http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12304746 ...the planets will have to align perfectly for the team to compete.
...wouldn't surprise me, but whatever.... for this team to have any chance at all, several players, including pitchers, must not only produce better than last year, but they must remain healthy...wouldn't count on it. ...said it before, but I still think Tex and CC are the wild cards for the Yanx this year. If both can exceed most people's expectations, the Yanx will surprise a lot of people, including myself. ...yes, the middle infield defense is better with DiDi and Drew but at what sacrifice to the offense?...can they both improve greatly over last year?...I dunno. But as far as the pitching staff, for me, each time he starts it will be tough wondering if/when Tanaka's elbow will blow out...or how Nova will be when he returns...or if CC can get through the first 2 innings without putting the Yanx in a hole early...or which version of Pineda will show up. Also, how will Betances translate into the closer's role, and if he fails, would Miller be given the job and if so, how will he handle the move? ...I dunno, there are just so many question marks, and just because I'm trying to be realistic in my expectations does not make me a "weird pessimist."
...the other big thing for me this year is exactly who do I look to as the main guy?...who is now "the face of the Yankees" now that Jeter is gone?...which player will now be the leader in jerseys worn to the games? ...I mean, when someone now mentions the "Yankees" what current player will come to mind?...this year will likely be the strangest for me in a long time.
I wonder about this also. In the past it was always something along the lines of, Rivera & the Yankees will be taking on the Orioles this weekend. Derek Jeter & the Yankees face the A's this week. etc etc. Currently there is no face to the team, no leader. And maybe now the entire team needs to step up as a team.
It never works put when you need everything to be perfect. The only other chance is if some guys you don't expect have career years.
Vic you're right & it just may come to that. I mean with all the question marks on this team it just may take a few unsung hero's to come through. Drew & Didi hitting 260-280 with a dozen HRs each. Pineda getting 30-32 starts & winning 15+ games Eivoldi getting 12-15 wins To say this team is going to be a work in progress would be a major understatement.
First day of Spring Training will see Bernie Williams & Guitar in the Clubhouse playing as the super trio A-Rod, Tex, and A-hole sing their way through the James Brown Classic, I feel good, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, I knew that I would now I feel good, da,da, da, da, da, da, da I knew that I would now, So good, so good I feel good. Check A-holes locker to find out why. .
Duh, did you forget about Arod! Weird times when it comes to that. Does McCann step up and become the leader? I like Headley but he's more of a role player (don't kill me but say a Brosius-type). Maybe it's Texeira. Need a decent amount to go right and some nice surprises somewhere to stay in this, but I don't see it as impossible. Nobody is running away with this division either.
"said it before, but I still think Tex and CC are the wild cards for the Yanx this year. If both can exceed most people's expectations, the Yanx will surprise a lot of people, including myself" I've been saying this most of the off season.....but its not only TeX who will improve on those 1b numbers, Yanks now have a better back-up (Jones, occasionally McCann) to supplement him.....and I've also said CC is the X-factor which will be answered IMO in the positive. Not an ace....but a good steady SP supplying innings. Better production from RF and DH isnt going to surprise me in the least and I know this is a risky statement...but if the 6'2" 200lb rangy LH hitting Gregorious gets comfortable, he'll be hitting a few HRs over the RF fence. I EXPECT much better things than most. Some believe most of the "question marks" will give negative returns but there is ANOTHER side of the coin.
...if Gardner wants to surprise me, he can start by not striking out so much, elevate his BA to at least .300, and stop imitating Rainman on the basepaths.
We already have what you want and his name is Jacoby. Gardner has to remember he's not a power hitter although he's certainly capable of hitting 15 homers. Make contact and get on base.
Gardner also needs to stop standing on 1st base with his thumb up his ass waiting until its deep into the count until he runs because he's already proven he has the speed, he just needs to learn how to use it.
