For the last decade or so, the AL East has been the unequivocal powerhouse division of the MLB. The division's strength has been derived primarily from the Yankees and Red Sox (two perennial contenders), and, in recent years, from the upstart Tampa Bay Rays as well. It seems that the already dominant division will get even better this season, however, as the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox and Yankees' punching bag of the last decade and a half, have made several key additions to their roster this off-season and now appear to be a tough opponent. Add in the always competitive Blue Jays, and the AL East becomes even better, a scary thought for the rest of baseball. By comparing the pitching, hitting, off-season acquisitions, and bullpens of each team, I will predict the final 2011 standings for the AL East:
2010 AL East Standings: Wins: Loses: Win% GB:
Tampa Bay Rays: 96 96 .593 --
New York Yankees: 95 67 .586 1
Boston Red Sox: 89 73 .549 7
Toronto Blue Jays: 85 77 .525 11
Baltimore Orioles: 66 96 .407 30
(My prediction)
2011 AL East Standings: Wins: Loses: Win% GB:
Boston Red Sox: 96 66 .593 --
New York Yankees: 91 71 .562 5
Tampa Bay Rays: 84 78 .519 12
Toronto Blue Jays: 83 79 .512 13
Baltimore Orioles: 80 82 .494 16
Boston Red Sox:
Lineup: A
Bullpen: B+
Rotation: A-
Off-season: A-
The Red Sox are quite possibly the most well-rounded team in baseball, and if they didn't have to play each of these competitive teams 18 times, they would in all likelihood be a 100 plus win team. Unfortunately, they do. Hence, the 96 wins. Still, they are the team to fear heading into the season. The free agent acquisitions made by Boston bolstered their already solid team tremendously (Crawford, Gonzalez, Jenks, Wheeler), and had they not let All-Star catcher Victor Martinez sign with Detroit, they would have gotten a perfect A+ in that category. As much as it pains a die-hard Yankee fan like me to say it, expect a lot out of Boston in 2011.
New York Yankees:
Lineup: A+
Bullpen: A+
Rotation: C
Off-season: D
The Yankees head in to 2011 with plenty of question marks. They have the best lineup in baseball, and their bullpen is just as fearsome. Despite this, they're pitching rotation is highly vulnerable, which prevents them from being the favorites to win the division. Their offseason receives a D because they were neither able to sign Cliff Lee nor keep Andy Pettitte from retiring. If their rotation can just pitch consistently adequate, however, then their high powered offense and bullpen and take care of the rest, allowing them to possibly contend for the division.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Lineup: B
Bullpen: C-
Rotation: A-
Off-season: C-
The small market Rays cannot sustain themselves (financially) for an extended period of time. Because of this, Rays ownership was forced to reduce the team payroll (which was at an all-time high) after 2010. Their off-season fire sale essentially stripped them off their entire bullpen, and caused them to part with their All-Star outfielder, Carl Crawford. Despite this, the Rays still have potential. They added to reliable bats in Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon to compensate for the losses of Crawford, Carlos Pena, and Jason Bartlett. Also, although the loss of Matt Garza will put a noticeable dent in their pitching, their rotation will still be very good, as top prospect Jeremy Hellickson will take Garza's place. Look for the Rays to hang tough throughout the season.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Lineup: B-
Bullpen: B
Rotation: B
Off-season: B+
Toronto surprised many in 2011. The team led the majors in home runs, and their pitching was also solid. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos miraculously unloaded the albatross-like contract of overpaid and underachieving Vernon Wells, therefore making their off-season a success. In addition, Anthopoulos added speed (in the form of Rajai Davis) and bullpen strength (Jon Rauch, Frank Francisco, Octavio Dotel) to compensate for the loss of Shaun Marcum and Scott Downs. Their phenom prospect Kyle Drabek will vie for a spot in the rotation as well. In all, they aren't particularly weak in any category, making them a team capable of winning around 85 wins.
Baltimore Orioles:
Lineup: A-
Bullpen: C-
Rotation: B-
Off-season: B+
In an attempt to revitalize an organization in desperate need of a face lift, Baltimore management stocked up their lineup with dangerous hitters. Vlad Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Derek Lee and J.J. Hardy add talent and experience to an already solid Baltimore offense. Kevin Gregg and Justin Duchscherer also add stability to the pitching core. This, in addition to Buck Showalter's talented management (he went 34-23 to finish out last season), has Baltimore poised to finish at .500 for the first time since 1997. Expect Showalter to win his third Manager of the Year Award in 2011.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Beasts of the East: Yankees vs Boston Comparison (Part IV)
Last week's comparison shed light on the emaciated Yankee starting rotation. It also has become evident that the Boston starting pitching is vastly superior to the Yankee staff in terms of reliability and talent. Despite this, the Yankee bullpen has already been proclaimed as the best in baseball. With new addition Rafael Soriano adding his credentials to a 'pen that already houses Mariano River, New York seems poised to live up to this claim. How do the bullpens of the two AL East heavyweights compare? In the final comparison, we find out...
Closer:
Yankees: Mariano Rivera
Red Sox: Jonathan Papelbon
Mariano Rivera is truly a wonder to behold. The All-Time ERA leader, Rivera, 41, seems to laugh in the face of Father Time. His game has not diminished at all since he stormed into the MLB in 1995. On the contrary, it seems like he gets better with age. This is a scary thought, considering the fact that Mariano Rivera was already considered the best closer of All-Time around 6 years ago. In 2010, Rivera had another phenomenal season and, in what seems to be inevitable every year, earned a trip to the All-Star game. The 11-time All-Star recorded 33 saves in 66 innings pitched, and had an immaculate ERA of 1.80. Incredibly, Rivera struck out 45 batters and only walked 11 others. The question of "How long can Mariano keep it up?" is moot; look for him to have another great year in 2011. Papelbon's 2010 season was vastly different from Rivera's. It seems that the Boston pundits' fear of Papelbon burning out quickly was realized: Papelbon had an abysmal season. Pabelpon had 8 blown saves, 7 losses, and a high ERA (for a closer) of 3.90, a career worst. Pabelbon has a lot to prove to the Red Sox if he wants to remain their closer, as it seems that Daniel Bard is more than ready to take his place.
Edge:
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is unarguably better than Pabelbon, and is still the best closer in baseball. Age is not a factor in judging Rivera. His cutter (one of the nastiest pitches ever thrown) still chops up more wood than a lumberjack, and his control seems to improve with age. Pabelbon, on the other hand, seems to be losing his stuff. His fastball's velocity had dropped about 3 MPH last season, and because of this, he has become far easier to hit.
