Observing the Order

The reigning world champion New York Yankees downed the Houston Astros 4-1 in a split squad scrimmage in Tampa on Tuesday. Manager, Joe Girardi showcased his probably opening day lineup as Mariano Rivera made his first appearance of the spring. Rivera needed 27 pitches but worked out of a bases-loaded jam for a scoreless inning. Girardi’s slated Nick Johnson behind leadoff man, Derek Jeter, in the New York lineup. Johnson is the projected number two hitter when the Yankees open a series April 4th in Boston. C.C. Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte are the three starting hurlers expected in the first series of the season. Burnett is still struggling with control, walking four batters against the Astros. Only fifth-percent of his 66 pitches were deemed strikes.
The best team on paper in baseball, New York’s fifth starter position is still up for grabs. The 27 time World Series champs signed former Bomber, Javier Vazquez this offseason. Vazquez will shore up the back end of the rotation at the number four spot. Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain remain the leading candidates for the final pitching position. Hughes, the former first round pick, tossed four shutout innings out of the bullpen for the save Tuesday in his bid for job. Hughes instituted his changeup with effectiveness against Houston. I would be surprised if Girardi overlooks Hughes for the fifth spot. Right-hander Chamberlain faces a challenging Philadelphia squad this afternoon. Chamberlain is still in the race, but needs to be more confident and consistent on the hill. Personally, I feel Joba is better suited for the bullpen.
The Yankees did not resigned World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui this winter. Matsui signed as a free agent with the Angels. Girardi plans to replace Matsui’s bat with a slew of mediocre hitters. Johnson’s production won’t come close to the Japanese slugger, but the Yankees anticipate the return of the former first baseman to inject some punch at the top of the order. Johnson has a high on base percentage and should have decent RBI numbers with Jeter preceding him at the plate. Robinson Cano is vying for the fifth spot in Girardi’s lineup. The second base All-Star has a career .256 batting average but placing Cano in the heart of the order is a risk. Many New York fans do not feel comfortable with Cano protecting Alex Rodriguez. The 27 year old does not boast a high average with runners in scoring position. Girardi considered inserting newly acquired Bomber outfielder, Curtis Granderson, into the fifth spot. Cano’s low strikeout total and higher average indicate he is the man for the job, however. The second baseman hit .299 with 29 RBIS in 214 at-bats in fifth spot last year. Granderson has more power than Cano at the plate, but should settle into the seventh spot. Catcher, Jorge Posada, will follow Cano.
New York also failed to bring back Johnny Damon. Damon’s bat at the top of the order will surely be missed. Granderson will occupy centerfield full-time, with Brett Gardner in left field. Gardner will round out the Yankees lineup, hitting in the nine hole. Nick Swisher represents Cano’s former position at eighth in the order. The Yankees definitely lack a big bat at the bottom, but the switch-hitting mix throughout the second half of the order should frustrate opposing pitchers. Swisher juiced 29 taters last season and clubbed 124 hits. Gardner had an impressive second year with a .270 average in 108 games. The Tigers and Yankees swapped players in the Granderson deal. One of those players was Austin Jackson. The outfield prospect has been lighting it up for Detroit this spring training. It will be interesting to see what kind of season Jackson has in tiger stripes. Most expected big things from the youngster in pinstripes. Now we will never know.
Parting Points: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Ron Washington was nailed for failing a cocaine drug test in 2009...nice.