The Yankees, once again, were the iron statue built on clay feet last season. Their lineup was insane with Johnny Damon coming through with one of his best efforts to date. Even the disappointing year from Alex Rodriguez couldn't stop the Bronx Bombers from scoring 44 more runs than they did in 2005.
That lineup returns essentially intact, with Bobby Abreu roaming right field now that Gary Sheffield has moved on to Motown. And Hideki Matsui has healed from his broken wrist. Obviously, Doug Mientkiewicz can't replace Sheffield's production at the plate, but Sheff played only 39 games last year anyway.
While this team has a reputation for power hitting, don't forget the Angels were the only AL squad to steal more bases last year than New York's 139.
The Yankees pitching staff battled through disappointing seasons from Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. But the breakthrough effort of Chien-Ming Wang gave this team great promise for the future of this rotation. They also brought back fan favorite Andy Pettitte and signed Japanese import Kei Igawa.
Spring position battles
Starting pitcher No. 4 --
Kei Igawa vs.
Carl Pavano The Yankees have made it clear that people should not compare Igawa to Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka. They need the former to work in the back of the rotation, while the latter has the potential to become a front-of-the-rotation starter. Pavano's back and shoulder problems appear to be behind him, pun intended, and he should enter spring training healthy. Whoever wins this spot in the rotation could fall down and win 12 games. With any effort at all, they could win 15, considering the bullpen help and the run support they'll receive.
The real question is: Which of these players moves to the bullpen if the Yankees are able to convince Roger Clemens to return for another World Series run this summer?
| | Rookies/Prospects | Age | Pos. | 2006 high | Destination |
| 1 | Kei Igawa | 27 | LH SP | Japan | Majors |
| Not a Dice-K, but we think he can be the better side of Kaz Ishii |
| 2 | Phil Hughes | 20 | RH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Top-notch talent, but we cannot see Yanks taking him out of spring |
| 3 | Humberto Sanchez | 23 | RHP | Triple-A | Majors |
| Just a hunch, but he could be this year's Joel Zumaya relief find |
| 4 | Tyler Clippard | 22 | RH SP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Should help Yankees this season as first call-up for rotation spot |
| 5 | Jose Tabata | 18 | OF | Class A | Double-A |
| Still growing, but could see the majors by next season |
| Best of the rest: RHP Dellin Betances, 19; RHP Joba Chamberlain, 21; RHP Ian Kennedy, 22; RHP J. Brent Cox, 22; RHP Kevin Whelan, 23; OF Brett Gardner, 23. |
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