The Hook

Projected Lineup

CF Johnny Damon

SS Derek Jeter

RF Bobby Abreu

3B Alex Rodriguez

DH Jason Giambi

LF Hideki Matsui

C Jorge Posada

1B Doug Mientkiewicz/Andy Phillips

2B Robinson Cano

After showcasing one of the more potentially dominating lineups in history to begin 2006, you could argue that the Yankees have actually become more devastating. Johnny Damon is a lock for a .280 average with double digit power and speed, but he’s just a taste of what’s about to come. With hitters like Abreu and Giambi packing the middle of the lineup, the Yanks are going to wear opposing pitchers out because of their outstanding plate discipline. The lineup is littered with top players at each position, with the possible exception of the first base duo of Doug Mientkiewicz and Andy Phillips. After that brief lull in the eighth spot, though, they counter with emerging stud Robinson Cano, who finished third in the AL with a .342 average last season. He fits better towards the end of the lineup as a second leadoff man.

Other Hitters To Watch

Melky Cabrera

Cabrera should have easily earned himself a starting spot based on his play last season (.280/.360/.391 in 460 at bats), but he’ll have to settle for playing as the fourth outfielder in New York. His power is still coming along, but Cabrera has terrific speed and fantastic defensive skill.

Starting Rotation

Mike Mussina

Andy Pettitte

Chien-Ming Wang

Kei Igawa

Carl Pavano/Humberto Sanchez

While the lineup looks better than ever, the rotation is clearly in for its second straight down year. After last season, it’s difficult to call Mussina anything but a stud as the anchor of the rotation, but he showed severe signs of decline prior to his strong bounceback campaign in 2006, and he’s not getting any younger at 38. Pettitte is coming off a down year in Houston, and his secondary numbers figure to remain in a similar area even if he pitches better because of the improved competition he’ll face. Wang is a terrific starter in reality, but in fantasy baseball, his lack of strikeouts knock him down a couple of notches. It’s difficult to figure what to expect from Igawa. He was a stud in Japan, but that doesn’t always translate. Pavano is expected to start the year in the rotation, but his recent injury history and apparent fear of pitching in New York have to trouble you. Sanchez is an arm on the rise who should make his impact felt in the 2008 rotation, but could serve as the first arm up if an injury strikes.

Closer

Mariano Rivera

Other Bullpen Arms of Note

Kyle Farnsworth

Luis Vizcaino

Chris Britton

Rivera remains one of the top closers in baseball, despite the fact that he’s fast approaching 40 and that he missed the final month of last season. He’s a virtual lock for forty saves if he can stay healthy, while he hasn’t finished with an ERA over 2.00 since 2002. Farnsworth and Vizcaino should handle the setup duties in front of Rivera, with Farnsworth the more likely option to close if something should happen to Mo. Both Farnsworth and Vizcaino are capable strikeout an inning pitchers who should prove extremely valuable in leagues that value holds. The sleeper in the bullpen has to be 24-year-old Chris Britton, who was the key piece the Yankees got back in the Jaret Wright deal with Baltimore. Britton showed the ability to dominate in the minors in 2005 (110 K in 78 IP in high-A) and early last season before getting a surprise call from the O’s. He went on to become the most reliable arm out of the Baltimore ‘pen aside from closer Chris Ray, finishing his rookie campaign with a solid 3.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP to go with 41 strikeouts in 53 innings. He should post strong ratios again in New York, and could easily take advantage of the Yanks’ dominant offense to turn that into a few wins.

Position Battles

Doug Mientkiewicz vs. Andy Phillips – Fantasy owners would certainly have to root for Phillips, who is at least capable of double digit homers and could possibly be confused with a player on the rise. Mientkiewicz is the veteran with a terrific glove and no bat, but enters camp as the favorite. Why? Did you see the rest of that Yankee lineup????????

Kei Igawa vs. Carl Pavano, Humberto Sanchez, & Phillip Hughes – The four figure to fight for two spots in the Yankee rotation to begin the season, with Igawa and Pavano the overwhelming favorites. Don’t discount Sanchez, though. The 23-year-old power righty absolutely blew away AA hitters in the first half of last season, finishing with an outstanding 1.76 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 86 batters in 71 innings. He didn’t look too shabby in AAA Toledo either, but will likely be given a chance to repeat the level to start the year because of the depth in the majors. Igawa looks like a virtual lock to start, while Pavano may have to outduel both Sanchez and Hughes, the Yanks’ top prospect.

Sleepers

Hideki Matsui – We all know what he can do, but he’ll likely be falling on a lot of peoples’ lists after missing four months with a broken wrist last season. Usually a picture of good health, Matsui is good for a .290 average with 25 homers and 100 RBI even in a mediocre year.

Andy Phillips – It’s all a matter of being able to beat out Mientkiewicz for the starting job. If he can, Phillips has 20 homer power, and he’ll find a way to make that translate into quality fantasy value in that Yankee lineup.

Duds

Chien-Ming Wang – After winning nineteen games last season, many owners are going to consider overpaying for him. Don’t be that guy. Wang had just 76 strikeouts in 218 innings last season, leaving his value as a number three at best if he wins fifteen games. Toss in that his 1.31 WHIP was awfully high for a pitcher that allowed just a 3.63 ERA last season, and we can probably expect for the ERA to rise.

Jorge Posada – Posada bounced back nicely after consecutive seasons of mediocrity in 2004 and 2005. Now 35, he’s hitting an age where most players (especially catchers!) tend to decline, so his recent dropoff shouldn’t have been that surprising. Expect his numbers to fall back towards what he did in 2004 (.262-19-71), which wouldn’t make him a bad option behind the plate, but wouldn’t make him the top five option that last year’s performance did.

Player to watch out for

Humberto Sanchez – While Phillip Hughes is unquestionably the Yanks’ top prospect, Sanchez is more mature and a lot more major-league ready. Sanchez tore apart AA Erie last season for the Tigers, striking out 86 batters in 71 innings on his way to compiling a 1.76 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Upon getting the call to Toledo, he didn’t disappoint. Sanchez lost a little off of his strikeout rate (43 in 51+ innings) and certainly looked a lot more hittable. However, he still maintained solid enough secondary numbers, finishing with a 3.86 ERA and 1.36 WHIP for the Mudhens. Likely ticketed for Columbus to start the year after being considered the gem of the Gary Sheffield trade, Sanchez will likely be the first name called upon if injuries strike the rotation.

Projected Finish: 98-64, 1^st AL East