Setup Man:
Yankees: Rafael Soriano
Red Sox: Daniel Bard
In his first season in pinstripes, Rafael Soriano looks to repeat his dominant 2010 campaign (league high 45 saves, 1.75 ERA, .802 WHIP). Soriano has been consistently good throughout his career, so its pretty safe to assume he will become an excellent bridge to Mariano. Bard, like Soriano, had an incredible season last year. In only his second season in the Majors, the 25 year old with the golden arm became one of the most feared relievers in baseball. He recorded 76 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched (9.2 K's per 9 innings), and had an excellent ERA of 1.93. What's more incredible is his fastball, which can hit 101 MPH. Hitters will be wary of Bard come opening day.
Edge:
Neither (push)
Both pitchers are top echelon relievers with incredible "stuff". Likewise, both had identical stats in 2010. Therefore, neither has an edge over the other. Both should have All-Star caliber seasons in 2011.
Middle Relief:
Yankees: David Robertson
Red Sox: Bobby Jenks
David Robertson has been affectionately called "Houdini" by his teammates after he miraculously pitched out of a bases-loaded, no out situation against the Twins in the 2009 ALDS. Since then, the young 25 year old has blossomed into a reliable reliever. Robertson overcame a rough start in 2010, and had a superb second half (61.1 innings pitched, 3.82 ERA, 71 K's in 2010). Robertson has an incrdible knack of striking out batters (10.4 k's per 9 innings). In fact, his strikeout per 9 inning ratio of 13 in 2009 was the best in the majors. Look for Robertson to stabilize the 7th inning this season. Bobby Jenk's season was not as glamorous as Robrtson's. The former All-Star posted career worsts in ERA (4.44) and WHIP (1.367). In his first season in Boston, Jenks looks to rebound.
Edge:
David Robertson
Bobby Jenks is a well known pitcher. Because of this, people might impulsively believe him to be better than the relatively unknown Robertson. The fact of the matter is, however, that Robertson is a pitcher of the same mold as Jenks who had a better 2010. He is also 4 years younger. Therefore, he has the advantage.
Long Relief:
Yankees: Joba Chamberlain (probably)
Red Sox: Tim Wakefield
In all likelihood Joba Chamberlain will serve as both a long relief and middle relief pitcher in 2011. Considering what he was poised to become, however, has made him a huge disappointment. In 2007, Joba was nigh unhittable, and was thought of as the heir apparent of Mariano. After a shoulder injury in 2008, his pitches decreased in effectiveness. Since then, he has became a shell of his former self. In 2010, he recorded an ERA of 4.40 in 71.2 innings pitched, with 77 strikeouts. He still has a penchant for striking out batters, but has suffered from severe inconsistency. Wakefield, like Joba, had a lackluster season in 2010. The 43 year old had an awful ERA of 5.34 in 140 innings pitched last season. The knuckleballer has never been particularly dominant at any point in his career either (4.38 career ERA), so expect an average season from him in 2011.
Edge:
Joba Chamberlain
Neither pitchers are particularly good, but Joba is far younger and has more potential. Hence, he gets the advantage. If Joba can somehow turn back the clock to 2007, then the Yankees' bullpen will be untouchable.
Specialists:
Yankees: Boone Logan/Pedro Feliciano
Red Sox: Dan Wheeler/Scott Atchison
Lefties Boone Logan and Pedro Feliciano will serve as the specialist tandem in the Yankee bullpen. Logan, 25, had a surprise season in 2010. In his first year in pinstripes, Logan posted a fantastic ERA of 2.93, and struck out 38 batters and only gave up 37 hits in 40 innings pitched. Feliciano is a reliable workhorse. he has led the National League (he was a Met) in games played for the last 3 years. He also has a good career ERA of 3.31 and is a known inning eater. Expect much of the same from him this season. Dan Wheeler, although a righty, will serve as a lefty specialist for the Red Sox. In 2010, lefties only batted .154 against Wheeler. Last year, while pitching for the Rays, Wheeler recorded a more than adequate ERA of 3.35. Wheeler should get consistent work out of the Red Sox 'pen in 2011. Atchison will likely be the main lefty in the Red Sox Bullpen (unless Felix Doubront usurps his position). In 2010, he had an ERA of 4.50 in 60 innings pitched. The 34 year old will see limited action in 2011.
Edge:
Boone Logan/Pedro Feliciano
The Yankee tandem of lefties is vastly superior to the Boston specialists. Young Boone Logan made strides last year, as his velocity increased and his WHIP improved considerably; Feliciano is one of the most reliable relievers in baseball. With these two sharing the roles, the Yankees should have no problem getting tough lefty hitters out.
Upon careful scrutiny, it's clear that the Yankees do indeed have the better bullpen. The Red Sox bullpen is by no means bad, but the New York 'pen is quite possibly the best bullpen in baseball (on paper). That's a good thing considering the fact that the bullpen will likely have its hands full bailing out the rotation.
OVERALL:
The numerous comparisons made during the past four weeks reveal that the Yankees have a slightly better lineup and a better bullpen, while the Red Sox have a vastly superior rotation. Because of the discrepancy in starting pitching, Boston gets the overall edge over the Yankees in terms of ability. Had Andy Pettitte not retired, this might have have been a different story. Unfortunately for the Yanks, he did. Therefore, their rotation lost a key cog and has become considerably weaker because of this loss. Although they are the weaker team, the Yankees are in no way totally eclipsed by the Red Sox, as some experts would have you believe. They are still a dangerous team capable of 93 plus wins. Overall, I predict the Yankees to have 92 wins in 2011 and Boston to have 96 wins.
Closer:
Yankees: Mariano Rivera
Red Sox: Jonathan Papelbon
Mariano Rivera is truly a wonder to behold. The All-Time ERA leader, Rivera, 41, seems to laugh in the face of Father Time. His game has not diminished at all since he stormed into the MLB in 1995. On the contrary, it seems like he gets better with age. This is a scary thought, considering the fact that Mariano Rivera was already considered the best closer of All-Time around 6 years ago. In 2010, Rivera had another phenomenal season and, in what seems to be inevitable every year, earned a trip to the All-Star game. The 11-time All-Star recorded 33 saves in 66 innings pitched, and had an immaculate ERA of 1.80. Incredibly, Rivera struck out 45 batters and only walked 11 others. The question of "How long can Mariano keep it up?" is moot; look for him to have another great year in 2011. Papelbon's 2010 season was vastly different from Rivera's. It seems that the Boston pundits' fear of Papelbon burning out quickly was realized: Papelbon had an abysmal season. Pabelpon had 8 blown saves, 7 losses, and a high ERA (for a closer) of 3.90, a career worst. Pabelbon has a lot to prove to the Red Sox if he wants to remain their closer, as it seems that Daniel Bard is more than ready to take his place.
