If the Sox took Bernie...

[YouMadeTheScene]

Hypothetical question. If it was 2005 and Bernie Williams was in his prime, and the Sox signed him, would everyone be slamming the Red Sox? Are people mad because the evil Yankees to Damon, that Damon went to the evil yankees, or both?

Damon basically told Keith Olberman that a big reason why he left was that the team basically had torn apart the team that won the series and they were heading in the wrong direction, so can you blame him for moving to a team that he felt had the best chance of winning? Granted it is the yankees and the whole money thing but of course the yanks are going to offer the most money. And I think the thing fans don't think about is that these players for the most part don't hate other teams. Damon has never said he hated the yankees organization. They respect each other.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

They don't hate other teams anymore because there's no loyalty between athletes and their teams anymore, that's what the era of free agency has created.

I bet if you went back in time and asked Joe Dimaggio if he hated the Red Sox, he'd say yes.
Or if you asked Dick Butkus if he hated the Green Bay Packers
Or Gordie Howe if he hated the (insert Detroit's biggest NHL rival) here.

You get my point.

[YouMadeTheScene]

They don't hate other teams anymore because there's no loyalty between athletes and their teams anymore, that's what the era of free agency has created.

I bet if you went back in time and asked Joe Dimaggio if he hated the Red Sox, he'd say yes.
Or if you asked Dick Butkus if he hated the Green Bay Packers
Or Gordie Howe if he hated the (insert Detroit's biggest NHL rival) here.

You get my point.

I totally agree but we are in a new era of sports. There isn't for the most part nearly as much loyalty. I mean back then you basically HAD to be loyal to your teams. I mean one thing to take into consideration is that these people grew up with a favorite team probably. I actually have a friend on the Red Sox who grew up a huge yankee fan but the Sox drafted him. He realizes that it is a job and as a ball player you respect your co workers basically. You respect the people in the sport. And if you have the chance to advance then you go for it. Why wouldn't somebody do that? If you work for one company for 10 years and you are happy and you have done great there but the company isn't doing as well lately and you get offered a higher paying job with a big time company and you'll be on the board of directors or something, would you not switch? While we do watch these people on a daily basis it is still a job.

[leafsacc]

i wouldn't have a problem with that if the yankess were actually going in the right direction, but even with the Damon signing, I think it's just more of the same.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

I totally agree but we are in a new era of sports. There isn't for the most part nearly as much loyalty. I mean back then you basically HAD to be loyal to your teams. I mean one thing to take into consideration is that these people grew up with a favorite team probably. I actually have a friend on the Red Sox who grew up a huge yankee fan but the Sox drafted him. He realizes that it is a job and as a ball player you respect your co workers basically. You respect the people in the sport. And if you have the chance to advance then you go for it. Why wouldn't somebody do that? If you work for one company for 10 years and you are happy and you have done great there but the company isn't doing as well lately and you get offered a higher paying job with a big time company and you'll be on the board of directors or something, would you not switch? While we do watch these people on a daily basis it is still a job.
You're right, I just don't understand the "more money" angle sometimes. I mean, in baseball, if you're a decent player, you'll make $2-4 million a year. What's the difference between $4 and $8 million a year - another Bentley or BMW? Maybe an indoor pool in your mansion?

[YouMadeTheScene]

You're right, I just don't understand the "more money" angle sometimes. I mean, in baseball, if you're a decent player, you'll make $2-4 million a year. What's the difference between $4 and $8 million a year - another Bentley or BMW? Maybe an indoor pool in your mansion?

Like i said put yourself in his shoes and being offered Four million dollars more. Its a lot of money.

[YouMadeTheScene]

i wouldn't have a problem with that if the yankess were actually going in the right direction, but even with the Damon signing, I think it's just more of the same.

