2012 New York Yankees Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The New York Yankees returned to the top of the AL East after a one year absence with a 97-65 record in 2011. However, New York was unable to turn that into another World Series run, as the Detroit Tigers eliminated them in the first round of the postseason. New York went out and traded away one of their top prospects in catcher Jesus Montero for the rights to 23-year-old starter Michael Pineda and also went out and signed veteran starter Hiroki Kuroda to bolster the starting rotation. With an offense that features plenty of stars, the Bronx Bombers are primed for another World Series run in 2012. Let’s take a look at the Yankees projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation.
Projected Lineup
Russell Martin (Catcher) -Martin was a pleasant surprise in his first season with the Yankees. While his .237 batting average was the lowest of his career, he was effective offensively with 18 home runs and 65 RBI in just 125 games. With Montero out of the picture, expect to see Martin behind the plate for most of 2012.
Mark Teixeira (First Base) – Teixeira posted great power numbers with 39 home runs and 111 RBI, but for the second straight season he finished with a batting average around .250. The Yankees are hoping the veteran first baseman can keep up those power numbers and get that average closer to .300. If he can do that, he will be right there in the thick of things for the AL MVP.
Robinson Cano (Second Base) – Cano is coming off another impressive season with the Yankees. The 29-year-old hit .302 with 28 home runs and 118 RBI last year. The All-Star second baseman has now posted three straight seasons with at least a .300 average, 25 home runs, and 85 RBI.
Derek Jeter (Shortstop) – Once Jeter reached the 3,000 hit mark, he seemed to find new life in his bat. From that point on he hit .331 with 41 RBI, but his sluggish start had him finish up the year with a .297 average, a career-low six home runs and just 61 RBI. Jeter will turn 38 in June and you have to wonder just how much longer he can keep up this pace before suffering a huge decline.
Alex Rodriguez (Third Base) – Rodriguez, who turns 37 in July, is coming off an injury plagued 2011 season that limited him to just 99 games. As a result, he hit just 16 homers and drove in just 62 RBI, snapping a streak of 13 straight seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI. When healthy he is still one of the better hitters in the game, and the Yankees are hoping he can bounce back with a big season in 2012.
Brett Gardner (Left Field) – Gardner is one of the few Yankees who don’t thrive on hitting the long ball. The 28-year-old is known more for his outstanding defense and his ability to create runs with his speed on the bases. Last year Gardner hit just .259, but scored 87 runs and tied for the AL lead with 49 stolen bases.
Curtis Granderson (Center Fielder) -Granderson exploded for 41 home runs and 119 RBI in his second season with the Yankees. His previous highs in those two categories were 30 and 74, which just goes to show you how big of a step he took in 2011. Add in his 10 triples and 25 stolen bases, and you have the first player in history to record 40 home runs, 100 RBI, 10 triples, and 25 steals. Turns just 31 in a couple of weeks, so there is reason to believe he can put up similar numbers this season.
Nick Swisher (Right Field) -Swisher put together another solid season with New York, hitting .260 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI, but once again struggled to produce in the postseason. In three seasons with the Yankees he has a .160 average in the playoffs.
Raul Ibanez (Designated Hitter) – The Yankees went out and added Ibanez this offseason to give them a dependable bat at DH. While the veteran will turn 40 in June, he could see a jump in his numbers playing in Yankee Stadium. He hit just .245 in 144 games with the Phillies last year, but still managed to smash 20 homers and drive in 84 runs.
Projected Rotation
C.C. Sabathia (LHP) – Sabathia continues to be one of the best pitchers in the game. He went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 33 starts last year, giving him an astonishing 64-24 record in three seasons with the Yankees. Sabathia is still in the prime of his career at just 31 (turns 32 in July) leaving reason to believe he could be in line for his second Cy Young award this season.
Hiroki Kuroda (RHP) – Kuroda went 41-46 in four seasons with the Dodgers, but his 3.45 ERA and 1.21 WHIP during that stretch indicate he was a lot better than his record. While he is getting up there in age, he now pitches behind one of the best offenses in baseball. The potential is there for at least 15 wins, but his ERA and WHIP could take a hit pitching the majority of his games at Yankee Stadium.
Ivan Nova (RHP) – Nova was one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball last year. The rookie stepped into the rotation and posted a 16-4 record with a 3.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 27 starts. The 25-year-old most avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, but 2011 was a promising start to his career.
Michael Pineda (RHP) – The Yankees believe they have landed a future star in Pineda. He posted a 3.74 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out 173 batters in 171 innings of work over 28 starts as rookie with Seattle. He did struggle after the All-Star break, posting a 5.12 ERA, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into that. The 23-year-old has all the talent to be an ace in the near future.
Phil Hughes (RHP) – With the recent trade of starter A.J. Burnett the Yankees are counting on Hughes to return to form and be a serviceable starter at the back of the rotation. Hughes went just 5-5 with a 5.79 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 14 starts last season, but was a 18-game winner in 2010. He’s said to be as committed as ever, but hard telling exactly what he will bring to the table this year.
Projected Closer
Mariano Rivera (RHP) – It’s hard telling when the veteran reliever will start to show signs of slowing down. The 42-year-old was as good as ever in 2011, converting 44 of 49 save opportunities while posting a 1.91 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 64 appearances. He enters into the final year of his contract, and could very well be pitching his last season as a member of the Yankees.
| 2012 New York Yankees Odds | |
| World Series | +650 |
| AL Pennant | +325 |
| AL East | -150 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O93.5 (-105) |
| U93.5 (-125) |
Over/Under Total Home Runs in the 2012 Regular Season
Mark Teixeira – 34.5
Alex Rodriguez – 27.5
Robinson Cano – 27.5
Nick Swisher – 24.5
Russell Martin – 14.5
Curtis Granderson – 33.5
Raul Ibanez – 15
Derek Jeter – 9.5
Over/Under Total Stolen Bases in the 2012 Regular Season
Brett Gardner – 45.5
Over/Under BA in the 2012 Regular Season
Derek Jeter – .285
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
C.C. Sabathia – 17.5
Michael Pineda – 12.5
Hiroki Kuroda – 12.5
Ivan Nova – 12.5
Over/Under Total Saves in the 2012 Regular Season
Mariano Rivera – 35.5
MLB Predictions by Team
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