Edge:
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is unarguably better than Pabelbon, and is still the best closer in baseball. Age is not a factor in judging Rivera. His cutter (one of the nastiest pitches ever thrown) still chops up more wood than a lumberjack, and his control seems to improve with age. Pabelbon, on the other hand, seems to be losing his stuff. His fastball's velocity had dropped about 3 MPH last season, and because of this, he has become far easier to hit.
Setup Man:
Yankees: Rafael Soriano
Red Sox: Daniel Bard
In his first season in pinstripes, Rafael Soriano looks to repeat his dominant 2010 campaign (league high 45 saves, 1.75 ERA, .802 WHIP). Soriano has been consistently good throughout his career, so its pretty safe to assume he will become an excellent bridge to Mariano. Bard, like Soriano, had an incredible season last year. In only his second season in the Majors, the 25 year old with the golden arm became one of the most feared relievers in baseball. He recorded 76 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched (9.2 K's per 9 innings), and had an excellent ERA of 1.93. What's more incredible is his fastball, which can hit 101 MPH. Hitters will be wary of Bard come opening day.
Edge:
Neither (push)
Both pitchers are top echelon relievers with incredible "stuff". Likewise, both had identical stats in 2010. Therefore, neither has an edge over the other. Both should have All-Star caliber seasons in 2011.
Middle Relief:
Yankees: David Robertson
Red Sox: Bobby Jenks
David Robertson has been affectionately called "Houdini" by his teammates after he miraculously pitched out of a bases-loaded, no out situation against the Twins in the 2009 ALDS. Since then, the young 25 year old has blossomed into a reliable reliever. Robertson overcame a rough start in 2010, and had a superb second half (61.1 innings pitched, 3.82 ERA, 71 K's in 2010). Robertson has an incrdible knack of striking out batters (10.4 k's per 9 innings). In fact, his strikeout per 9 inning ratio of 13 in 2009 was the best in the majors. Look for Robertson to stabilize the 7th inning this season. Bobby Jenk's season was not as glamorous as Robrtson's. The former All-Star posted career worsts in ERA (4.44) and WHIP (1.367). In his first season in Boston, Jenks looks to rebound.
Edge:
David Robertson
Bobby Jenks is a well known pitcher. Because of this, people might impulsively believe him to be better than the relatively unknown Robertson. The fact of the matter is, however, that Robertson is a pitcher of the same mold as Jenks who had a better 2010. He is also 4 years younger. Therefore, he has the advantage.
Long Relief:
Yankees: Joba Chamberlain (probably)
Red Sox: Tim Wakefield
In all likelihood Joba Chamberlain will serve as both a long relief and middle relief pitcher in 2011. Considering what he was poised to become, however, has made him a huge disappointment. In 2007, Joba was nigh unhittable, and was thought of as the heir apparent of Mariano. After a shoulder injury in 2008, his pitches decreased in effectiveness. Since then, he has became a shell of his former self. In 2010, he recorded an ERA of 4.40 in 71.2 innings pitched, with 77 strikeouts. He still has a penchant for striking out batters, but has suffered from severe inconsistency. Wakefield, like Joba, had a lackluster season in 2010. The 43 year old had an awful ERA of 5.34 in 140 innings pitched last season. The knuckleballer has never been particularly dominant at any point in his career either (4.38 career ERA), so expect an average season from him in 2011.
Edge:
Joba Chamberlain
Neither pitchers are particularly good, but Joba is far younger and has more potential. Hence, he gets the advantage. If Joba can somehow turn back the clock to 2007, then the Yankees' bullpen will be untouchable.
Specialists:
Yankees: Boone Logan/Pedro Feliciano
Red Sox: Dan Wheeler/Scott Atchison
Lefties Boone Logan and Pedro Feliciano will serve as the specialist tandem in the Yankee bullpen. Logan, 25, had a surprise season in 2010. In his first year in pinstripes, Logan posted a fantastic ERA of 2.93, and struck out 38 batters and only gave up 37 hits in 40 innings pitched. Feliciano is a reliable workhorse. he has led the National League (he was a Met) in games played for the last 3 years. He also has a good career ERA of 3.31 and is a known inning eater. Expect much of the same from him this season. Dan Wheeler, although a righty, will serve as a lefty specialist for the Red Sox. In 2010, lefties only batted .154 against Wheeler. Last year, while pitching for the Rays, Wheeler recorded a more than adequate ERA of 3.35. Wheeler should get consistent work out of the Red Sox 'pen in 2011. Atchison will likely be the main lefty in the Red Sox Bullpen (unless Felix Doubront usurps his position). In 2010, he had an ERA of 4.50 in 60 innings pitched. The 34 year old will see limited action in 2011.
Edge:
Boone Logan/Pedro Feliciano
The Yankee tandem of lefties is vastly superior to the Boston specialists. Young Boone Logan made strides last year, as his velocity increased and his WHIP improved considerably; Feliciano is one of the most reliable relievers in baseball. With these two sharing the roles, the Yankees should have no problem getting tough lefty hitters out.
Upon careful scrutiny, it's clear that the Yankees do indeed have the better bullpen. The Red Sox bullpen is by no means bad, but the New York 'pen is quite possibly the best bullpen in baseball (on paper). That's a good thing considering the fact that the bullpen will likely have its hands full bailing out the rotation.
OVERALL:
The numerous comparisons made during the past four weeks reveal that the Yankees have a slightly better lineup and a better bullpen, while the Red Sox have a vastly superior rotation. Because of the discrepancy in starting pitching, Boston gets the overall edge over the Yankees in terms of ability. Had Andy Pettitte not retired, this might have have been a different story. Unfortunately for the Yanks, he did. Therefore, their rotation lost a key cog and has become considerably weaker because of this loss. Although they are the weaker team, the Yankees are in no way totally eclipsed by the Red Sox, as some experts would have you believe. They are still a dangerous team capable of 93 plus wins. Overall, I predict the Yankees to have 92 wins in 2011 and Boston to have 96 wins.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Beasts of the East: Yankees vs Boston Comparison (Part III)
Last week's analysis proved that despite the fact that Boston acquired marquee hitters Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, the Yankees have the better lineup. But with Andy Pettitte now retired, the Yankees pitching staff has come under intense scrutiny for its perceived lack of reliability. Which team's starting rotation is better? In this week's comparison, we find out:
The unequivocal ace of the Yankee pitching staff, Carsten Charles Sabathia, looks to have another strong season to follow up on his excellent 2010 campaign. Last year, the big lefty led the Major Leagues in wins (21) and had a very impressive ERA of 3.18 (a feat in itself, considering the fact that C.C. pitches in the brutal A.L. East). What's most impressive about C.C.'s All-Star 2010 campaign was that he battled through a nagging knee injury for much of the season and still managed to display Cy Young credentials. In the off-season, Sabathia underwent knee surgery and dropped 25 lbs, so its pretty same to assume that the phenomenal pitcher should be ready for another great season in 2011. Jon Lester, much like Sabathia, is another lefty-ace. The 2010 All-Star is coming off his best season, where he finished with 19 wins (second in the A.L.) and an ERA of 3.25 (ninth in the A.L.). Lester also has a penchant for striking out a multitude of batters, and in 2010 he struck out 225 batters in only 208 innings pitched (strikeout per 9 inning ratio of 9.736; first in the American League). Look for more of the same from Lester come 2011.
