[The first name listed is that day’s starter. The other names will pitch in relief.]
March 3 vs. Pittsburgh
Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves
March 4 at Philadelphia
CC Sabathia
March 5 vs. Tampa Bay
Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain
March 6 vs. Toronto
A.J. Burnett
March 7 at Minnesota
Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin
March 8 vs. Philadelphia (ss)
Javier Vazquez
March 8 at Pittsburgh (ss)
Alfredo Aceves
March 9 vs. Pittsburgh
CC Sabathia
March 10 at Detroit
Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes
March 11 vs. Atlanta
A.J. Burnett
March 12 at Washington
Andy Pettitte
March 13 vs. Baltimore (ss)
Javier Vazquez
March 13 at Detroit (ss)
undecided
The third game of spring training against Tampa should be interesting. Both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will pitch in the same game. Hughes is listed first; therefore, he should get the ball first with Chamberlain coming in relief. However, it is interesting because these two are battling for the 5th spot in the starting rotation this season. This isn’t the last time Giarardi is placing them together. It will come down to who has worked the hardest throughout the offseason to state their claim for a starting role.
Speaking of stating a claim, I predict the Yankees should be on tract to win another 100 + games this season if not repeat as World Series champs. This could be the start of another Yankee dynasty in which they win consecutive titles throughout a span of the next couple years.
It is evident that the Yankees are attempting to do so with the recent off season transactions they have made. They have replaced all that have departed with, in my opinion, better players that will step up to back another great season. The Yankees made a lot of pitching moves but have also added depth to their outfield with the recent signing of Detroit free agent, Curtis Granderson. Let’s face it, Damon was clutch but he was also getting old and needy. No one wants to resign a player who probably has a couple years left to a major contract. After all, it seems Damon was more about the money rather than playing for a team willing to resign him. He is lucky he had that offer. Damon’s an asshole, period.
Granderson is a dependable every day starter with plus speed and a quick bat. He was a great pick up for an outfield that gave the wave to several average outfielders during the offseason. The names range from: Melky Cabrera, Xavier Nady, Johnny Damon, and backup outfielder Hideki Matsui. (Not cutting Matsui short with a reference to a back up but he was strictly named the designated hitter throughout the 2009 season). The Yankees seem to be starting a trend by going with young talent in the outfield and speed. Even though Nick Swisher is neither of the two, he earned a starting job last season when he stepped up in several clutch situations. When we lost Xavier Nady for the season due to injuries, Swisher’s bat kept him in the lineup throughout the remainder of the Championship run. Another trend set is consistency within the outfield. Granderson will most likely, given how he does this spring training, takeover the starting centerfield position. Ever since his rookie season, the guy has put up promising numbers that would keep him in the starting lineup on any ball club. Despite his .249 batting average, Granderson hit for power last season. He hit 30 home runs and had an on base percentage of .327. He also was a member of the 2009 American League All-Star team. Quite frankly, if we are saying goodbye to demanding Damon and welcoming an All-Star, we didn’t make out half bad after all.
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