| BataviasBest.org
Monday, March 30, 2015
Coming into 2015 the New York Yankees seem to have put themselves in a somewhat-favorable position for a run at the AL East Title, and perhaps the pennant. However, whether or not they will find themselves still participating in late-October hinges on several variables, and as we enter the regular season, many questions remain unanswered.
Enduring a new era
With the exit of Derek Jeter, the Yankees not only will have to replace his play on the field – they have also been left without a captain for the first time in years.
Although the Yanks will bring back a large portion of their roster from a season ago, a few longstanding members of the Bronx Bombers have departed this offseason. To begin with, and most importantly, Derek Jeter.
Without Jeter in 2015, the Yankees will now look to newly-acquired Didi Gregorius to fill the gaping hole left at shortstop with The Captain’s departure. However, having hit .300 during the spring, perhaps Didi will be able to make the transition as smooth as possible.
In addition to the loss of Jeter, David Robertson has also left New York for what he believes will be greener pastures in Chicago – leaving behind a void in the bullpen that will likely be filled by either Dellin Betances or Andrew Miller; or perhaps a combination of the two.
Miller, acquired through free agency having spent the past few seasons in Boston, is a hard-throwing left hander who has struggled with command issues throughout his career. However, if he is able to find himself while under the tutelage of renowned pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Miller has a chance to become one of the top-tier relievers in this league. He possesses quality stuff (fastball, slider, change) and will have a chance to prove himself during the late innings throughout the year.
Much like Miller, Betances will also have a chance to earn the closer-role which was left vacant with Robertson’s departure. Having struggled mightily this spring with his fastball velocity and movement on his curveball, though, many questions have been raised as to whether there is something wrong with the 2014 standout, or perhaps his lack of stuff can simply be attributed to spring-time rust. Either way, the dynamic between the two relievers will certainly be something to pay attention to.
Lastly, an under-the-radar loss for the Yanks this year will be their former-ace Hiroki Kuroda. Losing Kuroda, each member of the rotation will need to fill a new role that will be equally important as the team moves forward into a new era.
A Rod*
Having done his time in ‘baseball purgatory’ – it is time for the fans to embrace what A Rod can do to help the team win this season.
Having endured a relatively-successful spring thus far, I believe A Rod can truly help the Yankees win games this season. He seems healthy, he looks spry, and with a new sense of motivation gained during his time off the field – I see him providing the club with a much-needed spark from the DH spot throughout the year.
At season’s end, I see A Rod compiling a .280/20/80 line. Seriously.
Can Girardi solidify his job?
Having missed the playoffs the past two seasons, Girardi must earn a playoff berth during 2015 to quiet future questions concerning his job.
Now, I’m not saying that I believe the Yankees’ skipper should be canned if he misses the playoffs this season – I happen to like Girardi and what he has done for this team. However, if his group is to miss the postseason for a third-consecutive season, questions pertaining to his job status are sure to arise.
This offseason Girardi lost his hitting coach, and if his team continues to falter – he will be next.
Can the key pieces produce?
Along with mainstays such as Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner, 2014 newcomers such as Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, and Jacoby Ellsbury must come through this year.
Even with several new high-priced free agents last year, the Yankees were still near the bottom of the American League in terms of their offensive production.
Going into 2015, with a few new faces making their way into the starting lineup (Gregorious, Drew, A Rod) it will be the duty of the returning starters to make their mark offensively throughout the season. If they are able to do so, and the core 1-5 of the lineup (Gardner, Ellsbury, Beltran, Teixeira, McCann) can hit the ball well and drive in runs, this offense has the potential to be among the best in the AL. However, if health concerns creep up, or players underperform as they did a year ago, Yankees fans could be in for another long year.
The only thing certain heading into this Yankees season is uncertainty. Naturally.
Can role players remain in the lineup?
Chase Headley, Didi Gregorius, and Stephen Drew need to earn their pinstripes this season.
Although I believe Chase Headley has likely earned his spot at third base for the Yanks and will continue to do so going forward, heading into the beginning of this season, other role players such as Stephen Drew and Didi Gregorius will be under the microscope each time they step on the field.
Granted, their contribution will primarily be of the defensive variety, the NY middle infield duo (along with Brendan Ryan who will play SS vs lefties) must produce offensively if this team hopes to compete.
Whereas Gregorius has shown glimpses during the past and throughout the spring and seems to have a stronghold on his position, Drew has shown no sign of being able to chip in with the stick and I truly see him working his way out of the lineup by the All Star Break – making way for prospects such as Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder to step in and prove their own worth. Both youngsters have been hitting the ball extremely well during the spring, but Yanks GM Brian Cashman terms Stephen Drew as the ‘safe’ play at second base to begin the season. The question is, how long will his dreadful offensive production be described as such? Especially with two prospects breathing down his neck.
Who will perform at the top of the rotation?
Although Masahiro Tanaka has earned the Opening Day start for the Bombers, the likes of CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, and Nathan Eovaldi will be equally important this season.
Perhaps the most-controversial subject of the Yankees offseason (aside from the A Rod saga) was the decision of Masahiro Tanaka to forgo surgery on his ailing elbow.
Although multiple specialists advised him to decline the Tommy John surgery, many surrounding the situation believe his arm is much like a ticking time bomb – just waiting to explode. However, if he is able to overcome the doubters and endure this season without further issue, he will provide the Yankees with #1-type stuff and put them in solid position within the Division.
In addition to Tanaka, the enigmatic Michael Pineda and the lightly-stuffed CC Sabathia will also be important factors in whether or not this team experiences success.
If Pineda can stay healthy and the equipment managers keep him away from the pine tar, he has top-notch stuff and will be a force at the top of the rotation. Also, if CC can force down a few extra helpings of chicken parm and maintain his girth throughout the entire 162-game schedule, I’m sure he can return to somewhat of his former self and help the team win as well. Although, health concerns surround the big lefty’s 2015 outlook, too.
All in all, despite the questions, I have high hopes for this rotation.
I believe they will stay healthy, and with three hurlers at the top of the cycle that possess potentially upper-tier stuff, I see the combination of Tanaka, CC, and Pineda having a reasonable chance to top 50 total wins at season’s end. Also, don’t forget about Ivan Nova (returning in June) to go with newly-acquired youngster Nathan Eovaldi, who will likely give NY an extra push near the back-end of the circuit.
However, much like the offense, the pitching staff has plenty to prove going into the start of the regular year.
Season prediction
After taking everything into account, I see the Yankees walking away as AL East Champions when the dust settles at season’s end.
While many may believe this is unreasonable or overly-optimistic, I see it as completely the opposite.
To put it plainly, the East is weak this year.
Although I expect the Orioles to be strong as they were a season ago, and I also see the Blue Jays having a chance to make some noise within the Division, teams such as the Rays and the Red Sox – who have enjoyed the majority of the East’s success in recent years – are undoubtedly down and will have to figure it out on the fly this year.
Also, despite my favorable view of their chances going into the regular season, the Orioles lost a big bat in Nelson Cruz during the offseason (headed to Seattle), and the Jays are the Jays (not in a good way) – which will likely hurt both of their chances down the stretch.
Final Prediction
Yankees’ Record: 94-68 – AL East Champs
Lose in Divisional Series to Cleveland
Let’s go Yanks.
We’ll miss you, Derek.
Other articles you may like:
Oh Captain, My Captain: A 23 year-old’s tribute to his favorite player
End of an Era: Jeter Announces Retirement – A look at his career & lasting legacy
