Spring Ahead and Already Falling Behind

Spring training is where it all starts. It is the beginning to a long and grueling 162 regular season games without the playoffs taken into consideration. The way a team enters its spring training is very key. You have the teams that are pissed off from the way their previous season ended, to the teams that are just simply going through the motions. Major League Baseball has the highest pay scale in all of sports. So in other words, it is sad to see a team with a lack of a few key players take their upcoming season lightly. You would think, like any other job, every member of a MLB team is ready to give it everything they have.

In the Yankees situation, you’re coming off of a monumental season in which you won the World Series. Believe it or not, a championship team has the hardest upcoming season of all teams. I say this without reasonable doubt due to the simple fact that every team is out to prove that they can beat the best to become the best. For example, when the Yankees play at Tropicana Field this season to face the Rays, the attention towards the Yankees should provide the Ray’s organization with a decent income. Everyone wants to see the Champs. Therefore, even people who are not fans of either team might buy tickets just to see the World Series Champs in action.

The Yankees goal this spring training is to solely eliminate all potential pitchers who show weakness. Also, the team’s main focus this spring is to have a solid pitcher they can name to the rotation before the start of the season. Regardless of a World Series title, every ball club has off season goals they want to fulfill prior to the beginning of the year. From a fan and writer’s perspective, I would love to say that the only issue prior to the upcoming season would be the open question to whom the 5th starting pitcher is going to be. The Yankees are struggling with putting the bat on the ball this spring; a task they made look so easy last season. Also, an 11-0 loss doesn’t speak to highly for the pitchers they are testing out. I say this because every team in spring training plays a few starters at the beginning of every game. The remainder of the team is all the minor league players seeking their opportunity to make the 2010 roster. This means that the Yankees are considering multiple pitchers for the 5th spot in the rotation who are proving they can give up multiple runs. Their record is a scary 1-4 and need to turn things around Monday when they face the Phillies. The matchup against Philadelphia will be no walk in the park. The Phillies already gained an inch of revenge back from last year’s World Series loss by defeating the Yankees 3-2 this past Thursday in the 2nd game of the spring training season.

On a more positive note, it was actually nice to see an eager Sergio Mitre step up to the plate and throw some solid innings. When taking a further look at Sergio Mitre’s numbers from last year, they are not too impressive with a 6.79 ERA in 2009. He finished the year with a 3-3 record in 12 game appearances. However, the real story is how well he has performed this spring so far. It is funny to see how previous years can easily be forgotten through hard work that shows on the field due to off season determination to become a better player. The guy is pitching as if he is already a starting pitcher. He is proving to everyone that he might not be called the “backup” for much longer. The following two rosters explain the lineup for both squads prior to the Twins 11-0 dismantling defeat over the Yankees:



YANKEES
Gardner CF
Swisher DH
Teixeira 1B
Cano 2B
Thames LF
Hoffmann RF
Rivera C
Pena SS
Laird 3B

Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (3-3, 6.79 ERA in 2009)

TWINS
Revere CF
Punto 3B
Mauer C
Cuddyer RF
Kubel DH
Peterson 1B
Jones LF
Tolbert SS
Casilla 2B

Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA in 2009)

It is exciting to see those big name roster players mentioned within any line up. If I had to pick the most exciting Yankee to watch, besides Derek Jeter, I would have to say Nick Swisher. The guy brings so much excitement and laughter into the clubhouse. He is the only Yankee I know to test the “clean-cut” role the Yankees enforce and grow out a Mohawk.

Overall, if the Yankees plan to have another successful season they must first get their pitching in order. But why am I even freaking out? It is only the 5th game into the start of spring training and we have yet to even start the regular season. The regular season is what it all boils down to but spring training can also keep you on the edge of your seat as well. I say this because spring training is really a trial and error on the coach’s behalf. It is up to the head coach who he cuts and wants to keep on the full season squad. This always keeps the fans on high alert until the season begins, especially the expectancy performances from last season’s everyday starters.