Yankees 08 Projected Line-Up and Rotation

[nyyfan]

This is from http://yankees.com and can also be found in my thread, Keeping Stars, Yankees Look Strong in the link.

Batting Order/Staring Line-Up
LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
C Jorge Posada
DH Jason Giambi
2B Robinson Cano
CF Melky Cabrera
1B Shelley Duncan

Starting Rotation
SP Chien-Ming Wang
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Mike Mussina
SP Joba Chamberlain
SP Phil Hughes
CL Mariano Rivera

[nyyfan]

I like everything but I would personally want Kennedy instead of Joba. This is because Kennedey has shown he has the stuff to start and Joba would be scaring seting up MO the whole season.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Joba and Moose will split time as the fifth starter because we really don't want to put that much stress on Joba's arm. Kennedy, Pettitte, Wang should all go 200.

[mikeymussina35]

I like the idea of Joba in the pen. This is basically saying that if the Yanks can keep the other team behind until the 8th then we can have a good chance at winning. Everything else is god. Lookin forward to Shelly at first!:rofl::cool::party::D

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WAIT! Where is Godzilla??? He isn't gonna get fit in! Jason over him

[Yankeefan90]

Matsui at DH, why isn't that projected. Why Giambi? Do we have to keep seeing .250 seasons, with only 25-30 HR(although this is not too bad), 60-70RBIs, long stints on the DL, and long slumps where nothing goes right. Matsui not only can hit the same amount of HRs but he drives in alot more runs, is alittle faster, and hits for a better average. Unless we could seriously net some good young players a year or two away from the bigs then Matsui should be the DH/LF on this team.

[nyyfan]

I just noticed that! That is a big question. Maybe they are serious about him being traded to SanFran.

[MedicCook]

With the health history the last couple of years ot Damon, Giambi, and Godzilla, I do not see any problem with finding AB's for all three of them.

[MedicCook]

I just noticed that! That is a big question. Maybe they are serious about him being traded to SanFran.

The Giants have no interest in him now and all the trade talk was coming from the Giants not the Yankees.

[White Knight]

This is from http://yankees.com and can also be found in my thread, Keeping Stars, Yankees Look Strong in the link.

Batting Order/Staring Line-Up
LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
C Jorge Posada
DH Jason Giambi
2B Robinson Cano
CF Melky Cabrera
1B Shelley Duncan

Starting Rotation
SP Chien-Ming Wang
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Mike Mussina
SP Joba Chamberlain
SP Phil Hughes
CL Mariano Rivera

Shelly Duncan is the everyday 1st baseman? Oh boy...Well, I see him hitting no higher than .260 (.270 TOPS), but there's a possibility he can hit 30 HR's. Anyone agree?

[nyyfan]

Shelly Duncan is the everyday 1st baseman? Oh boy...Well, I see him hitting no higher than .260 (.270 TOPS), but there's a possibility he can hit 30 HR's. Anyone agree?

I think he will be just like his brother.

[mikeymussina35]

I think he will be just like his brother.

Yes. I can't wait to see Shelly playin everyday. I could definetely see him hittin 30 homers. But he does strike out alot.:disbelief::sorry::nod:

[White Knight]

I think he will be just like his brother.

Is that good or bad? :)

[nyyfan]

Is that good or bad? :)
Chris Duncans 07 stats were:

Games= 127
Average= .259
RBI= 70
SO= 123
Runs= 51
Hits= 97
HR= 21

I think Shelley will be better considering he will have more RBI's because more players on base, and he will have more runs scored having Jeter, Abreu, A-Rod, etc behind him. I also see him hitting for more power. Maybe 30-35.

[Urbanshocker13]

I see them flipping around Matsui, Gambi and Damon at DH. I don't see Gambi at this time in his carrer being a better hitter than Matsui but I still think they want to get as much as they can for Gambi. But of recent history will show us anything Gambi is going to hurt anyway. I am sorry but I don't see how Gambi NOW (.250 20-30hr 60-70 rbi) is any better tht Matsui (.300 20hr 90+rbi) I don't get why Gambi should start over Matsui?Even Healthy Gambi's skills have gone way down! Saying that if he dose good a proves me wrong I will be thrilled!

