New York Yankees 2004 Season Preview

by Lou Parrotta

The new third baseman

Yankee fans have been waiting for Opening Day since since early February. When Alex Rodriguez was added to the team, there was an amazing amount of joy and excitement for Yankees fans everywhere (this was evidenced in the number of single-game tickets sold the day the trade was announced). While the excitement is there, there are still a few question marks on this superstar-laden team. 

Let's begin with pitching. The Yankees have a new ace in an old friend, Mike Mussina. He will be called upon to lead a staff that will contain at least three new faces in the starting rotation. With the departure of Andy Pettitte to his home in Houston, the un-retirement of Roger Clemens to join his best friend Pettitte in Houston, and the non-tendering of a contract to David Wells, the Yankees have a whole new look without a lefty. The second starter in the rotation is Kevin Brown, formerly of the Dodgers. If Brown can stay healthy (doubtful), he could be a Cy Young Award finalist. After Moose and Brown, the Yankees have hot, young stud Javier Vazquez. A budding ace, he will shut batters down once he learns the hitters of the American League. In the fourth slot is Jose Contreras. If the right Contreras shows up to pitch more than the perplexing one, this spot will be as strong or even stronger than it was under Wells' tenure. The fifth spot provides some worry. Jon Lieber, recovering former star of the Chicago Cubs, is ailing again (thankfully not with his arm this time) and youngster Jorge DePaula is inconsistent at best. This could leave the door open for Donovan Osbourne, out of baseball for a while, to take over. I would not discount a trade. 

The bullpen is the Yankees best asset this year after being its biggest nightmare last year. The closer is still Mariano Rivera, recently signed to a two-year contract extension and very happy about staying in New York, while the support staff is dramatically different. Despite their presence at the end of last year, Gabe White and Felix Heredia are now going to have full seasons to show Yankees fans why they are considered two of the better middlemen in the game today. The addition of the nearly-perfect set-up man Paul Quantrill, who has been successful wherever he has pitched, and the addition of former closer Tom ³Flash² Gordon, provide the Yankees two of the games premier middlemen. Only the Chicago Cubs will be able to compete with the Yankees in this department. The Yankees need for Steve Karsay to return soon, and if he does not, the loser of the fifth man rotation spot will probably join the bullpen as a long man or spot-starter. As an aside, Gordon, who closed in Chicago previously, will provide wonderful insurance for the Yankees in the even Rivera experiences problems like he did last season. 

The infield is much different this year. Jason Giambi, surrounded by steroid accusations all winter, will have to play more first base this year with Nick Johnson being shipped to Montreal for Vazquez. Alfonso Soriano, traded away to secure Rodriguez, is gone so second base becomes somewhat of a whole. The contentious battle is between Enrique Wilson, Mike Lamb and Homer Bush (an old friend who was traded away some years ago to get Roger Clemens). My money is on Bush pulling it out and Wilson returning to his reserve role where he excelled last season. Lamb, a dark horse, should not be dismissed as he has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in Texas. Nothing has to be said about shortstop as the Captain, Derek Jeter, is anchoring that slot, although Rodriguez is a better defender than Jeter. Another question mark will be how long it will take Rodriguez to adjust to third base. Yankee fans are relentless (ask Giambi when he wasn't hitting) and the question becomes whether or not A-Rod will be able to handle the pressure. Finally, A-Rod's power numbers might decline a bit since he is not hitting the majority of the time at the Ballpark in Arlington, much more hitter-friendly for a right handed batter than is Yankee Stadium. 

The outfield is also pretty different. Centerfield anchor Bernie Williams is being shifted to designated hitter for the most part leaving the fielding duties to newly acquired Kenny Lofton. Lofton, older but still quick, will be a mild upgrade for the Yankees defensively. The one plus is that Lofton is a natural leadoff hitter, and with Soriano gone, the Yankees definitely needed that. Left field is still Hideki Matsui's. Matsui will undoubtedly be better this year as a result of already having one go around. In right field, the Yankees signed aging star Gary Sheffield, another star dogged by steroid rumors, to take over for the platoon of Karim Garcia and David Delucci of last season. Sheffield, another health question, could provide much-needed pop or could be another bust like so many who have come before as a result of George Steibrenner's desire to have a team of big names. 

The catching slot will once again be anchored by Jorge Posada, quietly emerging as one of the premier catchers in the game. John Flaherty should be his back up again this season, but Sal Fasano, a former major leaguer signed to a minor league deal could give him a run for his money. Joe Girardi, a Yankees cult hero in the past, tried an unsuccessful return to the team and will join the Yankees broadcast team on YES network. 

The bench is decent this year. Ruben Sierra is back. He provides switch-hitting power in any situation. Wilson will be a wonderful back up at any position should he lose out to Bush at second base. The Yankees signed Tony Clark and Travis Lee to back up Giambi at first. Both will provide wonderful defense and decent power for the days Giambi needs off. 

All in all it looks to be another exciting season in the Bronx. I guarantee another deal or two will be made in the event something does not go as planned. Money is no object on a team valued at nearly $1 billion. The nice thing about Steinbrenner, however, is the fact he takes a lot of his profits and re-invests it into the team.