Yankees Daily

Yankee Predictions

Will this year be a “rebuilding” year for the Yankees or a year where they still contend especially with the defending World Champion Red Sox and an improved Toronto Blue Jays team in their way? Let’s look at each Yankee starter.

The lineup:

Johnny Damon: – Johnny Damon is no longer the elite outfielder for the Yankees and had a terrible spring.

Derek Jeter: – How time flies by. Can you believe that “our” Derek Jeter will be 34 this June? Hard to believe. Jeter will still be Jeter and score 100 runs and hit .300. His spring wasn’t the greatest but he’ll be “Jeter” once the season starts.

Bobby Abreu: – Bobby Abreu had a great spring and worked out hard to get in shape for this season. Expect another 100 run, 100 rbi season from him.

Alex Rodriguez: – A-Rod had a great spring. There’s really not much to say about him except that he’s the best position player in baseball and will have another mvp type season.

Jason Giambi: – Had foot surgery this offseason and if he’s healthy, should hit for a higher average, hit more home runs and drive in more runs but that’s just it, it’s “if” he could stay healthy.

Jorge Posada: – Will turn 37 during the year and I’m not so sure how much of an impact he will have. Catchers usually start their down ward spiral in their 30′s and he’s 37. Considering his age and the fact that he’s not in a contract year, I see an average year for Jorge. Not bad but not great either.

Hideki Matsui: – I don’t see him getting 100 rbi’s and 100 runs scored because he is an injury risk. More like 80 rbi’s and 80 runs scored. I don’t see a Godzilla type of season from him. I see a Godzooky type of year.

Robinson Cano: – Can you say breakout candidate of the year? Big time star potential in the making? Robinson Cano had a great spring and can wind up being the best hitting second baseman in both leagues. I see 30 home runs, 104 rbi’s and batting champ in my crystal ball.

Melky Cabrera: – Melky will have a much better year than most people think. He had a good spring but he’s only 23 years old and with a 3rd full season under his belt, I forecast a .310 batting average, 102 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, 18 home runs, 89 rbi’s and the loyalty of most Yankee fans.

The starting rotation:

Chien-Ming Wang – I know that Wang has a great sinker ball and he lives on keeping the ball down but I don’t see him having a year as good as last. I’m looking at a 15-10 record with a 4.21 era this season.

Mike Mussina – The end is here for Mussina IMO. He won’t have a good year and he’ll get rocked almost every time out. I don’t see him finishing the year in the rotation and I don’t even want to guess what his stats will be.

Phil Hughes – It’s up to him. I feel it will be more mental for Phil this year more than anything else because he has the physical package. I see 15 wins with a 3.98 era and will dominate down the stretch and the Yankees will make the playoffs and one of the reasons will be him.

Ian Kennedy – Ian is not a proven starter in this league but he has so much potential that it’s mind boggling. He had a great spring. He’ll be the 5th starter but I prognosticate 17 wins with an era of 3.50

Andy Pettitte – Will be an injury risk all season for the Yankees and I feel it’s because he won’t have HGH to take anymore. Taking steroids breaks you down and it could be possible that he’s breaking down now not only because he took steroids or hgh but because of his age as well. I don’t see a good year for Andy at all. Where’s Joba?

Joba Chamberlain – Set Up – Chamberlain might not have the same era from last year but he will dominate just as much. If Mariano gets hurt, Joba will be right there to pick up the saves but as a middle reliever, he will be untouchable.

Mariano Rivera – Mo is 38 so no one knows what could happen injury wise but he’s as consistent as they come. He’s still throwing the cutter and still getting the ball over at 94 plus. 38 saves for him.
Prediction: Yankees make the playoffs with a 95 and 67 record. Will get off to a hot start. Slump in the middle and come on strong at the end. MVP of the team and if not the league will be Robinson Cano. Best pitcher on the team will be Ian Kennedy.

• Yankees at a glance – Dan Duggan – Boston Herald
• Ed Price’s Yankees preview – Ed Price – Star Ledger
• Baseball Beat: Yankees, Mets could be in for some disappointment – Peter Abraham – Journal News
• Tough task for Girardi: Sending players down – KAT O’BRIEN – Newsday
• High-energy Girardi may suit younger Yanks – Peter Abraham – Press and Sun Bulletin
• Little reason to worry about Yankees’ offense – KAT O’BRIEN – Newsday
• Questions about Yankees? We’ve got answers – KAT O’BRIEN – Newsday
• Yankees healthy heading into season – MARK FEINSAND – NY Daily News
• American League Preview – The Ledger
• A-ROD ADORATION GROWING AMONG PINSTRIPE FAITHFUL – Joel Sherman – NY Post
• Beginning of a long goodbye – LARRY McSHANE – NY Daily News
• Season Preview: AL East and other thoughts – Dave & Aziz Nekoukar – Pride of the Yankees

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