| History: JB just recently took over the New York Yankees franchise after being in Toronto for a pair of years. Both years, the Yankees were not too good and were based more so on youth than winning now. It�s safe to say that this squadron is just the opposite. Rotation: Can you say question marks? I know I can. Curt Schilling is the ace of the bunch, but even he flirted with injury last year�he�s getting up there in years now too, so can he maintain another completely healthy season? Jamie Moyer is somehow still pitching, and pitching well and makes for a solid 2 on every squad. Randy Johnson finally gave way last season to injuries, and didn�t even pitch that well when he was on the hill. Will he be able to get back to form, or return to injury? Greg Maddux will be wearing a different MLB teams uniform next year, and who knows how he�ll do as he had a down year. Still, these four all if healthy can easily be considered aces� but that if has to be as big as Brens moms ass� now we�re talking gigantic. David Wells, another golden oldie, rounds out the staff and makes for a very good #5, if he stays healthy. But alas, if all five stay healthy, we have a very, very good rotation. Lineup: Easily the strength of the team. Luis Castillo with a gold glove on his mantle will lead off and play 2B, followed by Mr. Overrated Derek Jeter. While being overrated, Jeter is still one of the top Short stops in the game and makes for a very good number two hitter. Now we get to the meat of the order with Vlad, Thome, Sheffield and Chipper. Can you say runs? I know I can. This lineup will rake.... but after this, we trail off a bit. Joe Randa is a solid 3B, and then we have Jason LaRue and Alexis Rios. Rios could be a very good player, but how will he sim next year? 1-6 in this lineup is phenomenal, but after that there is a significant drop off. Still, it�s one of the best lineups in the league. Bench: A bench isn�t really a big need in the AL, and JB sure as hell knows that with Franco, Hammonds and Spencer on the bench. Serviceable players, but certainly nothing special. Bullpen: Actually, I�d say this is the strength of the team. Rivera is lights out, and then when you have Hawkins and Quantrill setting up? Contreras may warrant a starting job by midseason if the staff is hampered by injury, but will be a very good arm coming out of the pen. Remlinger and Franco are the two lefties, and they�re getting up there in years, too. A very ,very good bullpen nonetheless. Minors: A pretty good system in New York which is much needed with all the Depends wrappers in the clubhouse trash cans. Andy Marte is one of the top 3B prospects out there, and could easily be a good player for a long time. If Foppert comes back from his surgery OK then he could be a force too. A solid group of prospects. Grade: B+. I won�t give out the A�s easily, and the only thing preventing this team from meriting an A is the rotation. Will it stay healthy? How will the oldies project? The lineup will be nasty, but, hitting doesn�t win championships. IF the staff can stay healthy, this group can go a long way� but I have my doubts on whether or not it will. Prescription: Youth, Youth and Youth. Try to pick up some good young guns to add onto the staff to replace the oldies. From the mouth of JB: After spending his 1st two seasons north of the border, GM Bornas decided it was time to move to the Bronx. Here the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry will be in full force as the Bronx bombers plan to dethrone the world champs in 2004. The lineup is top notch and the strength of this team. With Luis Castillo and Derek Jeter setting the table for mashers that include Vlad Guerrero, Jim Thome, Gary Sheffield, and Chipper Jones this team could lead the IBC in runs scored this season. Rounding out the lineup include crafty vet Joe Randa, top outfield prospect Alexis Rios, and Jason Larue (although the teams hope to upgrade catcher by opening day). The staff of this team is also solid. Also known as the AARP�s, these pitchers have something to prove in 2004. Led by ace Curt Schilling they are poised to help the Yankees top 100 wins once again. Jamie Moyer is coming off a solid year and will be the team�s number two starter followed by the likes of future hall of fame members Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. The fifth spot in the rotation will be determined in the spring with either David Wells or Jose Contreras getting the nod. If these starters can hold the lead into the 6th inning teams are going to be in some trouble. Even with lefty specialist Dan Plesac recently retiring this pen is solid. It is likely the Jose Contreras will serve as a middle reliever along with Mike Remlinger and Paul Quantrill and LaTroy Hawkins will be the main options in the 8th inning. All this leads up to Mr. Sandman, Mariano Rivera. After another exceptional season the IBC Yankees should be a lock to win games when leading after 8 innings. What once was the weakness of the team; the minor league system is now completely revamped. Andy Marte and BJ Upton will make the left side of the infield solid for years to come. Jeremy Hermida, the team�s top pick last year is also another top prospect. Also with pitchers like Jessie Foppert, Justin Jones, Joel Zumaya, and Felix Hernandez this team still has hopes once the starters retire. Overall this team is very solid on paper. Despite the weak bench it is the feeling of GM Bornas that they are the favorites to win the AL East in 2004. However, it will be necessary to avoid injuries and continue to improve to dethrone the reigning IBC champs. |
| NEW YORK YANKEES *NOTE - This analysis is strictly the opinion of the JP Starkey, and was done as objectively as possible and strictly for the fun of it |
| GM Jason Bornas RECORD 112-50 2d AL East Wild Card |
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| Starting Lineup: 2B: Luis Castillo SS: Derek Jeter RF: Vladimir Guerrero 1B: Jim Thome DH: Gary Sheffield LF: Chipper Jones 3B: Joe Randa C: Jason LaRue CF: Alexis Rios Rotation: Curt Schilling Jamie Moyer Randy Johnson Greg Maddux David Wells |
| Bullpen: CL: Mariano Rivera RP: LaTroy Hawkins RP: Paul Quantrill RP: Jose Cotnreras RP: Mike Remlinger RP: John Franco Bench: OF: Jeffery Hammonds 1B: Julio Franco RF: Shane Spencer |
| Minors: Josh Hamilton Brendan Harris Andy Marte JR House Drew Henson BJ Upton Jeremy Hermida Jesse Foppert Felix Hernandez Billy Koch Yoman Bazardo Arnaldo Munoz Joel Zumaya Justin Jones Matt Palmer |