YANKEES- 03/20/03
March 20, 2003
LATEST TEAM INFO:
The Yankees have finally made a move to cut their 2003 salary. Rondell White was dealt to the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Bubba Trammell and left-handed pitching prospect Mark Phillips. Phillips was the 9th pick in the 2000 draft and is now considered the second best pitching prospect in the Yankee organization. This deal will give the Yankees some salary relief ($2.85 million) this year, but will be responsible for Bubba Trammell">Trammell's 2004 salary of $4.75 million and a buyout of $250,000 for 2005. Bubba Trammell" will be a 4th OF, pinch hitter and part-time DH. His value will be nill in mixed leagues and slight in AL-leagues.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
Hideki Matsui is having an excellent spring batting .341 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI. I am always skeptical of any first year players, but Matsui has been quick to impress. Torre has decided he will at least start the year in the 3, 4, or 5 slot. If he can stay in that slot he should have plenty of RBI opportunities and is worth drafting in the 8th to 9th round if you're a gambling fantasy player. He could be a huge bust or a stud OF. Don't forget that Ichiro was a huge bargain his first year in the league.
RUMOR MILL:
Contreras is beginning to turn around his horrid spring, but Weaver probably will keep the hold on the 5th rotation spot. However, if Weaver struggles don't be surprised to see the Conteras take his spot rather quickly. I foresee Conteras being as enigmatic as El Duque- dominating at times and awful in other outings.
The Yankees are shopping around Hitchcock, but giving up 6 runs in his most recent outing which doesn't help his case. The Yankees will have to eat a large portion of his $6 million salary to make a deal happen.
INJURIES:
A few Yankees are dinged up including Alfonso Soriano . He has missed some time with shoulder tendinitis. He thinks he'll be 100% in a few days so there is no real concern yet.
Steve Karsay has a bursitis in his right shoulder, so he should be downgraded on draft sheets. He will likely start the year on the DL.
POSSIBLE 2003 LINEUP:
1. 2B Alfonso Soriano (drafted #4)- could go 40-40 this year with a ton of runs. He has proven he doesn't need to walk a lot to be successful.
2. SS Derek Jeter (drafted #20)- should improve on his 2002 campaign.
3. 1B/DH Jason Giambi (drafted #8)- should put up similar numbers, look for average to improve.
4. CF Bernie Williams (drafted #76)- steady yet unspectacular. Don't count on him to be your top OF, but expect a slight improvement in HR production.
5. LF Hideki Matsui (drafted #103)- write him in for 25 homers and the rest is gravy.
6. C Jorge Posada (drafted #50)- steady and top AL hitting catcher.
6. 3B Robin Ventura (drafted #209)- a steal if he can repeat last year's numbers. May lose some time to Zeile.
8. RF Raul Mondesi (drafted #196)- an albatross on your batting average. If you can support that he adds some nice power and steals for your last OF spot.
9. DH Nick Johnson, Todd Zeile or Bubba Trammell- several players will likely see some time at this position.
ON THE FARM:
3B Drew Henson was already shipped to Triple A again this year. His defense and batting eye still need improvement. May finally be ready to take over 3B in 2004.
