Say Hello To: 1Bs Doug Mientkiewicz, Juan Miranda and Josh Phelps, LHP Andy Pettitte, RHPs Chris Britton and Luis Vizcaino
Say Goodbye To: C Sal Fasano, 1B-OF Craig Wilson, OFs Gary Sheffield and Bernie Williams, LHP Randy Johnson, RHPs Jaret Wright and Octavio Dotel
Projected Starting Lineup:
C - Jorge Posada (leads all catchers this decade with 163 HR, 626 RBI and 561 walks) 1B - Doug Mientkiewicz (.781 OPS this decade second worst among all first basemen) Andy Phillips (.675 OPS in 2006, .657 OPS in first three years) 2B - Robinson Cano (.362 with 23 2B, 11 HR, 57 RBI in 207 AB after hamstring injury) 3B - Alex Rodriguez (5-46 postseason with 1 HR, 2 RBI since Game 4 vs. Boston in '04) SS - Derek Jeter (5th player in 75 years to hit .340, 90 RBI and 30 SB in same season) LF - Hideki Matsui (hit .412 in September after returning from fractured wrist) CF - Johnny Damon (.324 with 6 2Bs, 4 HR, 13 RBI in 17 games vs. Red Sox) RF - Bobby Abreu (2nd this decade with 300 2B and 787 walks; career-low 15 HR '06) DH - Jason Giambi (27 HR, 72 RBI before All-Star break; 10 HR, 41 RBI after)
Projected Starting Rotation:
RHP - Chien-Ming Wang (Cy runner-up was 10-2, 3.13 ERA after All-Star break) RHP - Mike Mussina (holds AL all-time record with 15 straight 10-win seasons) LHP - Andy Pettitte (.500+ record 12 straight; 14-1 in Sept. since 2002) RHP - Carl Pavano (big bust since signing huge deal after 2004 season; hurt in '06) LHP - Kei Igawa (27-year-old 3-time strikeout champ in Japan; 14-9, 2.97 ERA in '06)
Projected Closer:
Mariano Rivera (2.29 ERA and .596 win percentage best all-time among closers)
Spring Training Battles: The everyday lineup is set with Mientkiewicz platooning with Phillips or Phelps, but can the Yankees resist putting Giambi back at first to get Cabrera in more often? The Yankees will have a big void at the back end of the rotation if Roger Clemens can't be lured. Pavano has been working hard and factors in, but stud Philip Hughes, Humberto Sanchez and Jeff Karstens also will compete.
Minor League Report:
Ready in 2007:
Philip Hughes, RHP
In the 6-5, 220-pound Hughes, New York has one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and general manager Brian Cashman refused to trade him last July.
The righthander was a combined 12-6 with a 2.15 ERA in 26 starts between Class A and AA in 2006. He walked 34 and struck out 168 in 146 innings. In three minor league seasons, Hughes is 21-7 with 54 walks and 269 strikeouts in 237 innings.
A 2004 first-round pick, Hughes has a mid-90s fastball that he can cut or sail, an outstanding curveball and advanced command for a 20-year-old.
Humberto Sanchez, RHP
The 23-year-old Sanchez, acquired from the Tigers this winter in the Gary Sheffield trade, is a native of the Bronx and was 10-6 and ranked second among all Tigers minor leaguers with a 2.63 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 20 starts at Class AAA Toledo and AA Erie in 2006. He struck out 129 in 123 innings, while allowing 97 hits and 47 walks.
After going 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts with the Mud Hens, elbow problems shut him down during the second half of the season. He has a clean bill of health.
At 6-6, 230 pounds, the righthander sits in the 93-96 miles-per-hour range with his heater and has improved his control. He is a better changeup and work habits away from being a front-of-the-rotation pitcher.
Tyler Clippard, RHP
At just 21, Clippard will be ready for Class AAA this season and could make his debut in Yankee Stadium before the 2007 season ends.
The 6-4 righthander was 12-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 28 starts at Class AA Trenton, in 2006, including a no-hitter. He walked 55 and struck out an Eastern League-high 175 in 166 innings. He fanned 181 batters in 154 innings in 2005.
Clippard has a projectable 6-4, 200-pound frame that likely will increase his low-90s fastball as he matures. Until that happens, he will utilize an outstanding breaking ball and changeup as his out pitches.
Down the Road:
Jose Tabata, OF
One of the youngest players in organized ball, Tabata followed a smashing debut season in the Gulf Coast League in 2005 with a banner campaign at low Class A Charleston before a thumb injury shut him down in July.
Tabata hit .298 with 22 doubles, one triple, five homers and 15 stolen bases in 319 at-bats as a 17-year-old. He walked 30 times and struck out 66, an excellent ratio for a player his age,
The 5-11 Venezuelan has excellent bat speed with power potential and an advanced approach at the plate. He has plus speed and just needs more experience tracking fly balls to become a quality major league regular.
Juan Miranda, 1B
The 23-year-old Cuban was signed to a four-year deal worth $2 million this winter. He is a lefthanded-hitting power prospect who can play first base or a corner outfield spot.
Miranda is a former teammate of ex-Yankee Jose Contreras, is 6-0, 220 and hit .303 with 27 homers in Cuba from 2002-04. He is expected to start in the Class A Florida State League.
