For my third team this preseason I will get to talk about my favorite team. The New York Yankees are arguably the favorite to come out of the AL this year (The Rangers may have something to say to that). With newly acquired pitching the Bronx Bombers look to sure up their veteran lineup by adding a veteran DH within the next few days. My personal guess, Raul Ibanez signs within the week. I think the Yankees will have hard match ups all year long playing in the AL East against the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, and even the Orioles. I think the Yankees will win 95 games this year.
New York Yankees
As a Yankee fan I'll probably come off bias when all this is said and done. So instead of giving you a lot of reasons why they're going to dominate I'll just say this, they have the money to make any signings they want. Heck they just paid 20 million to get rid of one problem (Burnett).
2012 Outlook
95 Wins is obtainable and I think the division is theirs to lose. When healthy this whole team can mash and pitch with the best in the game.
Fantasy Impact Players
Robinson Cano 2B
A top 10 fantasy player and the #1 second baseman in the game today. If I get him in the back end of my first round I'm happy.
If he continues to hit lefties then he is a legit top 20 guy. If he struggles with south paws I think he slides down into the 40's. A good #1 OF entering 2012.
The high average years are gone but the mid 30 HR numbers are here to stay. I like Mark in the 3rd round.
CC is about as solid and consistent as they come. I think CC goes in the middle of the 4th round. I usually wait for my starting pitchers but he does offer solid value here. I think he is a lock for 200 innings and in New York he has a chance to get 20 wins.
This is where the fantasy story lines get a little questionable. I think health is an issue with Arod, when healthy Rodriguez can smash upwards of 30 HR. If injured He may not get more than 15. There is a lot of risk with this pick so understand his value comes with where you draft him.
About as consistent as they come this future Hall of Fame Closer will put up another great season. The greatest stopper to ever touch the rubber will be drafted within the first few closer's.
Coming over from Seattle in the Jesus Montero deal, Pineda will give his owners a sneaky good year. I love what he brings to the table and in New York I think he is a near lock for 15 wins. Oh ya, he is 6'7" and 260 pounds. Paired with CC I think this may be the biggest 1-2 punch ever.
He offers solid average with decent run production. His biggest value is his speed 50 SB isn't out of reach.
Yes he is still fantasy relevant mostly due to position scarcity. He will flirt with being a top 8 shortstop and he offers double digit pop and speed. He should lead off again and score close to 100 runs, again. I love the captain as a late round steal.
Signing a free agent deal this off season, Kuroda should be a great value pick towards the end of your draft. I think his pitching style fits the park very well and 14 wins is not out of the question.
A solid OF option this year. Should offer mid 20's power.
A legit option behind the plate that you can get late in your draft. I think he is set to be the full time guy for at least one more year before the Yanks decide to let their prospects take over.
Phil Hughes SP
If healthy Hughes is a #3 starter but the Yanks have the lugery of holding him back this year to ensure his future value. Dealing with injuries for the past 2 years Phil should, if helathy, top 170 innings and offer your team decent numbers. I view him as a spot starter at the beginning of the year but I'm going to keep my eye on him as the season progresses.
Ivan Nova SP
He surprised a lot of people last year but this time around things will be different. Nova won't sneak up on opposing hitters so I look for him to take a step back this season. Spot starter.
The Yankee DH
Whether it's Ibanez, Jones, Matsui, or Damon or anyone else, there should be some value for anyone who gets 400 AB in a Yankee uniform in 2012.
Minor League Prospects
Austine Romine C
With the Montero deal done it is clear the Yankees intend to use Romine as their future backstop. Or at least someone to hold it down until Gary Sanchez is ready to go. Romine is a solid defender and an above average hitter that have Yankee fans excited for the future.
Manny Banuelos SP
This top end pitching prospect aslo has New Yorkers excited for the future. Still lacks control of a major league ready pitcher but his upside is tremendous. Look for him and Dellin Betances to get a handful of spot starts this year. I think both of these guys will eventually (2 years) solidify a Yankee rotation which will include: CC, Pineda, Nova, Banuelos, Betances. Along with Hughes and maybe Joba.
Jeter's Replacement?
Cito Culver SS
For the time being I think Jeter is still a solid SS but when the time comes for him to become a full time DH or left fielder the shortstop job will be fought between Ramiro Pena (already a solid bench player) and Cito Culver. A solid defender with above average speed, the Yankees will wait for his bat to develop in the minors before they even begin to consider promoting him.
*Let's be honest they'll probably just go buy the best free agent but who knows?
The Recap
The Yankees have all the money they need, an all star lineup, and some of the best prospects in baseball. Once they figure out who will DH for them this year I think it would be hard not to consider them a favorite entering 2012. As a Yankee fan I think they will win it all. As a fantasy sports writer and sports enthusiast I think the Yankee's will fall short of reaching the WS. The key teams that stand in their way: Rnagers, Rays, Angels and maybe the Red Sox.
@MrFantasyFreak
@Awies28 (has a picture of me and Jackie Joyner Kersee)
email us at Mrfantasyfreak@yahoo.com
Podcast link
Alex Wiesner
New York Yankees
As a Yankee fan I'll probably come off bias when all this is said and done. So instead of giving you a lot of reasons why they're going to dominate I'll just say this, they have the money to make any signings they want. Heck they just paid 20 million to get rid of one problem (Burnett).