Edge:
push (neither)
These two lefty-aces have very similar numbers and pitching styles, and are both equally reliable. Sabathia has more experience and a tad more consistency but Lester is younger and strikes out more batters. Both pitchers are phenomenal number one starters regardless and neither one has a particular edge on the other.
#2 Starter:
Yankees: Phil Hughes
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz
Phil Hughes came out of the gate exceptionally strong in 2010. For the first two months of the season, Hughes was as dominant as any pitcher. He was striking out batters, and winning nearly every game he pitched. By the All-Star Break, he had a fantastic record of 11-2, with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.178 (he was named to the All-Star Team because of these numbers). Hughes' wasn't nearly as effective in the second half, however (7-6 record, 4.90 ERA). Hughes' arm seemed to tire out down the stretch, and as a result, his velocity dipped and his control was disrupted. The Yankee faithful should be wary of Hughes should he tire out prematurely in 2011. Clay Buchholz, much like Hughes, is a young fire-baller with much potential who also had an All-Star season in 2010. Buchholz, however, was consistently dominant throughout the season. He finished the season with 17 wins and an absolutely incredible ERA of 2.33 (second in the A.L.). Buchholz has become the new rising star in Boston, and, if he matches his 2010 numbers, should create a buzz in Boston.
Edge:
Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz has a significant edge over Phil Hughes. Hughes showed that his stamina is sub-par, and, with the Yankees canceling his inning limitations, is expected to pitch a full season. If he wears down by August, the Yankees will be in peril. Also, Hughes' performances are largely dependent on the umpires calling the games. If they give him the outside corner, he dominates. If they don't, he struggles. Buchholz, on the other hand, is far more consistent and has overall better "stuff" than Hughes.
#3 Starter:
Yankees: A.J. Burnett
Red Sox: Josh Beckett
Though A.J Burnett would like to forget about 2010, Yankee fans will need to see a stellar performance from the 34 year old right-hander in order to truly forgive and forget. Burnett's 2010 campaign was one of the worst in the entire history of the New York Yankees. His ERA of 5.26 was one of the worst a Yankee pitcher ever had when pitching that many innings (186.2). It's infuriating to see a pitcher like him struggle; his "stuff" is electric. If Burnett can get back to his normal career numbers (which are actually quite good: 3.99 ERA, 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched), then his abysmal performance will be forgotten. If not, then the Yankees are in trouble because much of their success rests on the arm of the big man from Arkansas. Josh Beckett, like Burnett, is also coming off a very poor season. His ERA was actually higher than Burnett's (5.78). Unlike Burnett, Beckett actually has a legitimate excuse to his poor season: he was stymied by injuries. He only pitched in 21 games and 127.2 innings; it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see the former All-Star bounce back.
Edge:
Josh Beckett
Beckett is younger and has been known to overcome adversity with more ease than Burnett. Because of this, he gets the edge. There's no other way to put it: A.J. Burnett was absolutely awful last season. If his 2011 campaign is anything like his 2010 one, than the Yankees' chances of going to the playoffs decrease drastically.
#4 Starter:
Yankees: Ivan Nova
Red Sox: John Lackey
Because of Andy Pettitte's retirement, unproven rookie Ivan Nova has been given (probably) the critical position of the Yankees' fourth starter. Yankee scouts liked what they say from Nova last year. What they saw, however, was only a small sample size of a still unproven pitcher. Nova only threw 42 innings last year. Because of this, it's anyone's guess as to how the 24 year old will pitch in his first full season in the Majors (under a lot of pressure, no less). As opposed to Nova, John Lackey is a veteran known for his reliability. Lackey has pitched in 200+ innings five times. He also has a respectable career ERA of 3.89. Unfortunately for Lackey, his numbers dipped upon moving to the hard-hitting American League East (2010 was his first season in Boston after previously playing his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
Edge: John Lackey
John Lackey has a notable edge over Ivan Nova. Nova is an unproven rookie, while Lackey is a durable workhorse with All-Star credentials.
#5 Starter:
Yankees: Sergio Mitre/Freddy Garcia/Bartolo Colon
Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka
The fifth spot in the Yankee rotation is up for grabs. Unfortunately, three mediocre (at best) journeymen are in contention for the spot. Sergio Mitre had an alright season in 2010, but it may have solely been due to the fact that he was pitching in easy, non-pressure situations. Freddy Garcia actually had a 12 win season last year, but his high ERA (4.64), advanced age (he'll be 36 in June), and major drop in velocity may very well prevent him from being an effective pitcher in 2011. Bartolo Colon is a former Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately for the Yankees, that was in 2005. Colon hasn't pitched in a full season since. In fact, he hasn't even pitched in the majors since 2009. Matsuzaka, the former phenom Japanese pitcher, is mercurial, as is his wont. He is coming off a mediocre season (9-6, 4.69 ERA), but he has been effective in the past.
Edge: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Neither Mitre, Garcia nor Colon can match Matsuzaka. While none of these four pitchers inspire much confidence, Matsuzaka is still more reliable than the consistently mediocre Mitre, the decrepit Garcia, and the has-been Colon.
While the hitting lineups of both teams were somewhat even, the starting rotations aren't even in the same stratosphere. The Red Sox clearly have the better rotation, as the Yankees are emaciated by mediocrity and unreliability. The Red Sox have plenty of reliable veterans, and are eminently superior to the Yankees in terms of starting pitching.
**(the rotations for both teams have not yet been finalized; these rotations are estimations of the eventually opening-day roster)**
#1 Starter:
Yankees: C.C. Sabathia
Red Sox: Jon Lester
Edge:
push (neither)
These two lefty-aces have very similar numbers and pitching styles, and are both equally reliable. Sabathia has more experience and a tad more consistency but Lester is younger and strikes out more batters. Both pitchers are phenomenal number one starters regardless and neither one has a particular edge on the other.
