Upon Checking in with my Yankees

So at the 7/20/07 mark of this season, the Yankees are still lurking at 7 games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East. In the past 10 years, viewing a 7 game deficit as a positive would have prompted incredulous looks, and questions regarding one's sanity, but such has this seen been. Two weeks ago, the Yankees were reeling at 12 games behind the Sox, and looking like a beaten club. Then, for the second time this year, a strong surge combined with a Boston slump allowed the Bombers to trim several games off a double digit lead. Much has been made of the ease of schedule for the Yankees to start the second half; with the majority of their games coming against less than intimidating opponents like Tampa Bay and Kansas City. However, many Yankee fans view this set-up as a balancing of the scales after some of the first-half trips that the team went on.

A home-and-home set with Texas and Seattle which meant 2 cross-country flights started some of the problems. Then it was a brutal stretch where the Yankees faced Detroit, Chicago, the Red Sox and the Mets in succession (though not necessarily in that order- my memory is a bit slow this AM). The Yankees took a tumble in the standings, and were only able to claw back close to .500 by running off a 9 game win-streak and winning something like 14 of 18. This momentum was short-lived however, as bad series losses to Colorado and San Francisco removed much of the gains. The rollercoaster ride continued, as the Yankees won their last 2 series before the All-Star game, and just had a 5-game win streak stopped yesterday in a day-game after night-game loss to Toronto after 3 good games.

So where do things stand with the team? Lets go by position:

First Base- Injuries to Giambi and Doug M (I am not going to venture spelling his name and I don't feel like looking it up) have opened a door at first, and Andy Phillips is trying to claim the job as his. he has been swinging good wood lately, and his work with the glove has been excellent, and in many cases run/game-saving. I like Phillips, who hadn't lived up to his promise during previous stints. I also like having a regular guy and solid fielder on the team, rather than a superstar at each position swinging for the fences. Reminds me of Scott Brosius.

Second Base- Robinson Cano is not showing the plate skills that found him third in the AL in batting last year. The aggression that makes him a good hitter can also be used by a pitcher to turn him into a bad hitter. .275 is a decent mark, and his play in the field is solid if not spectacular.

Short Stop- Just your average .332, 200 hit 100 run scored year for the Captain. 13 Errors are brutal, and mean no Gold Glove, but the yips have calmed down of-late. I would still love some more pop and run production, but thats just not Jeter. He scores runs, he doesn't drive them in.

Third Base- Productive?- Check
MVP-type season thus far?- Check
Clutch?- Several times over

We know how good A-rod can be. What we don't know- If he can do it in the playoffs? If the Yankees will make the playoffs to give him the chance? and if he will be here next year.

Left Field- A healthy Matsui is a good thing for the Yankees. he has quietly made himself into the Yankees second-best power option, and a key run producer in the middle of the lineup. Hideki is underrated in my opinion.

Center Field- Johnny Damon has been hurt, and has struggled a lot. This year is the dropoff that many had predicted, and there are rumblings that Damon's heart is not in the game anymore. However, Melky Cabrera is getting to play, and his defense is a 1000% improvement because he combines Damon's former speed and disregard for safety with a MUCH better arm. A 12-game hit streak is showing that Melky's bat is improving with more and more playing time.

Right Field- Statistically, as Bobby Abreu goes, so go the Yankees. He has had a good July, and when he plays well the Yankees seem to win. He is another Yankee who had a dismal start, where some writers and scouts even calling his career over. A 20-25 RBI July may change some minds.

Catcher- Jorge is having a stellar contract year, and once again is placing his name as the elite among catchers in all of baseball. Sorry Varitek, he's in a different class.


Starters- Some stability? Finally? Wang is a stud. Pettite gives you a good outing each time. Clemens has pitched much better than his record (just as he did in Houston). Mussina is a prima donna, but he is also a solid professional pitcher. Igawa does not seem to get American pitching yet. The youth parade continues with Matt DeSalvo getting a start this weekend. And down in the minors, lurking, is Phillip Hughes. The top 4 names, when healthy, give baseball fans exactly what you would expect. If Hughes becomes a #5, and matches his potential, the odds of a playoff run increase.

Bullpen- Gulp. Farnsworth-ugh. Proctor- meh. Vizciano- ok, keep it up. Bruney- not bad. Mariano- is still Mariano. As much the Achillies as anything.


I think the Yankees will get into the division race. A move or two before the deadline, nothing major. I will be there tomorrow. Lets go Yankees....