2009 World Series Favorites: New York Yankees

I don't think there is any doubt that the New York Yankees will be the team to beat come Opening Day and throughout the 2009 Baseball Season. They have spent a record $423.5 million on three players (Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira). The two main players that the Yankees lost this year were Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi as they signed with different teams. The Yankees are coming off a disappointing 2008 season where they finished with a record of 89-73, third place in the AL East, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996 (12 years). The last time the Yankees won a World Series was 2000. Having the highest payroll in all of baseball for the past 8 years, and not having a World Series to show for it is disappointing. Joe Girardi has a lot of pressure on him this upcoming season because a season like the one in 2008 will surely mean his last as Yankees manager.

The Yankees will have a great Starting Five which I don't think any other baseball team can match. The 5 pitchers that will probably be in the starting rotation are C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettite, and Joba Chamberlain and probably in that order. Sabathia will definitely be the ace and the #1 starter because he received one of the highest contracts for a pitcher and is coming off a great season with the Milwaukee Brewers. The #2 starter will be A.J. Burnett because of his great seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. His only downfall is his injuries, but if he can stay healthy for the upcoming years, he will give the Yankees a big boost. Chien-Ming Wang is a big question mark this year. He missed almost all of last year because of his injury and it is uncertain if he will be ready come opening day this year. The Yankees resigned Andy Pettite to a 1-year contract and he will probably be the #4 starter. Pettite is getting older but he is a veteran in this sport and has won championships in the past with them. The #5 starter will either be Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes. I honestly think the Yankees will have Joba starting and Hughes in the bullpen as the set-up man. Don't forget about the best closer in the history of baseball coming back this year, Mariano Rivera.

The offense for the Yankees looks pretty solid as well. This is how their lineup will probably look like:

1. Johnny Damon - CF
2. Derek Jeter - SS
3. Mark Teixeira - DH/1B
4. Alex Rodriguez - 3B
5. Nick Swisher - 1B/DH
6. Jorge Posada - C
7. Hideki Matsui - LF
8. Robinson Cano - 2B
9. Xavier Nady - RF

This lineup is definitely subject to change as Girardi will probably fit in Melky Cabrera, Jose Molina and others.

The Yankees have all the tools and will be the World Series Favorites this year like most years, but can they finally win it all?