I’m usually not one for reading the Post, but in these desperate times for content–with a little help from my girlfriend’s wandering eye–pointed me to this article from GAK3 outlining his ten most pressing concerns for the Yankees heading into this season. Since I’m an absolute know it all, I’ll answer his concerns:
1. Who is Derek Jeter? King leads off rather existentially, doesn’t he? Anyway, I’ve said many times before that there’s likely no way Derek Jeter can hit as poorly as he did last season. On the positive side, Jeter still did manage a .340 OBP, though his power dropped off. I’m hoping for a modest increase in power, back to his .139 career IsoP. I could also see a BABIP rebound from Jeter helping out his numbers. So, who is Derek Jeter? I think he’s a great hitter who had a down year and will rebound. We must, however, take caution; Jeter is old and that rebound will probably be slight.
2. Will Jorge Posada hit as a full time DH? Quick answer: Yes. I know his splits as a DH haven’t been pretty, but there are sample size and issues with when those PAs did come so I’m not giving much weight to them. Jorge’s been a borderline HOF candidate with his bat with the rigors of catching; I think he’ll take to DHing just fine.
3. Will Russell Martin hit? I’m not expecting all that much out of Martin, honestly. I don’t think his power will suddenly return, but I think he can keep up that .340 OBP. So long as he does that while playing good defense, I’ll be happy.
4. What happens if Jesus Montero has a big Spring Training? Good for him, then. It’ll give us even more confidence in his ability. However, it shouldn’t mean he makes the Major League team as “Martin’s back up and occasional DH.” Montero, no matter what happens in ST, needs consistent plate appearances, and he won’t get them in that role.
5. How will Rafael Soriano adjust to the set up role? I’m sure he’ll do just fine. He’s a great reliever and great relievers pitch well no matter what inning it is.
6. Where does Joba Chamberlain fit? Somewhere in the middle, I’d guess, just like everyone not named “Mariano Rivera” or “Rafael Soriano.” King mentions AAA, but the only way that makes sense is if they’re stretching Joba out to start which probably isn’t happening.
7. Can more be expected of Curtis Granderson? King uses batting average, but I’ll look at wOBA. Granderson had a .346 mark last season and I think he can definitely beat that.
8. Larry Rothschild has no Yankee ties. I don’t see, at all, how this is possibly a concern. Couldn’t we see this as a good thing? This means no sentimentality, no entrenched habits, a fresh start. Rothschild is also coming from a robust, media-laden baseball community in Chicago; something tells me he won’t react poorly when “questions are going to be asked about the coach.”
9. Cano hired Boras before this season. King mentions the Yankees have options on him and that makes me think this hire isn’t anything big. The Yankees apparently have a good relationship with Boras and they don’t extend contracts until they’re up. I don’t see this being the hurdle King hints it could be.
10. Will Hal allow “lame duck” Brian Cashman to make a deal in July? Absolutely. I don’t see how this is a question. I’m assuming Hal cares about winning above all else and just because they didn’t see eye to eye on Soriano doesn’t mean they won’t see eye to eye on a midseason deal that could push the Yankees over the top.
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4 Responses to Ten Answers to Ten Pressing Matters
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GAKIII should’ve limited himself to five concerns, as #s 8-10 are really non-issues. Were I writing that list one of my concerns would be whether A-Rod can bounce back, which, as I’ve written previously, I believe he can. So does PECOTA.
In the scenario where Martin and Cervelli don’t hit, my fear of the team promoting Montero into that unpredictable mix is alittle disturbing. I hope that Martin is capable enough to re-capture some of his “old” talent and hold the position w/out contention. Whether Martin is merely a rental for the next 2 seasons, or the long-term solution, is simply up to Martin.
8,9 and 10 are silly. How about the more obvious pressing questions:
8. Will the young arms fill the 4 and 5 holes adequately, and where does BC turn if they do not?
9. Will AJ Burnett be anything like the pitcher of ’09, or will he be dead weight for the last 3 years of his contract?
10. Can Teixiera get out of his April/May funk? The Yankees need him to rebound this season, and for all the talks about his historic slow starts, he has never been as bad as he was the past two seasons. Starting Teix off right, or even not crappy, can help steady a ship that will be (rightly or wrongly) beseiged by doubters in the early months.