#2 Starter:
Yankees: Phil Hughes
Red Sox: Clay Buchholz
Phil Hughes came out of the gate exceptionally strong in 2010. For the first two months of the season, Hughes was as dominant as any pitcher. He was striking out batters, and winning nearly every game he pitched. By the All-Star Break, he had a fantastic record of 11-2, with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.178 (he was named to the All-Star Team because of these numbers). Hughes' wasn't nearly as effective in the second half, however (7-6 record, 4.90 ERA). Hughes' arm seemed to tire out down the stretch, and as a result, his velocity dipped and his control was disrupted. The Yankee faithful should be wary of Hughes should he tire out prematurely in 2011. Clay Buchholz, much like Hughes, is a young fire-baller with much potential who also had an All-Star season in 2010. Buchholz, however, was consistently dominant throughout the season. He finished the season with 17 wins and an absolutely incredible ERA of 2.33 (second in the A.L.). Buchholz has become the new rising star in Boston, and, if he matches his 2010 numbers, should create a buzz in Boston.
Edge:
Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz has a significant edge over Phil Hughes. Hughes showed that his stamina is sub-par, and, with the Yankees canceling his inning limitations, is expected to pitch a full season. If he wears down by August, the Yankees will be in peril. Also, Hughes' performances are largely dependent on the umpires calling the games. If they give him the outside corner, he dominates. If they don't, he struggles. Buchholz, on the other hand, is far more consistent and has overall better "stuff" than Hughes.
#3 Starter:
Yankees: A.J. Burnett
Red Sox: Josh Beckett
Though A.J Burnett would like to forget about 2010, Yankee fans will need to see a stellar performance from the 34 year old right-hander in order to truly forgive and forget. Burnett's 2010 campaign was one of the worst in the entire history of the New York Yankees. His ERA of 5.26 was one of the worst a Yankee pitcher ever had when pitching that many innings (186.2). It's infuriating to see a pitcher like him struggle; his "stuff" is electric. If Burnett can get back to his normal career numbers (which are actually quite good: 3.99 ERA, 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched), then his abysmal performance will be forgotten. If not, then the Yankees are in trouble because much of their success rests on the arm of the big man from Arkansas. Josh Beckett, like Burnett, is also coming off a very poor season. His ERA was actually higher than Burnett's (5.78). Unlike Burnett, Beckett actually has a legitimate excuse to his poor season: he was stymied by injuries. He only pitched in 21 games and 127.2 innings; it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see the former All-Star bounce back.
Edge:
Josh Beckett
Beckett is younger and has been known to overcome adversity with more ease than Burnett. Because of this, he gets the edge. There's no other way to put it: A.J. Burnett was absolutely awful last season. If his 2011 campaign is anything like his 2010 one, than the Yankees' chances of going to the playoffs decrease drastically.
#4 Starter:
Yankees: Ivan Nova
Red Sox: John Lackey
Because of Andy Pettitte's retirement, unproven rookie Ivan Nova has been given (probably) the critical position of the Yankees' fourth starter. Yankee scouts liked what they say from Nova last year. What they saw, however, was only a small sample size of a still unproven pitcher. Nova only threw 42 innings last year. Because of this, it's anyone's guess as to how the 24 year old will pitch in his first full season in the Majors (under a lot of pressure, no less). As opposed to Nova, John Lackey is a veteran known for his reliability. Lackey has pitched in 200+ innings five times. He also has a respectable career ERA of 3.89. Unfortunately for Lackey, his numbers dipped upon moving to the hard-hitting American League East (2010 was his first season in Boston after previously playing his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
Edge: John Lackey
John Lackey has a notable edge over Ivan Nova. Nova is an unproven rookie, while Lackey is a durable workhorse with All-Star credentials.
#5 Starter:
Yankees: Sergio Mitre/Freddy Garcia/Bartolo Colon
Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka
The fifth spot in the Yankee rotation is up for grabs. Unfortunately, three mediocre (at best) journeymen are in contention for the spot. Sergio Mitre had an alright season in 2010, but it may have solely been due to the fact that he was pitching in easy, non-pressure situations. Freddy Garcia actually had a 12 win season last year, but his high ERA (4.64), advanced age (he'll be 36 in June), and major drop in velocity may very well prevent him from being an effective pitcher in 2011. Bartolo Colon is a former Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately for the Yankees, that was in 2005. Colon hasn't pitched in a full season since. In fact, he hasn't even pitched in the majors since 2009. Matsuzaka, the former phenom Japanese pitcher, is mercurial, as is his wont. He is coming off a mediocre season (9-6, 4.69 ERA), but he has been effective in the past.
Edge: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Neither Mitre, Garcia nor Colon can match Matsuzaka. While none of these four pitchers inspire much confidence, Matsuzaka is still more reliable than the consistently mediocre Mitre, the decrepit Garcia, and the has-been Colon.
While the hitting lineups of both teams were somewhat even, the starting rotations aren't even in the same stratosphere. The Red Sox clearly have the better rotation, as the Yankees are emaciated by mediocrity and unreliability. The Red Sox have plenty of reliable veterans, and are eminently superior to the Yankees in terms of starting pitching.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Beasts of the East: Yankees vs Boston Comparison (Part II)
After thoroughly comparing the infields of both American League East powerhouses, it seems like the Yankees have a significant advantage. The newly proclaimed "underdogs" of the A.L. East still have an edge regarding infielders. But how do the Yankee outfielders and Designated Hitter match up with the Red Sox? In part II of the comparison, we find out...
Left Field:
Yankees: Brett Gardner
Red Sox: Carl Crawford
In his first full year as a major league ballplayer, Brett Gardner established himself as a reliable player with All-Star aspirations. His skills suit him to be a top of the lineup threat. In 2010, Gardner batted a respectable .277 with a sensational OBP of .383 (8th best in the A.L.), and was also named the best defensive left fielder in all of baseball (he was given the Fielding Bible Award). The high on-base percentage means speedster Gardner has more opportunities to steal a base. Gardner managed to steal 47 bases in 2010. Expect more of the same for Brett "the Jet" Gardner in 2011. Carl Crawford, Gardner's Boston counterpart, has stepped up his game, and, as a result, has become one of the premier outfielders in baseball. In fact, Carl Crawford was thought of as the top free agent available in 2011. By Acquiring Crawford, the Red Sox have soldified the top of their lineup, as Crawford can either lead-off or bat behind Jacoby Ellsbury.
Edge:
Carl Crawford
Brett Gardner is basically the poor man's version of Carl Crawford. While they are two very similar players with similar skills and statistics, Crawford is already an established All-Star while the young Gardner still has a lot to prove. In addition to his immaculate defensive skills, Crawford is a career .296 hitter with a knack for stealing a ton of bases. Gardner needs to have several great years before he can compare with Crawford.
