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ASPIRESPRING2016

METS and YANKEES PREVIEW 2016 LINEUP Like last year, it all depends on health. But veterans Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, former stars who were considered done, made major contributions, especially the early part of the season. Tex got hurt as expected and A-Rod ran out of steam. Still, they carried the team and gave them a shot at not only a wild card but the division. Now, they improved up the middle by adding three-time all-star Starlin Castro. With the trade, they added the all important youth movement. If Jacoby Ellsbury stays healthy and Carlos Beltran has a solid year left in him, this lineup, although won’t be able to match some division rivals, might be good enough. Didi Gregorious replaced the most beloved Yankee of all-time and struggled early, but came into his own both offensively and defensively in the second half as well. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR STARTING PITCHING Masahiro Tanaka was a big question mark entering last season because of arm issues, but he pitched well. Maybe he wasn’t the star they expected him to be a year before when he dazzled the league but he was good enough. After that, it’s really a lot of question marks. CC Sabathia is dealing with health issues of his own and pitched poorly last year, even for a bottom-ofthe rotation starter. Michael Pineda started strong, but underwhelmed later on. It’s understandable with the Yankees’ new philosophy of not overpaying free agents that they didn’t go after top starting pitchers like David Price in the off-season, but it’s still disappointing that they couldn’t find a creative way to improve the rotation. If they fail to make the playoffs this year, this will likely be one of the main culprits. HEALTH AND AGE It was said last year and it has to be said again. Much of this team’s success relies on older guys staying on the field, specifically A-Rod and Tex, but also the entire aging lineup and rotation. This team is the most Mark difficult one to predict in February. They can Teixeira steal the division or end up in fourth place. The reason why it’s tough to tell is health. Really, who knows? They’re already off to a bad start on this front as their young and most promising young hitter, first baseman Greg Bird, is out for the season after shoulder surgery. Also, if the players stay healthy, will they produce or experience an inevitable steep decline? It’s all about getting the most out of the guys they’re stuck with. COMPETITION The division, while not the league’s best, has potential to be a solid one. The Red Sox, who finished with another losing record despite free agent splashes, improved again, by signing Price and one of the league’s best closers, Craig Kimbrel. They also have young talent such as Xander Bogarts and Mookie Betts ready to become stars. Last year’s division champs, the Toronto Blue Jays, lost Price but still have a solid lineup, led by Jose Bautista and reigning MVP Josh Donaldson. It may be an uphill climb from the start. BOTTOM LINE They have a shot to make it back to the playoffs in some capacity and they can always surprise with a big trade but this continues to be a transition time for the Bombers. Season ticket holders may not want to hear it but it’s for the best. They need to shed the contracts of Sabathia, A-Rod and Tex before they really start spending huge dough, and by then, they will need a nucleus of young, homegrown talent. The fact that they remain in the thick of the playoff race if things play out the right way is just gravy and not the worst position to be in. MANAGER Girardi won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009 and won Manager of the Year as skipper of the Florida Marlins. However getting last year’s team into the postseason might’ve been his greatest accomplishment yet. It was the first team the Bombers made the playoffs in three seasons. Perhaps he’s best with a team slated as an underdog. He’s one of the league’s best managers. He’s entering his ninth season with the Yanks and fared well in this past Manager of the Year voting. Didi Gregorius Masahiro Tanaka Joe Girardi Alex Rodriguez


ASPIRESPRING2016
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