The Big Apple's, Big Problem

It looks like the first three or four weeks into the regular season are going to be incredibly difficult for the New York Yankees. Not only have they lost superstar third baseman Alex Rodriguez until mid May but he might also be suspended 50 games for steroid use. 38 year old shortstop, Derek Jeter is coming off ankle surgery and 43 year old closer, Mariano Rivera is coming off ACL surgery. And now, two of their best remaining hitters and fielders are gone as well due to arm injuries.

Curtis Granderson was lost for a month earlier this week when his forearm broke after being hit by a pitch in a Spring Training game. Granderson hit a career high 43 home runs last year and played a superb defense in center field because of his speed and range. Grandy's bat will be the largest to hole to fill in the lineup because of what he brings to the table. He is the Yankees true lead off hitter. He steals about 15 to 25 bases a season and has tremendous power to right field. Sure he strikes out a lot but with a hitter like Granderson, he has the ability to get on base whenever he hits the ball with his speed or slug a home run 450 feet. I believe that his replacement will be veteran Matt Diaz. The Yankees signed Diaz when he became a free agent from Atlanta to be the back up outfielder for the aging Yankee team. He destroys left handed pitching but plays a below average defense. 

It was reported today that first baseman Mark Teixeira was going to be out for 8 to 10 weeks due to a wrist tendon injury he suffered while working out with Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. Teixeira is easily the best defense first baseman in all of baseball. He has 5 Gold Glove awards, but his bat will also surely be missed. Tex is a true power hitter, he like Granderson has the power to hit the baseball 450+ feet, as well as hit all around the field and drive in runs. I have no idea who Teixeira's replacement can be, but I would assume that the Yankees will sign a small time free agent first baseman like Carlos Lee to replace him. Lee is a very good veteran player with over 200 hits in his career and a lot of power. He doesn't quite make up for Teixeira in skill but he is a great player to have off the bench and could even fill in the designated hitter role from time to time. 

There is no doubt that the Yankees can replace Granderson and Teixeira with suitable and dependable veterans, but the main problem for me is the fact the Yankees are an aging team. They're getting hurt more frequently and everyone knows, that as a players gets older it takes longer for him to get back to his normal playing abilities. I worry about the Yankees and their age because while they are a really good team on paper, the list of injuries some of the oler players such as Alex Rodriguez (hip), Derek Jeter (ankle), and Mariano Rivera (knee) all suffered injuries that may effect the three superstars so much that they will have to be forced into a bench player role, or straight into retirement. While Mariano Rivera is the only one of the three says that he is definitely going to retire at the end of the season, it is being more and more apparent to me that A-Rod will likely take the same path within the next year or so. With his ailing hips and the consistent talk of his alleged steroid use, the third baseman will take the quiet way out of the game and just deal with the scrutiny he will face. 

I want to see the Yankees succeed in the regular season, and chances are that they will, but if and ONLY if their aging superstar players remain healthy.

Questions or comments?
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