Red Sox / Yankees wraps up today

 

I have to get my Yankee posts in early this year - I have a feeling I won't be writing any after the All-star break.

 

Today's game features two pitchers with a lot of promise - but for one reason or another can't seem to pitch consistently. Nova vs. Dubront will be interesting just to see who can look sharp.

 

Both pitchers have runs where they look really good, and I'd like to think that Dubront will be a quality starter for a good stretch, but when he's off, he's really off (they both are), and you wonder if he just doesn't have the head for it.

 

As I write this, the Yankees have taken control of the series in the Bronx and are up 2-1, with the Sox hoping for a split.

 

The Yankees are lucky to be in this position.

 

I can't help but think it's going to be a LONG season for the Yankees. Their moves this winter smacked of desperation, and Cashman must feel like the little Dutch boy putting his fingers in the leaky dike - and running out of fingers. There's so many holes here, and no one seems to think that there's anything in the farm system on the way to the rescue.

 

I won't say I follow the Yankees farm system very closely, but all you have to do is look at the trades they've been making and see how their "top rated" prospects have worked out. The deal that immediately comes to mind is the Pineda/Montero deal, where the Yankees traded their "catcher of the future". Montero has gone on to truly been a disappointment, and this was their top ranked prospect!! If that's at the top, what's below that? Yikes.

 

Anyway, this Yankees team has some great questions in front of it. Some we already have early answers on.

 

1) Can Mark Texeria stay healthy and add thump to the lineup?

So far, NO. He's already hurt again. Yikes.

 

2) Can Jeter stay healthy and be productive

Fans are already grumbling about his defensive range being about half what it was in his prime. He's not going to make friends with many pitchers if he can't get to routine balls. Hitting? Health? We'll see. What we do know is the Yankees are gambling on a strong season from him for sure.

 

3) Is McCann the new premier backstop of the AL East?

Well, the early returns aren't good, but he'll hit more. How much more remains the question - he's supposed to be a clean-up caliber player, and that hasn't happen yet (it's early, I know.)

 

4) Missing A-rod?

Out of sight is out of mind, but right now an unheralded nobody - Solarte - is turning heads with his .940 OPS. His minor league numbers suggest more like .750 is in order, which means there are going to be some bad days when he gets exposed. He's got to play everyday, so there's no where he can hide once pitchers figure out where his holes are. But the best part is A-rod will likely be back in 2015, and I can't wait for that. Really, I can't. What a MESS.

 

5) Alfonso Sorianio - here come the strike outs!

Tying up the DH spot is Soriano. He's been great for the Yankees, but he's so streaky - and strikes out a lot - there are going to be some long stretches with him in the line up.

 

6) Can Roberston make one forget about Mariano's durability and excellence?

Nope. Hurt already. Yikes.

 

The Yankees have paid for some bright spots, but with at least 6 or 7 quality players missing from the team, I do't' see how they can compete. One or two injuries, and 85 wins will be an achievement.

 

On the other hand, the Sox - dealing with some injuries of their own early on, to key players Middlebrooks and Victorino, aren't playing so hot. The pitching has been middle of the road (15 out of 30), with some solid starts and some real stinkers. The hitting can't seem to knock anybody in just yet. But it's hard not to be pretty optimistic. Boegarts looks like he belongs. Sizemore looks like his old self. Perdroia, Ortiz, Napoli are still middle of the order hitters. They are having trouble figuring out the leadoff spot, but they'll figure out something. On the pitching side, only Dubront has failed to impress, and he's got about a month before he gets sent to AAA so Workman can get his shot.

 

In fact, the Sox farm system is brimming with replacements; relievers, starters, and hitters. I didn't even mention JBJ's good start, hitting .276 and a .380 OBP. You'll take that all day, everyday from as good a defensive center fielder as he is.

 

Despite all the problems, the Sox are ranked 9 on the ESPN MLB RPI. Now, it's a little early to be looking at that, but in another couple of weeks in won't be.

 

Bring on the Rays.