New York Yankees: Fantasy Baseball Preview 2008

Complete fantasy preview guide for the New York Yankees in 2008. Get key information on projected starters, fantasy gems and duds, as well as potential sleepers and breakout players.

Projected Starters
C - Jorge Posada
1b - Jason Giambi
2b - Robinson Cano
3b - Alex Rodriguez
SS - Derek Jeter
LF - Hideki Matsui
CF - Johnny Damon
RF - Bobby Abreu
DH - Melky Cabrera

SP - Chien Ming Wang
SP - Andy Pettitte
SP - Mike Mussina
SP - Phil Hughes
SP - Ian Kennedy
CL - Mariano Rivera
RP - Joba Chamberlain
RP - Kyle Farnsworth
RP - LaTroy Hawkins

Top Reserves and Backups
Shelley Duncan - 1b/of
Wilson Betemit - 3b/1b
Kei Igawa - sp
Jeff Karstens - p
Carl Pavano - sp
Chase Wright - sp
Humberto Sanchez - sp
Morgan Ensberg - 3b

Fantasy GEMS
We all know that Alex Rodriguez is the best player in fantasy baseball right now so we will just simply move on to the next best fantasy player on the Yankees, and that is second baseman Robinson Cano. After finishing the 2006 season with an amazing .342 batting average to go along with 15 homeruns and 78 RBI, Cano went on to post 19 homeruns, 97 RBI, and a .306 batting average in 2007. Now entering the prime of his career, continued success from Cano should definitely be in the works for 2008. He is a sure bet top 5 fantasy second baseman.

Two other probable fantasy gems include starting pitcher Chien Ming Wang and future hall of fame closer Mariano Rivera. Wang pitched fantastic in 2006 and 2007 while posting sub 3.70 ERA's and 19 wins both seasons. With the offense of the Yankees backing him, Wang should finally hit that 20 win plateau. And if Wang gets 20 wins, that means the Yankees will be winning a lot of games. With this in mind, closer Mariano Rivera will once again have a great chance to net 30 plus saves.

Fantasy DUDS
Unfortunately along with the Yankees plethora of experience follows their plethora of age. In particular, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Johnny Damon, and Jason Giambi are all hitting the age barrier. These once prime fantasy players appear to be losing their grasp on fantasy worthiness. Mussina and Pettitte simply should not be drafted in any league, and Damon and Giambi are late round picks at best. Neither are worthy of a starting spot on fantasy teams.

SLEEPERS
Luckily for the Yankees, a glut of young prospects is waiting in the wings to take over for the aging pitching corps. The two best prospects to succeed in 2008 are pitchers Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. Both have a great opportunity to secure starting rotation spots sometime during the season.

Other pitching prospects that could make an impact for the Yankees in 2008 are Ian Kennedy, Chase Wright, Jeff Karstens, and Humberto Sanchez. Keep in mind Hughes and Chamberlain are must haves in keeper leagues.