2012 Outlook
95 Wins is obtainable and I think the division is theirs to lose. When healthy this whole team can mash and pitch with the best in the game.
Fantasy Impact Players
Robinson Cano 2B
A top 10 fantasy player and the #1 second baseman in the game today. If I get him in the back end of my first round I'm happy.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.318 HR-29 RBI-116 Runs-102 SB-7
If he continues to hit lefties then he is a legit top 20 guy. If he struggles with south paws I think he slides down into the 40's. A good #1 OF entering 2012.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.260 HR-35 RBI-101 Runs-96 SB-16
The high average years are gone but the mid 30 HR numbers are here to stay. I like Mark in the 3rd round.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.255 HR-37 RBI-112 Runs-89 SB-5
CC is about as solid and consistent as they come. I think CC goes in the middle of the 4th round. I usually wait for my starting pitchers but he does offer solid value here. I think he is a lock for 200 innings and in New York he has a chance to get 20 wins.
- MY PROJECTIONS: 20-10, 229 K's, 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP.
This is where the fantasy story lines get a little questionable. I think health is an issue with Arod, when healthy Rodriguez can smash upwards of 30 HR. If injured He may not get more than 15. There is a lot of risk with this pick so understand his value comes with where you draft him.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.268 HR-21 RBI-88 Runs-72 SB-4
About as consistent as they come this future Hall of Fame Closer will put up another great season. The greatest stopper to ever touch the rubber will be drafted within the first few closer's.
- MY PROJECTIONS: 39 Saves, 2.02 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 64 K.
Coming over from Seattle in the Jesus Montero deal, Pineda will give his owners a sneaky good year. I love what he brings to the table and in New York I think he is a near lock for 15 wins. Oh ya, he is 6'7" and 260 pounds. Paired with CC I think this may be the biggest 1-2 punch ever.
- MY PROJECTIONS: 17-13, 200 K's, 3.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.
He offers solid average with decent run production. His biggest value is his speed 50 SB isn't out of reach.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.258 HR-6 RBI-44 Runs-90 SB-46
Yes he is still fantasy relevant mostly due to position scarcity. He will flirt with being a top 8 shortstop and he offers double digit pop and speed. He should lead off again and score close to 100 runs, again. I love the captain as a late round steal.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.282 HR-10 RBI-60 Runs-93 SB-16
Signing a free agent deal this off season, Kuroda should be a great value pick towards the end of your draft. I think his pitching style fits the park very well and 14 wins is not out of the question.
- MY PROJECTIONS: 14-10, 141 K's, 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP.
A solid OF option this year. Should offer mid 20's power.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.258 HR-27 RBI-86 Runs-82 SB-2
A legit option behind the plate that you can get late in your draft. I think he is set to be the full time guy for at least one more year before the Yanks decide to let their prospects take over.
- MY PROJECTIONS: BA-.258 HR-12 RBI-58 Runs-59 SB-7
Phil Hughes SP
If healthy Hughes is a #3 starter but the Yanks have the lugery of holding him back this year to ensure his future value. Dealing with injuries for the past 2 years Phil should, if helathy, top 170 innings and offer your team decent numbers. I view him as a spot starter at the beginning of the year but I'm going to keep my eye on him as the season progresses.
Ivan Nova SP
He surprised a lot of people last year but this time around things will be different. Nova won't sneak up on opposing hitters so I look for him to take a step back this season. Spot starter.
The Yankee DH
Whether it's Ibanez, Jones, Matsui, or Damon or anyone else, there should be some value for anyone who gets 400 AB in a Yankee uniform in 2012.
Minor League Prospects
Austine Romine C
With the Montero deal done it is clear the Yankees intend to use Romine as their future backstop. Or at least someone to hold it down until Gary Sanchez is ready to go. Romine is a solid defender and an above average hitter that have Yankee fans excited for the future.
Manny Banuelos SP
This top end pitching prospect aslo has New Yorkers excited for the future. Still lacks control of a major league ready pitcher but his upside is tremendous. Look for him and Dellin Betances to get a handful of spot starts this year. I think both of these guys will eventually (2 years) solidify a Yankee rotation which will include: CC, Pineda, Nova, Banuelos, Betances. Along with Hughes and maybe Joba.
Jeter's Replacement?
Cito Culver SS
For the time being I think Jeter is still a solid SS but when the time comes for him to become a full time DH or left fielder the shortstop job will be fought between Ramiro Pena (already a solid bench player) and Cito Culver. A solid defender with above average speed, the Yankees will wait for his bat to develop in the minors before they even begin to consider promoting him.
*Let's be honest they'll probably just go buy the best free agent but who knows?
The Recap
The Yankees have all the money they need, an all star lineup, and some of the best prospects in baseball. Once they figure out who will DH for them this year I think it would be hard not to consider them a favorite entering 2012. As a Yankee fan I think they will win it all. As a fantasy sports writer and sports enthusiast I think the Yankee's will fall short of reaching the WS. The key teams that stand in their way: Rnagers, Rays, Angels and maybe the Red Sox.
@MrFantasyFreak
@Awies28 (has a picture of me and Jackie Joyner Kersee)
email us at Mrfantasyfreak@yahoo.com
Podcast link
Alex Wiesner
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