 Alex Rodriguez may not be the face of the New York Yankees, but he's
the best player in baseball. Fellow All-Star David Wright has yet to
win an MVP, yet could be the most popular player in the game. Each can
lay claim to the title of Prince of The City, but melodramatic rhetoric
means little to either player.
They each burn to win.
Both have All-Star counterparts at their side, and to some, Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes are the players that many pundits and fans alike point to as the emotional engines that make their respective clubs go. That may be true, but understand one thing; the Dynamic Duo of A-Rod and Wright are the best players in Gotham.
Gotham Baseball Magazine, or at least its Executive Editor, believes that each will lead their respective clubs to the 2008 World Series. Who will win? Let's wait and see. One thing is for certain, however, the final sendoff for Yankee and Shea Stadium should be one to remember.
***
The Yankees aren't going to make the postseason this year, say most pundits, because their young pitchers and aging positional players are either a year removed or a year away. Some have even questioned the kind of year that Rodriguez will post after his incredible 2007 MVP season. Many question his motivation -- remember, 2007 was a potential "walk year" for A-Rod -- and also believe the steroid rumors swirling around him this spring, thanks to the published excerpts from Jose Canseco's "book" Vindicated hit the tabloids, will prove a major distraction.
 This writer contends that the former is a complete misperception, formulated by media folks whose coverage of Rodriguez has been consistently petulant. Knowing full well that Rodriguez's desire to be liked by everyone sometimes leads to some eye-opening comments, many scribes try to focus their attention on making the game's best-paid player look mortal. Others, like myself, much prefer to focus on his game. The latter, distractions and other of the field dramas that may or my not have affected A-Rod's production in the past, seem to be history.
Last season, Rodriguez was hitting .292 with 19 home runs and 45 RBIs when the NY papers splashed pictures of him with a then-unnamed blond female "friend" heading into his hotel room in Toronto. He was so distracted by the "scandal" that he finished the year .314/54/156. Sure, he cares about his image. So much so, that he went back to the Yankees after agent Scott Boras opted A-Rod out of his contract during the seventh inning of the World Series' final game, and re-signed. He wants desperately to lead the Yankees to the World Series, and win it. So, so much for his motivation and "distractions".
With the help of his teammates, the Yankees won't only win the AL East, but they are going to surprise all of baseball by blowing past the Boston Red Sox (who will win the AL Wild Card), Cleveland Indians (who will win a tight race in the overrated AL Central), and the Seattle Mariners (eventual AL-West winners) to represent the junior circuit in this year's Fall Classic. Here's why.
First Base: Jason Giambi and Shelly Duncan will both hit home runs, field adequately around the bag, clog up the bases and share some time at DH. Though each has had relatively healthy springs, thy will probably spend some time on the DL as well. However, Giambi, by showing up to camp in great shape, has raised expectations for what could be his last season in pinstripes, and new skipper Joe Girardi has told anyone who would listen that the Giambino will have a big year. It also helps that he and Duncan are great clubhouse guys, and extremely well-liked by everyone on the team and media alike.
Second Base: Robinson Cano (he doesn't like Robbie) may already be the best second baseman in the AL, and outside of the Phillies' Chase Utley, the best in he game. He won't make anyone forget pre-Mets Robbie Alomar in the field, but he can definitely field his position at an above average level over the course of a season. Offensively. he would be a No. 3 hitter on all but a few teams in the majors. Also a very manageable player, who responds well to the kind of take-charge 'tude that Girardi brings to the table.
Shortstop: Derek Jeter, whose rare rash of hitting into double-plays in last season's ALDS was nearly as damaging to the Yankees last year as Chien-Ming Wang's ineffectiveness, remains a player that wins ballgames. He will get his 200-plus hits, will play in his usual 150-plus ballgames, make all of the fundamental plays in critical spots, and well, be Derek Jeter.