In my humble opinion the Yanks are heading in a good direction. They easily have the best lineup in baseball. They have reloaded their bullpen. On paper and if healthy they have a solid starting rotation. They have improved this year while the Sox haven't. People are saying Sox could be in 3rd and depending on the Orioles 4th place

[LeftWideOpen]

Like i said put yourself in his shoes and being offered Four million dollars more. Its a lot of money.

I'd have to have no strong desire to play for my former team to turn down 40 mil and take 52. I'd also have to think that what I accomplished with my former team (winning the WS for the 1st time since 1918 in this case) was not that important. Therefore, I'd hafta be a greedy, douchebag, sonofa bitch traitor. So I guess if I put myself in those shoes, I'd be Johnny Damon. :)

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

I'd have to have no strong desire to play for my former team to turn down 40 mil and take 52. I'd also have to think that what I accomplished with my former team (winning the WS for the 1st time since 1918 in this case) was not that important. Therefore, I'd hafta be a greedy, douchebag, sonofa bitch traitor. So I guess if I put myself in those shoes, I'd be Johnny Damon. :)
I think the reason Johnny Damon left is less because of the money and more because the team that won the World Series with him is being disassembled, and without Theo Epstein, boy genius, running the show in the Front Office, he knows the BoSox might be in a biiiiiit of trouble for a few years.

[YouMadeTheScene]

I'd have to have no strong desire to play for my former team to turn down 40 mil and take 52. I'd also have to think that what I accomplished with my former team (winning the WS for the 1st time since 1918 in this case) was not that important. Therefore, I'd hafta be a greedy, douchebag, sonofa bitch traitor. So I guess if I put myself in those shoes, I'd be Johnny Damon. :)

Is everyone from Boston really just grouchy and angry? And does everyone take things this serious and base their entire lives on another man's job? Dude its a game! I know you love the team it sucks he left, but the Red Sox are basically demolishing your championship team so he left because he didn't want to be part of a team that is rebuilding and basically is starting to take steps backward. If he feels the Red Sox aren't on track to win in the next 2 or 3 years while he is still in his prime I can see why he'd leave. If you want to blame anyone and put down anyone put down your team for making bad trades and freeing up all this cash for basically 3 third basemen, only really making one move on a shaky rotation (not saying the yankees is the best but Wakefield is old, Wells is all but gone, Bronson Arroyo is a 5th starter at best, Schilling is done, and Clement is a 4th starter or 3rd at best.) You guys are really shaky in Center, SS, 1B, Starting Pitching, and a RF that basically doesn't want to be there AT ALL.

[YouMadeTheScene]

I think the reason Johnny Damon left is less because of the money and more because the team that won the World Series with him is being disassembled, and without Theo Epstein, boy genius, running the show in the Front Office, he knows the BoSox might be in a biiiiiit of trouble for a few years.

Exactly. Don't think those guys continued to play in the orchestra when the Titanic was sinking. They got the fuck off that boat. The Red Sox are sinking and it could be said that the Blue Jays are vastly improved and maybe even making a move for 2nd Place.

[bigmike]

Exactly. Don't think those guys continued to play in the orchestra when the Titanic was sinking. They got the fuck off that boat. The Red Sox are sinking and it could be said that the Blue Jays are vastly improved and maybe even making a move for 2nd Place.

the blue jays won't finish in 2nd. the red sox or yankees will.

and everyone get off Johnny Damon, jesus christ.
He made a business decision. and even though it's sports, it's still business.

No one here can honestly say they'd turn down an extra 12 mil. to switch teams.

[YouMadeTheScene]

the blue jays won't finish in 2nd. the red sox or yankees will.

and everyone get off Johnny Damon, jesus christ.
He made a business decision. and even though it's sports, it's still business.

No one here can honestly say they'd turn down an extra 12 mil. to switch teams.

Exactly. But I think they have a shot to finish in 2nd. They really improved the team while the Red Sox took some steps backward. Toronto has the better pitching. They also with the trade for Glaus have the better infield now.

