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06-19-2011, 12:35 AM
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#1 |
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Rookie
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Let's Get Another - Run at #28!
The New York Yankees, Run at #28 Possible? The New York Yankees, the most storied franchise in all of sports, and the team with the most championships then any other sports team, had a disappointing season last year. After completing a so-so regular season, the team was defeated by the Texas Rangers and brought many fans down in the dumps. The Yankees were in prime position for the off-season to acquire a pitcher that most thought would bring them over the top, Cliff Lee. Lee is known as one of the best pitchers in baseball and brings dominating stuff every time he steps onto the mound, and the Yankees knew it best. Lee had pitched in the playoffs, had the strikeout pitch, and was ready for the big time atmosphere of New York. The Yankees were so confident in a player on the wrong side of 30, that they offered him a 7 year deal, worth an astounding 142 million dollars, making him a part of the Yankees rotation until he was 39 years old. Lee had offers all across the table, some coming from the Rangers, the Nationals, and his old team the Phillies. Not only did the Yankees offer blow the others out of the water, but he was coming to a team that knew how to compete and had a total knack for winning championships. When many thought that Lee was officially going to come to the Yankees, the Phillies swooped in with a 5 year, 120 million dollar offer, and coming as a surprise to many, he accepted, creating one of the most star studded rotations in recent memory. The Phillies now had a rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and a very solid fifth started in Joe Blanton. The Yankees, on the other hand, had to go shopping in the bargain bin. The New York Yankees are trying to rewind the clock, and went out and signed the 38 year old, former Cy Young winner, Bartolo Colon. After pitching for the Red Sox during the 2009 season, Colon sat out the 2010 season and had surgery done to replace some cells in his arms. Freddy Garcia, also a old, once dominate pitcher, was signed by the Yankees to help bring some hope to a rotation now in shambles. The Yankees didn't stop here though, as they also went out and signed once great prospect Mark Prior, and former Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva, along with former great Kevin Millwood, to all compete for a chance in the starting rotation.  Bartolo Colon, who reported to camp 30 pounds overweight, is looking to ressurect his once dominate career. The Yankees also dove in the bargain bin for some bench players, also. The Yankees went out and signed power hitter Andruw Jones, to compete for a spot on the bench and provide some much needed power on a rather weak bench. Also, the Yankees went out and signed 3B Eric Chavez, who has battled injuries throughout the last couple of years, but at one point in his career was considered a star 3B. They didn't stop there, though. The Yankees went out and took a flier on former All-Star Catcher Russel Martin. Martin, who was once considered the best young catcher in the game, had been injured in the past couple of years and batted in the low .200's with a mere 5 HR's and 26 RBI's. The Yankees did make a marquee acquisition though, acquiring arguably one of the best pitchers on the market in set-up man Rafael Soriano. Soriano, who led the AL in saves for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, signed with the Yankees on a 3 year deal worth an amazing 35 million, which some considered to long to be a set-up man. Soriano signed a one year deal, with opt out option for the next two years of his contract. The Yankees also went out and signed Pedro Feliciano, a left handed specialist, to help secure up their bullpen. With these signings, and the apparent return of Damaso Marte, the Yankees appear to head into the season with the bullpen having a very strong bullpen.  Can Soriano continue his dominance over the AL East, and the rest of the MLB? Heading into the season, Derek Jeter is on pace to become only the 28th player all time to reach 3,000 hits. Alex Rodriguez is looking to move up on both the home run list, and the RBI list. Also, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is looking to pad on the saves and move up into the all time leader. Heading into this season, the Yankees will be a team to watch. Obviously with the Yankees rotation being question, CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes the only reliable starters, the Yankees have a big question mark headed into the season. A back end of the rotation including AJ Burnett, Bartolo Colon, and Freddy Garcia is very shaky sounding and could be a huge cause for concern. The Yankees lineup, which is often very strong, is not looking to be a weakness this year. The big question this year has to be ; Can the Yankees rotation provide quality starts, keep the bullpen fresh, and work into the 7th inning? Last edited by rondoismyhomie; 06-19-2011 at 12:50 AM. |
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06-19-2011, 11:05 AM
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#2 |
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Rookie
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Re: Let's Get Another - Run at #28!
Last edited by rondoismyhomie; 06-19-2011 at 11:08 AM. |
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06-19-2011, 11:56 AM
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#3 |
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Rookie
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Re: Let's Get Another - Run at #28!