Catcher: Jorge Posada was given a four-year, $52-million contract this offseason to remain the Yankees' catcher. Some have questioned the length and amount of that deal, but as the five-time All-Star catcher enters his 13th season, he stands tall in a game where all-around catchers are becoming a rarity. The continued progress of Cano, an improvement from Giambi and a more consistent season from Bobby Abreu could mean the Yankees' will need Posada less as an offensive force and more as a mentor and communicator to the team's young arms in 2008. But Posada will still rake for a few more years. When he needs a rest this year, the Yankees have Jose Molina as his backup, a solid acquisition from Yankees' GM Brian Cashman, who has proven to be a very capable receiver and handler of pitchers. In the minors, Francisco Cervelli (who will miss two months after breaking his wrist in a ST collision with Tampa's Elliot Johnson), Austin Romine and the much-heralded Jesus Montero are still a few years away.
Outfield: As witnessed by those who follow and root for the New York Yankees, Johnny Damon can still play this game. A terrible first half in 2007, Damon responded to rest and healing remarkably in the second half, and as one of the Yankees' better players down the stretch. His seamless transition to left field opened up center for Melky Cabrera, who despite a poor September, helped the team's mid season surge and re-entry into the pennant race. Hideki Matsui, though many have predicted a fall from Al-Star caliber play, has always driven in 100 runs when healthy. He should do so gain, but his shrinking range in LF is a concern. Bobby Abreu looked amazing this spring, and has -- according to several flks we spoke with -- really taken to Girardi's style. Some have even gone on to say that the RF's svelte figure is a product of several off season conversations with his new skipper. Like Damon, he rebounded from early-season injuries to post very good second half numbers, and if he stays healthy, figures to be one of the majors' productive No. 3 hitters.
Pitchers: Andy Pettitte will start the season on the DL, but from ll accounts is nearly ready. Chien-Ming Wang is coming off poor effort in the ALDS, but has won 38 games over the past two years. Mike Mussina did win seven of his 11 victories in 2007 after the All-Star break, but teams also teed off on him after July 14, hitting .342 off him. Several scouts this spring did indicate to this writer that they saw a very sharp Mussina at times, and something tells me that he could be effective as a No. 3 starter this year. Ian Kennedy might not be quite ready to be a 12-game winner in the majors, but fellow rookie Phil Hughes is and will. The "bridge" to Mariano Rivera will be better from the get-go this year, with Joba Chamberlain starting the season as the setup man, and while Cashman and Girardi alike think that Kyle Farnsworth still has something left, my guess is that youngsters Jonathan Albaladejo and Ross Ohlendorf will be manning the late innings once Joba replaces Mussina in the rotation in July. Rivera is still among the top 3 closers in baseball. LaTroy Hawkins? Feh.
Bench: Morgan Ensberg may have something left, Wilson Betemit is an upgrade over Miguel Cairo, Molina and Duncan are very solid.
Manager: Girardi will not feel the pressure of replacing Saint Joe immediately, because a majority of the fan base had wanted former skipper Joe Torre gone after losing to the Tigers in 2006. However, all eyes will be on his management of the bullpen -- especially Joba -- and nobody handled all of the media attention better than Torre. Girardi, who resembled Willie Randolph more than he did with Torre during his tenure in Florida, must find a balance with the sometimes annoying but always present Gotham media.
***
 Entering any other season, the Mets' September swoon last season would have been on more than a few o their fans' lips and fan message boards entering this Spring Training. However, the Mets ' unbelievable addition of Johan Santana has Mets fans thinking World Series rather than who should be fired for last year's failure. Santana's addition was huge, no doubt, and the main reason this team is being lauded by most as a WS contender, but it is the bat of Wright, more so than any other player that will mean contender or pretender status for the Mets in 2008.
Last season, Wright hit .325 with 30 homers, 107 RBI and 34 stolen bases. When he was hitting third in the lineup last year, in front of Carlos Beltran, Wright hit .368 (89-for-242). When Beltran hit 3rd last year, he hit just .261. With Moises Alou out until May or even June, the offense will even more predicated on how productive the top of the lineup is.
