Countdown to Opening Day: #12 New York Yankees

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#12: New York Yankees: Another year on the Retirement Tour

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Derek Jeter
RF Carlos Beltran
1B Mark Teixeira
C Brian McCann
DH Alfonso Soriano
3B Kelly Johnson
2B Brian Roberts
LF Brett Gardner

PROJECTED ROTATION
CC Sabathia
Masahiro Tanaka
Hiroki Kuroda
Ivan Nova
David Phelps

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: David Robertson

Set-up: Matt Thornton

Top Prospect: Gary Sanchez (C)

There is no middle ground for what the New York Yankees did this off-season. Signing several free agents is either going to blow up in their face or they are going to playing for a postseason spot. I don't see a ho-

Masahiro Tanaka

hum 80, 81 win season in their future. When you sign veteran players it is going to be a go-big or go home type season.
It is not all about the old-veteran signees, because they shelled out for prime-time players like Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Masahiro Tanaka. Ellsbury and McCann will most likely be worth the big bucks if they can stay healthy. Tanaka is a whole-nother level of unknown. I have a feeling he is not quite Yu Darvish, but not as inconsistent as Daisuke Matusaka.
They will also end up a "go-home early" season if veterans Carlos Beltran, Brian Roberts, and Derek Jeter cannot be close to their former all-star selves. Nobody wants to avoid season's end like the future Hall-of-Famer. Jeter's next stop before Cooperstown is an old home.
The real question lies in the starting rotation around Tanaka as CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, and the fifth starter are just as big of game-changers. Should be another exciting fun year on the retirement tour for Jeter and the Yanks.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Brian Cashman did not just spend money anywhere and everywhere. He spent it on professionals. They bought veterans who play the game hard and play the game right, something Robinson Cano was not so great at doing. Brian McCann enjoys the short porch in right field and Alfonso Soriano enjoys being back where his borderline hall-of-fame career started. The boys in pin stripes send Jeter out on top.

REAL TALK - The keys to the season probably lie in the players who are supposed to be peaking and in the prime of their career. Carlos Beltran is going to C.B. and Derek Jeter will be steady and underwhelming. C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and David Robertson are three most important players. Sleepers like Michael Pineda and Kelly Johnson will only be bonus production.

Breakout: Ivan Nova (RHP) 

Bust: Masahiro Tanaka (RHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Mark Teixeira (1B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 85-77 (4th in NL)
 West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 87-75 (3rd in AL East) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Atlanta Braves*