20 Most Important Yankees

I frequent a lot of internet sites everyday, many involving film, but the majority of the sites I go to on a daily basis are based around baseball and The Yankees. One of my favorite sites thats I go to is riveraveblues.com and lately on their site, the numerous writers for the site are putting out a list of their 20 most important Yankees for 2009 as well as beyond. Well, my schools basketball team refuses to lose so their game is going out on the radio tonight and my show is cancelled. Because of this, I am in the mood to talk baseball so I too, will put out my list for my 20 most important Yankees for this year and beyond. Not all are players, not all are in the major leagues, but all whether it be through statistics, decision making or development, they all will affect the way this team operates this year as well as years into the future.



Just on a side note, all stats are from Spring Training games only and do not include to the two exhibition games vs. Team USA and Team Canada, as well as minor league games players pitch. Many people do not know that major league pitchers also pitch in minor league camp as well. Today for example, Andy Pettitte was scheduled to pitch, but the Yankees had an off day. To compensate for this, Pettitte was sent to minor league camp and pitched in a minor league game so he could get his work in.



So, without further ado, here we go.

(1) Brian Cashman
The 2009 New York Yankees are this mans team. Years ago he wanted full authority and he finally has it. He no longer has George breathing down his neck telling him what moves he has to make, or even negotiating deals himself such as what he did with Gary Sheffield. He is GM until 2011 and the decisions he has made this year and will make over the course of his contract will greatly affect what kind of team franchise the Yankees become over the next few years.

(2) Jorge Posada
Some people may consider this a bit high, but I would assume those people didnt see any games last year where Jose Molina had to step up to the plate. A .216 batting average over almost 300 AB isnt going to cut it this year. Now, especially with the Rays being a formidable opponant, the Yankees can not be giving away at bats. Posada needs to play, and he needs to be a catcher. Im not expecting 140 games out of the guy, but 100-120 with some days at DH is needed if the Yankees want to contend. Pitching and Defense win championships, but with the Yankees assumingly getting subpar offense from whoever plays center, declining offense from Damon and a RF who wont hit as well as Bobby Abreu, and an overall aging line-up,they are going to need as much Top-Notch offense this year as possible. Posada is currently hitting .313/.389./531 in Spring Training, if he could come anywhere close to these numbers, the Yankees will have little to worry about at the Catcher position. On the other hand, he is a 37 year old catcher coming off a year where he played 51 games and couldnt throw. Lets hope for the best.

(3) Alex Rodriguez
The man who loves Steroids, Himself, His cousin Vinny, Prostitutes, Himself, Hip Surgery and Himself. Nothing can be said about A-Rod that hasnt been said in the past three months so il leave this one short. Whether we like it or not, this man is under contract for nine more years. Lets hope 2007 truly was a PED-Free year, we need him to be good. In his two spring training games, he was 3/7 with 1 HR and 5 RBI

(4) Mark Teixeira
The Signing of Mark Teixeira means the Yankees realized 2 things. One, Nick Swisher could not be the only offensive addition of the offseason after Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu leave, and two, DEFENSE IS IMPORTANT! We have a 3B who is really a SS, a SS who is 35 and has trouble moving to his left, and a 2B who wouldnt hustle for a groundball unless his boyfriend Melky Cabrera was there waiting for him. Mark Teixeira is a gold glove defender which is a HUGE improvement over the last seven years of Jason Giambi, who, to quote Steven Goldman, has the vertical leap of a bank safe. Also, it goes without saying how important his bat will be infront of A-Rod for the next 8 years. He can hit well from both sides of the plate, can hit 30-40 homers w/125+ RBI, walks a ton and hes one of the few Yankee position players under the age of 30. Easily the most important offseason signing. So far in spring training his numbers are .378/.429./.595

(5) Joba Chamberlain
Will the real Joba Chamberlain please stand up? This is the year where we truly have to find out if Joba Chamberlain is a potential ace, or a guy who cant stay healthy and will have to set-up until Mo retires. I used to be a supporter of the move to the bullpen, but that was before I knew of someone who will be mentioned later on in this list. If Joba can stay healthy over 150 innings, with a respectable era, his place is in the rotation due to him having 4 plus pitches. If he cant stay healthy though, he may need to make that move to the bullpen so he doesnt become the next Mark Prior. Thankfully though, either way we have 23 year old pitcher who is going to have a very special career, we just have to find out where. In spring training thus far he has a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings w/11 K's

(6) A.J. Burnett
I know what many of you are thinking, Burnett in front of Sabathia? Thats crazy! The thing is, first off, Sabathia has an opt-out clause, so he is going to opt-out after three years. Also, we know what were going to get from him. Cleveland-type numbers over 200 innings. He is our ace, and he is important, but the health of A.J. Burnett, in my opinion, is more important. If healthy over the next 5 years, Burnett could potentially post better equal numbers to Sabathia, if not, we may have Carl Pavano 2: Electric Boogaloo

