30 Teams in 30 Days: New York Yankees

This is what the 2013 season will look like for the Yankees.

2012 Record: 95-67 (1st AL East)

The tides are turning in the AL East, and the fall of the Yankee Empire is at the top of it. All great dynasty's must come to an end, and with the Yankee ownership deciding that they want to save around $45M a year by getting under the $189M tax line by 2014, it looks as if the 16 or so year dynasty has finally come to an end. Hampered by years of free spending and trading away of top minor league talent to be in constant win-now mode has left the Yankees scrambling to put a suitable team on the field in 2013 due to injuries and old age. The farm system is middle of the pack, and it doesn't look like it will be developing any more Derek Jeter's and Mariano Rivera's for a while. With the Jays,Rays, and Orioles all looking at bright futures, the Yankees are going to have to start retooling for another incredible 20 years of baseball, unfortunately for fans of the Bronx Bombers, it is going to get worse, a lot worse, before it gets better. On to the preview!

*Note that since spring training is ending, the rosters have been set, so for the last 3 previews, I'll be writing something else instead of the "Spring Training Battles" section.

Key Additions
DH Travis Hafner (1 year $2M)
1B Dan Johnson ( MILB Deal)...(LOL Yankees)
C Bobby Wilson (MILB Deal)
1B Lyle Overbay (MILB Deal)
3B/1B Kevin Youkilis (1 year $12M)
OF Vernon Wells (Trade w/ LAA)
OF Ben Francisco (MILB Deal)

Key Losses
3B Eric Chavez (1 year $3M w/ARI)
SP Freddy Garcia (MILB Deal w/SD)
OF Raul Ibanez (1 year $2.75M w/SEA)
SP Derek Lowe (MILB Deal w/TEX)
SS Russell Martin (2 years $17M w/PIT)
CL Rafael Soriano (2 years $14M w/WAS w/ a club option for $14M in 2015)
OF Nick Swisher (4 years $56M w/CLE w/ a vesting $14M club option in 2017)

Acquisition that will help the most
I hate writing this section when the team doesn't acquire anybody who will help them, but, I guess I'm

"Lived long enough to become the villain"

stuck writing about Youkilis. The veteran corner infielder can get hit by a pitch with the best of them, but aside from that ability to get on base, he doesn't provide much. He is very injury prone, never playing more than 150 games in his 9 year career, and only topping 140 3 times. His BB% and K% have both been going the wrong direction for the past couple of seasons, making the $12M given to him by the Yankees quite puzzling. He's old, has had decreasing WAR's since 2008, and his defense is starting to dip below average. For an injury crippled Yankee squad, he could play a big role, but I think it's more likely we see the aging former Red Sox(sock?) on the DL joining the likes of A-Roid and Mark Teixeira before June. I just can't see him staying healthy, and I really don't like this contract for the Yanks. There were better ways to spend $12M.

When can the Yankees realistically expect to compete again?
That's a great question, and the answer has to be 2014, doesn't it? Maybe not. The Yankees currently have over $84M committed to the 2014 payroll, but that number is only allocated to 5 players. They have 11 players heading to free agency next year(10 because Mariano is retiring), 2 of which are Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson. Cano and Grandy will likely require huge commitments, probably upwards of $40M a year to keep both of them. That already put's the payroll over $120M, and only 7 players controlled. That leaves the Yankees around $70M to play with, for at least 18 players. It won't be an easy task for them to fill out the roster with players that could help them compete with that amount of money, especially since their farm system is weak which makes the trade front almost non-existent. Will a core of Tex,Cano,Grandy,C.C, and A-Roid be enough to support a weak cast around them? Probably not. If I am Brian Cashman, I'm trading Grandy/Cano this summer for close to the majors prospects, and then building around them via Free Agency for 2015 or 2016. It will be a close call to go for it again in 2014, especially with the stacked Jays, young and reloaded Rays, and developing Orioles, not to mention the Red Sox who could decide to go all in again with the blink of an eye.

Questions Heading into the Season

Will the offense be able to stay afloat until Grandy and Tex come back?
NO.
Just look at all the former Jays they have. Of course this team is going to have trouble scoring runs for the first two months or so.

Will the rotation hold up?

Insert Sabathia fat joke here.

