guy44

This is far from one of the best Yankees teams. In fact, ignoring all the great oldies ('27, early '30s, etc.), this is probably the worst or second worst team they've put together since they began this run in the mid-90s. Their rotation includes Johnson, whose incredible, Moose, who is just quite good at this point in his career, Kevin Brown, who is far less than he used to be and always injured, and Los Dos Overrated, Wright and Pavano.

The lineup includes Womack (blech), a who-knows-what-the-hell-we'll-get Giambi, and no bench to speak of (which is actually true of all the Yankee teams of recent years). The bullpen has Rivera and Jackson.

This is a very good team. Right there, in terms of offense and pitching, it probably could compete with most of the Yanks teams of their recent run. But there's always a rub: I can't believe how bad their defense is. Posada is average, ARod is amazing, and...uh...Matsui, Sheffield, and Womack are moderately below average. Jeter is way below average (face it: he sucks up what he can get to like a vacuum, but he's got all the range of Paris Hilton facial expressions), and Bernie is terrible. That outfield is gonna give up SO MANY extra hits.

So the Yanks are a good team, no doubt. But they are not one of the best ever, let alone within the last few years.

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Spartak

If the Yankees suck so much why are they always in the running for a world series, while much-touted teams in spring (both Chicago outfits, Braves, Dodgers, Giants, A's) are never in it ?

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guy44

I never said the Yankees suck. I said compared to their past teams, they are worse. The worst Yanks team of the last 10 years or so is still a great team.

I don't want to seem snide, but right smack dab in the middle of my post I wrote "This is a very good team." Later, I wrote "So the Yanks are a good team, no doubt. But they are not one of the best ever, let alone within the last few years."

I'm just saying.

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kutulu

I have the Yankees picked to win the WS. However, here is 25 reasons why the Yankees might not be as good as everyone expects:


Randy Johnson 41
Kevin Brown 40
Ruben Sierra 39
Tom Gordon 37
Mike Stanton 37
John Flaherty 37
Tino Martinez 37
Rey Sanchez 37
Mike Mussina 36
Paul Quantrill 36
Gary Sheffield 36
Bernie Williams 36
Mariano Rivera 35
Tony Womack 35
Tanyon Sturtze 34
Jason Giambi 34
Steve Karsay 33
Jorge Posada 33
Felix Rodriguez 32
Derek Jeter 30
Hideki Matsui 30
Carl Pavano 29
Jaret Wright 29
Alex Rodriguez 29
Bubba Crosby 28


14 players 35 or older. Only 4 are under 30. Brown is out (again), Randy may be the best lefty ever but his time is limited. Cold nights in the Bronx and east coast in general will not be friendly to his knee (that has no cartiledge left) or his back. It's not a question of if but when with Randy. At the end of his three year contract he'll be 44.

Historically, Womack sucks. He had a fluke year that was way above his average. Big regression there. Bernie can't play CF anymore and his replacement is a joke.

dylanmarsh

The typical response to this list of ages is that the Yankees have a plethora of experience. However, this response has not held water in recent times. The BoSox, Angels, Marlins, and DBacks had rosters full of "green" players but had the right mix of proven veterans to make it all the way. This is where I see the Unit making a big difference as Schilling made a difference with Boston. The Yanks are improved but I'm not sure this is the year for them, though. Florida still scares me if they stay healthy.

And yes, Womack is horrible and Bernie should give it up.

kutulu

The DBacks were by no means a group of green players. They had some young guys but they were closer to the Yankees in terms of age than the Marlins. They were one of the oldest teams to win it all.

The age of the Yankee players doesn't mean that they can't win it. I think they will. It just means that there are a lot of guys who could get injured or start a rapid decline.

dylanmarsh

Sorry, I guess I shoulda clarified "green." What I meant by that phrase is a lack playoff experience and winning. If I remember right, the DBacks that year only had Schilling and Counsell as the lone guys who actually played in the World Series. Johnson, Grace, Williams, and Bell did play on playoff teams but never went deep in the playoffs. Similiarly, the Red Sox had Schilling and Ramirez as their World Series guys and the majority of the rest never even made the playoffs. My point with this whole explanation is that extensive playoff experience doesn't mean crap and it is pointless for people to dwell on it so much.

djtestudo

Just to bring this back out of the NY-Boston rut for a minute...the Baltimore Orioles are in first place, and lead the league in ERA

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flstf

Don't say that, Womack went 3 for 5 and stole a base yesterday. I need his SBs for my ESPN fantasy team.

kutulu

There are worse 2B, but not by much. His career line is .275/.320/.362. He doesn't take walks, has no power. Although he doesn't hit for average, he doesn't bring the lineup down either. The only true asset he brings to a fantasy team is some SB. Now on teams with lesser lineups, that might mean something but he plays for the Yankees. When he gets on he doesn't need to steal bases because he has Jeter, ARod, and hitting behind him.

