2010 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

New York Yankees

2009 record: 103-59, First Place, AL East

Playoff record:  11-4, won World Series

Major Offseason Acquisitions: Curtis Granderson (DET), Javier Vazquez (ATL), Nick Johnson (WAS), Randy Winn (SF)

Major Offseason Losses: Johnny Damon (DET), Hideki Matsui (LAA), Melky Cabrera (ATL), Chien Ming Wang (WAS), Ian Kennedy (DET)

Projected Lineup (2009 stats): 

1. SS-Derek Jeter (.334 BA, .406 OBP, 18 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB)

2. DH-Nick Johnson (.291 BA, .426 OBP, 8 HR, 62 RBI)

3. 1B-Mark Teixeira (.292 BA, .383 OBP, 39 HR, 122 RBI)

4. 3B-Alex Rodriguez (.286 BA, .402 OBP, 30 HR, 100 RBI)

5. C-Jorge Posada (.285 BA, .363 OBP, 22 HR, 81 RBI)

6. 2B-Robinson Cano (.320 BA, .352 OBP, 25 HR, 85 RBI)

7. CF-Curtis Granderson (.249 BA, .327 OBP, 30 HR, 71 RBI, 20 SB)

8. RF-Nick Swisher (.249 BA, .371 OBP, 29 HR, 82 RBI)

9. LF-Brett Gardner (.270 BA, .345 OBP, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 26 SB)

Projected Starting Rotation/Closer (2009 stats):

1. LHP C.C. Sabathia (19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP)

2. RHP A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04 ERA, 207 IP)

3. LHP Andy Pettitte (14-8, 4.16 ERA, 194.2 IP)

4. RHP Javier Vazquez (15-10, 2.87 ERA, 219.1 IP)

5. RHP Phil Hughes (8-3, 3.03 ERA, 86 IP)

Closer: RHP Mariano Rivera (1.76 ERA, 44 saves)

2010 outlook:  The superstar-laden Yankees were finally able to put everything together in 2009, winning their first World Series championship since 2000 with a 4-2 series win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The acquisitions of Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett before last season proved instrumental in New York’s resurgence, and it actually appears as though they’ve improved even more on paper this winter.

Adding Javier Vazquez to an already-formidable starting five solidifies the Yankees’ rotation as a top-five rotation in all of baseball, and replacing the aging Johnny Damon with 29-year-old Curtis Granderson should help both at the plate and in the outfield.

Nick Johnson, signed to a one-year, $5.75M deal, could be a nice addition to the top of the Yankees’ lineup, where he’ll replace Hideki Matsui as the designated hitter.

While his power numbers were down a bit last year, he’s still proficient at getting himself on base, a nice asset to have in front of guys like Teixeira, A-Rod, and Granderson.

Don’t expect Mariano Rivera to start slowing down quite yet, as he posted yet another stellar season in 2009.

2010 Prediction: 99-63, Second place, AL East

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