Probably. CC Sabathia is a reliable number 1(although wouldn't it be hilarious if he went down for an extended period of time as well...), and Kuroda and Pettitte should be able to hold down the fort at the 2 and 3 spots. Behind that it gets a bit iffy with Nova and Phelps, but for back end guys, they are good enough. A mid-season return from Michael Pineda could be very helpful for the Yankees if they plan on making a late season push, but I might just want to make sure he's 100% for 2014, and just concede this season(I'm a jays fan though,so yeah). If they get really desperate for pitching, they can always just trade away any prospects they have(Gary Sanchez, Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, Mason Williams ect...) at the deadline for rentals, but that's not happening. I mean if it does happen, that would be great(as a jays fan). Basically, their pitching should be OK if they don't lose a couple of guys to injuries.

Will ownership decide to suck it up, and pay the extra $45M a year to keep this team competing forever?
Nope. I mean it would be quite hilarious if they do go back on their word and start spending again, but I think they are actually going to try and get under $189M for 2014, and stay that way for a while.

Prospect Who Could Have an Impact
Mark Montgomery is not a Yankees top prospect. He's around #10 on most publications, and he's only a reliever. But, he's the only Yankees top 10 Prospect who has a chance of coming up this year and contributing. He throws a low 90's fastball mixed with a slider that is up there with the best of them, at a  70 grade. It has a ton of movement on it, and will be the pitch that makes him one of the premier late inning guys in the near future. He has to have success in AAA before getting the call to the show first, but it shouldn't be hard for the 5"11 205 lbs righty to make the jump to the bigs.

Projected Roster

Projected Starting Lineup
1 CF Brett Gardner*  
2 RF Ichiro Suzuki*  
3 2B Robinson Cano*  
4 3B Kevin Youkilis  
5 DH Travis Hafner*  
6 LF Brennan Boesch*  vs RHP  
7 SS Eduardo Nunez  
8 1B Lyle Overbay*  
9 C Chris Stewart  Out of Options 

Projected Bench
C Francisco Cervelli  Out of Options 
IF/OF Jayson Nix  
OF Ben Francisco  MLB 
OF Vernon Wells  vs LHP  

Projected Starting Rotation
1 LHP CC Sabathia  
2 RHP Hiroki Kuroda  
3 LHP Andy Pettitte  
4 RHP Ivan Nova  
5 RHP David Phelps  

Projected Bullpen
CL RHP Mariano Rivera  
SU RHP David Robertson  
SU LHP Boone Logan  
MID RHP Joba Chamberlain  
MID RHP David Aardsma  
MID RHP Shawn Kelley  
LR LHP Vidal Nuno  

Projected Disabled List
LHP Cesar Cabral  + FRACTURED ELBOW (March 2011); placed on 60-Day DL (3/26/13) 
OF Curtis Granderson*  + FRACTURED FOREARM; out 10 weeks (2/24/13) 
RHP Phil Hughes  + BULGING DISC IN BACK; doubtful for start of season 
1B Dan Johnson*  
SS Derek Jeter  + RECOVERY FROM ANKLE SURGERY; questionable for start of season 
3B Alex Rodriguez  + HIP SURGERY; out until at least June; placed on 60-Day DL (2/13/13) 
RHP Michael Pineda  + SHOULDER SURGERY on 5/1/12; placed on 60-Day DL (3/15/13) 
LHP Clay Rapada  Out of Options + SHOULDER BURSITIS; doubtful for start of season  
1B Mark Teixeira**  + STRAINED TENDON IN WRIST (3/6/13); likely out 8-10 weeks 

^That disabled list!

Projected 2013 record: 86-76 (3rd AL East)

These projections were made well before everybody got injured, so don't take that record as anything resembling what should happen. Expect the Yanks to win anywhere between 70-80 wins. .500 would be a miracle for this club in my opinion. They have too many injuries to compete, and they are too old to make up for them. Enjoy this Yankee futileness while it lasts, because I don't suspect it will last very long.

In Depth Analysis of Vernon Wells to the Yankees

AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA


That is all.

Analyzing the Offseasons of the AL East

With Spring Training right around the corner, (pitchers and catchers report in less than a month) it would appear that most teams are done making major moves. This is why I think it's fair that we can now analyze the offseasons of the AL East, as even if any AL East teams do sign one of the 3 remaining major free agents, the team doesn't change enough for my opinion on how the offseaon has gone for that given team. I will go through each team and tell you what they did, show you their projected lineup and rotation, give you my thoughts, and give an overall verdict and grade. I will go in order, based on the standings from 2012.

New York Yankees 
2012 Record: 95-67 
Key Acquisitions: Kevin Youkilis via free agency (1 year, $12 million), Russ Canzler (Waiver Claim from Indians) 

Re-Signed: Andy Pettite (1 year, $12 million), Hiroki Kuroda (1 year, $15 million), Ichiro Suzuki (2 years, $13 million), Mariano Rivera (1 year, $10 million). 