(7) C.C. Sabathia
With all that said about Burnett, we still gave Sabathia a potential 7 year deal (even though it will be three, i mean, come on, when was the last time someone didn't use an opt-out clause). The question marks with Sabthia arent as big as they are with Burnett, so his future is more set in stone. He will give us 16-20 wins guaranteed, he will pitch 200 innings, he will get a lot of K's. The only question mark is can he handle the big city and I dont think many people have doubts about that. Hes important to the team, but he will be fine, Burnett's success is more important because it is far from guaranteed

(8) Robinson Cano
A career .303 hitter, Cano hit .271 last year and showed many signs of lack of hustle. Many people contribute this to the departure of Larry Bowa, many people point to his close relationship w/Melky Cabrera, another young player who doesnt necessarilly work as hard off the field as he should. Is Cano the guy who hits .271, .342 like he did in 2006 or is he somewhere in-between? My guess would be closer to his 2007 numbers of .306 19 97. Solid numbers, especially from a 2nd baseman, and if he can play like this for the rest of his career, if not, and he hits .271 again, odds are the Yankees will let him walk after his four year extention is up in three years. A bounce back year from him, just like Posada's health, is necessary is the Yankees want to contend in 2009. His spring has been shortened because of his playing in the WBC, but his numbers thus far are .382/.417/.559

(9) Mariano Rivera
What can be said about this man that hasnt already been said since 1996? He is the greatest closer of all-time, and last year at age 37, posted an ERA of 1.40. We will get a strong era from him, probably around 2.00, and defy his age forever. No surprises here, just more and more memories of watching the greatest closer of all time continue to close out games for the New York Yankees. People have concerns about his offseason surgery, but no worries here. Spring Numbers so far, no runs allowed in four innings with 6 strikeouts.

(10) Derek Jeter
I know many people think its a shame he barely cracked the top ten, but at this point, how important is he really to this team? In three years, he will be brining in millions of dollars as he approaches 3,000 hits, but now, hes an aging shortstop who was never an AMAZING defender to begin with, but still good. Has never been good at going to his left and can't belt out 20 homers any time soon. At best, he will hit a little over .300 w/15 homers and 75 RBI while playing adequate defense. With all the new guys, young guys and recovering guys, Jeter is no longer at the forefront of impact New York Yankee players. Sorry guys. So far in his abbreviated spring training he is 6/13 with 1 HR and 6 RBI

(11) Chien-Ming Wang
Another guy like Mo (not saying hes the player Mo is, he just isnt going to surprise us). His inury last year had absolutely nothing to do with pitching, it was a fluke baserunning injury. He will bounce back and he will do what he has always done, win 17-19 games with an ERA in the upper 3's. Important to the team, but again, no surprises coming from here this year. His ERA wont be 5, and it surely wont be 2. Wish he could strike out more guys, but with the improved infield defense with Teixeira, he may actually see a bit of a drop in ERA. So far in Spring Training he has thrown 16 2/3 innings with only 7 K's and a 3.24 ERA

(12) Nick Swisher
Say what you will about my thoughts on Nick Swisher, but he is important to this team. Even though he won't be starting (unfortunately), he will get many at-bats filling in at all outfield positions, as well as DH and 1B. More importantly, Swisher is important for the future. Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon all have expiring contracts this year. As far as I can tell, none of these players will be back. If Brett Gardner emerges as a CF, and Austin Jackson continues to develop, if Swisher plays well enough to be a starter, the Yankees will not need to splurge on a free agent outfielder next offseason (even though I think they will be in on Matt Holliday no matter what). In spring training so far, he is hitting .257/.400/.314

(13) Phil Hughes
As a 20 year old, Phil Hughes almost pitched a no hitter and relieved Roger Clemens in a playoff game and pitch spectacularily. As a 21 year old, he was given a rotation spot, pitched poorly, got injured and then led the AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees to the championship once he got healthy. Many people, including myself have not gotten down on Phil Hughes and still believe he can be a potential ace or strong #2. People must remember, he is only 22 (a year older than me, wow!) As long as everything goes as planned this year, he will be the 1st guy called up in case of injury, and will also pitch some games for Joba Chamberlain because of his innings limits. As well as he performs as expected, Andy Pettitte's 2010 rotation spot will be passed along to Phil Hughes. Hughes has been sent to AAA already to get more innings in, but his spring gave in 8 K's in 12 1/3 innings with a 2.19 ERA

(14) Joe Girardi
The man. The manager. Last year, he did an amazing amazing job with the bullpen. Amazing. With that said, he didnt have the respect of the players or handle the media well. When it comes down to it though, his job is on the line if they dont make the playoffs, but he can only do so much. He also is managing the Yankees, a team that, when healthy, almost manages itself. He has some areas to improve and has many things out of his control. Other than that, the only real surprise is how short his military haircut can get

