Potentials that Intrigue-
There are young players still making a mark and defining themselves at the major league level. The athletic shortstop Gregorious is a great example. He can use many of his excellent tools to add a spark. On defense he can stop a big inning with exceptional range and determination. On offense he will likely become a extra bas machine, delivering well placed line drives into the gaps. The other shortstop is Stephen Drew who is also a phenomenal athlete. He is a technique hitter and a guess hitter too. He seems to be regaining his form and may produce a 15 hr/60 rbi season this year; the key for Drew is clutch hitting. He may only be a .260 hitter, but he is a better hitter with the game on the line.
Veterans on the Rise
Usually veterans are on the decline, but for the yanks this season, Teixera, McCann and Beltran are ascendant figures. They have already begun to punish mistakes and that suggests this trio can produce 100 home runs and 240 RBI or more. They will be the heart of a very productive run scoring arsenal.
The A-Rodney Factor
Yes, he has become a more civil character more of a Rodney than an A-Rod. Some cal it mellowing, but i think he us saving his combat for the playing field rather than with the Yankee brass and the press. This man had a high level in his prime and although he has declined , he has more to offer than any other Yankee hitter. He can hit 30 homers and that will be phenomenal. Like hank Aaron before him only a few is age have done that. More important he can be a guy who drives the ball deep into the gaps and drives in runs. That was always the greatness of Rodriguez, not a slugger but a rub producer-- you can look it up, he ranks all-time. Steroids- well the press is on steroids- I think you can pop pills until you glow in the dark, God either gave you the ability to hit a 95 mph fastball or She didn't.
Speed Kills
The Yanks have speed and base running skills that make them a run producing machine. They can slug a little and run a little, that makes them versatile and harder to beat. The bullpen is their best asset when Tanaka is not pitching, and the combination of Carpenter, Wilson, Betances and Miller will shorten games by two innings. When they add Jacob Lindgren and Andrew Bailey they will close the door after six innings on most days, it is a deep and phenomenal group.