Key Departures: Nick Swisher (to SEA), Russell Martin (to PIT), Raul Ibanez (to SEA), Rafael Soriano (FA) 

Projected Lineup and Rotation: 

1. RF Ichiro Suzuki
2. SS Derek Jeter
3. 2B Robinson Cano
4. 1B Mark Teixeira 
5. CF Curtis Granderson
6. 3B Kevin Youkilis 
7. DH Eduardo Nunez (sometimes Russ Canzler) 
8. LF Brett Gardner
9. C Chris Stewart

1. LHP CC Sabathia
2. RHP Hiroki Kuroda
3. LHP Andy Pettite 
4. RHP Phil Hughes
5. RHP Ivan Nova 

CP- Mariano Rivera
SU- David Robertson 

Analysis: 
The fact is, the Yankees didn't get any better this offseason. They didn't upgrade at a single position. I do give them credit for re-signing numerous free agents that are keys to the team, but I don't think it was enough. Losing Swisher and Martin are the 2 biggest blows to the team, especially since they don't have any players to fill in at both DH or catcher (until Gary Sanchez is ready). Having Nunez and Stewart or Romine in the lineup every day should prove to be a huge disappointment. I don't think that Youkilis will be as bad of a signing as people say he will be, and once A-Rod comes back, their offence should get a huge boost.
Verdict:
The Yankees got worse. The offseason has been disastrous. With that being said, the Yankees are still a very good team. The Yankees didn't need to do much, but it would have been much better if they made a move for a catcher, or possibly a better DH. Every year we say that the Yankees haven't done enough, and yet they still find themselves playing meaningful baseball in October. I still expect them to be contenders to win the AL East.

Offseason Grade: C-
Overall Team Grade: A-


Baltimore Orioles
2012 Record: 93-69
Key Acquisitions: Alexi Casilla (off waivers from MIN), Trayvon Robinson (via trade from SEA), Danny Valencia (via trade from BOS).

Re-Signed: Nate McLouth(1 year, $2 million).

Key Departures: Mark Reynolds (to CLE), Joe Saunders(still a FA), Robert Andino (trade to SEA), Jim Thome (still a FA) 

Projected Lineup and Rotation: 

1. LF Nate McLouth
2. SS J.J. Hardy
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. CF Adam Jones
5. C Matt Wieters
6. 1B Chris Davis
7. DH Wilson Betemit
8. 3B Manny Machado
9. 2B Brian Roberts (or Ryan Flaherty) 


1. RHP Jason Hammel
2. LHP Wei Yin Chen
3. RHP Chris Tillman
4. RHP Miguel Gonzalez
5. LHP Zach Britton

CP- Jim Johnson
SU- Darren O'day
SU- Pedro Strop


Analysis:

I get it. If you use logic, you would think that if the Orioles had a successful season in 2012, that it would make sense for the O's to stay put in the offseason. Unfortunately, the 2012 season for the Baltimore Orioles completely defied logic. The O's do have some good pieces, but the fact is, they were really, really lucky last season. Based on this, I would say that the O's should have made some more moves, maybe to bring in some starting pitching or long relief help, or an upgrade at second base or left field. I like the Casilla waiver claim, but all he'll do is be a replacement to what they had in Robert Andino.

Verdict: 

Just not enough. The Orioles just don't have enough talent to compete this year. Most of the time, when you're lucky one year, the next year you'll come back down to earth. The O's will do exactly that. The only way I can see the O's competing is if Dylan Bundy emerges onto the scene and instantly becomes a star, which isn't something completely crazy, but it usually doesn't happen, even with the best of prospects (Mike Trout was special).

Offseason Grade: D+ 
Overall Team Grade: B- (borderline C+) 



Tampa Bay Rays
2012 Record: 90-72
Key Acquisitions: Yunel Escobar (via trade from MIA), James Loney (via FA 1 year, $2 million),
Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery (all via trade from KC), Roberto Hernandez (Fausto Carmona)((via FA 1 year, 3.25M))

Re-Signed: Joel Peralta (2 years $6 million) 

Key Departures: B.J. Upton (to ATL), Jeff Keppinger (to CWS), J.P. Howell (to LAD), Carlos Pena (to HOU), Luke Scott (still a FA), Kyle Farnsworth (still a FA), James Shields, Wade Davis (Both traded to KC)

Projected Lineup and Rotation: 

1. CF Desmond Jennings
2. SS Yunel Escobar
3. 2B Ben Zobrist
4. 3B Evan Longoria
5. RF Matt Joyce
6. LF Wil Myers
7. 1B James Loney
8. DH Ryan Roberts (Maddon will use numerous players in this role) 
9. C Jose Molina

