yankees228

Where did I say I expected them to score more than 5.7 runs per game? I said based on their totals last year, and their career capabilities, I don't think it's unrealistic for them to average around 5.5 runs per game. They might average less, but I do feel, for the reasons mentioned above, that it's a realistic possibility. As for the defense, I'll address each player one by one. Jeter was average in 2008, and good last year. Based on his start this year, and based on the past two years, I expect his solid defense to continue. In my opinion, Jeter is a very different defensive player now than he was before 2008. A-Rod is finally healthy, and I think he can contribute an above average year at third base. It's a small sampling, but his range was his downfall last year, and it looks excellent so far this year. While the numbers suggest Cano was well below average last year, based on watching him play everyday, this is something I disagree with. It's nothing more than a subjective opinion, but I think Cano is average defensively (right now), with the potential to far exceed that. Swisher was just below average last year, and in the small right field at NYS, I expect similar results. He's hardly spectacular, and he looks foolish at times, but he's hardly a liability out there that some people make him out to be. Once again, they won't maintain their current level of pitching, just like they won't continue to win seventy five percent of their games. I've said this numerous times already, but I guess it's worth repeating. I've only been making two general points in this debate. The first is that they're not far exceeding their capabilities so far this year. They're exceeding them, just based on their winning percentage, but it's hardly an enormous leap from what they're capable of. The second point is that this team is quite good, and if they stay healthy, they should be a 100 win team, and one of the best in baseball.

We'll have to agree to disagree about the offense. I think it's worth noting when a team, no matter how they're producing overall, doesn't have its top two hitters performing. Based on how they performed last year, and who they have on their current roster, I don't think that averaging 5.5 (or so) runs per game is unrealistic. As for the defense, I'm not just talking about going into this year. Over the last few years, the Yankees have made a concentrated effort to improve defensively, and I think they've succeeded. In my estimation, outside of the catching position, they're either average or above average at every position on the diamond. Additionally, I haven't noticed a change in Jeter's fielding. There was one ball, in the ninth inning of the last game of the series against the Angels, that he probably should have gotten, but the ball stayed down when he expected to it come up to him. Other than that, with the exception of one poor throw in Boston, he has looked very similar to last year in my estimation. Thing is, I'm not judging them by what they've done so far in twelve games. I'm judging them by what the players on their roster are capable of, and I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far. I'm confident that this is a 100 win team, if healthy. Would you care to dispute that?

I can't guarantee that he was fully healthy, but I can vouch for a700 when he says that Cameron did not look good in ST. I was down in Fort Myers towards the middle of March, and there were two or three fly balls in one game that he looked lost and slow on. Granted, it's a small sampling, but when other people notice the same thing, and when it carries over into the regular season, some thought has to be given to the matter.

Thanks for the link JayBay.

Do you have any link updating Ellsbury's situation?

J_E, based on things I've read, it seems that the possibility existed for the Red Sox to acquire Teixeira without entering a bidding war with the Yankees.

It's not about holding out. The Yankees showed absolutely no legitimate interest (that was made public, which is all we can go on), until the very end of the process. With Sabathia, they made an immediate push for him. He was the priority, far above anyone else, and this is completely clear any way you slice it. And you're right, I do have a point, but even I'd admit that the fraction of my post that you quoted shouldn't be enough to convince you. However, the post in it's entirety, in my opinion, represents a pretty solid case. EDIT: @ Dojji

Thing is, this new Yankees regime, under Steinbrenner's sons and Cashman, really have been pretty honest. Look no further than this offseason for proof of that. It was reported, and confirmed by multiple people in the Yankees' front office, that the Steinbrenners were initially unwilling to pay the money necessary to land Teixeira. Then, at the last second, Steinbrenner OK'd the current offer. Choose to believe what you want. This is a pointless discussion, because we have no idea what their mindset was. But here's the thing. You're just spouting out baseless claims, and acting like they're fact. I'm not acting like my claims are fact, but I also realize that they at least have some support. The scenario that played out over last winter, and the information that has been reported and confirmed, at the very least, hardly makes it seem like it was the priority that you're making it out to be. And on top of all this, there are two key facts that you're overlooked. 1. If the Yankees prioritized him like they prioritized Sabathia, why'd they wait as long as they did? Remember, at the first possible moment, they offered Sabathia 140 million dollars. He was their priority way above anyone else, and they made that clear with their actions. 2. This is conjecture, but again, based on (what I consider) logic and reports and confirmations, the Yankees acquired Swisher to play first base, with an outfield of Damon-Cabrera/Gardner-Nady.

Does anyone know what SD's demands are reported to be?

It all depends how much you want to credit the catcher for good pitching, or blame the catcher for bad pitching. It's all very arbitrary, and you can't prove causation.

OK, the whole 'not worried' mantra is pretty vague. I guess you just mean you're not worried that this start will have any affect on the ultimate goal. That's fair.

Picks up again Tuesday night.

That's a good point about the pitches. All I'm saying, though, is that they'll go through stretches where their hitters just aren't seeing the ball as well as they are now, as a collective unit. Either way, I don't think you, Gom, or me disagree at all about how good this team is. They're really good, no question about it. My only point was about them not getting to a win total around 110. But again, either way, they're playing really well, and I expect that to be a recurring theme.

Right, but I think Gom is saying that they should have kept Lowell at third base, and not signed Beltre. I think this is a sentiment that other fans would share, although I'm not saying I agree with it.

I don't think this is average for them. Sure, Vazquez hasn't pitched well in his first two starts, but overall, they aren't going to pitch better than they have in the first two weeks. Also, you're right, Teixeira and A-Rod are going to improve, but they also won't always work the count like they have done recently. When a team is playing like this, it's easy to think that they'll never slump. Again, 110 win season are so flukey. It doesn't make the Yankees a worse team if they only win 100-105 (than if they won 110).