[bigmike]

Exactly. But I think they have a shot to finish in 2nd. They really improved the team while the Red Sox took some steps backward. Toronto has the better pitching. They also with the trade for Glaus have the better infield now.

they don't have a better infield. glaus tied for the major league lead among third basemen in errors, and they traded their gold glove second baseman, orlando hudson, who had the fewest errors among all 2nd basemen. And with glaus, they've over stocked the corner infield with a bunch of guys who aren't any good defensively exept corie koskie.

they've got: Glaus, Hinske, Koskie, and Hillenbrand who are all natural 3rd basemen, someone will DH, someone will play 3rd, and one would have played 1st but now they've got Lyle Overbay who'll be the starting 1st basemen.

So they've gotten worse defensively up the middle, as their starting shortstop was horrible defensively too, and their pitching is still way too young.

Halladay - proven ace, nothing really to worry about if he's healthy
Burnett - Young, health concerns, consistency concerns
Chacin - Good rookie season. Let's see if there's a sophomore slump
Lilly - decent 5th starter. but will be their 3rd starter
Towers - Good stuff, but pitched 200 innings for the first time in his career. let's see if he can have back-to-back quality years.

It's way too many 'ifs' for a team that everyone thinks will finish in 2nd place.

[mikeford]

i would root for him on the playing field for the good of the team, but i will always hate bernie williams.

[YouMadeTheScene]

they don't have a better infield. glaus tied for the major league lead among third basemen in errors, and they traded their gold glove second baseman, orlando hudson, who had the fewest errors among all 2nd basemen. And with glaus, they've over stocked the corner infield with a bunch of guys who aren't any good defensively exept corie koskie.

they've got: Glaus, Hinske, Koskie, and Hillenbrand who are all natural 3rd basemen, someone will DH, someone will play 3rd, and one would have played 1st but now they've got Lyle Overbay who'll be the starting 1st basemen.

So they've gotten worse defensively up the middle, as their starting shortstop was horrible defensively too, and their pitching is still way too young.

Halladay - proven ace, nothing really to worry about if he's healthy
Burnett - Young, health concerns, consistency concerns
Chacin - Good rookie season. Let's see if there's a sophomore slump
Lilly - decent 5th starter. but will be their 3rd starter
Towers - Good stuff, but pitched 200 innings for the first time in his career. let's see if he can have back-to-back quality years.

It's way too many 'ifs' for a team that everyone thinks will finish in 2nd place.

I'm sorry I meant hitting wise they got better in the infield. You're right defensively they aren't as good. But you forgot to replace Hudson they have Russ Adams and Aaron Hill one of them can play second one at SS. So they are still strong there. Lyle Overbay is a damn good 1B who was just stuck on the Brewers. Plus while Glaus isn't great defensively he has power which the Jays really need. They have Hillenbrand for DH and they still have underrated Frank Catalanotto and still have Vernon Wells and a bunch of young guys with potential to be very good in the OF.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

I'm sorry I meant hitting wise they got better in the infield. You're right defensively they aren't as good. But you forgot to replace Hudson they have Russ Adams and Aaron Hill one of them can play second one at SS. So they are still strong there. Lyle Overbay is a damn good 1B who was just stuck on the Brewers. Plus while Glaus isn't great defensively he has power which the Jays really need. They have Hillenbrand for DH and they still have underrated Frank Catalanotto and still have Vernon Wells and a bunch of young guys with potential to be very good in the OF.
I'm a Reed Johnson fan. For all the weird reasons, I somehow ended up with him on my MVP Baseball 2005 Braves team and he was one of my best hitters/fielders.

Weird, I know.

[bigmike]

I'm sorry I meant hitting wise they got better in the infield. You're right defensively they aren't as good. But you forgot to replace Hudson they have Russ Adams and Aaron Hill one of them can play second one at SS. So they are still strong there. Lyle Overbay is a damn good 1B who was just stuck on the Brewers. Plus while Glaus isn't great defensively he has power which the Jays really need. They have Hillenbrand for DH and they still have underrated Frank Catalanotto and still have Vernon Wells and a bunch of young guys with potential to be very good in the OF.

right, i think russ adams was their shortstop last year, and he was 2nd the majors among shortstops in errors, so he may be the one to move to second, as i think i remember Aaron Hill being the shortstop of the future for the Jays.

