Projected Opening Day 2015 Yankees lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, 8
Brett Gardner, 7
Brian McCann, 2
Mr. Rod, DH
Mark Teixeira, 3
Carlos Beltran, 9
Martin Prado, 4
Chase Headley, 5
Someone At Shortstop, 6
Bench: John Ryan Murphy, spare catcher
Not Ichiro, backup outfielder
Brendan Ryan, backup infielder
Which would be a fine lineup if it were 2006.
Starting pitcher: Masahiro Tanaka (if the elbow holds up)
CC Sabathia (if the knee holds up)
Michael Pineda (if the shoulder holds up)
Jon Lester (if salary/years aren't so excessive that even the Yankees balk)
Ivan Nova (probably not right away)
Brandon McCarthy (probably not)
Bullpen:
Dellin Betances, closer
Adam Warren, 8th inning
Chase Whitley
Some lefty
And on down the line...
This is not looking like a contending team for some time. The Teixeira, Beltran and Sabathia contracts (not to mention Mr. Rod!) are going to be albatross-matter for a few years. (And if you think the Robinson Cano one won't be for the Mariners in five years, not to mention nine, you're adorable). There are no can't-miss prospects in the minors.
The last dynasty (and it might BE the last dynasty) was constructed of home-grown starts enhanced by very good team-oriented role players. In a couple of quick fell swoops came Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter. That ain't bad. And it's not likely to happen again for a very long time.
Instead of spending their brains out on available superstars, those Yankees went after the gritty Paul O'Neill, the steady Scott Brosius, the earnest Joe Girardi, the intense and reliable Tino Martinez. Sure David Wells was a nut, but he could pound the strike zone like no one else. Yes, El Duque would load the bases just to see if he could get out of the jam, but he got out of the jam because he was fearless.
The 2015 Yankees? Aging (in some cases, aged), tired, satisfied. Of course they want to win, but they don't NEED to win the way the Core Five (Bernie should be included) did. Yeah, Girardi is great at managing a bullpen, but then there's the whole hitting thing. Expect Kevin Long, who was regarded as a genius, to be gone. Someone's head has to roll, and you can't fire Tex, McCann and Mr. Rod.
Would that you could.
Who'll be at short? Well, that's a question we haven't had to ask since the first Clinton Administration. There are possibilities, and few of them are attractive. Nobody in the Yankee farm system seems ready to take over, and you'd think they'd have seen the writing on the wall at least two years ago.
Hanley Ramirez might be a free agent (or not--reportedly negotiations with the Dodgers are ongoing), but he'll already be 31 next year, isn't the best defensive shortstop you ever saw (I know, I know) and is projected as moving to third base in the next few years. Troy Tulowitzki? Does that guy ever make it to the field? Not to mention is contract is really expensive and goes on too long.
JJ Hardy? I'd be surprised if he's not back in Baltimore, but it's possible. And while he's not exactly a huge power guy, neither was Jeter. Hardy is very good defensively and solid, if not spectacular, offensively. He certainly knows the AL East. He might be the best fit. Will they get him? Who knows who the General Manager is going to be?
Stephen Drew? No.
