Sunday, December 14, 2008

Yankees Potential 2009 Lineup

After not making the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, the Yankees came into the off season willing to spend a lot on the best free agents available. After signing CC Sabathia to a record deal, a large contract to A.J. Burnett, and able to get either Ben Sheets or Derek Lowe, they are now going after free agents to improve their aging offense. The reports are that they are willing to sign Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez. If they do sign one, Mark Teixeira may be their best option not only because of his talent, but it will be taking him away from possibly going to the Red Sox. Here is a projected lineup if the Yanks get Teixeira and Mike Cameron:

1. Mike Cameron CF
2. Derek Jeter SS
3. Alex Rodriguez 3B
4. Mark Teixeira 1B
5. Xavier Nady RF
6. Jorge Posada C
7. Robinson Cano 2B
8. Hideki Matsui DH
9. Nick Swisher LF

The DH and LF spots could interchange between Matsui, Swisher, and Johnny Damon, but Jorge Posada may not be healthy again to catch a lot and be part of the DH carousal. But this is only if Mike Cameron signs, then Nick Swisher will Start in center. This a good problem for the Yanks, but not for the rest of the AL. The Yanks could also add a speedy backup to counter this aging and injury prone offense. Joey Gathright, Willy Taveras, or Jason Tyner can pinch run, swipe some bases, or come as a defensive replacement. This may be the best offense on paper, but don't forget they said that about the Detroit Tigers last season.

4 comments:

  1. the yankees will not bat a-rod 3rd and Teixera 4th. Its going to be the other way around. Damon will bat first. Melky will play center and bat ninth. Cano 8th and matsui 7th. I hate when people underestimate matsui. Hes such a good hitter.

    -Damon
    -Jeter
    -Teixeira
    -Rodriguez
    -nady
    -Posada
    -matsui
    -Cano
    -Cabrera

    ROTATION
    1. Sabathia
    2. Burnett
    3. Wang
    4. Hughes
    5. Pettit

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  2. Very solid, Isaac. I think that's the lineup to go with, and I like giving Hughes a shot and letting Joba go back to the bullpen. Gardner needs to stay on the roster (I'd rather have him there than Swisher, if it came down to that). You don't need a bat off the bench (see the lineup); you definitely need speed off the bench.

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  3. Either Texieira or Rodriguez back to back is intimadating for opposing teams (especially for us Rays fans). Do Yankee fans like Cabrera than Swisher? Swisher brings a good bat and on base percentage.

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  4. Batting Order
    1. Damon LF
    2. Jeter SS
    3. Teixeira 1B
    4. Rogriguez 3B
    5. Swisher RF
    6. Posada C
    7. Matsui DH
    8. Cano 2B
    9. Gardner/Cabrera CF

    I think Cabrera edges out Gardner for the CF starting spot in Spring Training. But I also think his BA will hover around .250 so Gardner will be a reserve player and make some starts in CF when Melky begins his yearly stumble.

    Rotation
    1. Sabathia
    2. Burnett
    3. Wang
    4. Chamberlain*
    5. Hughes
    6. Freddy Garcia* (

    *If the Yankees get ANOTHER 5th starter, they might move Joba Chamberlain back to the bullpen to help Domaso Marte set up for Mariano Rivera.

    They are aparently trying to sign Freddy Garcia now to take the pressure off the younger pitchers. Now Hughes will get his shot in the #5 spot and Joba will have a bigger role either way with the #4 spot in the rotation or as a late inning relief pitcher.

    The 2009 Yankee's are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

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