04/09: 2007 Predictions!!
Posted by: David
Sorry for being a week or so late but here I go anyway.
Pitching:
Wang: 15 wins (he will drop off a little bit due to injury and poor defense).
Pettitte: 13 wins (age will catch up with Andy but he will be steady for most of the season).
Mussina: 12 wins (I think Mike has lost quite a bit on the fastball and his early start was not that impressive, he worries me at this point)
Igawa: 12 wins (He will not be much above .500 due to his lack of control but will get some wins due to Yankees offense).
Rasner/Karstens, etc. etc. etc. (This 5th starter position will be a committe type position all year long. Rasner is not the answer and Karstens may replace him when he comes off the DL. Don't be surprised if Philip Hughes is in the Bronx in a month or two.)
The Yankees starting pitching does not look good after the first week of the season.
Bullpen:
Rivera: 35 saves and a fifth consecutive under 2.00 ERA. Mo will continue his mastery - the only problem will be getting to him.
Farnsworth: About the same as last year. He really needs to work on his control
Proctor: He should be better if he is not overused. Again, the starting pitching needs to improve for the bullpen to be effective
Bruney, Myers, etc.: So-so. The problem is, of course, being overworked. Sean Henn has looked good in his appearances so far.
Starters:
1B: Mientkiewicz: Good defense but probably won't hit over .250 with about 10 homers and 40 RBI.
Phelps: Poor defense but should hit about 20HR due to length of Yankee lineup.
2B: Cano: He will win the batting title this year and will hit 20 HR and have about 70 RBI from the eighth place in the lineup. Another all-star season.
SS: Jeter: Should be about the same as last year and continue to be the backbone and leader of the team. His defense is off to a shaky start and he is hobbling but he will tough it out.
3B: A-Rod: Look for a huge year from him. The fans want to embrace him and he is off to the best start of his career. I predict 40 HR, 125 RBI and .300+ BA- should contend for MVP again.
C Posada: Age will catch up to him in the dog days of summer, but I expect 20 HR - 80 RBI and about a .270BA.
Nieves: Has not been that impressive so far, the Yankees may need to make a change before season goes along too far.
LF: Matsui: Is hurt right now but expect a .300BA, 25 HR and 100RBI. He will be steady as ever.
CF: Damon: Damon is tough and will probably hit 20HR, score 100 runs, steal 20+ bases and hit close to .300 and play everday. He is a gamer.
RF: Abreu: He will hit around .300 due to getting so many walks. He is not a huge power hitter but the short porch in right should help him get around 20-25 HR and drive in 100 RBI.
Bench: Right now it looks weak with light hitting but dependable Cairo, Josh Phelps, Melky Cabrera and Nieves. The Yankees will need to look for a bat before the All-Star Break.
Needs: The Yankees will have to make a move for a starter if they are going to contend, so far age and inexperience are really apparent.
Pitching:
Wang: 15 wins (he will drop off a little bit due to injury and poor defense).
Pettitte: 13 wins (age will catch up with Andy but he will be steady for most of the season).
Mussina: 12 wins (I think Mike has lost quite a bit on the fastball and his early start was not that impressive, he worries me at this point)
Igawa: 12 wins (He will not be much above .500 due to his lack of control but will get some wins due to Yankees offense).
Rasner/Karstens, etc. etc. etc. (This 5th starter position will be a committe type position all year long. Rasner is not the answer and Karstens may replace him when he comes off the DL. Don't be surprised if Philip Hughes is in the Bronx in a month or two.)
The Yankees starting pitching does not look good after the first week of the season.
Bullpen:
Rivera: 35 saves and a fifth consecutive under 2.00 ERA. Mo will continue his mastery - the only problem will be getting to him.
Farnsworth: About the same as last year. He really needs to work on his control
Proctor: He should be better if he is not overused. Again, the starting pitching needs to improve for the bullpen to be effective
Bruney, Myers, etc.: So-so. The problem is, of course, being overworked. Sean Henn has looked good in his appearances so far.
Starters:
1B: Mientkiewicz: Good defense but probably won't hit over .250 with about 10 homers and 40 RBI.
Phelps: Poor defense but should hit about 20HR due to length of Yankee lineup.
2B: Cano: He will win the batting title this year and will hit 20 HR and have about 70 RBI from the eighth place in the lineup. Another all-star season.
SS: Jeter: Should be about the same as last year and continue to be the backbone and leader of the team. His defense is off to a shaky start and he is hobbling but he will tough it out.
3B: A-Rod: Look for a huge year from him. The fans want to embrace him and he is off to the best start of his career. I predict 40 HR, 125 RBI and .300+ BA- should contend for MVP again.
C Posada: Age will catch up to him in the dog days of summer, but I expect 20 HR - 80 RBI and about a .270BA.
Nieves: Has not been that impressive so far, the Yankees may need to make a change before season goes along too far.
LF: Matsui: Is hurt right now but expect a .300BA, 25 HR and 100RBI. He will be steady as ever.
CF: Damon: Damon is tough and will probably hit 20HR, score 100 runs, steal 20+ bases and hit close to .300 and play everday. He is a gamer.
RF: Abreu: He will hit around .300 due to getting so many walks. He is not a huge power hitter but the short porch in right should help him get around 20-25 HR and drive in 100 RBI.
Bench: Right now it looks weak with light hitting but dependable Cairo, Josh Phelps, Melky Cabrera and Nieves. The Yankees will need to look for a bat before the All-Star Break.
Needs: The Yankees will have to make a move for a starter if they are going to contend, so far age and inexperience are really apparent.
Richard A. Holland wrote:
I'm really looking forward to Wang's return.
The boo birds RE: ARod are foolish. They boo just to hear their head make a noise. IMO he will win the 2007 AL MVP Award. (I've used my predictions w/ his numbers to support that 'win'.)