They spent $423.5 million to erase the mistakes of 2008. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira were brought in to make sure the Yankees return to the postseason.
The byproduct of that cash orgy is this: If the Yankees don’t make the playoffs, Joe Girardi will be deleted.
VACCARO: 100 GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE SEASON AHEAD
A year ago the Yankees had their fingers firmly crossed Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were big-league pitchers. This time, they are trusting that Sabathia, arguably the best pitcher in baseball a year ago, and Burnett, who when healthy is nasty, can help overcome Alex Rodriguez’s early-season absence and get them to October.
Here is a closer look at the 2009 Yankees:
FIRST BASE
With Alex Rodriguez not expected back until the middle of May, Mark Teixeira is going to be under a brighter spotlight than he would have had Rodriguez not needed hip surgery. A slow starter — .259 career average in April — the career .290 hitter will be watched very carefully to see how he responds to the fickle Yankee fans when he fails.
SECOND BASE
While Teixeira’s $180 million contract will put all eyes on him, it’s time for Robinson Cano to return to the hitter he was in 2007 (.306; 19 HRs and 97 RBIs) instead of last year’s dismal batter (.271; 14 HRs and 72 RBIs). Cano no longer can hang out at the bottom of the order. With his ability, Cano has to force Girardi to move him into a higher spot by swinging a productive bat.
SHORTSTOP
You want to pick on Derek Jeter’s range, go ahead. You want to pick on his lack of extra-base hits, have at it. But don’t think for a nanosecond the Yankees would be better off without Jeter than they are with him.
THIRD BASE
Rodriguez is a one-man Back Page and a distraction to the entire Yankees universe. He also is the best player in the game who, if he doesn’t return until the middle of May, still will hit 35 or more homers and drive in 100-plus runs. Loathed by many, there is a simple fact of life when it comes to the Yankees: They haven’t won with him but can’t win without him.
LEFT FIELD
Johnny Damon made the move to left last year very smoothly and responded by hitting .303 after dipping to .270 the year before. His .375 on-base percentage was Damon’s best since .380 for the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox.
CENTER FIELD
The Yankees are hoping Brett Gardner’s speed and spunk can add life to the bottom of the order. But just in case, they are keeping Melky Cabrera around as insurance. Outside of two late-season callups last year, Gardner is untested. However, he had a sensational spring to win the job from Cabrera, a .268 career big league hitter who had a miserable season a year ago. The Yankees consider Gardner, the fastest player in the organization, a better defender.
RIGHT FIELD
Xavier Nady started camp as the favorite to beat out Nick Swisher to play the position vacated by Bobby Abreu, and did it despite not having a strong spring. Even though Nady batted .268 for the Yankees after hitting .330 for the Pirates, Girardi saw enough in 59 games last season to believe the right-handed hitting Nady can provide more than the switch-hitting Swisher.
CATCHER
The biggest question mark entering camp was Jorge Posada’s surgically repaired right shoulder. The Yankees took it slow with him; not catching him until mid-March, and that plan seems to have worked. Posada’s arm strength was good and his bat productive. Now he has to remain healthy enough to play and produce across 110 to 120 games.
DESIGNATED HITTER
For the second consecutive offseason, Hideki Matsui rehabbed a surgically repaired knee. This time it was the left, and as recently as the final two weeks of spring training, Girardi wasn’t sure how Matsui’s knees would hold up. Matsui’s track record indicates if he is healthy, he will hit since he is a .295 career hitter in six Yankee seasons. However, he will be 35 in June and there are questions about the knees.
Swisher can provide insurance for Matsui, and there will be days when Girardi uses Damon and possibly Posada as the DH.
BENCH
Swisher, if not dealt, provides a switch-hitter with pop and can play right, left and first. Cody Ransom will become the utility infielder when Rodriguez returns. Jose Molina is the best backup catcher in the game. Cabrera or Gardner could be on the bench if not starting.
ROTATION
The biggest question in 2008 is the Yankees’ strongest point in 2009 thanks to the additions of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. They will head a rotation that houses a healthy Chien-Ming Wang, who missed the second half of last year with a foot injury, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain. If healthy, that fivesome figures to be the best — top to bottom — in baseball. With A-Rod out at the start of the season and a lot of questions in the bullpen until the game gets to Mariano Rivera, a lot of responsibility falls on the rotation.
BULLPEN
The gap between starters and Mariano Rivera is filled with enough arms. Unfortunately for the Yankees, none of them is proven. Damaso Marte and Brian Bruney will get first cracks at the eighth-inning role. Jose Veras will get late-game chances because he has strikeout stuff but doesn’t throw enough strikes. Look for Phil Coke to get more responsibility. Jonathan Albaladejo is in the mix, too. Rivera remains among the premier closers.
PREDICTION
92-70, second in AL East. Chamberlain becomes a reliever in October; Yankees advance to World Series and lose to the Phillies.
YANKEES ESSENTIALS
Most important everyday player: Jorge Posada has to stay healthy, hit .280 with 22 homers and drive in 85 to 90 runs. And throw well enough to keep base runners honest.
Most important pitcher: CC Sabathia has to justify that $161 million contract.
Will have a bigger year than expected: Xavier Nady benefits from being surrounded by lineup studs.
Most likely to disappoint: Jose Veras doesn’t throw enough strikes to be dependable.
Key call up: If right-handed reliever Mark Melancon pitches well, there will be ample chances for promotion because the ‘pen is very unsettled.
Biggest managerial decision: How to find enough at-bats to keep Nick Swisher sharp.
Don’t be surprised if … Alex Rodriguez struggles whenever he returns from hip surgery.
Sure to make Yankees fans grumble: The first time Mark Teixeira pops up with the bases loaded in a key situation.
The Yankees will make the playoffs if … Posada stays healthy, A.J. Burnett and Sabathia pitch like aces and the bullpen gets games from the starters to Mariano Rivera.
The Yankees will miss the playoffs if … Posada doesn’t catch at least 110 games.
Injury that would hurt the most: Rodriguez already may have suffered it. If not, then it’s Posada.