1. LHP David Price
2. RHP Jeremy Hellickson
3. LHP Matt Moore
4. RHP Jeff Niemann
5. RHP Chris Archer

CP- Fernando Rodney 
SU- Joel Peralta
SU- Jake McGee

** The Rays lineup and rotation is hard to predict right now, as a lot of it will be determined in Spring Training. You could see Alex Cobb or Jake Odorizzi in the rotation instead of Archer or Niemann, and it's unclear if Wil Myers will make the team out of camp, if not, the Rays will go with a platoon of Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer in LF.

Analysis: 

The Rays' moves in the offseason have been very well received in the baseball world, and rightfully so. In what was an incredibly lopsided trade, the Rays stole the Royals 3 top prospects in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis, a trade that will surely work out very well in the long-term for the Rays, and it was possibly a trade that determined that they will be a contender in 3-5 years from now, unless Myers, Odorizzi, and Montgomery are complete busts. An under-appreciated trade that they made was the trade for Yunel Escobar. They got him for practically nothing, and many feel that he could bounce back in a big way offensively, to go along with his already stellar defense.

Verdict: 

The offseason has been a success for the Rays. They have yet to make a move that I question. What I think is forgotten, though, is that they lost multiple impact players in James Shields and B.J. Upton. Short-term, I actually don't think that they got any better, but they certainly didn't get any worse. The best way to explain it is that they got the best out of a not-so-great situation.  Well done, Friedman.

Offseason Grade: A
Overall Team Grade: A-


Toronto Blue Jays
 2012 Record: 73-89
Key Acquisitions: R.A. Dickey and Josh Thole (via trade from NYM),  Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio, and Mark Buehrle (via trade from MIA), Melky Cabrera (via FA, 2 years, $16 million), Maicer Izturis (via FA, 3 years, $10 million), Esmil Rogers (via trade with CLE), Jeremy Jeffress (via trade with KC), Henry Blanco(via FA, 1 year, $750k.) 

Key Departures: Kelly Johnson (still a FA), Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, and Wuilmer Beccera(all traded to NYM), Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Jake Marisnick, Justin Nicolino, Henderson Alvarez, and Jeff Mathis(all traded to MIA), Jason Frasor (to TEX), Omar Vizquel (retired), Brandon Lyon (Free Agency), Carlos Villanueva (to CHC). 

** Also a completely new coaching staff, that includes John Gibbons as the manager.

Projected Lineup and Rotation: 

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. LF Melky Cabrera
3. RF Jose Bautista
4. 1B Edwin Encarnacion
5. 3B Brett Lawrie
6. CF Colby Rasmus
7. C J.P. Arencibia
8. DH Adam Lind
9. 2B Maicer Izturis/Emilio Bonifacio

1. RHP R.A. Dickey
2. RHP Brandon Morrow
3. LHP Mark Buehrle
4. RHP Josh Johnson
5. LHP Ricky Romero

CP- Casey Janssen 
SU- Sergio Santos
SU- Delabar/Loup/Lincoln/Rogers (all will be used in a set-up/middle-relief role) 



Analysis: 

Yes, this is a Blue Jays blog, but, I am not stating a biased opinion when I say the Blue Jays had the best offseason in the AL East, and possibly in Major League Baseball. All you have to look at is who the Jays got, and who left, to see that this is by far the most improved team in the Major Leagues. It isn't debatable that they got much better. I have heard an argument that the moves they made didn't help them out in the long-term, but the thing is, the Jays only have one player (Josh Johnson), who is due to be a free agent in 2014. The players that they acquired are long term players, with major league success. Many get too over-attached to the prospects, and don't understand that proven MLB talent defeats all.

Verdict: 

The Jays are good. Really good. The only thing that they might need to work out is the bullpen, but that need can be addressed when it is a need. So what I am trying to say is that if the bullpen is struggling mid-season, they can look to trade for one more dominant relief pitcher to put them over-the-top. As for right now, the Jays will stay put.

