The 2014 season for the Yankees should be a good one. $471 million was spent on several outstanding additions to a roster who lost a few offensive weapons in Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano. But, the Yankees went out and filled all and any holes in the offense, and in the rotation.
The addition of Brian McCann brings a speck of youth back into an old team. This signing also brings in power at the catchers position, which was lacking when Chris Stewart was behind the plate in 2013. McCann will help contribute to replace Cano's power numbers. McCann is a consistent 30 HR hitter, and has been at or above that number ever year since 2009. Bringing in a catcher that can hit and hit for power is something this organization needs.
Carlos Beltran also will contribute to the power numbers, even at his "old" age of 36. He is not the outfielder he used to be, with his quick feet and .300 BA. Still, Beltran brings leadership and experience to this team, as well as a big bat. Since 2001, Beltran has had one season with single digit HR's. In 2010, he played 64 games, in a season where he suffered a right knee injury, which required surgery. Beltran had seven HR's that a year. Beltran's age has not hindered his power numbers, and will serve as an excellent OF and DH in this stacked Yankees Outfield.
Also contributing to the Yankees outfield is Jacoby Ellsbury, who was one of the best signings this offseason. The Yankees desperately needed to bring in some young legs to the outfield. Out of the five key outfielders the Yankees have, Ellsbury and Gardner are the only two under 35. Both are 30 years of age. Bringing in Ellsbury, an all around contributor was huge for the Yankees. Ellsbury rounds out the three offensive weapons that the Yankees signed to replace Cano. But instead of bringing the power numbers, he is a hit for average hitter. Ellsbury has had four years without a major injury in the seven years he has played. In those four seasons, he has a batting average of .300, which is just a few points below Cano's batting average the past few seasons in New York. The Yankees really needed Ellsbury. Now the Yankees have another true contact hitter, and a base stealing side-kick for Gardner. Ellsbury also can take over the first or second spot in the lineup, depending on where Jeter is. I believe that Jeter will be the leadoff hitter, with Ellsbury batting second. That bumps Gardner to the bottom of the lineup, because the Yankees need a power hitter like McCann, who also can hit for average in the 3rd spot.
The Yankees knew that with the loss of A-Rod and Cano, as well as Jeter entering his last season that they needed to pick up a versatile infielder. Kelly Johnson was the perfect fit. The Yankees picked up the 32 year old from the Rays for one year, paying him 3 million. Johnson will be playing 2nd and 3rd, as well as contributing to the outfield once and a while. But, if the Yankees are going to succeed, they need to keep Johnson at third. With Johnson at third, Jeter can play short, with Nunez subbing in for him when Jeter needs to rest. Texeira and Overbay will be 1st base and DH, and then there's second base.
The Yankees made a smart move picking up Brian Roberts. Yes he is old, but think about this. By signing Roberts to a one year deal, this serves two purposes. The first purpose is yet another player to pick up some of the slack Cano left, with his career .278 average and quickness, even at 36. The second purpose was to buy some time to get a new franchise second basemen. Guys like Ben Zobrist, Rickie Weeks and Emilio Bonafacio will be on the market for the Yankees to buy. Or, they can re-sign Kelly Johnson, make him the main second basemen, and shop for a new third basemen. The 2015 Free Agents for third basemen include J.J. Hardy, Yunel Escobar, Rafael Furcal, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Hanley Ramirez. Those are all young guys with plenty of years left of good baseball, all under 35. The Yankees, by signing Roberts, set themselves up for another big free-agent year in 2015.
Finally, the Yankees made two big moves for pitching. Bringing back Kuroda establishes a strong rotation, with him sitting at the two spot behind Sabathia. Last season, Kuroda proved himself to be an elite pitcher, shutting down strong offensive teams, and rarely getting shelled. But the signing of 25 year old Masahiro Tanaka from Japan seals the deal. Tanaka is easily the best pitcher in the Japanese league, and he maintained a sub 2.00 ERA for most of his year last year, without recording a loss. Adding Tanaka makes this rotation a deadly one. Sabathia and Kuroda at the top, Nova in the middle, and Tanka and Pineda, both who have had phenomenal spring trainings at the four and five.
With these several key signings, expect great things out the the 2014 New York Yankees. A dominant rotation paired with a younger, stronger, more powerful and more skilled lineup than last seasons spells P-L-A-Y-O-F-F-S.