Neosi, Robertson, look to prove their spot on the team. Hector Neosi and David Robertson are two young bullpen pitchers, both of which have all the potential in the world. Coming into a bullpen where it is full of stars such as Mariano Rivera, Rafael Soriano, and Pedro Feliciano, Neosi and Robertson have loads to prove. Robertson comes into the season as a hard thrower, and a clutch pitcher. His number's in the minors last year were as dominant as any. He pitched 72 innings, and struck out an amazing 68 batters, while only walking 9. Robertson's ERA was below 1.00, coming in a .82 ERA. Neosi on the other hand, was the Trenton Thunder and was their ace last year, going 13-4 with a 2.34 ERA. Neosi was called up to the bigs, but didn't get to do much and only worked one scoreless inning of relief before being called backed down. Both pitchers are under a lot of pressure, as some people think they don't deserve to be on the team. Veterans such as Cory Wade, Damaso Marte, and others are down pitching for a spot on the AAA team, while these two rookies are coming up and pitching under the spotlight.  Neosi comes into this season working hard to keep his spot in the bullpen Robertson, who has been known to handle the media well, was quoted saying this after he learned he had made the team, "Honestly, I didn't see this coming. I was preparing myself to become the closer of the Thunder but being called up just makes my year. I have to keep this spot and work hard for it, nothing in life comes easy and the MLB has always been my goal. I want to thank the Yankees organization, and I won't let them down." Neosi, was also quoted saying this, "Even if I don't play much, when I come in, I will show them it was the right choice to have me on this roster." Last edited by rondoismyhomie; 06-19-2011 at 12:37 PM. |
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06-19-2011, 12:21 PM
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#4 |
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Rookie
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Re: Let's Get Another - Run at #28!
Nova, Robertson, Sweeney lead the Yankees best prospects. The New York Yankees, once considered to have one of the worst farms in baseball, have built themselves back up and are now starting to give the young guns a taste of the majors. Today, we will be reviewing the Yankees top five prospects, and if we can expect them to make a appearance in the majors this year. 1. Ivan Nova - Nova got his taste of the bigs last year, appearing in some spot starts and working hard for his spot. After a rough spring training, Nova was beaten out by Silva for the LR spot in the bullpen. Nova's power curve has really been his strong point, as he keeps using it as a strikeout pitch when needed. Nova is not a hard thrower, yet he pitchers for contact and often gets the outs he needs. Expect Nova to be called up for a spot start as soon as the first Yankees starter is going to miss a start. 2. David Robertson - Robertson is coming into this season as a middle relief pitcher for the Yankees. Robertson is best known for his 94 - 97 MPH fastball that catches his off guard, and then his cutter which will only get betters with Rivera teaching him tips and tricks on how to throw it. Robertson worked hard to get here, and don't expect him to leave anytime soon. I wouldn't be surprised to Robertson move into the 7th inning role later this year.  Robertson comes into the season as the Yankees 2nd best prospect, inches behind starter Ivan Nova. 3. Dick Sweeney - Sweeney is pitching in A ball, and not many people have heard about this kid. He has all the potential in the world, and has been compared to Sandy Koufax, Clayton Kershaw, and David Price. He is a hard throwing lefty who won't be making an appearance anytime soon in the bigs. Sweeney is still young, at only 21 years old, but doesn't seem like he will be making an impact this year. His fastball tops out at 96 MPH, and his sinker is one of the best in the minors. Look for this kid to be making an appearance next year, if not traded for a an ace. 4. Sam Hughes - Remember this name, because one day he is going to be big. Hughes is a 3B, has above average speed, great range, and massive power from the right side of the plate. He has all of the potential in the world and has always been known as a hard worker. Some people are calling him a mold of Chipper Jones, while others say he is more like a Kevin Youkillis and can play any where you put him and bat in every position in the order. Not only do I expect him to be big, but I expect 30-40 HR's every year. Hughes will be making an impact in the majors not this year, but next July. 5. Andres Cedeno - Andres is a power hitter, plain and simple. His swing is one of the smoothest in the minors and his eye at the plate is one of a lifetime. He always goes up to the bat thinking base hit, but more times then not will come up with a HR. In his last year as highschool, Andres broke an all time record for HR's in a season with 26... coming in only 18 games. Cedeno is looking like the real deal, and at 21 is plowing his way through the minors. Last edited by rondoismyhomie; 06-19-2011 at 12:34 PM. |
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06-19-2011, 12:34 PM
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#5 |
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Rookie
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Re: Let's Get Another - Run at #28!
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