center field with a guy who is better defensively, and offensively, and could have a big year. I like those deals. I admit that I wasn’t to fond of giving up AJAX at first, but the more I think about it the better deal it seems. I just hope AJAX doesn’t come back to bite the Yankees.

However, I HATE losing both Matsui and Damon, especially the way they lost both of those guys. Matsui signs across the country with the team that can never decide on a name for 6 million, and the Yankees turn around and sign Nick Johnson, whos only real skill is getting on base, for the same price. I hated that move. If they were going to spend 6 million on a LH hitter who will only DH, why not sign Matsui? You may bring up that he could be injury prone, but then again, isn’t Nick Johnson? Johnson is the hitting version of Carl Pavano when it comes to injuries. Matsui is proven in NY, clutch, has power, and obviously still had a bat worthy of the #5 spot and worthy of protecting A-Rod in the order. Getting rid of him and putting Nick Johnson in his spot with the same price makes little sense to me.

On Damon, he should have been a Yankee all along. Boras and Damon deserve a lot of fault for him not being a Yankee, but at the same time, Damon was a great player last year, and the Yankees could have gotten him at a baragin. They just let one of the key components of the 2009 championship walk away because they didn’t want to dish out an extra 2-3 million. You are the NY Yankees. I have never heard of “budget” being an issue for this team. And then bringing in Randy Winn, and having a platoon with Gardner be his replacement? Thats a big loss, and for an extra 2-3 million it wouldn’t have been a loss at all.

The Yankees lost a lot of offense. They became stronger on the pitching side, but they lost 2 very productive hitters that were clutch, NY proven and playoff proven. It’s going to be tough to replace what they gave.

Hinske was great at that role, but I see little power between Hoffmann, Pena, Cervelli, and Winn. From this Miranda might be a better option than Hoffmann, as he can relieve Tex on days off and hit for Gardner if needed, but I’m just speculationg. If Gardner can return to close to his AAA stats, he wont need an help.

We have no “glaring weakness”. The only way we miss out on number 29 is with some extreme regression and/or severe injuries to 3-4 star players. But since that’s not happening, I think we can safely say that we’re a lock to win it all again. We’re not the 2009 Giants, who’s bad season was by and large due to bad coaching. This isn’t the case here.

(Canadian rant over)

As for the Yanks, i feel much better at this point this year than i did last year just because of two things:

1. We got AROD from the get-go
2. We are set with pitching 1-4 with proven, durable guys.

I can’t wait!

is marginally weaker since there is no power or clutch bat for pinch-hitting. Starting pitching is better, the bullpen about the same but in my opinion would be better if Joba becomes the set-up guy for Mo.

damon matsui melky and coke for granderson vazquez n. johnson and winn you definitely MUST do that deal. its a no brainer. first of all you’re getting a good starting pitcher which is VERY difficult to come by. you’re unloading 2 old outfielders who are near their end…and i havent even gotten into curtis granderson, who brings some youth and athleticism to the outfield. anyone who thinks we shouldnt have done that 4 player swap is blind to our needs

I’m particularly intrigue on Jesus Montero’s development. If he continues to be spectacular then he might see some playing time in the majors in the 2nd half of the season.

Question is, what position will he be playing?

if they are lucky enough to not get injured, and no one happens to have a terrible year, i think Joe G might need to change his number next year, cause they have the best lineup, a top rotation a great closer and good bullpen. it is a long season so anything can happen but im am really loking forward to defending the title this year. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!! 65 days till baseball is back!!!!!!!!!!!!