Center Field:
Yankees: Curtis Granderson
Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury
A second-half surge salvaged Curtis Granderson's 2010 season. In his first season in pinstripes, the "grandyman" overcame an abysmal first half marred by both a groin injury and futility against left-handed pitching and still finished the season with 24 home runs and 67 RBI's in only 136 games played. Despite the off-year, Granderson still has potential; by previously hitting 30 home runs in spacious Comerica Park in Detroit, Granderson has proved that he could possibly hit 40 homers in Yankee Stadium (a lefty-hitter's paradise). Jacoby Ellsbury, unlike Granderson, is not a power-hitter, and relies almost exclusively on his speed. In his last full season, 2009, Ellsbury stole an incredible 70 bases. This, coupled with the fact that the young player had an average of .301 and an OBP of .355 make him a potential All-Star in 2011. Consequentially, Ellsbury has only played in 2 full seasons in his career (he only played in 18 games in 2010 due to spending time on the D.L. on three separate occasions), so 2009 might just be a fluke.
Edge:
Curtis Granderson
In a comparison similar to the one between Crawford and Gardner, Granderson gets the edge due to his past consistency and All-Star caliber skills. Granderson has been consistently reliable for the past 5 years while Ellsbury has only played in 2 full seasons. Ellsbury, however, could surpass the Yankee center fielder if he puts up numbers on par with his 2009 stats.
Right Field:
Yankees: Nick Swisher
Red Sox: J.D. Drew
Nick Swisher is currently coming off his best statistical season. The 29 year old veteran hit a career high .288, with 29 homers, 89 RBI's and a respectable .359 OBP to boot. His defense has also improved exponentially. For his efforts, Swisher was named to the 2010 American League All-Star team. Swisher, however, is only a career .252 hitter, and while his power numbers always remain constant, his high average in 2010 could simply be an outlier. J.D. Drew, unlike Swisher, is coming off a poor season. His .255 average and .341 OBP were the worst of his career since 2002. Despite this, Drew has been known for consistency (.281 career average, .387 career OBP). Drew could further deteriorate, however, as a nagging groin injury could further hinder the 35 year old's effectiveness in 2011.
Edge:
Nick Swisher
Swisher has a very slim edge on Drew only due to the fact that he is younger and is far less prone to injury (Swisher has played in at least 150 games for the last five seasons; Drew hasn't played in 140 games since 2007, and has never even had a 150 game season). Swisher's excellent 2010 season also inspires far more confidence than Drew's sup-par campaign.
Designated Hitter:
Yankees: Jorge Posada
Red Sox: David Ortiz
Entering his first season as a full-time designated hitter, 39 year old Jorge Posada looks to rebound from a mediocre 2010. Last year, Posada missed more than 40 games due to various ailments (most notably, a broken foot), and, as a result, his statistics dropped far below his career average. Injuries should not bother him in the future, however, as his status as a DH all but ensures safeguarding against "wear and tear". David Ortiz, much like Posada, is a former superstar entering the twilight of his career. A big difference between the these two player is that Ortiz, unlike Posada, had an All-Star season in 2010. He hit 32 home runs, batted in 102 RBI's, and had a respectable OBP of .370.
Edge:
David Ortiz
Though I think the world of Posada, my feelings will not cloud my judgment here. Ortiz had a better 2010 season by far, and is 5 years younger than Jorge. Despite the fact that Ortiz has the edge, Posada can still rebound and have a typical year (by his standards, which are very good) provided he stays healthy.
A thorough examination of both outfields and designated hitters reveals that both teams are roughly even in regard to their four starting players. In all, it seems that the Yankees have a slightly better lineup than the Red Sox. But how does the Yank's starting pitching rotation compare with Boston's? We'll find out next week...
Left Field:
Yankees: Brett Gardner
Red Sox: Carl Crawford
In his first full year as a major league ballplayer, Brett Gardner established himself as a reliable player with All-Star aspirations. His skills suit him to be a top of the lineup threat. In 2010, Gardner batted a respectable .277 with a sensational OBP of .383 (8th best in the A.L.), and was also named the best defensive left fielder in all of baseball (he was given the Fielding Bible Award). The high on-base percentage means speedster Gardner has more opportunities to steal a base. Gardner managed to steal 47 bases in 2010. Expect more of the same for Brett "the Jet" Gardner in 2011. Carl Crawford, Gardner's Boston counterpart, has stepped up his game, and, as a result, has become one of the premier outfielders in baseball. In fact, Carl Crawford was thought of as the top free agent available in 2011. By Acquiring Crawford, the Red Sox have soldified the top of their lineup, as Crawford can either lead-off or bat behind Jacoby Ellsbury.
Edge:
Carl Crawford
Brett Gardner is basically the poor man's version of Carl Crawford. While they are two very similar players with similar skills and statistics, Crawford is already an established All-Star while the young Gardner still has a lot to prove. In addition to his immaculate defensive skills, Crawford is a career .296 hitter with a knack for stealing a ton of bases. Gardner needs to have several great years before he can compare with Crawford.
Center Field:
Yankees: Curtis Granderson
Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury
A second-half surge salvaged Curtis Granderson's 2010 season. In his first season in pinstripes, the "grandyman" overcame an abysmal first half marred by both a groin injury and futility against left-handed pitching and still finished the season with 24 home runs and 67 RBI's in only 136 games played. Despite the off-year, Granderson still has potential; by previously hitting 30 home runs in spacious Comerica Park in Detroit, Granderson has proved that he could possibly hit 40 homers in Yankee Stadium (a lefty-hitter's paradise). Jacoby Ellsbury, unlike Granderson, is not a power-hitter, and relies almost exclusively on his speed. In his last full season, 2009, Ellsbury stole an incredible 70 bases. This, coupled with the fact that the young player had an average of .301 and an OBP of .355 make him a potential All-Star in 2011. Consequentially, Ellsbury has only played in 2 full seasons in his career (he only played in 18 games in 2010 due to spending time on the D.L. on three separate occasions), so 2009 might just be a fluke.
Edge:
Curtis Granderson
In a comparison similar to the one between Crawford and Gardner, Granderson gets the edge due to his past consistency and All-Star caliber skills. Granderson has been consistently reliable for the past 5 years while Ellsbury has only played in 2 full seasons. Ellsbury, however, could surpass the Yankee center fielder if he puts up numbers on par with his 2009 stats.
