- Another year, another rotation competition. Joe Girardi says that Sabathia and Kuroda are the only ones with guaranteed rotation spots, and expected the media to believe that. Mark Feinsand’s article last night points out how impressive Phil Hughes looks this season. Feinsand isn’t the only one, according to the NY Post, Brian Cashman feels that Hughes looks like a top-of-the-rotation starter, and Joel Sherman believes Hughes has already won the rotation spot.
- Joba Chamberlain threw off a full mound today. HOORAY! Although he hasn’t begun throwing breaking balls, this marks a big step in his recovery, and the next week will be a large indication of how quickly he will return.
- Pinstripe Alley released a combined Yankees/Mets top 20 prospects. Manny Banuelos heads the list, though Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler beat Gary Sanchez at number 4. The Yankees ended up with 12 of the top 20 prospects.
- Another quote from Girardi says that Cano will most likely bat third in the lineup. I smell a new RBI leader, not that it means anything.
- And today’s workout schedule in Tampa.
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It’s a bit lefty heavy but I’d love to see Gardner, Granderson, and Cano 1-3 in the order Vs RHP. Obviously Jeter would leadoff Vs LHP. Just a dream for now I guess.
Vs RHP
Gardner, Granderson, Cano, Alex, Teixeira, Swisher, Jeter, Martin, Ibanez
Vs LHP
Jeter, Granderson, Cano, Alex, Teixeira, Swisher, Jones, Martin, Gardner
I’d love that too, but if Jeter can pick up from where he left off, he can bat first everyday.
I’m still not sure what to think of Jeter’s second half. My instincts are telling me he can’t repeat those second half numbers over a full season, but I can give him the benefit of the doubt to start the year. I tend to think he is probably closer to a .350 OBP than he is to his old .380+ OBP now. That closes the gap between Jeter and Gardner a lot, especially if Jeter is putting up an OBP of .330 against RHP like last year. Dropping him lower than 2nd against RHP should at least be an option if things don’t go right.