Jason Stark says..............

[RoyalBoyle78]

The Yankees will win it again this year.....
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/previe...son&id=2391991


Cool Pic....

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

Obviously, they'll be competitive and will likely win the AL East, but I don't see any reason why they should be expected to win the World Series more than any other team that looks good on April 3.

Stark's reasoning for this is certainly suspect at best. The offense will clearly be very good, but I really do not anticipate it to be historically good. Keep in mind that all of the players that comprise the meat of this batting order are all one year older. Aside from Rodriguez, I don't see how any of the big boppers can be expected to outproduce what they have done in the past, especially Sheffield.

Their defense continues to suck all kinds of arse, especially on the right side of the infield. Sheffield's defense in right field could be considered a question mark I'd say. Getting Damon in center plugs a tremendously vacant hole that's been around there for the last couple of years. Overall defensively, this team is no better than mediocre on its best day.

Obviously, the biggest reason why I don't see the Yankees going all the way this year is the starting pitching again. After Johnson, it's pretty much all 3-4 guys IMO. Mussina is not getting any younger; a downgrade in performance this year can be expected. The back end of the rotation is filled with injury questions, especially with the crap-a-licious Wright and Pavano.

Obviously the 2006 Yankees will be very competitive, but I don't see any concrete improvements in their biggest problem area: starting pitching.

Of course, when Roger Clemens signs with the Yankees on May 1, this will help them out a lot. Anybody who doesn't think Clemens won't return to the Yankees clearly doesn't know Roger Clemens.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

Obviously, they'll be competitive and will likely win the AL East, but I don't see any reason why they should be expected to win the World Series more than any other team that looks good on April 3.

Stark's reasoning for this is certainly suspect at best. The offense will clearly be very good, but I really do not anticipate it to be historically good. Keep in mind that all of the players that comprise the meat of this batting order are all one year older. Aside from Rodriguez, I don't see how any of the big boppers can be expected to outproduce what they have done in the past, especially Sheffield.

Their defense continues to suck all kinds of arse, especially on the right side of the infield. Sheffield's defense in right field could be considered a question mark I'd say. Getting Damon in center plugs a tremendously vacant hole that's been around there for the last couple of years. Overall defensively, this team is no better than mediocre on its best day.

Obviously, the biggest reason why I don't see the Yankees going all the way this year is the starting pitching again. After Johnson, it's pretty much all 3-4 guys IMO. Mussina is not getting any younger; a downgrade in performance this year can be expected. The back end of the rotation is filled with injury questions, especially with the crap-a-licious Wright and Pavano.

Obviously the 2006 Yankees will be very competitive, but I don't see any concrete improvements in their biggest problem area: starting pitching.

Of course, when Roger Clemens signs with the Yankees on May 1, this will help them out a lot. Anybody who doesn't think Clemens won't return to the Yankees clearly doesn't know Roger Clemens.

I do agree with everything you said, I just thought I would post it....

[nyyanksfan20]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

Not a shock people pick them to win every year. Plus we are due. 5 years is a long time. If Wang and Chacon pitch the way they did last year the pitching will be fine. I expect Randy to improve and the bullpen should be better, especially once Dotel returns. Add in the best lineup in baseball and Stark could be right.

[Misfit]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

The Yankees are kind of the "I'm not sure" pick every year. If the competition seems bunched up at the top, pick the Yankees, because they're always a safe bet to make some noise.

I can't see this team winning it all, though. Johnson is the only reliable starter and after that it's a crap shoot. Chacon can't be expected to post a sub 3.00 ERA again, it just won't happen. American League hitters last year hit less than .250 against him when when putting the ball in play, when on average they hit .297 against everyone else. In other words, Chacon got lucky, big time. Wang had a nice rookie campagn but his history of arm problems is most troubling. Plus it seems to be a common trend for sinkerball pitchers who don't strike guys out to get off to a good start, then fall back to earth in their next year as a starter. And to add to it, the bullpen that was so suspect a year ago has gotten worse with the departure of Tom Gordon and the addition of the historically inconsistent Kyle Farnsworth.

However, one positive in the Yankees' favor is that similar issues can be brought up about their main competition. The Red Sox don't know what to expect from guys like Mike Lowell, Mark Loretta, Curt Schilling, and Keith Foulke and the Blue Jays have been improved quite a bit. This could be a really good season for parity in MLB, specifically in the superior American League.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

Not a shock people pick them to win every year. Plus we are due. 5 years is a long time. If Wang and Chacon pitch the way they did last year the pitching will be fine. I expect Randy to improve and the bullpen should be better, especially once Dotel returns. Add in the best lineup in baseball and Stark could be right.

5 years and your due, Try 20 and I think we are do (Mets)......I would be great if we would win it 20years later....

[joeysosa]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

I really don't see the Yankees winning it this year. They're pitching staff is never good enough to be a World Series pitching staff, and honestly, I don't think they'll hitting will bail 'em out this year.... It hasn't so far....

It should be a nice opening game tomorrow between the Yanks and the A's, I've been looking forward to this series for some time.

[nyyanksfan20]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

5 years and your due, Try 20 and I think we are do (Mets)......I would be great if we would win it 20years later....

Being sarcastic of course.

[jmw1137]

Re: Jason Stark says..............

Their pitching definitely isn't there. I don't think Clemens will sign with them so I think there's a chance they don't even make the playoffs.