Luis Severino will be a solid number one again
barring injury. C.C. Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka
are good second and third starters to have but
one is dealing with age, and the latter’s health is
a concern in that he’ll eventually need the dreaded
Tommy John surgery.
Sonny Gray was a fine pickup last season and
should pitch even better than he did the second
half of last year so he is definitely an x-factor here.
Jordan Montgomery, the expected fifth starter,
should be able to get the job done in the role he’s
being asked for.
The bullpen is a huge strength again for the
Yankees, which is why they should be considered
favorites to come out of the American League. Last
year’s pen had an ERA of 3.34. Chapman should
be rested and ready to close out many close
games. Dillon Betances, although took a step
back, still has the strength and time to develop
into something greater if he learns control. David
Robertson, Chad Green, Adam Warren and Tommy
Kahnle will add up to one of the best bullpens in
the league.
Where they may have taken a step back is
manager. Apparently, Joe Girardi rubbed upper
management the wrong way. Some speculate it
was a lack of communication, not being a yes man
or being too stern with young players. Whatever
the case, he seemed always to get the best out of
his group. They were one win away from the World
Series, where they could have beaten the Dodgers,
and probably would have.
Since Girardi took over in 2008, the team never
had a losing season, won a World Series, and won
over 90 games five times. Yes, a lot of that was
talent and payroll, but he also thrived in his one
season with a mediocre Florida
Marlins team, when he won
Manager of the Year. They
didn’t fire him, but decided
not to renew his contract.
It’s a sign of the times. Managers seem to have
less power as the front office follows advanced
stats to makes moves on lineups, bullpen usage,
etc. Teams are managed by multiple people now.
Aaron Boone may be a great replacement. But
the former player hasn’t managed or coached
anything. He wowed them during interviews
and has been a solid ESPN analyst and
commentator but why replace a
proven manager with a guy that
could be good with a
team ready to win it all
now?
Nonetheless, even
if Boone falters early,
this team is so deep and
talented that it will likely
win in spite of him.
The Yankees will now
have the target on
their backs again,
like the teams
led by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. They’ll
handle it fine. The playoffs is a crapshoot and the
Astros appear to be the only team that stands in
their way. Winning back-to-back pennants ain’t
easy, but Houston is well equipped to do so. This
could be a fun rivalry for years to come. There are
other solid teams in the league. Boston will be
solid, as will Cleveland, but it’s down to those
two teams, and my money would be on the
Yankees.
QNS.COM
14 SPRING 2018