Shelley Duncan at first will at least be entertaining! :hyper:

[DoubleX]

I see them flipping around Matsui, Gambi and Damon at DH. I don't see Gambi at this time in his carrer being a better hitter than Matsui but I still think they want to get as much as they can for Gambi. But of recent history will show us anything Gambi is going to hurt anyway. I am sorry but I don't see how Gambi NOW (.250 20-30hr 60-70 rbi) is any better tht Matsui (.300 20hr 90+rbi) I don't get why Gambi should start over Matsui?Even Healthy Gambi's skills have gone way down! Saying that if he dose good a proves me wrong I will be thrilled!

Matsui probably won't hit .300, maybe .290, but that's quibbling. He also might encounter some injuries. If Giambi stays healthy and returns to his 2006 form, the numbers would more be like .255, 35, 110. The further difference between Giambi and Matsui is that Giambi makes far less outs and the presence of the kind of hitter Giambi was in 2006 would also give better protection in the lineup.

I'm not optimistic at all that Giambi will be that kind of hitter. All I'm saying is that Giambi as that kind of hitter is better than Matsui. I agree though that Matsui is more likely to be healthy and productive along his career numbers. It's more likely that Matsui will give a 125 OPS+, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at. My argument is that the best case scenario for Giambi, which is admittedly very unlikely, is more like a 150 OPS+, and that's a pretty healthy difference.

[DoubleX]

I see them flipping around Matsui, Gambi and Damon at DH. I don't see Gambi at this time in his carrer being a better hitter than Matsui but I still think they want to get as much as they can for Gambi. But of recent history will show us anything Gambi is going to hurt anyway. I am sorry but I don't see how Gambi NOW (.250 20-30hr 60-70 rbi) is any better tht Matsui (.300 20hr 90+rbi) I don't get why Gambi should start over Matsui?Even Healthy Gambi's skills have gone way down! Saying that if he dose good a proves me wrong I will be thrilled!

Matsui probably won't hit .300, maybe .290, but that's quibbling. He also might encounter some injuries. If Giambi stays healthy and returns to his 2006 form, the numbers would more be like .255, 35, 110. The further difference between Giambi and Matsui is that Giambi makes far less outs and the presence of the kind of hitter Giambi was in 2006 would also give better protection in the lineup.

I'm not optimistic at all that Giambi will be that kind of hitter. All I'm saying is that Giambi as that kind of hitter is better than Matsui. I agree though that Matsui is more likely to be healthy and productive along his career numbers. It's more likely that Matsui will give a 125 OPS+, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at. My argument is that the best case scenario for Giambi, which is admittedly very unlikely, is more like a 150 OPS+, and that's a pretty healthy difference.

[Mariano_Rivera]

I have no faith in Shelley at all

[mikeymussina35]

I have no faith in Shelley at all

Are u being sarcastic?

[monkey333]

Are u being sarcastic?
Have you watched Shelley Duncan bat? I think he's improved over the last year but I still don't see a way that major league pitchers don't exploit that long, goofy swing of his. I think he'll be a solid platoon mate with Giambi/Betemit/Miranda but no way do I hand him the full time first base job.

[Urbanshocker13]

Matsui probably won't hit .300, maybe .290, but that's quibbling. He also might encounter some injuries. If Giambi stays healthy and returns to his 2006 form, the numbers would more be like .255, 35, 110. The further difference between Giambi and Matsui is that Giambi makes far less outs and the presence of the kind of hitter Giambi was in 2006 would also give better protection in the lineup.

I'm not optimistic at all that Giambi will be that kind of hitter. All I'm saying is that Giambi as that kind of hitter is better than Matsui. I agree though that Matsui is more likely to be healthy and productive along his career numbers. It's more likely that Matsui will give a 125 OPS+, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at. My argument is that the best case scenario for Giambi, which is admittedly very unlikely, is more like a 150 OPS+, and that's a pretty healthy difference.

I totally see what you mean, I was big on Giambi when he first went to the Yanks and for a long time after that. I am not to sure he has that much left in the tank anymore. Who ever that can produce in that spot will be great, I do hope Giambi has a Giambi type year next season, that will be great. If not we are luckey enough to have Matsui there to replace him. We both want good production out of the DH spot. Actually I think we are more in agreement than we think! If Gambi is Healthy all year and produces like he should I will be thrilled!

