By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515 |
To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Astros, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, each team's X-Factor and top prospect.
PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
2B Robinson Cano
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Nick Swisher
DH Raul Ibanez
C Russell Martin
LF Brett Gardner
PROJECTED ROTATION
C.C. Sabathia
Michael Pineda
Hiroki Kuroda
Ivan Nova
Phil Hughes
**Andy Pettitte (expected to return in May)
Michael Pineda
Hiroki Kuroda
Ivan Nova
Phil Hughes
**Andy Pettitte (expected to return in May)
PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Mariano Rivera
Set-up - David Robertson
Closer - Mariano Rivera
Set-up - David Robertson
Top Prospect - Manny Banuelos (LHP)
Breakout
Dellin Betances - I just have this feeling behind Sabathia, Kuroda and Nova the Yanks will have this revovling door, yet effectvie door, of starting pitchers. Michael Pineda will probably get close to 30 starts, but I can see Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia, Andy Pettite and Dellin Betances to each make around six starts a pieces. Betances has the brightest future out of that foursome as a 24 year-old that is built like Pineda and Sabathia. At 6-8, 260 pounds this big boy could be in store for big things if he gets a shot this season.
Bust
Dellin Betances - I just have this feeling behind Sabathia, Kuroda and Nova the Yanks will have this revovling door, yet effectvie door, of starting pitchers. Michael Pineda will probably get close to 30 starts, but I can see Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia, Andy Pettite and Dellin Betances to each make around six starts a pieces. Betances has the brightest future out of that foursome as a 24 year-old that is built like Pineda and Sabathia. At 6-8, 260 pounds this big boy could be in store for big things if he gets a shot this season.
Bust
Andy Pettitte - I believe there is a reason Andy Pettitte originally decided to retire and while he was twiddling his thumbs this off season he thought he missed the game. What he will soon find out is he was better off joining a coaching staff or going to the broadcaster booths. His return could cause Phil Hughes to lose more confience after being shuffled back into the bullpen and I'm not sure the cost if giving the ol' lefty another go-around is worth the unnecessary fluctuation. Even if Pettitte does finish out this season, I'm sure it will really be his last.
X-FACTOR
Alex Rodriguez - I see a lot of people counting A-Rod out for 130 games and typical hall-of-fame type numbers. And while 80 percent of the former ball player in A-Rod's case is still good enough for 30-100, another year of MVP numbers could put the Pinstripers on another level. He and Derek Jeter healthy could help this team run away with the East and more.
Alex Rodriguez - I see a lot of people counting A-Rod out for 130 games and typical hall-of-fame type numbers. And while 80 percent of the former ball player in A-Rod's case is still good enough for 30-100, another year of MVP numbers could put the Pinstripers on another level. He and Derek Jeter healthy could help this team run away with the East and more.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 97-65
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| Robinson Cano could be in the MVP race this season |
PROJECTED FINISH: 1st in the American League East
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
Check back tomorrow for the Atlanta Braves
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