Overbay is a nice defensive 1st basemen and a good gap to gap hitter, so that's a good pick up. but the drop off from Orlando Hudson to whoever they may have play 2nd is significant. Hudson only had 6 errors last season, and i believe he won a gold glove.

Glaus has good power but you sacrifice his defense for the power and if you play him in the field you increase the chances of him getting hurt for big chunks of time, much like in 03 and 04.

Vernon wells is the best centerfielder in the AL, I think, and Alex Rios will be very, very good. His breakout year could potentially be this year if he get's adequate playing time.

However, if they can make a nice package to send to Washington for Jose Vidro, who won't move from second to short for Soriano, 'cause he won't move to the outfield, then Toronto would start to make some good moves.

[Talib Scottie]

God I hope we do... psyche, I appreciate Bernie and all he has done for the Yanks, I wouldn't hate on him though

[NetNerdsRevenge]

I think the reason Johnny Damon left is less because of the money and more because the team that won the World Series with him is being disassembled, and without Theo Epstein, boy genius, running the show in the Front Office, he knows the BoSox might be in a biiiiiit of trouble for a few years.
please. When they won the world series they got career years from everyone. Last year Millar stunk the house, Bellhorn stunk, OCab wanted more than he was worth, Mueller did not accept arb, Nixon, well, sucks, Damon wanted too much, Pedro wanted too much.....the list goes on. If the Sox kept all their players from the 04 season, they would be in real bad shape. The price went up, and it wasnt worth it. Oh, and just so you know, Theo has been seen a number of times returning to Fenway after he resigned. He is still with the team, and the two co-gms....ya, they're from Theo's mold. They helped build the 04 team. Trouble? sorry...no trouble. The way our farm system looks now, we have good young talent ready to lead this team into the future. We have payroll flexibility, and if we make the right moves to secure our CF and SS needs, we will be set. The 06 FA looks a lot better than the 05.

Who ever said the Yanks were headed in the right direction, uh? Signing aging guys to long expensive contracts is the right direction? They have no farm system, suspect pitching, and a line-up that will produce no better than last year. How is this the right direction? They have tons of money to spend, yes, but money isn’t forever lasting. Will the spanks win the division? ya, probably, they wont have the early season slump, but they can only compete with old guys for so long.

If the sox got Bernie from 05, I would be pissed. Why the hell would we pay for 05 Bernie? NO thank you

[NetNerdsRevenge]

Also, do not write the Sox off yet. Wait until all moves are final to say one way or another. The fact that the Boston FO is quiet, is a good thing. They're not sitting on their hands because the price is too high, they are making moves. Moves that I will probably like when they are made.

[YouMadeTheScene]

please. When they won the world series they got career years from everyone. Last year Millar stunk the house, Bellhorn stunk, OCab wanted more than he was worth, Mueller did not accept arb, Nixon, well, sucks, Damon wanted too much, Pedro wanted too much.....the list goes on. If the Sox kept all their players from the 04 season, they would be in real bad shape. The price went up, and it wasnt worth it. Oh, and just so you know, Theo has been seen a number of times returning to Fenway after he resigned. He is still with the team, and the two co-gms....ya, they're from Theo's mold. They helped build the 04 team. Trouble? sorry...no trouble. The way our farm system looks now, we have good young talent ready to lead this team into the future. We have payroll flexibility, and if we make the right moves to secure our CF and SS needs, we will be set. The 06 FA looks a lot better than the 05.

Who ever said the Yanks were headed in the right direction, uh? Signing aging guys to long expensive contracts is the right direction? They have no farm system, suspect pitching, and a line-up that will produce no better than last year. How is this the right direction? They have tons of money to spend, yes, but money isn’t forever lasting. Will the spanks win the division? ya, probably, they wont have the early season slump, but they can only compete with old guys for so long.

