Have the Yankees clinched the AL East title yet? No? Wait a month or so.
In need of a few tweaks after losing the World Series last November, the Yankees went for a big-time overhaul. Paul O’Neill and Scott Brosius retired. No effort was made to bring back free agents Tino Martinez and Chuck Knoblauch.
Say hello to Jason Giambi, Rondell White, Steve Karsay, David Wells and Robin Ventura. Yes, George Steinbrenner, you can begin printing playoff tickets.
Giambi, White and Ventura will help improve a lineup that needed a transfusion of muscle. But the No. 1 reason the Yankees will win at least 105 games this year is their pitching.
They have four legitimate No. 1 starters and Orlando Hernandez, who if healthy could be a No. 1 for half the teams in baseball. Mariano Rivera is the premier closer in baseball. Mike Stanton is the best left-handed set up man and Karsay is being paid $22 million to be better than Jeff Nelson.
Here is a closer look at the 2002 Yankees:
FIRST BASE
The Yankees targeted Jason Giambi early and got him thanks to a seven-year deal worth $120 million. He is a big upgrade over Tino Martinez, who was a huge part of the latest Yankee dynasty and fits the “get-on-base” mentality the Yankees are trying to get back to. Giambi worked with Don Mattingly around the bag during spring training but he is being paid to hit.
SECOND BASE
Say hello to the next homegrown Yankee All-Star. Alfonso Soriano finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year award last year when he scratched the surface. His young legs are needed and he will develop into a 25 to 30 home-run hitter. Needs to improve at second but that will come.
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter never was healthy last year thanks to shoulder and leg woes. He still had an above-average season but nowhere near what is expected of the perennial All-Star and team leader.
THIRD BASE
At 34, Robin Ventura figures to have plenty left and the Yankees were very lucky the Mets wanted to dump his $8 million salary for David Justice, whom they shipped to the A’s. Yankees expect him to catch everything and drive in 80 to 90 runs. Left-handed hitter could reach 30 homers thanks to the right-field porch at the Stadium.
LEFT FIELD
Yankees dumped $10 million across two years on Rondell White, who has been on the DL eight times since 1996. Then before the exhibition season opened, White pulled a rib-cage muscle. When he is on the field, he is a productive player. However, he has missed too much time with injuries and must find a way to avoid them to give the Yankees a solid return on their dollars.
CENTER FIELD
Bernie Williams becomes a Ten-And-Five player on Opening Day meaning he will have control over any trade the Yankees want to include him in. He must rebound from last year when he batted .307 for the second straight year and hike RBI total from 94, the lowest since 1995.
RIGHT FIELD
Shane Spencer is finally going to get a chance to play every day. Of course, how long that chance is depends on two things: how he does and what the Yankees’ record is if he struggles. An above-average defender, he will be an upgrade over Paul O’Neill but it will take a lot to replace O’Neill’s ability to produce in the clutch.
CATCHER
Following the 1999 season, the Yankees gambled Jorge Posada was an every-day catcher. Two straight All-Star selections and a five-year, $51 million deal later, they were right. Off-season surgery to right shoulder didn’t hinder his throwing in spring training. Has developed into team leader.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Normally 23-year-olds aren’t DHs. But with Giambi at first, above-average defensive first baseman Nick Johnson gets his first full-time job at DH. Sweet left-handed swing made him the Yankees’ best prospect since Ruben Rivera. Yankees need to be patient if he gets off to a slow start.
STARTING PITCHING
Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, David Wells and Orlando Hernandez form the best starting five in baseball and it’s not close for second. Sterling Hitchcock is on the DL. Mussina is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award that went to Clemens last year.
BULLPEN
Mariano Rivera is the premier closer in baseball and Mike Stanton is the best lefty setup man. Steve Karsay has filthy stuff but until he does it in New York, the jury is out. Ramiro Mendoza will add experience and versatility to the pen. Ted Lilly is the long man capable of providing a quality start if needed.
BENCH
Not a big factor in the AL and certainly not with Joe Torre, who seldom pinch-hits. But John Vander Wal will spell Spencer in right against tough right-handers. Ron Coomer was a strong candidate to grab the second backup infielder spot behind Enrique Wilson because he can play the corners and help Johnson out at DH. Gerald Williams figures to be the fifth outfielder.
MANAGER
The best manager, Joe Torre, manages the best talent in the game.
PREDICTION
They runaway with the AL East.
POST PICKS
GEORGE KING
AL EAST
Yankees
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Devil Rays
Orioles
AL CENTRAL
White Sox
Indians
Twins
Tigers
Royals
AL WEST
A’s
Mariners
Rangers
Angels
AL wild card: Mariners
AL champions: Yankees
NL EAST
Braves
Mets
Phillies
Marlins
Expos
NL CENTRAL
Cardinals
Astros
Cubs
Brewers
Reds
Pirates
NL WEST
Giants
Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Padres
Rockies
NL wild card: Diamondbacks
NL champions: Cardinals
World champions: Yankees
MICHAEL MORRISSEY
AL EAST
Yankees
Red Sox
Orioles
Blue Jays
Devil Rays
AL CENTRAL
Twins
White Sox
Indians
Tigers
Royals
AL WEST
Mariners
A’s
Rangers
Angels
AL wild card: A’s
AL champion: Mariners
NL EAST
Mets
Braves
Phillies
Marlins
Expos
NL CENTRAL
Cardinals
Astros
Cubs
Pirates
Reds
Brewers
NL WEST
Diamondbacks
Giants
Dodgers
Padres
Rockies
NL wild card: Giants
NL champions: Mets
World champions: Mets
JOEL SHERMAN
AL EAST
Yankees
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Devil Rays
Orioles
AL CENTRAL
White Sox
Twins
Indians
Tigers
Royals
AL WEST
Mariners
A’s
Rangers
Angels
AL wild card: A’s
AL champions: Yankees
NL EAST
Braves
Phillies
Mets
Marlins
Expos
NL CENTRAL
Cardinals
Astros
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Pirates
NL WEST
Diamondbacks
Padres
Giants
Dodgers
Rockies
NL wild card: Astros
NL champions: Diamondbacks
World champions: Yankees
TOM KEEGAN
AL EAST
Yankees
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Orioles
Devil Rays
AL CENTRAL
White Sox
Twins
Indians
Tigers
Royals
AL WEST
A’s
Mariners
Angels
Rangers
AL wild card: Mariners
AL champions: Yankees
NL EAST
Braves
Phillies
Mets
Marlins
Expos
NL CENTRAL
Cardinals
Astros
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Pirates
NL WEST
Diamondbacks
Giants
Dodgers
Padres
Rockies
NL wild card: Astros
NL champions: Cardinals
World champions: Cardinals
