New York Yankees 2002 Season Preview

by Lou Parrotta

Lock. Reload. Come out shooting again. This is the reigning American League Champion New York Yankees' motto. They have certainly done just that.

The New York Yankees, toting their 27 World Championships and 34 American League World Championships, have reloaded to the point that they are the early favorite to win the World Series again this year. The additions of former MVP Jason Giambi, relief ace Steve Karsay, contact hitter John Vander Wal, veteran third baseman Robin Ventura, and outfielders Rondell White and Ruben Rivera strengthen an already strong team. The fact they re-added David "Mr. Perfect" Wells just seemed to extend their commitment to make another trip to the World Series once again.

The Yankees are poised to make a return trip to the Fall Classic despite the losses of team leaders Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez. The Yankees faced this same lack of veteran leadership in 1995 when Captain Don Mattingly retired as a result of a bad back. Look what's happened since then despite that tremendous loss - six trips to the postseason, five American League Championships, five trips to the World Series with four titles. The same result is certainly possible under the leadership of players like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera. Skippered by Joe Torre, anything is possible.

This season will provide many questions. What will happen with Cuban defector Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez now that Wells and Sterling Hitchcock have seemed to secure the last two rotation spots behind Pettitte, Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina? Who will play in right field? Will Shane Spencer be given the chance to play full time or will he have to platoon with John Vander Wal for time? Will free agent signee Rondell White be able to stay healthy for more than 130 games? Will David Wells back hold up for an entire season? Will Jorge Posada's surgically repaired shoulder be completely healed in time for opening day? Finally, will the addition of Steve Karsay, no matter how overpriced, be a solution to the problems the Yankees faced in 2001 in their middle relief? All of these questions, including the usual bench player questions, hopefully will be answered in a timely enough fashion so that playoff tickets can go on sale once again in the Bronx. Only time will tell.

The Yankees made some significant moves for their bench, not the least of which was the addition of Ruben Rivera, the once-promising phenomenon who fizzled in his first stint in the Bronx. He adds promising power to a bench that only Enrique "I age by the minute" Wilson, Todd Greene, and Gerald Williams. This is only if Williams is still on the team now that there is a glut of outfielders, and Greene is able to beat out more promising recruits like Alberto Castillo, Bobby Estelella, and the re-couperating Chris Widger. My guess would be that Widger beats out the lackluster Greene, and Gerald Williams is traded to someone who needs some speed off of the bench. With spring invitees like super-sub F.P. Santangelo, and better-than-average hitting infielder Ron Coomer, the Yankees seem to have one of their better benches in years. Of course, there is always the ever-reliable Luis Sojo, who also was invited to the training camp in a move I would say was more for heart and soul than for production.

The Yankees will prove to be a powerhouse once again. They have the most dominating starting pitching staff under pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who will make his swan-song this season, and the best closer in the game. They have a young nucleus of players who come out to play day in and day out and who never quit no matter the score. The Yankees should repeat as American League Champions, but only if the revamped Rangers, the promising Red Sox, and the ever-surprising Athletics prove to not be complete packages once again.

Ten Years Ago...

Our Yankees Preview from April 1992, by Paul Ciocco:

Strengths and Weaknesses: Starter Scott Sanderson is one of the finest (16-10 on a fifth place club). Danny Tartabull is a better hitter than Bonilla. Our youngsters struggled last year but Roberto Kelly continues to improve and "Bam Bam" Hensley Meulens has returned to 3B, his preferred position. Mattingly showed he could play a whole season; even if his power doesn't return, he's a Gold Glover and .300 hitter.

Nokes' 24 homers made me think of Yogi, or a Elston. Mel Hall is a solid DH.

Farr, Gutterman, Cadaret & Habyan are good in relief, necessary with such woeful starters.

Weaknesses: The loss of Steve Sax hurts, but we needed a starter. Melido Perez is better than anyone other than Sanderson. Pitching is the big flaw. Bernie Williams in center and Pat Kelly at s are big questions.

General Outlook: While the media concentrate George, the rest of the organization has been quietly rebuilding. We may not be ready to beat the Red Sox and Jays, but we're already the equal of anyone else in the AL East and our young players are improving.

Perspective: The Yanks had three straight losing seasons for the first time since the '60s. When 1992 started, Al Michaels was finally given money, and he got the Bull and Gallego. This year will something more interesting than Mattingly's hair and Pacual Perez' drug problems.