If the sox got Bernie from 05, I would be pissed. Why the hell would we pay for 05 Bernie? NO thank you

I said when Bernie was in his prime comparing Bernie to Damon at the same age not Bernie now. It was hypothetical.

Also wouldn't Theo be the mold of those two not visa versa? Theo was the child they created.

But to rebut what you were saying and it's just how I see things. I agree that they were asking for a lot of money. But sometimes you have to suck it up. The problem is with the cap flexibility you need to make moves. Just signing Josh Beckett wasn't good enough. And yes you guys do have a great farm system, but you don't know how long that will take. Damon is looking to win now and the Sox aren't going to win now and you can't even contest to that. The bottom line is yeah he was asking for a lot of money, but he also wanted to win. The Dodger were offering him a lot early on and he turned it down because they wouldn't win right away. The Yankees have the best shot out of the teams pursuing him to win right now.

Now the yankees i'll address your 3 points


No Farm System- We have Cano, Wang, Phillip Hughes, Eric Duncan (Will get called up this year), Shelley Duncan, Mitch Jones, Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Scott Proctor, Kevin Reese. Those are all emerging top quality players two whom have already experienced success in their rookie years. And Duncan could be this years Cano as he'll see time at 1B. He's a stud. They were ranked 24th in Baseball America but they also said it is decieving as they have a lot of emerging guys. No matter what happens the yankees always seem to pull out young guys who contribute they usually just get traded. But they refused to trade a lot of their prospects away this year. Which signifies heading in the right direction.

Suspect Pitching-Randy Johnson has been looking healthy and feeling great since the end of the season. He still won 17 games last year, just wasn't as dominating. Healthy that could easily equal 2 or 3 more wins which would bring his total to 19-20..not to shabby. Pavano, who knows with him. Maybe he comes out and does well maybe he doesn't time will tell but 2 years ago he was a stud who's to say he can't now? Mike Mussina is healthy finally and his 13 wins could jump to about 16 or 17, plus he was pretty consistent last year for a while but wasn't getting run support at the time, that will change with new lineup. Shawn Chacon was 7-3 with a 1.79 ERA and in No Decisions the team was 3-1 after joining the yankees. You can't even say that is just a fluke. He proved he was a good pitcher. Wang is a great young pitcher will have a great season. Figure thats our starting 5 now look at our bullpen

Aaron Small- Spot Starter and great relief guy who can come in and plug holes as he showed last season
Jaret Wright- Serviceable long reliever.
Ron Villone and Mike Myers- Two solid lefties can't hurt ya.
Stutze-Faded off after being overused and he won't be overused this year.
Soctt Proctor- Working on his control when he gets that done his high 90's fastball will be pretty.
Octavio Dotel-Another solid arm.
Farnsworth-Maybe top 3 setup guy in the leauge
Mariano River-Duh.

So thats our pitching staff. They were hurt all last year. If that happens again fine. But if they stay remotely healthy there is no reason they can't be a solid staff

Lineup Not Improved- I'm going to give you the rough lineup as it switched a lot last year.

1-Jeter
2-Cano
3-ARod
4-Sheff
5-Matsui
6-Giambi
7-Posada
8-Bernie
9-Tino

now

1-Damon (If he just equals last year behind these guys that is dirty)
2-Jeter (Has his best stats hitting lead off but is more comfortable here)
3-ARod (MVP last year. With two .300 guys who can run in front of him now. Scary)
4-Sheff (Probably Sheff's last great year this year coming up)
5-Giambi (Comeback player of the year will keep coming back)
6-Matsui (Most dominating 6 hitter in the leauge
7-Posada (Still a top hitting catcher in the leauge
8-Cano (No Sophmore Slump here)
9- Bernie most likely (Better of at DH. Less wear and tear and still 15-18 HRs and 70 RBI's for a 9 hitter)

Damon gives a lot to this lineup as it gives them 2 .300 hitters with 4 power bats behind them now. People are saying this will be the new murders row. Plus another year with Cano he'll only get better. Bernie isn't great but he is your nine hitter and still isn't a terrible bat. Posada is still a top hitting catcher. The line up is improved. Not vastly. But a littler tinkering here and there has helped it.

