2012 MLB Team Preview: N.Y. Yankees
The New York Yankees head into the 2012 season as the unquestioned favorite in an AL East division that appears to be as unintimidating as it has been in the last few years.
Odds to Win American League Pennant: +325
Odds to Win World Series: +650
Key Additions:
RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, INF-OF Bill Hall, 1B-DH Russell Branyan, RHP Manny Delcarmen, OF Dewayne Wise.
Back for 2012: OF Nick Swisher, 2B Robinson Cano, RHP Freddy Garcia, LHP CC Sabathia
Key Subtractions:
C Jorge Posada, INF Eric Chavez, RHP Sergio Mitre, LHP Damaso Marte, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Bartolo Colon
New York’s offense is still incredibly stacked and the Yanks addressed some serious needs by upgrading their rotation ahead of the 2012 year.
Let’s take a look at the Yankees chances this year, starting with the offense.
Projected batting order
1. SS Derek Jeter:
.297 BA, .355 OBP, .388 SLG, 6 HR, 61 RBIs in 2011
2. CF Curtis Granderson:
.262 BA, .364 OBP, .552 SLG, 41 HR, 119 RBIs in 2011
3. 2B Robinson Cano:
.302 BA, .349 OBP, .533 SLG, 28 HR, 118 RBIs in 2011
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez:
.276 BA, .362 OBP, .461 SLG, 16 HR, 62 RBIs in 2011
5. 1B Mark Teixeira:
.248 BA, .341 OBP, .494 SLG, 39 HR, 111 RBIs in 2011
6. RF Nick Swisher:
.260 BA, .374 OBP, .449 SLG, 23 HR, 85 RBIs in 2011
7. DH Andruw Jones:
.247 BA, .356 OBP, .495 SLG, 13 HR, 33 RBIs in 2011
8. C Russell Martin:
.237 BA, .324 OBP, .408 SLG, 18 HR, 65 RBIs in 2011
9. LF Brett Gardner:
.259 BA, .345 OBP, .369 SLG, 7 HR, 36 RBIs in 2011
There are not a whole lot of questions about New York’s batting order – they figure to be as strong as ever despite the declining skills of Alex Rodriguez who only hit three home runs in 171 bats to end the season.
But health was an issue last year and going into 2012 his knee should be heeled and ready to go. Nobody has more to gain that Rodriguez – he would like nothing more than to shut the mouths of his critics and help the Yanks win another championship. There is power, RBIs and solid averages up and down the Yankees lineup.
How scary is the Yankees batting order? Mark Teixeira is projected to hit fifth in the incredibly stacked lineup.
There are absolutely no issues with Yankees offense – expect them to be at or near the top of most offensive categories again this year.
That brings us to the pitching – a serious area of concern going into the offseason.
Projected rotation
1. CC Sabathia, 19-8, 3.00 ERA in 2011
2. Ivan Nova, 16-4, 3.70 ERA in 2011
3. Hiroki Kuroda, 13-16, 3.07 ERA in 2011
4. Michael Pineda, 9-10, 3.74 ERA in 2011
5a. Freddy Garcia, 12-8, 3.62 ERA in 2011
5b. Phil Hughes, 5-5, 5.79 ERA in 2011
5c. A.J. Burnett, 11-11, 5.15 ERA in 2011
Projected bullpen
Closer: Mariano Rivera, 44/49 saves, 1.91 ERA in 2011
RH setup man: David Robertson, 1.08 ERA in 2011
RH setup man: Rafael Soriano, 4.12 ERA in 2011
LH setup man: Boone Logan, 3.46 ERA in 2011
The Yankees have absolutely done what they needed to do in order to return them to their dominant ways. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The acquisitions of Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda have given them quality third and fourth starters – they won a combined 22 games on pretty bad teams last year. Impressive Ivan Nova returns for his second year after going 16-4 in his rookie campaign.
With CC Sabathia anchoring the rotation, names like Phil Hughes could end up as one of the better set up men in the game. The starting rotation is solid, even great for the first time in a long while for New York – they should be scary!
Out of the Bullpen comes Mariano Rivera – the most dominant close perhaps in the history of the game. David Robertson, Rafael Soriano and Boone Logan are some of the best, most dependable talents in the league. Look for New York to end the season with one of the most impressive Pens statistically.
2012 New York Yankees Prediction:
With a lineup like this, failure is not an option. The Yankees are the class of the AL East up and down the lineup. Get used to seeing the Yanks at the top in 2012 – there is a realistic chance of them leading the AL East wire-to-wire.
New York finished 1st in the AL East on their way to yet another World Series appearance in 2012.
One reply on “New York Yankees Predictions | 2012 Season Betting Preview”
This team is just over the hill. Jeter is old old old. Look at his number they will look good compared to this year. When he hit 3000 did anybody not think this looks like bp. I know i did here comes 85mph fastball down the heart again. Arod will be luck to have 65 rbi the bottem of the order is not that strong. There pitching last year was the best in mlb no were to go but down. There defence on the left is putrid be lucky to win 85 in the tough al east boston tampa and toronto just to talented. Long year for the yanks!!!!