If the Yanks are thinking of dealing Matsui they better do it for a real great deal! Not like that horrible one rumored before with the Giants. If they deal him at all they better get a HIGH QUALITY pitcher or a decent pitcher and a few good prospects! Besides the fact that he is a good hitter the Japanese market alone should increase his value in any trade, the money from that market should defiently be considered in Matsui's vaule.

Shelley Duncan should be fun at first base! I think it will be a platoon type deal with Betemit or if they pick up someone else a cobination of all three. I think 30 hr for Ducan next year is a tad high {{cough}} Kevin Maass {{Cough}} Shane Spencer{{Cough}} Saying that Shelley has a ton more personality then either Spencer or Maass. (thats why I like him!) I also like how he plays the game. He hustles and has tons of energy, I remember last year at Toronto he was at first. It was a steal or a sac bunt and the throw came to 2nd and he slide in and kicked the ball and the glove out of the short stops hand, he ment to do it and thought about it before hand, I like a player that does that, plays the game hard and smart. So he might be a decent player and be around longer than the other flash in the pans.

[Derek Jeter]

I'm thinking the Yanks roster is going to look like this:

Lineup
LF: Damon
SS: Jeter
RF: Abreu
3B: Rodriguez
C: Posada
DH: Matsui
2B: Cano
1B: Giambi
CF: Cabrera

Bench:
Duncan 1B/OF
Molina C
Gardner OF
Betemit IF

Rotation:
1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Pettitte
4. Chamberlain
5. Kennedy

Bullpen:
Kennedy
Hawkins
Farnsworth
Rivera
Henn
Ohlendorf
Veras

[Yankeefan90]

I'm thinking the Yanks roster is going to look like this:

Lineup
LF: Damon
SS: Jeter
RF: Abreu
3B: Rodriguez
C: Posada
DH: Matsui
2B: Cano
1B: Giambi
CF: Cabrera

Bench:
Duncan 1B/OF
Molina C
Gardner OF
Betemit IF

Rotation:
1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Pettitte
4. Chamberlain
5. Kennedy

Bullpen:
Kennedy
Hawkins
Farnsworth
Rivera
Henn
Ohlendorf
Veras

I think Jason Giambi's days as a 1B are over. The guy just isn't athletic enough for it anymore. I mean I believe we will see him a few times this year at 1B, but nothing over 60 games. Girardi is going to have some problems putting together the lineup everyday, but I'm sure he'll know what to do.

[Urbanshocker13]

I think Jason Giambi's days as a 1B are over. The guy just isn't athletic enough for it anymore. I mean I believe we will see him a few times this year at 1B, but nothing over 60 games. Girardi is going to have some problems putting together the lineup everyday, but I'm sure he'll know what to do.

Yeah, I don't see him at 1rst base in too meny games next year at all he has actually has turned into a liability at 1rst. It's going to have to be a platoon of Duncan and Betemit and maybe even Damon. Hope that he will be Heathy this year if not we have to ride his contract out just for next year and he will be some else's problem. Most likely his wife! because after next year and he still haveing health problems I don't see another team picking him up and I think he will call it Career.

[hellborn]

I think Jason Giambi's days as a 1B are over. The guy just isn't athletic enough for it anymore. I mean I believe we will see him a few times this year at 1B, but nothing over 60 games. Girardi is going to have some problems putting together the lineup everyday, but I'm sure he'll know what to do.

I agree with you, and it's kind of sad. You'd think that a guy making the money he does for as little as he's done for the Yanks would bust his butt in the offseason and work himself into a usable first baseman. I don't think that he's that uncoordinated, and he was decent enough there for Oakland...seems like he's scared to touch the ball and have to make decisions on the field. Wouldn't taking grounders and making game-type throws for a few hours a day in the offseason make a huge difference here?
I don't know, maybe he does this stuff and he just can't handle playing the field anymore for some physical or mental reason, but I really wonder. I feel like Ortiz, say, could hold down 1B as a regular if DHing were not an option...he would pull a fair number of rocks, but get the job done well enough. I know that he's not afraid to throw the ball like Giambi is. Richie Sexson is a terrible 1B, but not so bad that he hurts his team so much that he can't play there...Giambi is that bad, though. And, the Yanks would sure have a lot more options if he could actually play the position and free up the DH spot sometimes without being comically bad.

