...Fernandez is such a likable kid it's hard not to pull for him to succeed after the TJ surgery...I know I am.
Anytime I hear a pitcher coming back from TJ surgery (especially a young pitcher) I'm rooting for him.
Not sure on Fernandez' schedule....but if he's on the mound at least after the ASG, and all things being equal.....the Marlins will be very much alive for a WC or even the division during Sept - IMO Hey, but what I do I know?, I disagree with those who say the Yanks will struggle to win 82 games, and, Arod not being able to make it out of *ST. * due to inability to perform. Did I get it right guys? lol
Actually, I'm still chuckling at-----> "those who say the Yanks will struggle to win 82 games, and Arod not being able to make it out of ST". (post #23)
I think I speak for many when I say .......... "I hope we're wrong". But I am curious to know EXACTLY where you think we've improved so much that we're going to win 90 games.
I'm happy to be off 10 games from my 80....and actually I'm OK with 70 or 90. Not fair to heap too many expectations on the 2015 team, especially at this stage of the year.
Worked out with a kid at the gym this week coming back from TJ and ulnar nerve damage due to the over use of cortisone in the minors. Kids is back to full workouts, up to 88 (93 was his best pre injury), but his movement is even more dramatic. He's got classmates in Rookie Ball and A level, hoping to get a shot next spring. Trying to play in the Indy league this summer. Getting an interesting perspective on young pitchers. His best friend is in the Yankee system, he's planning on heading down to Tampa to support him, continue his rehab. I need to get the name. We had an interesting discussion about the famous Clemens leg workout today. He's pretty sure, and so am I after learning the details....no way to do that clean.
...I'll ask the same question I asked before; "Other than "homeriffic hope" what makes you believe the Yanx will be better than last year?"
Give it up Ron, he hasn't responded me my question either. "What have the Yankees done during this off season that makes you think the'll win 90 games?" I thought it was a real simple question.
I have given my reasons more than once in other threads why I think the Yanks will win "approx 90" games in 2015. Maybe those reasons/opinions were overlooked, ignored, dismissed out of hand, laughed at, or not even read by some. This is my opinion and of course I realize (which I have also stated previously) there aren't any eye catching new acquisitions or sexy additions by the team - and, like most other teams they have to avoid nagging long term injuries to a couple of their "regulars". Here goes: The offense should show considerable improvement in scoring runs over last year's inept output. Specifically the combination of 1b, SS, RF, DH and possibly 3b/2b. The infield defense will also be better DEFENSIVELY from the beginning. IMO Bullpen will be solid and good - quite possibly excellent! SP as a whole will be surprisingly just as "good" or similar as last year.... Considerably better run production + improved defense + better bullpen + SP = approx 90 wins.
...lol...hence the term, "homeriffic hope". ...the reasons to be "hopeful" about this year's team are equally countered by question marks and pessimism. ...being hopeful is one thing, being realistic is another.
I guess this means you think Beltran is washed up, production from 1b won't be better than LAST year, Headley won't be an improved package offensively AND defensively at 3b compared to last year, Yanks will once again have one of the absolute WORST OPS from SS with similar limited range and sub par defense as last year, is unreasonable to expect better production than last year from RF and DH, the offense will once again be 3rd from the bottom in run scoring, Miller and Betances weren't BOTH more dominant than Robertson and there is no indication to expect them not be dominant this year, the SP won't be at LEAST mediocre or similar to last year? Okay - in that case, I don't blame you - .... hence, we shall see!
Okay #1 You base this on what? #2 I agree here. The defense should be a lot better. #3 Betances was GREAT as the set up guy, we have absolutely no idea how he's going to be in the closer role so the bullpen is at best a ? #4 "SP as a whole will be just as good or similar to last year" Sorry my friend but the Yankees starting pitching is a cast made up of walking wounded. We can all only hope.
...I'll say it for the 4TH time...you're basing this on "homeriffic hope"...there is very little other than the IF defense improving that you can hang your hat on...Belltran is no spring chicken anymore and he's coming off surgery and you are assuming he'll be back to his levels of 2 years ago...Tex has been in decline every year for the last several years and you are assuming he'll return to greatness, the BP dominance is also an unproven assumption, as is the starting pitching...you are assuming that Tanaka will be OK, you are assuming that CC will somehow be CC again, same with Nova, same with Pineda. ...no one is saying they don't "hope" the Yanx win "90+" games, of course we do...but not everyone shares your "homeriffic" optimism.
The homer in me is going to estimate mid 80s in wins with hopes to closer to 90s. I'm going to preface this all with stating it's my very homerish opinion. A few reasons: Tex is another year removed from wrist surgery and has an actual backup this year (Jones). No need log jamming the top of the lineup with Jeter anymore. Didi can be put where he does best/hurts least(?) A full year of Headley. He didn't kill it offensively but he was solid and is a real gamer. Plus defense, and we're not starting the season with much weight on guys like Solarte. McCann with a full year under his belt. He obviously underperformed. I'm betting he shows just how much he underperformed. I'm also looking forward to Nova being back. I had super high hopes for him as some kind of dark horse #2/3 pitcher last year. Tear that apart all you want, I'm sure some valid arguments, but I'm looking forward to this season. Also want to note, nobody did much to lock up the AL East this year. Boston's improved but they're not the lock the pros will make them out to be. Baltimore did nothing. Toronto can be the most improved on paper every year but seem to have the Ziggy curse; they'll never win. Tampa's loss of their manager is huge in my eyes. Single digit temps in NY today. Any thought of spring baseball has me frothing today.
Now you're grasping and reaching....and you should know better than to play your word games/semantics with me--- Regarding you BP comment- post 36- are we NOT to expect similar or VERY GOOD performances from Miller and Betances as last year? Are you serious? Are YOU assuming they'll be flops? Should WE do the same? Should THEY? Do ALL GMs act accordingly? ...stop talking like an ass. I never said I expect Tex to return to the production of his glory years.....I said the production from 1b will be (IMO) better. Read the words I wrote and stop trying to substitute your own words....jerky. Same goes for RF and DH.....I said production from those spots should also be better as compared to last year. CC ? I don't recall saying I expect him to be "CC" again... ...and if you mean being an ace-type pitcher again, once again you're WRONG. I do expect him to bounce back and be a solid contributor in helping to make the SP as "good" or "similar" as last year..... And IMO there are will be additions to the pitching staff and on the field/lineup in the form of a couple of their young player....AS I'VE ALSO SAID IN ANOTHER THREAD. You said I have "homeriffic" optimism...... I say you are full of sh!t and the Yankees will be better than YOU and some others think....winning APPROX 90 games. So I guess we shall see.