Right Field:
Yankees: Nick Swisher
Red Sox: J.D. Drew
Nick Swisher is currently coming off his best statistical season. The 29 year old veteran hit a career high .288, with 29 homers, 89 RBI's and a respectable .359 OBP to boot. His defense has also improved exponentially. For his efforts, Swisher was named to the 2010 American League All-Star team. Swisher, however, is only a career .252 hitter, and while his power numbers always remain constant, his high average in 2010 could simply be an outlier. J.D. Drew, unlike Swisher, is coming off a poor season. His .255 average and .341 OBP were the worst of his career since 2002. Despite this, Drew has been known for consistency (.281 career average, .387 career OBP). Drew could further deteriorate, however, as a nagging groin injury could further hinder the 35 year old's effectiveness in 2011.
Edge:
Nick Swisher
Swisher has a very slim edge on Drew only due to the fact that he is younger and is far less prone to injury (Swisher has played in at least 150 games for the last five seasons; Drew hasn't played in 140 games since 2007, and has never even had a 150 game season). Swisher's excellent 2010 season also inspires far more confidence than Drew's sup-par campaign.
Designated Hitter:
Yankees: Jorge Posada
Red Sox: David Ortiz
Entering his first season as a full-time designated hitter, 39 year old Jorge Posada looks to rebound from a mediocre 2010. Last year, Posada missed more than 40 games due to various ailments (most notably, a broken foot), and, as a result, his statistics dropped far below his career average. Injuries should not bother him in the future, however, as his status as a DH all but ensures safeguarding against "wear and tear". David Ortiz, much like Posada, is a former superstar entering the twilight of his career. A big difference between the these two player is that Ortiz, unlike Posada, had an All-Star season in 2010. He hit 32 home runs, batted in 102 RBI's, and had a respectable OBP of .370.
Edge:
David Ortiz
Though I think the world of Posada, my feelings will not cloud my judgment here. Ortiz had a better 2010 season by far, and is 5 years younger than Jorge. Despite the fact that Ortiz has the edge, Posada can still rebound and have a typical year (by his standards, which are very good) provided he stays healthy.
A thorough examination of both outfields and designated hitters reveals that both teams are roughly even in regard to their four starting players. In all, it seems that the Yankees have a slightly better lineup than the Red Sox. But how does the Yank's starting pitching rotation compare with Boston's? We'll find out next week...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Beasts of the East: Yankees vs Boston Comparison (Part I)
With spring training approaching and the Red Sox heralded as the the team to beat in the American League, Yankee fans have to be a little apprehensive about the upcoming season. With superstar additions Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford augmenting the already potent Boston lineup, the Red Sox have already been predicted to win the American League East Division. The Yankees, on the other hand, have had a poor off-season, and with the recent announcement that pitcher Andy Pettitte will in fact retire, the Yankees are now seen as the underdogs. But how do they really compare with the Red Sox? In a position for position comparison between infielders, I will analyze both teams, and find out which team is actually better:
First Base:
Yankees: Mark Teixeira
Red Sox: Adrian Gonzalez
Mark Teixeira, by his standards, is coming off a poor season where his season average dipped well below his career average (.256 in 2010, .286 career). Despite this, he is still one of the premier first basemen in baseball. He is a perennial 30 home run, 100 RBI hitter, and his immaculate fielding has given him the moniker of "best defensive first basemen in baseball". Gonzalez, another superstar first basemen, is coming off an exceptional year. In 2010, he managed to hit 31 homers in the cavernous Petco Park in San Diego. This, coupled with the fact that he drove in 101 runs and managed to bat .298 (with an OBP of .393), makes the past gold glover a huge asset to the Red Sox. Deep right field in Fenway Park shouldn't be too much of a hassle for Gonzalez.
EDGE: Adrian Gonzalez
Gonzalez has the edge by a very slim margin only due to the fact that Teixeira is coming off one of his worst seasons while Gonzalez had one of his best in 2010.
Second Base:
Yankees: Robinson Cano
Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia
Robinson Cano has flourished into arguably the most dynamic second basemen in the MLB. The 28 year old had an MVP season in 2010, where the All-Star batted .319, hit a career high 29 home runs and also drove in a career high 109 RBI's. He is also a phenomenal defensive second basemen, and earned his first gold glove in 2010 as a result. In fact, his former manager, Joe Torre, sees Cano as the second coming of Hall of Famer Rod Carew. Pedroia, like Cano, is another superstar second basemen. The MVP of the 2008 season, Pedroia, had his season cut short due to injury in 2010. Despite this, Pedroia should be healthy for 2011. He is the catalyst for the Red Sox lineup, and is the heart and soul of the team (along with Youkillis), making him a key component for Boston success.
EDGE: Cano
Cano has a slight edge over Pedroia. His statistics are better and he has much more raw potential. Despite this, Pedroia is still a great player with a winner's mentality who is a top-tier second basemen regardless.
Third Basemen:
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez
Red Sox: Kevin Youkillis
Despite an injury plagued 2010 season, Alex Rodriguez still managed to extend his incredible streak of consecutive 30 home runs, 100 RBI seasons to 13 (30 home runs, 125 RBI's). Despite this, critics saw 2010 as a down season for A-Rod, as his batting average and OBP dipped below his career numbers (.270 average, .341 OBP). The future Hall of Famer looks to improve upon his 2010 season, and will chase Barry Bonds for the All-Time Home Run record (A-Rod broke the 600 home run mark last year). Kevin Youkillis missed the last two months of the 2010 season after he was forced to undergo surgery to repair torn muscles in his thumb. Youkillis, like A-Rod, looks to improve upon 2010. Youkillis, like A-Rod, is another premier player who has fabulous career numbers (.294 average, .394 OBP).
EDGE: A-ROD
Although Youkillis is a great player, this comparison is a simple one to decipher. A-Rod is one of the greatest players of all time. His streak of 30 home run, 100 RBI seasons is astounding. If he stays healthy, his average and OBP will also return to his excellent career numbers in those categories as well, spelling doom for American League pitchers.
Shortstop:
Yankees: Derek Jeter
Red Sox: Marco Scutaro
Yankee fans were aghast after 2010. Beloved Derek Jeter was coming off his worst statistical season and critics were calling the shortstop "old and past his prime". His 2010 average of .270 was 44 points below his career average, and his clutch statistics were far lower than normal. Despite this, he still managed to make the All-Star team and win a gold glove (critics knock Jeter's range, but that's for another story). Look for Jeter to bounce back in 2011, as the soon to be 37 year old still has plenty of swagger in his swing. Scutaro, surprisingly, is the first non-superstar player mentioned (which proves how dangerous both teams' lineups are). Scutaro had a solid season in 2010, posting a .275 average and a .333 OBP. Scutaro, although not a star player, is nevertheless a key component to the Boston team.