The Yanks didn't need a guy that steals bases to 'set the table.' I see them needing it more in late situations when 1 run makes more of a difference. I doubt he'll get as many SB's this year. He had like 25 last year, probably no more than 20 this year but who knows. If you can live without the SBs, I'd try to trade him to someone who will take his 2004 numbers too seriously.

guy44

Yeah well the Cubs are in first place and lead the league in Runs Per Game with 16.

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indebut

AL West: 1. Angels 2. Mariners 3. Rangers 4. A's
AL Central: 1. Twins 2. White Sox 3. Indians 4. Tigers 5. Royals
AL East: 1. Yankees 2. Red Sox 3. Blue Jays 4. Orioles 5. D-Rays
NL West: 1. Dodgers 2. Padres 3. Giants 4. Rockies 5. Diamondbacks
NL Central: 1. Cardinals 2. Cubs 3. Astros 4. Reds 5. Pirates 6. Brewers
NL East: 1. Braves 2. Marlins 3. Mets 4. Phillies 5. Nationals

Playoffs:
ALDS: Twins over Yankees, Red Sox over Angels
NLDS: Marlins over Cardinals, Braves over Dodgers
ALCS: Red Sox over Twins, Braves over Marlins
World Series: Braves over Red Sox

Derwood

Bold Prediction: Dusty Baker will cost the Cubs games left and right with his legendarily awful in game managing decisions.

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kutulu

Totally. Dusty is such a bad manager. He's been handed so much talent over the years and has nothing to show for it.

crapshoot

I am a Braves fan through and through but I have been disapointed over the past few years. They have the tallent, but the Braves have no heart anymore. The best thing the Bravos can do is get rid of Chipper. He really sucks ass. He doesn't try anymore...of corse if I was making that kind of money I wouldn't have to try either. Yes the Braves will win the division like they do every year but they can't finish. Why do they get rid of all of their high paid players except for Chipper? Conspiracy? I guess I will see tomorrow at the home opener.

dylanmarsh

The answers you seek are located at http://www.chipperjones.com

Here are some fun excerpts from Larry:

Chipper, What is you favorite color?

I like a few different colors - hunter green, navy blue, black, and maroon - It is hard for me to pick just one. (Wow. So damn deep.)

Mr. Jones, if you got the chance to move to another baseball team but still had the chance to stay in Atlanta, what would you do?

All things being considered, I'd stay with the Braves everday. I have grown up a Brave and want to finish my career here. I hope that it happens. (Sounds like he has Ted Turner's balls in a pickle jar.)

crapshoot

I hate Chipper Jones!!!

How can you cheat on your HOTTTTTTT wife with an ugly hooters waitress? What a f'in tool. And seriously buy some chapstick. I cannot stand when they zoom in for a close up shot. That man is ugly. Anyways...I am calling for the Nationals to take it all. Hahaha, just kidding. But seriously though Puerto Rico should create a baseball team. I mean come on Canada is playing there!!!

Halx

I've just payed for a month of MLB TV from mlb.com - watching the Dodger game right now. Enjoying myself.

Anyone else try this?

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guy44

Oh yeah, Halx. I payed for MLB.TV too, and it's terrible. I sit in my dorm room all day long, watching game after game, even the ones I don't really care about. Did I really have to know if ex-NBA player Mark Hendrickson of the Devil Rays would best soft-tossing Josh Towers of the Blue Jays? Hell no. But I watched anyway.

So now, I spend hours every single day watching baseball while my GPA atrophies.

In conclusion, MLB.TV is a monstrous service that should never have been offered.

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dylanmarsh

Definitely worth it. Last season when I was stuck in Tucson, mlb.tv was the only thing that kept my sanity. Although, sometimes the coverage is like watching the game through an aquarium.

dougiefresh

Guy 44...I gotta say that its about time San Diego gets a little venom thrown our way! We're getting soft out here

NL WEST

1. SD
2. SF
3. LA
4. AZ
5. CO

I'll say first that I'm a Padre fan and must admit the division is flat. Any of the top 3 teams can win this division, yet you could argue against all three. I think people overlook the Padres defense up the middle and one of the better bullpens around. If Jake Peavy takes the big step this year, the Padres will take the division. Of course, whoever wins this division gets bounced in the 1st round.

kutulu

Moises Alou is on the DL now. Until he gets back the Giants have the worst OF in all of baseball. Giants will finish 4th in the West.

Philangicality

Dodgers or Marlins win it all

bellzboy

Last year Podsednik stole 70 and was caught 13 times, for a percentage of 84% success, which is about 11% better than the break-even point. That leads to MORE runs scored. Rowand was at 77%, which is ~4% better than break even. Uribe, however, needs to not run (45%). Harris was around 73% so he could steal 1 or 100 and it wouldnt make much difference unless its two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the sox are down one and hes caught stealing to end the game. Yeah, I'm gonna kill him for that stunt the other day.

Before the Sox collapse, I would like to just get in a nice *cough* here, while they're the best in the bigs.

guy44

Fair enough. But that cliff is most definitely approaching.

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captanhero

Texas looked pretty good in the Bronx this weekend!...
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*realizes he's just seen the high-point of the Rangers' season*