Offseason Grade: A+
Overall Team Grade: A 


Boston Red Sox
2012 Record: 69-93

Key Acquisitions: Shane Victorino (via FA, 3 years, $39 million), Jonny Gomes (via FA, 2 years, $10 million), David Ross (via FA 2 years, $6.2 million), Stephen Drew (via FA, 1 year, $9.5M), Ryan Dempster (via FA, 2 years, $26.5 million), Koji Uehara (via FA 1 year, $4.25 million) Mike Napoli (not finalized, but had agreement, looks like 1 year deal), Joel Hanrahan (via trade with PIT) 

Re-Signed: David Ortiz (2 years, $26 million)

Key Departures: Cody Ross (to ARZ), James Loney (to TBR), Ivan Dejesus Jr (Traded to PIT), Stolmy Pimentel (traded to PIT), Mark Melancon (traded to PIT)

**Also a completely new coaching staff, with John Farrell becoming the manager. 

Projected Lineup and Rotation: 

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2. LF Shane Victorino
3. 2B Dustin Pedroia
4. DH David Ortiz
5. 1B Mike Napoli**
6. 3B Will Middlebrooks
7. SS Stephen Drew
8. RF Jonny Gomes
9. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia 

1. LHP Jon Lester
2. RHP Ryan Dempster
3. RHP Clay Buchholz
4. LHP Felix Doubront
5. RHP John Lackey

CP- Joel Hanrahan
SU-Andrew Bailey
SU- Koji Uehara/Junichi Tazawa

Analysis:

The Sox were handing out contracts like they were flyers this offseason. Any time you hand out lots of contracts to high profile free agents like they did, your team is bound to get better. And yes, the Red Sox did get much better. The question that must be asked is "is it enough to compete?" My answer to that question is yes, but just for 2013. With all of the talent that they have compiled, it would be hard to think that they won't at least be in the hunt for a wild card spot.

Verdict: 

The Sox got better for the short-term, but not for the long-term. Many of the contracts that they gave were to players that are either on the back-end of their primes, or already completely out of their primes, and by the time their contracts are expiring, it's hard to believe that any of them will be 2+ WAR players, which just isn't worth it, considering the money that they spent.

Offseason Grade: B
Overall Team Grade: B

My final offseason grades: 

1. Blue Jays- A+
2. Rays- A
3. Red Sox- B
4. Yankees- C-
5. Orioles- D+

I hope that you enjoyed the article. If any other significant moves are made in the AL East, I will update this article and keep you posted.


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Strikeouts,Brawls,Streakers,and Home Runs: The Perfect Ball Game

In the First inning of the Blue Jays game on Monday Night the Jays had the bases loaded with none out.The Yankees got three quick outs and the inning was over.

Eight innings,two home runs,one streaker,one brawl,and two ejections later The Blue Birds beat the Yankees 3-2.Jose Bautista hit his 39th and 40th home runs of the season,while Brandon Morrow pitched a spectacular 12 strikeout performance. In Bautista's second At bat the Yankees pitcher threw the ball right at Jose's head.The benches cleared and on the next pitch he Hammered the ball to deep center field for a fly out.But his next At bat he crushed his 40th home run of the season and his 2nd of the game.

Yunel Escobar and Cito Gaston were both ejected for what seems to be arguing balls and strikes but it isn't clear.

In Washington this morning Stephen Strasburg,the flame throwing 2009 No.1 Pick was placed on the disabled list for the second times in as many months because of shoulder soreness.That injury usually occurs when you throw 102mph at such a young age.

In Arlington, Texas the Rangers Pitchers were two out away from achieving a combined no-hitter but Joe Mauer singled up the middle 25 outs in to break up the No-No.


The Idiot Could be heading Back To Bean town

Johnny Damon was claimed by the Red Sox on Monday morning.The hero of the 2004 world series champions needs to waive his no-trade-clause by Wednesday,if he is to return to Fenway Park this season.

Jays Bullpen Falters Once Again as Jays Fail to Sweep Yankees for Seventh Straight Year

The last time the Blue Jays swept the Evil Empire was from May 22nd to 25th 2003, a four game series. The Jays were in line to sweep them once again on Sunday though seven innings but then the bullpen came into the game.A four run 7th cost the Blue Jays the game and the sweep over the Yanks.

In the first inning of Sunday's game, Robinson Cano hit a sharp ball right down the third base line. The umpire called it a fair ball, but unknowingly the ball boy picked it up and gave it to a fan. The ball boy was a grounds crew guy filling in for the regular ball boy. After the inning was over, the umpire (Gary Darling) went over to the ball boy and took his glove. After he took it he gave it to a York Region Police officer that we Blue Jay fans and A-Rod Haters know. Yes, the Cop at the third base line today was non-other than Lisa Hayford. On September 4th of last season A-Rod had a little run in with the law.On a Lyle Overbay foul ball A-Rod collided with the cop, while getting booed by the whole stadium.

Watch the MLB Draft tomorrow night on mlb.com
Coverage starting at 6pm eastern. First pick at 7pm eastern