EDGE: Derek Jeter
Jeter is still the clear favorite despite the down year. Critics failed to realize that in 2009, Jeter posted MVP type numbers, and one of the best seasons of his career, after people said he was degrading the year earlier (he batted .334 in 2009). This might be pure speculation, but I believe he'll rebound and bat around .300.
Catchers:
Yankees: Russel Martin
Red Sox: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Rusell Martin, after succeeding iconic Jorge Posada as Yankee backstop, looks to recover from an injury plagued 2010 season and return to his old ways. Martin posted the best numbers of his short career in 2007 and 2008, and for his efforts, was named to the All-Star team in both years. He has somewhat deteriorated since then, however, leaving some to wonder whether he should be replaced with up and coming phenom prospect Jesus Montero. Saltalamacchia, on the other hand, is replacing All-Star Victor Martinez. Boston is taking quite a gamble with this transaction, as Saltalamacchia was reportedly suffering from mental lapses in the minors last year when he was unable to accurately throw the ball back to the pitcher from behind the dish. Saltamacchia has never played a full season either, which might not bode well for Red Sox Nation.
EDGE: Russel Martin
While neither catchers inspire much confidence, Russel Martin has at least proven he can play at the caliber of an All-Star. This, in addition to Saltamacchia's inexperience, makes him the clear favorite.
After comparing both infields, it seems that the Yankees actually are ahead of the alleged Boston powerhouse. We'll see who has the better outfield and DH next week...
First Base:
Yankees: Mark Teixeira
Red Sox: Adrian Gonzalez
Mark Teixeira, by his standards, is coming off a poor season where his season average dipped well below his career average (.256 in 2010, .286 career). Despite this, he is still one of the premier first basemen in baseball. He is a perennial 30 home run, 100 RBI hitter, and his immaculate fielding has given him the moniker of "best defensive first basemen in baseball". Gonzalez, another superstar first basemen, is coming off an exceptional year. In 2010, he managed to hit 31 homers in the cavernous Petco Park in San Diego. This, coupled with the fact that he drove in 101 runs and managed to bat .298 (with an OBP of .393), makes the past gold glover a huge asset to the Red Sox. Deep right field in Fenway Park shouldn't be too much of a hassle for Gonzalez.
EDGE: Adrian Gonzalez
Gonzalez has the edge by a very slim margin only due to the fact that Teixeira is coming off one of his worst seasons while Gonzalez had one of his best in 2010.
Second Base:
Yankees: Robinson Cano
Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia
Robinson Cano has flourished into arguably the most dynamic second basemen in the MLB. The 28 year old had an MVP season in 2010, where the All-Star batted .319, hit a career high 29 home runs and also drove in a career high 109 RBI's. He is also a phenomenal defensive second basemen, and earned his first gold glove in 2010 as a result. In fact, his former manager, Joe Torre, sees Cano as the second coming of Hall of Famer Rod Carew. Pedroia, like Cano, is another superstar second basemen. The MVP of the 2008 season, Pedroia, had his season cut short due to injury in 2010. Despite this, Pedroia should be healthy for 2011. He is the catalyst for the Red Sox lineup, and is the heart and soul of the team (along with Youkillis), making him a key component for Boston success.
EDGE: Cano
Cano has a slight edge over Pedroia. His statistics are better and he has much more raw potential. Despite this, Pedroia is still a great player with a winner's mentality who is a top-tier second basemen regardless.
Third Basemen:
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez
Red Sox: Kevin Youkillis
Despite an injury plagued 2010 season, Alex Rodriguez still managed to extend his incredible streak of consecutive 30 home runs, 100 RBI seasons to 13 (30 home runs, 125 RBI's). Despite this, critics saw 2010 as a down season for A-Rod, as his batting average and OBP dipped below his career numbers (.270 average, .341 OBP). The future Hall of Famer looks to improve upon his 2010 season, and will chase Barry Bonds for the All-Time Home Run record (A-Rod broke the 600 home run mark last year). Kevin Youkillis missed the last two months of the 2010 season after he was forced to undergo surgery to repair torn muscles in his thumb. Youkillis, like A-Rod, looks to improve upon 2010. Youkillis, like A-Rod, is another premier player who has fabulous career numbers (.294 average, .394 OBP).
EDGE: A-ROD
Although Youkillis is a great player, this comparison is a simple one to decipher. A-Rod is one of the greatest players of all time. His streak of 30 home run, 100 RBI seasons is astounding. If he stays healthy, his average and OBP will also return to his excellent career numbers in those categories as well, spelling doom for American League pitchers.
Shortstop:
Yankees: Derek Jeter
Red Sox: Marco Scutaro
Yankee fans were aghast after 2010. Beloved Derek Jeter was coming off his worst statistical season and critics were calling the shortstop "old and past his prime". His 2010 average of .270 was 44 points below his career average, and his clutch statistics were far lower than normal. Despite this, he still managed to make the All-Star team and win a gold glove (critics knock Jeter's range, but that's for another story). Look for Jeter to bounce back in 2011, as the soon to be 37 year old still has plenty of swagger in his swing. Scutaro, surprisingly, is the first non-superstar player mentioned (which proves how dangerous both teams' lineups are). Scutaro had a solid season in 2010, posting a .275 average and a .333 OBP. Scutaro, although not a star player, is nevertheless a key component to the Boston team.
EDGE: Derek Jeter
Jeter is still the clear favorite despite the down year. Critics failed to realize that in 2009, Jeter posted MVP type numbers, and one of the best seasons of his career, after people said he was degrading the year earlier (he batted .334 in 2009). This might be pure speculation, but I believe he'll rebound and bat around .300.
Catchers:
Yankees: Russel Martin
Red Sox: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Rusell Martin, after succeeding iconic Jorge Posada as Yankee backstop, looks to recover from an injury plagued 2010 season and return to his old ways. Martin posted the best numbers of his short career in 2007 and 2008, and for his efforts, was named to the All-Star team in both years. He has somewhat deteriorated since then, however, leaving some to wonder whether he should be replaced with up and coming phenom prospect Jesus Montero. Saltalamacchia, on the other hand, is replacing All-Star Victor Martinez. Boston is taking quite a gamble with this transaction, as Saltalamacchia was reportedly suffering from mental lapses in the minors last year when he was unable to accurately throw the ball back to the pitcher from behind the dish. Saltamacchia has never played a full season either, which might not bode well for Red Sox Nation.
EDGE: Russel Martin
While neither catchers inspire much confidence, Russel Martin has at least proven he can play at the caliber of an All-Star. This, in addition to Saltamacchia's inexperience, makes him the clear favorite.
After comparing both infields, it seems that the Yankees actually are ahead of the alleged Boston powerhouse. We'll see who has the better outfield and DH next week...
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