Finally. Opening Day is here.
On this day, every team has cause to feel optimistic -- even those that know they have no chance of making the playoffs. This is where the silver lining of every team comes into play. It's the cleanest day of baseball games across the entire season: no problems, no issues, just finally getting out in front of a crowd, playing meaningful baseball in the march for October.
The other half of the best rivalry in sports, The New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers "only" ended up with 89 victories last season. And the key players they inked this past off-season, have them looking incredibly strong on paper for this upcoming 2009 season.
The philosophy about building a strong farm was basically put on hold for a year. But Brian Cashman made some nice maneuvers, and the result--whether it was intentional or not--allowed the Yankees to lose their first three picks this year. And that is better than losing a first-round pick in three consecutive seasons, of course.
 |
| David Ortiz - Samara Pearlstein |
Today's "Great Debate" at MVN Outsider asks if the Yankees will make the playoffs. Money quote:
Don't get me wrong -- they will contend. It's just not a lock that they'll finish in second in the AL East. The Red Sox are arguably one of the most complete teams in baseball, and it would be a massive disappointment if they were to miss the postseason...Despite the spending spree, the Yankees do still have a fair amount of questions left to answer. They'll be in the running for a playoff spot, just as they were last year, but a second place finish in the East is by no means guaranteed.
Joe Loudmouth gives several reasons why Manny Ramirez will end up as a New York Yankee. My favorite:
In Cleveland they complained about him falling asleep on the bases. In Boston it was worse. Why does Manny run thru stop signs? How come he does not run out grounders? Why does he hang out at home plate and show up the pitcher on a towering blast? Manny has a proposal for Commissioner Selig. Make every at bat a home run derby and cut out this waste of time running. Manny has never spoken to the Commissioner, but he is sure he would be happy to go along. He must be a great guy as everyone calls him Bud and all of Manny's buds help him out.Joe Loudmouth also is taking nominees for who should be named the biggest jerk in baseball; leave your comment with who it is!
For the Yankees, there was only one move that would make this off season anything short of disappointing; signing CC Sabathia. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees and Brian Cashman have accomplished that goal.
As has been common knowledge, 22-year old Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa requested that the Japanese pro league, Nippon Pro Baseball, not draft him in the amateur draft, allowing him to jump to the major leagues immediately.
Let's take a whirl throughout the rumors in baseball and see what's going on...
In Milwaukee, Doug Melvin picked up Mike Cameron's option, but the Yankees have now come calling -- presumably dangling Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy. With Alex Rodriguez being solicited for advice on Cameron and rumblings that the Yankees might sign second baseman Orlando Hudson and move him to centerfield, you can expect to see a new centerfielder roaming the new Yankee Stadium next year.
A back of the rotation starter is being looked at so Clay Buchholz isn't handed the job in spring training. Paul Byrd could return.
Buster Olney had a chat up today with two interesting tidbits… Heard this informed speculation this morning — Beckett, Lester,…
The New York Yankees took game one 6-2, but the Boston Red Sox did not leave their fans empty handed…