Yankees Season Preview part 1

The 2012 Yankees have the same goal of all the Yankees teams that have come before them, and that is to win the World Series or fail. With some aging stars, and what looks like the final season for the greatest closer of all time, perhaps this team will have a greater sense of urgency to win number 28. I'm going to preview the hitters today, and the pitchers next week.

First Base

Mark Teixeira returns for his fourth season in pinstripes. Last season he batted only .248, a drop of almost 50 points from the 2009 campaign. With 38 homers and 111 RBI though, Mark still has the power and the defense to be considered an elite first basemen. Tex needs to get his batting average up to around .275 this year.  Grade A-

Second Base

There isn't much else to say about Robinson Cano, who could be the best second basemen in the majors, and is one of the new crop of farm grown Yankees. Batting .302 with 28 HR and 118 RBI in 2011, Cano was an MVP candidate. I expect more of the same from him. Grade A

Shortstop

The Captain, Derek Sanderson Jeter is entering his 18th season, and is looking for his sixth ring. Jeter started the 2011 season slow, batting just .270 in the first half, but finished strong after collecting his 3,000th career hit on July 9th. Jeter should be the leadoff man, in a spot he is comfortable with. If Jeter can play a little more consistent this year, there is no reason to think he won't be a 300 hitter. Grade B

Third Base

Perhaps the most controversial player on the Yankees is A-Rod. It just seems like trouble finds him. Rodriguez played in only 99 games with knee and hip problems last year. With 629 career homers, Alex needs 133 more long balls to catch all-time Home Run leader* Barry Bonds. After signing a contract extension in 2007, a year in which he led the league in HR and RBI, Rodriguez's production has dropped and needs a bounce back year. Grade B-

Outfield

The Yankees outfield consists of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, and Nick Swisher. Gardner's speed and patience at the bat, .345 OBP and 49 SB, makes him a quintessential lead-off man, but he is in the 2-hole out of respect to Jeter.  Granderson had career highs last season in HR and RBI, 41 and 119 respectively, due largely to his jump in production against lefties in 2011. Grandy's MVP campaign may have been hurt by his own teammate, Cano, since both guys had amazing years. Swisher has been pretty consistent in pinstripes, with around 25 HR and 85 RBI in his three seasons with the Yanks. He is also a fan favorite because of his eclectic personality. Grade B

Catcher

Russell Martin had a good year with the Yankees, replacing Jorge Posada. He is an exceptional defensive catcher, and has shown some decent power. The Yanks gave him a vote of confidence by trading prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle this offseason, but Austin Romine waits in the wings. Grade C+

DH

Raul Ibanez is projected to be the Opening Day DH, but the Yankees are also going to use this spot to give some of their aging stars, Jeter, Rodriguez, and Teixeira, some rest from playing the field every day. Ibanez hit 70 homers in three seasons with Philly, and should continue to bring the pop at Yankee Stadium. Grade C

Bench

The Yanks' bench has a good mix of young prospects and aging vets. Led by Eric Chavez, Andruw Jones, Eduardo Nunez and Russell Branyan.  Grade C

ETC.....

Some major news broke in the NFL yesterday..... The Redskins traded three first rounders and a second rounder to the Rams for the number two spot in this years draft. Assuming The Skins take Robert Griffin III out of Baylor, they have their starting QB for years to come. RG3 looks like he can be a mix of Mike Vick and Cam Newton...... The Jets signed Mark Sanchez to a 3-year extension that makes him the Jets QB until 2016. According to reports, the deal helps clear up cap space for this season, and is essentially a vote of confidence for the young QB. However, like Brian Scottenheimer learned a contract extension doesn't always guarantee your job....


Frankie Edgar got his rematch!!! Dana White and the UFC did the right thing. Edgar gave Penn and Maynard rematches, and it was only fair that he gets another chance to beat Bendo. If he loses, I wouldn't be surprised if that forces his hand to move down to 145....The new season of The Ultimate Fighter started last night, making it's debut on FX. With live fights every week this should be a really good season with an innovative concept. Coaches Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz should also be entertaining considering their career-long feud..... I got my tickets for UFC on Fox at the Meadowlands  on May 5th. This is my second live UFC event, and the live experience in my opinion is second to only the NFL.....


John Cena believe it or not has gotten the better of The Rock in their promos the past two weeks leading to their epic encounter at Wrestlemania 28. Perhaps Rocky is a little rusty on the mic, while Cena has toned down his goofiness, and showed he can deliver a serious promo..... Finally, the addition of Shawn Michaels at the Hell in a Cell match as special guest ref adds a different dimension to Undertaker and Triple H's rematch. Mr. Wrestlemania has motives to help or hinder both competitors.