Upon the 2006 Yankee Preview- The Infielders

The collection of talent around-the-horn for the New York Yankees compares favorably with every team in baseball. Most teams can not boast former MVPs at the corners, and expect to get 80-90 homeruns out of them. Most teams hope to do not have a gold glove short stop playing third, and another stationed at short. Most teams aren't the Yankees.

First Base- Jason Giambi

In a tale of two seasons, Jason had an abysmal start to 2005, and ended the year as baseball's Comeback Player of the Year. Giambi picked the team up and threw them on his back for nearly two months last year, and prior to that many were worried he was finished. He ended the year with 32 jacks and 87 RBIs, and the majority of clubs would do backflips for that production. The Gold Gloves that should inhabit the left side of the infield are not likely to come Giambi's way anytime soon, as he is merely a serviceable fielder. However, his offense is considerably better as an everyday fielder than as a DH, and I think that as Jason himself says "I'll win more games with my bat than I'll lose with my glove". Jason was among the league-leaders in on-base-percentage, heading to first or further in nearly half of his at bats. If his health holds up, I will jump out the window here and say that you could put him right next to Albert Pujols offensively and not give up too much. That's right, I said it!

Prediction: .304, 39, 112, .456. .976 fielding ptg

Back-up- Andy Phillips, who will get work depending on health and durability.

Second Base: Robinson Cano

2005 started with Tony Womack manning second-base for the Yankees, and that experiment was not one to be remembered fondly. Robinson turned heads in the minors, and when something needed to be done to wake our sleeping giant, he was one of the call-ups that the Yankees made. I will borrow from Yankees.com to put Cano into perspective for last year "Led American League Rookies with a .297 batting average, 78 runs, 155 hits, 34 doubles, 47 multi-hit games and 239 total bases. Ranked second with 52 extra-base hits and a .534 slugging percentage, fourth with 62 RBIs and fifth with 14 HR". For a first-year player on baseball's biggest stage, I'd call that pretty darn good. 17 errors will have to improve, but that will come with experience in my opinion. Cano was not moved in any of the proposed hot-stove deals this year, and not for lack of interest. This speaks even further to the Yankees feelings on this kid. I think that he has the potential to be a big player, but he needs to continue his progress and cut down on mental errors.

Prediction: .290, 21, 88, .356 .979 fielding ptg

Back-up: Miguel Cairo returns to the Bronx as a good glove and serviceable bat.

Shortstop- Derek Jeter

You know who he is, and you know what he does. Derek will suit up every game, play his butt off, score 100+ runs every season he is healthy, and occasionally drop your jaw with a play in the field. His defense won him a gold-glove at short last year, and while he still doesn't get to some balls he should, he definitely gets to many more that he shouldn't. Jeter's role goes beyond simply star player however. He was awarded the captainship of the team, and the leadership responsibilities that go along with that designation. Johnny Damon immediately deferred to Jeter on arrival, citing the Yankees as "Derek's team". Jeter, ever the humble one, passed ownership right on to "Mr. Steinbrenner". DJ expereinced unique success to start his career, and his internal drive is certainly asking him to complete the handful of rings.

Prediction: .302, 24, 85, 20 SB, 100+ runs. .988 fielding ptg

Back-up: Miguel Cairo can spell him here, but Felix Escalona is ahead on the depth chart. The next guy on the list was also a fair shortstop in his day


Third Base- Alex Rodriguez

.321, 48, 130= Regular season MVP.
No ring= playoff disappointment

Alex Rodriguez has to be accustomed to being one of the, if not the best player in baseball. He has MVPs, Gold Gloves, HR titles, and the largest salary in history. However, A-rod did not come to the Bronx for the riches of King George, or more individual accolades. He is here to win a ring, and anything less is a collossal let-down. A-Rod is a lightning rod for controversy, and wears a bulls-eye on his back for opposing teams. I do not see a let-up in his regular season output, and personally feel that another upswing is coming. I also think he was robbed of a gold Glove at third, and should be even more motivated to improve his already impressive fielding. As the anchor to a crushing lineup, Alex will be expected to drive in and score runs, and be the hitter teams fear in the clutch. This was his achilles last year, as he often put up huge numbers in games that were close to out of reach anyway. I see another strong year for the reigning MVP, another everyday player.

Prediction: .330, 50, 127, 25 SB, .990 fielding ptg


Back-up- Miguel Cairo.


Now that the four infielders are set, we move on to the outfield. The pitcher/catcher battery to follow.