(15) Brett Gardner
The man who will hopefully win the starting CF job. Has the speed and glove to play the position, and the patience to get on base plenty. Unfortunately, that will come with little-to-no power. He has to hit enough singles to justify giving him a batting spot, and I believe he can do that. Not to mention with his speed, any single can become a triple after only two pitches or so. If Austin Jackson plays as he should, the job will only be Gardner's for a year, but his one year as a starting CF, may determine the many years afterwards. Spring training so far has Gardner hitting .409/.469/.750

(16) Austin Jackson
If Melky Cabrera plays the way he always has, and Brett Gardner isnt able to be a starter, the Yankees are going to need a starting CF. Free agents are still available such as Jim Edmonds and the Yankees can re-visit talks for Mike Cameron, but in the best case scenario, Jackson could be ready mid-season. Hopefully Gardner/Cabrera are playing at a level where this isnt necessary, but when you have a spring training battle between two question marks, all other options become more and more important as the season goes on. He has been assigned to minor league camp, but his spring numbers were .333/.385/.667

(17) Mark Melancon
The man who single-handedly made me change my mind on the Joba Chamberlain argument. Remember this name. He posted incredible numbers in the minors last year. He, like Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy rushed through all minor league systems in one year with an ERA of 2.84 in A, 1.81 in AA and 2.70 in AAA. He will be 24 and he will be 26 when Mariano Rivera's contract expires. His spring training numbers dont look great because of one bad outing, but he posted a 7.94 ERA with 5 K's in 5 2/3 innings. Dont let the numbers fool you, he is the real deal, will start the year in AAA and will def. see time in the major leagues before the season is through.

(18) Andy Pettitte
Again, another person with whom we know what production will come. ERA around 4.35, 180-210 innings and 15 wins. The Yankees have a lot of pitching depth and wont even be that bad off if Pettitte sees an injury, but you would like the young guys to not be rushed to the major league's so Pettitte's health is important to the team. On the other hand, he has performance based incentives so if he gets hurt, maybe the Yankees can actually save some money. His spring looks shortened because of off days falling on his day to pitch, but in 4 2/3 Spring Training innings, hasn't let up a run and has struck out three

(19) Jesus Montero/Austin Romine/ Francisco Cervelli
As mentioned earlier, I consider the health of Jorge Posada to be one of the most important issues of the year. The development of these three players is very important. Montero and Romine are both 19 years old and developing very well thus far. Romine is a great defender while Montero is a strong hitter with a big build who will probably end his career as a 1B. Cervelli is the closest to being major league ready, but he also projects to be a back-up. If he can develop into a solid back up/platoon player with Posada in 2010, hopefully Montero and/or Romine continue to develop and are ready to play a significant role with the team in 2011. If Posada can stay healthy, these kids (I can call them kids, 2 of them are younger than me) will have more time to develop, but thats asking a lot of a catcher is who approaching his 40's. These three, especially Montero, have a big future in this franchise and this year we have to hope they continue to develop as they have. In spring training, Romine is 0/5, Cervelli is 3/12 and Montero is 6/9 with a Grand Slam. Just like Melancon, get used to hearing these names.

(20) Cody Ransom
Before A-Rod's injury, Ransom was going to be the utility infielder, now, for the first month and a half, he will be the starting third baseman. We cant expect much out of him offensively or anything spectacular defensively, but he must play well enough so the Yankees dont overreact and make a trade. Bill Hall's huge contract (I cant remember how much it is, something like $11 million or so but I may be wrong) and Bobby Crosby's $5.5 million do not need to be added to this already bloated payroll. If Ransom can hit .250, play adequate defense and hit for a little bit of power (which is the one skill he does have), the Yankees should be content for the first month and a half. He has the most at bats for the team in the spring and has hit .283/.333/.377, decent enough numbers.

Honorable Mention: Kei Igawa
The $46 million man who passed through waivers and wears his sunglasses at night, had a 0.73 ERA in 12 1/3 innings with 13 strike outs. Yes, its only spring training, but these numbers are outstanding. Has he finally reached a point where he can contribute, maybe in a long-relief role? Has he pitched well enough where if the Yankees pay $8 mil of his remaining $12, could they actually deal him for something? Anything? I dont know, but for some reason, I still like Kei Igawa and support him 100%. I am insane, I know.

Well, im sure nobody will read this, but due to the lack of radio show tonight, I needed to get this out of my system. Thank you for reading for those who have, I am sure there are many many disagreements, and those are welcome. If this blog accomplishes anything, the thing I would like the most is good arguments/discussions. Thanks for reading and Dad, if you read this, sorry for the grammer mistakes, not re-reading this.