[DoubleX]

I agree with you, and it's kind of sad. You'd think that a guy making the money he does for as little as he's done for the Yanks would bust his butt in the offseason and work himself into a usable first baseman. I don't think that he's that uncoordinated, and he was decent enough there for Oakland...seems like he's scared to touch the ball and have to make decisions on the field. Wouldn't taking grounders and making game-type throws for a few hours a day in the offseason make a huge difference here?
I don't know, maybe he does this stuff and he just can't handle playing the field anymore for some physical or mental reason, but I really wonder. I feel like Ortiz, say, could hold down 1B as a regular if DHing were not an option...he would pull a fair number of rocks, but get the job done well enough. I know that he's not afraid to throw the ball like Giambi is. Richie Sexson is a terrible 1B, but not so bad that he hurts his team so much that he can't play there...Giambi is that bad, though. And, the Yanks would sure have a lot more options if he could actually play the position and free up the DH spot sometimes without being comically bad.

You know, there were a few games last year when Giambi was out there that I was actually surprised by his play. I thought he showed some good reaction time in the field. It's a small sample, so it's tough to go on, and really the biggest worry is being able to get to errant throws by the other fielders (especially Jeter). Still, if Giambi can put up a 150 OPS+ like he did two years ago, and Matsui and Damon are both productive, I think you live with Giambi's deficiencies at 1B in order to get them all in the lineup. A 150 OPS+ at 1B should more than make up for any defensive woes. Richie Sexson is a good comparison - terrible fielder that might justify is place with offense. Well Giambi too is a terrible fielder, but may have even offensive potential than Sexson. First though, Giambi has to stay healthy, which is a big if.

[hellborn]

You know, there were a few games last year when Giambi was out there that I was actually surprised by his play. I thought he showed some good reaction time in the field. It's a small sample, so it's tough to go on, and really the biggest worry is being able to get to errant throws by the other fielders (especially Jeter). Still, if Giambi can put up a 150 OPS+ like he did two years ago, and Matsui and Damon are both productive, I think you live with Giambi's deficiencies at 1B in order to get them all in the lineup. A 150 OPS+ at 1B should more than make up for any defensive woes. Richie Sexson is a good comparison - terrible fielder that might justify is place with offense. Well Giambi too is a terrible fielder, but may have even offensive potential than Sexson. First though, Giambi has to stay healthy, which is a big if.

I don't know that the deal is with Giambi now...I get the feeling that he's just afraid of making a mistake more than anything. I'm sure you see him a lot more than me, and everybody has good or bad games. But, the last game I saw him in Fenway, there were three times when he had to do something more than just catch the ball, and he screwed up two of them badly. And, you just KNEW that he had a good chance of blowing things from the whole way he approached the plays. I can't remember seeing him look confident in the field for years now.

[DoubleX]

I don't know that the deal is with Giambi now...I get the feeling that he's just afraid of making a mistake more than anything. I'm sure you see him a lot more than me, and everybody has good or bad games. But, the last game I saw him in Fenway, there were three times when he had to do something more than just catch the ball, and he screwed up two of them badly. And, you just KNEW that he had a good chance of blowing things from the whole way he approached the plays. I can't remember seeing him look confident in the field for years now.

It probably hasn't helped him that he's barely been in the field the past couple of years. If the Yankees are serious about using him in the field this year, he'll need to get lots of playing time during Spring Training - at the very least, that should give them a better idea of what to expect from Giambi in the field and whether he should even be out there. But like I said, if, and it's a big if, Giambi can stay healty and revert back to putting up a 150 OPS+, I think you can live with him playing 1B, especially if you want to keep Matsui and Damon in the lineup regularly. If Giambi can be that hitter again, and I do have serious doubts about that, I'd like to see him protecting A-Rod, as a healthy and productive Giambi is really the only one in the lineup that can give A-Rod something close to the kind of protection that Ortiz gets from Manny.