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...

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...

Andy Pettitte, and the Retirement Conundrum

Yankee officials recently announced that the odds for Andy Pettitte to return in 2011 were "fifty-fifty".  Pettitte, 38, told Yankee management to assume he won't be pitching next season.  Despite this, there are some reasons to believe that Andy Pettitte won't retire and will in fact return to the Yankees for another season.  Manager Joe Girardi recently mentioned that Pettitte has begun strength and pitching conditioning at his home in Deer Park, Texas.  Also, General-Manager Brian Cashman hasn't ruled out the possibility that Pettitte could return mid-season in a manner akin to Roger Clemens' return in 2007.  Although management has signed several pitchers in an attempt to stabilize (and relieve) the questionable rotation (Bartolo Colon, Rafael Soriano, Pedriano Feliciano), they should wait on Pettitte with bated breath, as the 38 year old veteran's dubious return (or lack of) will either make or break the Yankees 2011 season.
 
Andy Pettitte's phenomenal 2010 season was tragically cut short when a nagging groin injury limited him to only 21 starts (4 after the All-Star break).  Before the All-Star break, Pettitte compiled a record of 11 wins and only 2 losses, with an incredible win/loss percentage of .846.  His ERA of 2.70 (an incredible feat in itself, given the fact that the AL East is the hardest hitting division in the MLB) also ranked 4th in the American League, and as a byproduct of these sensational statistics, the gutsy southpaw was named to the 2010 All-Star team.  It seemed like every time he got into trouble, he would immaculately place his next pitch in a perfect spot, and would get his opponent to ground into an inning ending double-play.  It truly was a thrill to see a pitcher command such confidence and authority.  Simply put, Pettitte was having a Cy Young Award worthy season.  The groin injury that Pettitte sustained on July 15th, his first start after the All-Star Break, sidelined him until September 19th.  When Pettitte went down, the Yankees winning ways deteriorated, and they stumbled into October.

The 2010 season proved how important Andy Pettitte is to the Yankee franchise.  The rotation floundered without Andy's steady arm.  Behind C.C. Sabathia, the team had nobody to rely on: Hughes wore down, mercurial A.J.  was anything but reliable, Javy Vazquez was depressingly bad, and the fifth slot in the rotation was filled by unknowns Sergio Mitre, Ivan Nova and Dustin Moseley.  Expect much of the same for 2011 if number 46 chooses to retire.  While he may not be as dominant as he initially was in 2010, you can expect steady Andy to gut out 15 wins and have an ERA around 4.00.  The future Hall of Fame candidate's consistency makes him one of the best #2 pitchers in all of baseball, and the Yankees in all likelihood go from a 90/91 win team to a 96 win team with him in the rotation.

I hope Andy does come back, because above all else, I love to see the man pitch.  It is such a joy to watch a genius like him throw the baseball, and he most certainly is a pitching genius.  The way he knows exactly how and where to throw a pitch corresponding to a certain game time situation is simply incredible.  It thrills me to watch him play this game of baseball, and for just one more year, I'd like to stay enraptured.

Yanks ink closer Rafael Soriano to 3 year deal

In an effort to strengthen their bullpen (and by extension, protect their beleaguered starting pitching rotation), the Yankees have agreed to sign free agent pitcher Rafael Soriano to a three-year, $35 million contract.  Soriano, the 9 year, right-handed veteran is coming off a phenomenal season with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Soriano served as the team's closer, and delivered lusty numbers for the Yank's divisional rival: an American League leading 45 saves, a 1.73 ERA, an .802 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings pitched.  The 2010 All-Star will become the Yankees eighth-inning setup man, and will replace Kerry Wood as the bridge to Mariano Rivera.  By signing Soriano the Yanks have potentially killed two birds with one stone: they found both a phenomenal setup man and a suitable successor (as a closer) to the great Mariano.

This seemingly ideal trade was not without controversy, however.  Yankee General-Manager Brian Cashman stated that he was unwilling to give up a first-round draft pick to sign Soriano (due to Soriano's Type A free agent status).  Nor was Cashman particularly thrilled about handing a relief pitcher a $10 million salary for the 2011 season.  Cashman also cited Soriano's attitude as a possible detriment to the team, as Soriano has had problems with other clubhouses in the past.   Despite Cashman's protests, the heads of the Yankee organization, including owners Hal and Hank Steinbrenner and Team President Randy Levine, all pushed for Soriano's signing.

I have several takes on this signing.  First, it was of extreme importance for the Yankees to sign a reliable pitcher this off-season.  The starting rotation will be significantly weaker than last year's rotation if Andy Pettitte opts to retire.  With Pettitte gone, the rotation must rely on mercurial A.J. Burnett, rookie Ivan Nova, and journeyman Sergio Mitre to complement C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes: a tall order, indeed.  Therefore, the addition of another reliable reliever to strengthen the Yankees already capable bullpen is a tremendous move.  Manager Joe Girardi has essentially two great closers at his disposal.  With Soriano and Mariano the Great handling the eighth and ninth innings, and Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, and lefty-specialists Boone Logan and Pedro Feliciano handling the seventh inning or specific match-ups, the Yankees will essentially reduce the game to 6 innings.  The bullpen has potential to be as formidable as the 1996 World Champion Yankee bullpen.  Anchored by a young Mariano Rivera and All-Star closer John Wetteland, the 1996 Yankees' shutdown bullpen enabled them to win the World Series despite the fact that they had a below average starting rotation.   The 2011 Yankees could potentially be the spiritual successors to the '96 champs, and another trip down the Canyon of Heroes becomes far more realistic with the addition of Soriano.

Second, Soriano's past reputation of causing problems in the clubhouse is more than a little unsettling. Bill Madden of the New York Daily News reports that Soriano had a terrible attitude in Tampa last year.  Soriano was allegedly "hated by almost everyone on the Rays".  Madden also states that Soriano hated being brought in to pitch in non-save situations or for more than one inning.  If he continues to behave like this in New York, Soriano could cause major tension in Yankee clubhouse.

Overall, I would give this deal a B/B+.  I would have given the signing an A had Soriano been given less money (even for Yankee standards, $35 million, 3 year deals are ridiculous contracts for relief pitchers).  Soriano's attitude also detracts from the overall worthiness of the signing.  I don't, however, believe this will be a major issue as the Yankees' clubhouse is already well-established and littered with many businesslike veterans.  Derek and Jorge and Mariano could easily put Soriano in line if it came down to it.  Hopefully, no confrontation will ever happen, and the bullpen will lead the Yankees to another World Championship.