2013 Yankees Preview

By
     Frank Solares

            It has been 5 months since the Yankees were defeated by the Tigers in the playoffs. It was bitter sweet as the 2012 team won the Division and then made the playoffs beating the Orioles in a great series. But once Jeter went down, you knew it was not going to be the Yankees year.

All the pundits and experts are telling us this is 1965 or 1984, that this is the year the age will catch up with the Yankees. No one expected the Mash unit or the fact that 120 million dollars are on the shelf to begin the year, even our beloved Brian Cashman has a cast, breaking his foot while on a free fall after jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Gone is Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Tex, "the franchise" Phil Hughes, and the heart and soul of the Team our Captain, Mr. Derek Jeter are all on the Disable list. For any other team or franchise this would cripple the hopes and dreams of the fan base, but not this team. Everyone forgets the Yankees still have a great pitching staff.

CC. Sabathia the best lefty pitcher in baseball has the ability and has carried this Team. Followed by Andy Pettitte a crafty lefty that knows what it takes to win big games. Kuroda the best Japanese pitcher since Hideo Nomo. Nova has been Super in the past and not so Super but entering his 3rd full season in baseball he will bring 3 great pitches and experience to the staff. With "the franchise" starting the year on the DL we will have David Phelps as the 5th starter.

If these pitchers pitch as they have in the past and if they win close to the games capable without career years, that will give you roughly about 80 wins. If the Bullpen gives us 15 wins, not asking for much then 95 wins will be enough to win the East again.

By the way the bullpen is comprised of

BULLPEN
Mariano Rivera
Dave Robertson
Joba Chamberlain
Boone Logan
Adam Warren
Cody Eppley
Shawn Kelly
David Phelps (once Phil comes of the DL)

Not getting into the starting lineup, the key players will be Kevin Youkilis, Robinson Cano, Ichiro and Nunez. If Wells and Boesch contribute it will be gravy, but not expecting them to be awesome. Dont get me wrong Wells can still hit and Boesch can still be a nice player it will all come down to April this will be a key month if the Yankees get off to a great start they will have an easier time. Upon the return or Granderson and Tex in May we will start seeing Girardi's vision of this lineup.

I know its popular to doubt the Yankees and have pick them to finish last or 5th or 4th, but how many favorites have won it all in the past. How many people picked the Giants to win it all 2 out of the last 4 years and how did they win it all? Pitching..

So you can count out the Yankees and Redsox, while elevating the Bluejays, Rays and O's. I am not ready to burry our Yankees.

MSG to the AMERICAN LEAGUE East, YOU WANT THIS?? Come and get it. EARN IT, THESE YANKEES are not just going to lay down and let you take it.

162 games, to be the Champs your going to have to beat the Champs..