Also one last thing. Yankees average age is 31. Red Sox is 30.

[mikeford]

Also wouldn't Theo be the mold of those two not visa versa? Theo was the child they created.


no.

these dudes are mid 20s like Theo.

[YouMadeTheScene]

no.

these dudes are mid 20s like Theo.

Sorry i was wrong they were his assistants. They are 30 and 31 years of age.

[mikeford]

word, they woulda been 20ish when theo took over.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

But to rebut what you were saying and it's just how I see things. I agree that they were asking for a lot of money. But sometimes you have to suck it up. The problem is with the cap flexibility you need to make moves. Just signing Josh Beckett wasn't good enough. And yes you guys do have a great farm system, but you don't know how long that will take. Damon is looking to win now and the Sox aren't going to win now and you can't even contest to that. The bottom line is yeah he was asking for a lot of money, but he also wanted to win. The Dodger were offering him a lot early on and he turned it down because they wouldn't win right away. The Yankees have the best shot out of the teams pursuing him to win right now.
Getting one of the best young arms in the game wasnt good enough? uh? Let me tell you how long itll take.....Marte, Pedroia, Papelbon, Hansen, Youk, Lester, etc. will be ready if not this year, 07. I will contest this. The Sox will not suck this year. We have good guys on this team now, and next year we will be even better. Damon is an idiot if he does not see where this team is going. We're getting younger and more competitive. Something the yanks cannot say.



No Farm System- We have Cano, Wang, Phillip Hughes, Eric Duncan (Will get called up this year), Shelley Duncan, Mitch Jones, Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Scott Proctor, Kevin Reese. Those are all emerging top quality players two whom have already experienced success in their rookie years. And Duncan could be this years Cano as he'll see time at 1B. He's a stud. They were ranked 24th in Baseball America but they also said it is decieving as they have a lot of emerging guys. No matter what happens the yankees always seem to pull out young guys who contribute they usually just get traded. But they refused to trade a lot of their prospects away this year. Which signifies heading in the right direction.
Cano and Wang are already in the majors, and there to stay. Hughes is in A ball. You cannot call him a top grade prospect yet. Duncan has good numbers so far in Winter ball, but he needs to improve his OBP. The other Duncan is 26 and in Double A ball. He better improve, and do it fast. Jones is 28 in AAA. He is blocked by Giambi and Shelley Duncan probably 0has an edge over him. Cabrera is 21 and showed some good numbers in AA. He may replace Damon in Center, but he also may flop. He needs to increase his OBP and get above an .800 OPS before he moves on. Phillips is 27 I believe and in AAA. He is blocked by Cano and probably has no future with the yanks. Proctor is the same age as Phillips and showed no life in the Majors. He has time to progress, but I would not call him the next Sheilds or Rodriguez. Reese is 26 and can be a serviceable OF. However, he is blocked and unless he plays Right next year, has no use with the yanks. The Yankees have no prospects right now that you can say will actually be dominant MLB players. You really can't say it for any prospect because you just dont know, but nothing you showed scares me. Not like Papelbon, Lester, hansen, Marte, Youk, and even Pedroia. Also, the yankees are giving away top draft picks by signing these Type A FA. It would do them well to trade some of these players away for serviceable MLB guys while holding on to draft picks and rebuilding the farm system.

