Having said that, I'm one of the most optimistic Yankees fans out the and, I have a feeling this spring training is Enrique Wilsoning us. Yankees fans have been so starved for something positive player-wise that, success in meaningless spring training games has some of us (including myself) wearing the rosiest of colored glasses.
The cold, sobering reality will come when the young guys eventually get sent back to the minors to develop and, we're left with what the ML club actually is. Now, that is not to say they're completely awful but, we all know it comes down to pitching. So when the rotation is basically Tanaka and pray, the season's outcome doesn't seem so great.
I truly hope this team can overachieve and have zero doubt there will be a couple, if not more, surprises in store for 2017. Baseball Gods know I'll live and die with every pitch. But I've also tempered my expectations. So what if 2017 is another stepping stone? If it means that it could lead to another dynasty, so be it. Bottom line is, the Yankees have finally realized that building a strong farm system is more important than relying on the upcoming year's free agent class or, who is available in a trade. That is something every Yankee fan should take solace in.
Bottom line is, the Yankees have finally realized that building a strong farm system is more important than relying on the upcoming year's free agent class or, who is available in a trade.
Don't understand how much fun it is to see young players develop. I can remember watching Thurman Munson coming up for his first time, throwing out a runner taking a lead off first, watching Mattingly's sweet swing, meeting Gene Michael in a bar and yelling at him for starting Steve Balboni over Mattingly, Gene was one of the nicest people you could meet, he was real good friends with the owner of this bar and came in with the Yankee car, the pinstriped one, LOL. There is nothing like watching young players develop into stars, watching Jeter his entire career was something special. I saw The Mick, but he was older, I started little league in 1962, you think the home run chase of 1961 had something to do with that? it was
some fun watching that, but I was too young to remember much of it. The young Yankee then was Joe Pepitone.
Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier have both played very well this Spring and currently look like they are close to being MLB ready. At some point the team is going to have to look at moving on from players like Gardner, Ellsbury, Headley, and possibly Castro as they are all standing in the way of the team's future.
I think the SECOND half of the season should be interesting to watch. Unfortunately, the first half will be full of Gardner, Ellsbury, CC, Headley and other vets playing out the end of their Yankee tenure.
I have a strong feeling that in many ways, 2017 will look a lot like 2016- a veteran laden team that even when it overperforms and stays in the wild card race leaves you feeling less than satisfied watching the team.
It will be nice to watch Sanchez, Bird, Judge, Severino and other young guys show hints of what is to come- but until the Great Veteran Trade Off at the trade deadline, this will be a team that I believe many will be happier with in the second half than the first.
fully expect some growing pains over the next couple years, but happy to watch that as we build a legit contender for the next 10 years
Much like last year, rotation will be a challenge - Tanaka has proved a worthy #1, and love me some CC but he's essentially a 4 or 5 now, I have zero faith in Pinedas ability to be consistent (prove me wrong big guy), and then we're relying on a collection of young guys with good arms but very little experience
Bullpen should be very strong again, Clippard was a sneaky good acquisition last year to add to Betances and Chapman
I expect we will once again be on the edge of wild card contention most of the year, don't think we have the horses yet to be a serious contender.
Fingers crossed. Rub the rabbit's foot....knockwood.
The cold, sobering reality will come when the young guys eventually get sent back to the minors to develop and, we're left with what the ML club actually is. Now, that is not to say they're completely awful but, we all know it comes down to pitching. So when the rotation is basically Tanaka and pray, the season's outcome doesn't seem so great.
I truly hope this team can overachieve and have zero doubt there will be a couple, if not more, surprises in store for 2017. Baseball Gods know I'll live and die with every pitch. But I've also tempered my expectations. So what if 2017 is another stepping stone? If it means that it could lead to another dynasty, so be it. Bottom line is, the Yankees have finally realized that building a strong farm system is more important than relying on the upcoming year's free agent class or, who is available in a trade. That is something every Yankee fan should take solace in.
Its also the least costly option for the team.
some fun watching that, but I was too young to remember much of it. The young Yankee then was Joe Pepitone.
I think the SECOND half of the season should be interesting to watch. Unfortunately, the first half will be full of Gardner, Ellsbury, CC, Headley and other vets playing out the end of their Yankee tenure.
I have a strong feeling that in many ways, 2017 will look a lot like 2016- a veteran laden team that even when it overperforms and stays in the wild card race leaves you feeling less than satisfied watching the team.
It will be nice to watch Sanchez, Bird, Judge, Severino and other young guys show hints of what is to come- but until the Great Veteran Trade Off at the trade deadline, this will be a team that I believe many will be happier with in the second half than the first.
Much like last year, rotation will be a challenge - Tanaka has proved a worthy #1, and love me some CC but he's essentially a 4 or 5 now, I have zero faith in Pinedas ability to be consistent (prove me wrong big guy), and then we're relying on a collection of young guys with good arms but very little experience
Bullpen should be very strong again, Clippard was a sneaky good acquisition last year to add to Betances and Chapman
I expect we will once again be on the edge of wild card contention most of the year, don't think we have the horses yet to be a serious contender.