Yanks Looking Good for 2016

Many experts pick the Yankees to do poorly in 2016, worse than in 2015's wild card  game flame out. There is evidence to the contrary that suggests they will contend for the championship in 2016 as an elite AL team.

They have an elite offense, a solid defense, very good starting pitching, and the framework for a dominant bullpen. They can correct the weaknesses from the past season when a lack of depth forced them to wear down their aging stars and lose momentum at the championship phase of the season.

Fixed Weaknesses
Their weaknesses last season were in the persons of Jacoby Ellsbury, CC Sabbathia, right handed relievers, and Manger Joe Girardi's tendency to drive for the finish line far too soon.

• CC Sabbathia fixed his approach and physical issues near the end of the season and once again was effective on both sides of the plate. His last ten starts showed the kind of consistent performance the Yanks will need all season. 
• Ellsbury is a part-time player and the Yanks added a CF in the trade for Aaron Hicks who can replace Ellsbury 's offense and defense.
• The other drags on last season were injuries to Gartner and Teixera that reduced their outstanding seasons at the worst possible time. Greg Bird can step in for Teixera's left hand power and Hicks will backup Gartner.
• Bullpen depth was a critical problem as Miller and Betances were badly overworked and many games were lost due to a missing right handed middle relief.  Aroldis Chapman will close this season and push Betances to the 7th and 8th innings where he can affect many more games than as part time closer.

 New Talent
The Starling Castro trade gives them an All-Star talent at 2B to go along with their young rising SS- Didi Gregorious. The Yanks added depth for Infield withsome power in Ackley, Gary Sanchez and the minor league callup Refsnyder will help late in the season.  Sanchez is important because on days that he catches, they yanks offense will not have to sacrifice one of its best bats. Sanchez is a stud.

More Moves to Come
The starting pitching has  five excellent pitchers and at some point they may get a trade with Oakland for Sonny Gray by giving up some pitching and outfield  prospects. Tanaka, Eovaldi, Pineda, and Severino comprose one of the best groups in the AL. Facing any of them on a given day with Chapman, Miller and Betances in the late innings is not a formula for optimism. Most opponents will have to struggle to score runs on those arms.