AL Pennant would make season a success for Yankees

Though the final word has yet to be written on the Yankees season, in light of various factors this year would be a success even if we were only to lay claim to the AL crown.

Despite regular season offensive statistics that show the bombers were the best offensive team in the Majors, this year’s crew scored 80 fewer than last year’s, and with the exception of Cano major run producers went through significant dry spells.  Jeter’s 112 runs scored are not nearly as much a reflection on his performance as his significantly lowered BA and OBP.  Texeira’s league-leading run total is more a product of second half burst that compensated for an almost two-month long coma to start the season.  His RBI and home-run numbers are down.  A-Rod’s number’s, though fine on the face, look diminished when you see a slugging percentage, OBP and run totals  that are significantly decreased.  Swisher’s increase in RBI and slugging was counterbalanced by an OBP that was 20 points lower than 2009, and an increase in strikeouts.  Posada has shown his age both at the plate and in the field.  His numbers are not all a by-product of injuries. Nick Johnson did what we feared he would do, he landed on the DL.  Lost in all the injuries to key hitters was Marcus Thames’ remarkable late August surge which sparked an eight-game winning streak that effectively put Boston too far out of it. The Yankees were deep enough to compensate for sub-par performances and injuries, but this team’s offensive might was often absent or intermittent, but most of all, not championship caliber

The emergence of Hughes as a starter and a return to late-20’s form by Andy Pettitte were able to almost completely compensate for two pitchers, Vazquez and Burnett, who ranged from inconsistent to awful from April onwards.  That’s just 3/5 of a rotation to count on, and actually 2 ½ /5 if you take into consideration Andy’s two months on the DL.  Moseley proved to be somewhat effective in making up for that loss.  The bullpen lost key men in Aceves and Marte, and only the emergence of Logan and the acquisition of Wood helped make the bridge to Rivera one that was sustainable.  And in the end, Rivera was Ol’reliable in spite of a flukish late September swoon.

If fortune decides to shine on us for a few more games we will have accomplished something very meaningful.  Coming back from 3-1 against a younger and more athletic team, not to mention winning an AL pennant despite subpar performances and a core four that now looks only like a trusted two.  The pennant would validate the season, the team and how it was constructed.  One thing is certain though, and in many ways this recalls the 2001 team, the final result will not blind management to the numerous changes that must be made to ensure continued post season appearances.