New York Yankees Spring Training Preview

The 2009 New York Yankees were a success in every sense of the word. They won a championship, they won over 100 games in the regular season, and they genuinely seemed to get along and have fun. So I find myself asking why the 2010 version of the Yankees will look so different. I understand that you never want to completely stand pat, because someone else will probably gain on you, but is all this change maybe a little too much? Let's decide together after this preview of the 2010 Yankees.

First let's go over who is no longer here. Left fielder Johnny Damon is still out there as a free agent, but it seems that the Yankees are right up against their budget and General Manager Brian Cashman has said outright that Damon isn't in the Yankees plans. Damon may not be a very good fielder anymore, but he still had a potent bat and you could be sure that he would be in the lineup. Wherever Damon winds up, I will never forget his steal of third base when nobody was covering in game four of the 2009 World Series. It is one of my favorite plays of all time.

Designated hitter Hideki Matsui has also moved on as he signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The 2009 World Series MVP will be missed in the Bronx if for no other reason than his even keeled nature. You knew what you were going to get with Matsui about 25 home runs and around 100 runs batted in. The Yankees are probably going to miss that steady production.

Melky Cabrera, Chien-Ming Wang, Ian Kennedy, Phil Coke, Brain, Bruney, and Jose Molina are all either officially out the door or most likely gone. Cabrera had a very nice rebound season in 2009, but he was sent off to the Atlanta Braves. Wang has been out of commission the last two years so the Yankees probably won't end up missing him much. Molina was a valuable asset as he had a good rapport with A.J. Burnett something that regular catcher Jorge Posada doesn't seem to have.

The Yankees have made four key additions to the club. The transaction that got the most press is the acquisition of center fielder Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers. I understand why the Yankees went after Granderson as the wanted to get a little younger, but Granderson strikes out a whole bunch and his batting average has significantly declined in the last two years.

Pitcher Javier Vazquez is back with the Yankees for a second tour. The first time around he had a record of 14-10, but also has a near 5.00 earned run average. Vazquez was also a disaster in the playoffs that season with an ERA of over 9.00. Randy Winn will be patrolling left field at least part time for the Yankees. I'm not expecting a whole lot from Winn and I don't think you should either. The Yankees also brought in Nick Johnson to be the team's designated hitter. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of Nick Johnson, when he is healthy he is a very good hitter, the catch is he has a hard time staying on the field. He was healthy during the 2009 season so maybe the injuries are behind him, but I wouldn't hold my breath. The Yankees are also looking to add another low cost veteran outfielder and I will put in my vote for Rocco Baldelli. Granted Baldelli can't play every day because of his health, but that isn't what the Yankees will need out of him they need a steady bat off the bench and Baldelli fits the bill.

Overall I think the starting rotation will be better with Vazquez in the mix. The offense may be down a little and will probably miss Johnny Damon a lot. The real problem I think the Yankees may have failed to address was the bullpen. Either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes will probably have to be bumped up to the rotation and that will leave a hole in the bullpen, maybe the Yankees can address that need before the regular season starts. Overall I think the Yankees will be good for about 95 wins and be in the thick of the American League East race, I'm just not sure they have enough to win the division again.