First Base: In the walk year of his contract, Carlos Delgado is coming off the worst season of his career since he became a regular. His "we're so good that sometimes we play bored baseball" was a comment that still rankles Mets fans, and though his 2006 season was one of the major reasons the Mets were within one game of the World Series that year, the fan base will be on him early if he does not produce.
Second Base: Many, including this reporter, questioned the sanity of anyone, least of all the Mets, of giving the limping Castillo a four-year deal. But, as his defense is Gold Glove caliber and his offense is perfectly suited to the No. 2 hole in the batting order, it's hard to argue against the Mets retaining his services. Time will tell whether or not Minaya's gamble was worth it.
Shortstop: If the New York Mets are going to win the NL East, Jose Reyes cannot hit .280. As crucial as Wright's offense is, Reyes contributions are critical. Since he joined the Mets in 2003, his presence has been electric, affecting veterans and young teammates alike. His exuberance and sheer joy of playing the game was not as universally welcomed last season, especially when he started to slump after the All-Star, hitting just .250 over the last 74 games of the season. His defense is impeccable, and his throwing arm is a impressive as any shortstop in all of baseball,
Catcher: Because of he near-hysterical reaction by many Mets fans to the Lastings Milledge trade, Brian Schneider (and Ryan Church for that matter) will be the most scrutinized No. 8 hitter i club history. Much like Jerry Grote, Schneider's contribution will not -- and cannot -- be judged from an offensive standpoint. Paul LoDuca's dramatic decline last season was felt most deeply on the defensive side of his game, and with a pitching staff that is among the best in the National League, a Gold Glove caliber defensive catcher is a must. Ramon Castro , when healthy, is a very solid backup.
Outfield: Gee, what a shock, Moises Alou is on the DL. Far more attention was spent on the trade of Lastings Milledge to the Nats than was made of the Mets re-acquiring Angel Pagan from the Cubs, but the latter's overall game may help the Mets get through the first six weeks of the season without their best hitter (and I mean Alou, Blastings Thrillidge). Call me crazy, but when I watch Ryan Church, he has a lot of Jim Edmonds in him, if not the power numbers right now. Beltran will be hard-pressed to duplicate his last two seasons if Delgado/Pagan/Church are batting fifth all year, and the sooner Alou gets back the better. Of course, there's no guarantee that he will play in 50, let alone, 100 games this year. But, if the 2000 Mets can get to a WS with Jay Payton, Derek Bell and Benny Agbayani in the outfield, this team can well.
Pitchers: This is simple. With the news that rookie Mike Pelfrey will be the fifth starter to start the season, the rest of the rotation; Santana, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez and John Maine are easily the best 1-4 in baseball. Having El Duque and even Tony Armas, Jr. as possible replacements for Pelfrey is even better. Billy Wagner is a solid closer, and his "A" setup guys; Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchex (once he gets back) are first-rate. Matt Wise and Scott Schoeneweiss should be better than Guillermo Mota and Schoeneweiss were a year ago, and Joe Smith is hooping that Willie Randolph forgets his name once in awhile.
Bench: Endy Chavez, Brady Clark, Damion Easley, Marlon Anderson are an excellent group of bench players and an upgrade from the cast of characters the Mets put on their bench a year ago. Raul Casanova is a little underwhelming as a third staring catcher, but is serviceable until Castro comes back.
Manager: Newsday's Johnette Howard, as she has from day one, has the best take on Willie Randolph than anyone. Too many other writers get caught up in his tenseness with him, or so busy kissing his fanny that they miss the reality of his situation. Howard writes:
The new season is here, but he is the only Met who doesn't get to shake the team's collapse last fall. As long as the 2008 Mets win, everything will be fine for manager Willie Randolph. But the first time the Mets show any serious vulnerability - and you know slumps will come - the memory of last September's disaster will come rushing back and Randolph will be on the hot seat. For him, it's pennant or bust in 2008. Win or else.
"I've been around this town a long time, man," Randolph likes to remind people.
So he knows how this works.
Listen to Gotham Sports Radio's "Live from Mickey Mantle's", as Mike Silva and I discuss our analysis of the upcoming season for both clubs.
|
