Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Yankees - Rotation, Sleeper pick & more Big Ragu special Sauce!


Here's who I think will be starting rotation
  1. CC Sabathia
  2. Micheal Pineda
  3. Ivan Nova
  4. Phil Hughes
  5. Hiroki Kuroda
If AJ Burnett doesn't get traded you can slip him into the number 4 spot and move Hughes into the Bullpen.
The Yankees will have a strong bullpen with alot of arms like David Robertson, Rafeal Soriano, Boone Logan, Cory Wade, Freddy Garcia, and to closeout the 9th inning....I shouldn't even have to say his name...The best ever.. Mariano Rivera.
As for Joba Chamberlain, he's making progress in his return from Tommy John surgery last June. He has thrown from a 15 inch mound twice. 15 throws each. Joba told the AP he was "happy with progress and feeling good." He hopes to rejoin the Yankees before the All-Star break.
My sleeper pick from the minors will be catcher Austin Romine. He did see some time last year with the big club but most likely will begin the season in Triple-A Scranton. Should Russell Martin or Fransisco Cervelli go on the DL for any length of time Romine could get a call up. I could have chosen any one of the pitching prospects. Either Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances. Both finished the year at the Triple-A level but I don't think their ready yet. Should a Yankee starter go down they have Garcia to spot start if need be. So if he's my sleeper is Romine, then yes I anticipate an injury at the catchers position. Sorry guys.
Every season there's always talk about what position needs improvement. Well this year I really can't decide. Catcher ? Martin was ok last season. Just as long as he stays healthy, handles the pitching staff, and plays well defensively that position is fine. He doesn't need to hit .300 on this team. DH ? Do they need a steady DH ?think not. That position will be used to give bench guys playing time and give others some rest. So what needs improvement ? Clutch hitting, that's what !! Especially in October !! We don't need a homerun in a big spot, just a base hit would be fine.
Here are my picks for the AL East Division in 2012
1st : Yankees...Who else !
2nd : Tampa Rays....Good pitching
3rd : Toronto Blue Jays...Much improved bullpen
4th :Boston Red Sox..LOL !
5th : Baltimore Orioles....Poor Buck
Bomber Spring Training opens February 19th for pitchers and catchers. But guess who's already getting in his ABs early this year.....Derek Jeter !!
Stay tuned for updates.

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