Yanks start all over again, hoping for different result

If there was one real question that the New York Yankees had going into the 2012 season, it was whether they had enough pitching depth. General Manager Brian Cashman took care of that question by signing two pitchers who performed well last season, 23-year-old Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners, and 37-year-old Hiroki Kuroda from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pineda, who will only be pitching in his 2nd year in the majors, posted a 3.74 ERA last year and was voted to the All Star Game. Pineda is a humongous 6-7 280 lbs and possess a devastating fastball and slider giving him promising talent for the future. However, his changeup is what needs work and is “below average,” as Cashman said.

The Japanese pitcher, Kuroda, has four years of experience in the majors and has established himself as one of the few Japanese pitchers that has not had a tough transition from the Japanese league to MLB. His career 3.45 ERA is impressive and Kuroda is assured a spot on the starting rotation alongside CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pindea, and either Phil Hughes or Freddy Garcia. A concern is that, in recent years, the American League has been tougher pitchers than the National League. The top four teams in runs scored last year were all from the American League and with the addition of two sluggers, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder making the transition from the NL to the AL, it might be even tougher for pitchers.

While the Yankees appear to have a good starting rotation, they are also solid in the bullpen. Theoretically, if the Yankees starting pitching can get through six innings with the lead, the game looks promising with, Rafael Soriano, David Robertson, and the best closer in all of baseball, Mariano Rivera working out of the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain, a promising bullpen pitcher, had a season ending injury last year and will make a return to the bullpen most likely a little before the All Star break.

On offense the Yankees are a threat as usual with second baseman Robinson Cano, and center fielder Curtis Granderson. Both Cano and Granderson were candidates for the MVP award last year. Granderson blasted 41 homers and had 119 RBIs and Cano batted .302 with 118 RBIs. First baseman Mark Texeria and third baseman Alex Rodriguez are looking for bounce back years in 2012 after Texeria’s average was way down and Rodriguez plagued with injuries. If the two sluggers are productive in 2012, the Yankees should win the AL East and have a great chance to go all the way.

The Yankees finished with an impressive 97-65 record last year winning the AL East. However the season ended in disappointment after losing to the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. The Yankees are hoping for a better finish this year. After winning only one World Series in the past 11 years, they are due for another title. With a promising team, the Yankees are set up for a 28th World Championship.