With an infield of Headley, Didi, Prado & Teixeira I think its a vast improvement over last years defense. JMO. With that said the pitching staff is still in question.... 1) Will CC s knee hold up? 2) Will Tanaka's arm hold up? 3) Can Pineda give the team 28-32 starts? 4) How much can Nova give the team? (projected return to be sometime in May) And finally with Cashman saying that A-Rods days as an EVERYDAY 3rd baseman are basically over leaving his primary position as a DH, where does that leave Beltran & Teixeira if there bodies don't hold up to play there positions? Also as I mentioned in an earlier thread between the return of the asshole & the signing of Headley it doesn't appear the kids will get much of an opportunity to show what they can do. Stay tuned.
_____________________________________ I expect CC to be "healthy" - he didn't exactly undergo brain surgery, or Tommy John surgery for the matter. His situation, imo, depends how much has he lost on his fastball ..or how much he has left on it, and can he make the adjustment if he has to, to being more of a "pitcher" and less of a "thrower". Pineda - of course the obvious, can HE stay healthy? Tanaka - hope for the best, I would be surprised if he DOESN'T eventually need surgery on his elbow. Nova - I'm optimistic, I tend to expect him to be "okay" and recovered. Yes, the infield defense should be very improved with Headley for a full season, Prado instead of Roberts, ..and having a good ranging SS (Didi)from the get-go. The question is - can/will Didi hit enough to STAY on the field (in the lineup)? If Beltran/Tex need to DH ...and Arod is part of the mix - then whoever is the hotter hitter or depending on the SP. Mix and match, rotate, whatever, someone will just have to sit. That's why they pay the MGR the big bucks. lol
Without A-Rod we solve several of the questions........ 1) Beltran could be the DH 2) Prado could then go to RF 3) One of the kids gets a chance at 2nd base. Hopefully during ST someone nails A-Rod in the hip with 95 MPH fastball.
_____________________________________ Or, Prado plays 2b and one or both of the kids play RF with Beltran doing most of the DHing. Refsnyder has played RF and Pirela has played the O.F. Actually, imo , this would be ideal. We find out about the kids AND, the Yanks/Beltran benefit by keeping him fresh to maximize his production and offensive output.
______________________ Just curious, when/why and how will Arod not playing in any capacity take place? Tomorrow, next week ,next month, two days into ST, mid ST, end of ST? What's the scenario?
If I had to guess I'd say 40 years old, 2 bad hips, has played in only 44 games over the last two seasons & hasn't hit live pitching in over a year. But I'm just guessing.
Listening to MLB this AM the remaining contracts of A-hole is topped by that of Junkie Josh Hamilton (3 yrs @ 83 million) and the Angels are tentatively looking to move him, good luck with that.
...oh, they'll follow the play book and give him some ABs during ST but I think it will be rather obvious that he can no longer play well enough to warrant a roster spot. No way he's the "full time DH"...no way. ...the Yanx will have him declared physically unable to play and get some of his salary back via the insurance policy.
Current odds in Vegas: Will Alex Rodriguez play for the Yankees in the 2015 Regular Season? Yes +100 / No -140