Suspect Pitching-Randy Johnson has been looking healthy and feeling great since the end of the season. He still won 17 games last year, just wasn't as dominating. Healthy that could easily equal 2 or 3 more wins which would bring his total to 19-20..not to shabby. Pavano, who knows with him. Maybe he comes out and does well maybe he doesn't time will tell but 2 years ago he was a stud who's to say he can't now? Mike Mussina is healthy finally and his 13 wins could jump to about 16 or 17, plus he was pretty consistent last year for a while but wasn't getting run support at the time, that will change with new lineup. Shawn Chacon was 7-3 with a 1.79 ERA and in No Decisions the team was 3-1 after joining the yankees. You can't even say that is just a fluke. He proved he was a good pitcher. Wang is a great young pitcher will have a great season. Figure thats our starting 5 now look at our bullpen
Johnson is aging and pitching in the AL. His 117 ERA+ is not worth his money, and I cant imagine itll get better this year. Pavano is overrated. Going on 30 this year, he has had only two season with an ERA+ over 100. Only one of those seasons coming with over 100 innings. He is in the AL now, its not going to get better. Mussina has had two bad years considering ERA+ and SO. Both have dropped. Chacon has a career ERA+ 100 and a bad BB/SO ratio. Wang looked good in his first season, but we dont know how he will project this year or beyond. Suspect.

Aaron Small- Spot Starter and great relief guy who can come in and plug holes as he showed last season
Jaret Wright- Serviceable long reliever.
Ron Villone and Mike Myers- Two solid lefties can't hurt ya.
Stutze-Faded off after being overused and he won't be overused this year.
Soctt Proctor- Working on his control when he gets that done his high 90's fastball will be pretty.
Octavio Dotel-Another solid arm.
Farnsworth-Maybe top 3 setup guy in the leauge
Mariano River-Duh.
Yes, let me run in fear. Its better, Ill give you that, but Mariano is the only guy in here I dont want too see, and even then, we all know how the BoSox fair against him.


1-Damon (If he just equals last year behind these guys that is dirty)
2-Jeter (Has his best stats hitting lead off but is more comfortable here)
3-ARod (MVP last year. With two .300 guys who can run in front of him now. Scary)
4-Sheff (Probably Sheff's last great year this year coming up)
5-Giambi (Comeback player of the year will keep coming back)
6-Matsui (Most dominating 6 hitter in the leauge
7-Posada (Still a top hitting catcher in the leauge
8-Cano (No Sophmore Slump here)
9- Bernie most likely (Better of at DH. Less wear and tear and still 15-18 HRs and 70 RBI's for a 9 hitter)
This is so close to last years line-up. There is nothing different about it. They will probably score more runs, and have a chance to lead the league in offense, but dont be surprised if one or more of these guys breaks down. When I have more time Ill dissect this line-up a little more. The only difference is Damon at the one spot, and he isnt even the best lead off man on the team. Half of this line-up is reaching or on the wrong side of their 30's. You cannot expect most of these guys to do better than they did last year.

Damon gives a lot to this lineup as it gives them 2 .300 hitters with 4 power bats behind them now. People are saying this will be the new murders row. Plus another year with Cano he'll only get better. Bernie isn't great but he is your nine hitter and still isn't a terrible bat. Posada is still a top hitting catcher. The line up is improved. Not vastly. But a littler tinkering here and there has helped it.
Murders row? Its no different than last year! You bump everyone down...ok, that doesnt mean they will improve. Its still the same people behind them. Damon at the top will help, and as I said, they will score more runs, but not significantly enough to propel this offense way above the competition. I may eat my words on this, and if I do, Ill admit it. Posada declined last year, and will decline again.

Also one last thing. Yankees average age is 31. Red Sox is 30.
Red Sox-looking to get younger
Yankees- signing aging players to long contracts.

This probably includes pitching, which as we have seen has a different rate of decline than on the field players have.

Sorry if this doesnt flow, or make sense at some points, I did this in a hurry.

[mikeford]

you cant call Youk a prospect anymore.

he may have bounced back and forth between AAA and MLB but so has Brian Daubach.

[NetNerdsRevenge]

He has had a total of 287 AB's in two seasons. He is not a prospect in the sense of an unproven talent, but he is also not a proven major league commodity.