...what a difference a year makes

[yankeesince59]

Opening day line ups;

2013
Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Vernon Wells LF
Ben Francisco DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
CC Sabathia P

2014 (projected):
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran RF
Brian McCann C
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Brett Gardner LF
Brian Roberts 2B
Kelly Johnson 3B
CC Sabathia P

 

[Rick2583]

Opening day line ups;

2013
Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Vernon Wells LF
Ben Francisco DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
CC Sabathia P

2014 (projected):
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran RF
Brian McCann C
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Brett Gardner LF
Brian Roberts 2B
Kelly Johnson 3B
CC Sabathia P

5 new bats in the starting lineup. New York post sports writer George King predicted that the Yankees will go 83-79 & finish 4th. Personally I think he's nuts. I've got them at 90-92 wins & winning the division. Followed by the Rays, Red Sox Orioles & Blue Jays.

 

[yankeesince59]

...yup, 7 new bats if you wanna count Jeter and Tex.

 

[totus44]

I'm an optimist, 96-97 wins and best record in the AL.

 

[Rick2583]

I'm an optimist, 96-97 wins and best record in the AL.

I have complete faith in the pitching. The rest really depends on if they can stay healthy and there averages at AT LEAST 250

 

[totus44]

Between Ellsbury and Gardner's legs and McCann and Beltran's time in the NL, I see this team having the capacity to manufacture runs unlike anything I've seen before with a Yankee team. I see a more balanced offense, not over reliant on the HR....and a pitching staff capable of winning the 1-0 or 2-1 ball games. This of course makes the assumption that DRob channels his inner-42.

 

[Mattingly23NY]

Between Ellsbury and Gardner's legs and McCann and Beltran's time in the NL, I see this team having the capacity to manufacture runs unlike anything I've seen before with a Yankee team. I see a more balanced offense, not over reliant on the HR....and a pitching staff capable of winning the 1-0 or 2-1 ball games. This of course makes the assumption that DRob channels his inner-42.

I think as much. Once the players hit Opening Day, the real deal. I can't help but think, the atmosphere in and of itself, of being in the Bronx Stadium, those like Jeter will come alive, as well as Beltran, Ellsbury, McCann, Gardner, (maybe even Ichiro), should have a field day. Small ball should return, as the Yanks now have speed they haven't seen in 15 yrs. or so...a new dimension, which should pay off. As much they can still hit the long ball, as well as play small ball.

White Rat, where did you go????

My Jury is still out on Tex...

 

[Rick2583]

If healthy you're going to get anywhere from 80 to 100 SBs between Ellsbury & Gardner. And with Jeter hitting a lot of balls on the ground Ellsbury is going to be going a lot just to stay out of the DP.

 

[Mattingly23NY]

If healthy you're going to get anywhere from 80 to 100 SBs between Ellsbury & Gardner. And with Jeter hitting a lot of balls on the ground Ellsbury is going to be going a lot just to stay out of the DP.

The need for speed has returned....I know Ichiro is old now, yet I haven't seen him much this ST, and wonder can HE still steal a base. If any 41 or older man could steal a base, it would be Ricky, but what will Ichiro do, steal bags, or not, that is the question.. I think?

 

[yankeesince59]

I'm an optimist, 96-97 wins and best record in the AL.

...ditto.

 

[Mattingly23NY]

93-95 Wins, but pray for 96-98...