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?
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