Results: Yankees vs. USF Bulls @ Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL

Here are your results from the Yankees' first exhibition game from today.

                                                          __________

Final Score- Yankees 11, USF Bulls 4

Here are a few lines, stats for these games versus college teams are not easy to find, I managed to salvage this:

Joba Chamberlain: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 22 pitches/15 strikes

Ian Kennedy:           2 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Jorge Posada:         3B, 2B, 3 RBI

On a lower, yet obvious note, Kei Igawa was the only struggler for the Yanks here today, here's what went down for old Kei.

He comes into the game in the 6th with a 9-0 lead, he got an out, then on 5 pitches walked the 9th hitter of a college lineup.  He then walked another batter and hit another, bases are now loaded, 2 outs.  His sinker didn't sink to PH Eric Baumann and knocked it out for a granny.  Not to mention, Baumann missed all of the 2006 and 2007 seasons with a shoulder injury.

Hey Cashman, you're a smart guy, but I gotta know, it's been a burning question of mine for some time now, what were you thinking when you coughed up all that dough for this?

Get back to me when you can, Brian.

Barring any report, that should be it for the night.

EDIT: I found the lines, I will give you the starters and the pitchers worth noting.

Damon, LF:        1-3, 1R, 1BB

Jeter, SS:            1-2, 2R, 1 RBI

Abreu, RF:         1-1, 1R, 2 BB

Rodriguez, 3B:  1-1, 3 RBI, 1 BB

Giambi, 1B:       0-3, 1R

Posada, C:         2-4, 2R, 2 RBI

Cano, 2B:          1-3, 1R

Duncan, DH:    1-2, 1R, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Cabrera, CF:    0-2, 1 RBI

Chamberlain: (1-0) 2.0 IP, 0H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Kennedy:                  2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hughes:                    1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Igawa:                       1.0 IP, 1 H, 4  R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (36.00 ERA)

Marquez:                  1.0 IP, 0H, 0  R, 0 BB, 0 K

Horne:                      1.0 IP, 0H, 0  R, 0 BB, 1  K

Wright:                     1.0 IP, 0H, 0  R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees 2008 Season Preview

Here's my predictions and preview of the 2008 season for the Yankees.  It will go position-by-position and then I will give my season projection for the team.  Starting with Pitchers.

Pitchers:

Projected Rotation:

Chien-Ming Wang

Andy Pettitte

Joba Chamberlain

Phil Hughes

Ian Kennedy/Mike Mussina

Projected Bullpen:

Mariano Rivera

Kyle Farnsworth

LaTroy Hawkins

Jose Veras

Brian Bruney

Kei Igawa

Edwar Ramirez

Ross Ohlendorf

This pitching staff needs work for sure.  The only sure thing at the moment is that Wang can get us 15-20 wins, but other than that, its a crap shoot.  Don't get me wrong, I think the Big 3 will all have bright futures, but to say they will carry the Yankees THIS year is unfair to them.  With the undefined role of Joba Chamberlain, its hard to say if he will be effective this year, and that's a major part in the success of this team.  The pitchers really need to see what's on the line here and step up.

The bullpen is even more of a crap shoot.  The signing of LaTroy Hawkins was a good one I think.  We saw the loose cannon of Kyle Farnsworth last year and how Luis Vizcaino worked out.  For sure the Yankees will need to be able to define their setup man, because if they mix and match between Farnsworth and Hawkins the bridge to Mo will be in disarray for the entire season.  I think a guy that could emerge as a big candidate for the setup role and could take it over is Jose Veras.  I guess the same goes for Ross Ohlendorf, what I saw from these guys last year impressed me and made me hopeful for this year.  I think the bridge needs to be set right away (look for Joba to get it too) and the rest will work itself out (middle relief will be mixed in as needed).  If the Yanks can anchor this bullpen, I think the team has a bright future for 2008.

Catchers:

Jorge Posada .338 

Jose Molina .318 (29 games with Yankees) .224 (40 games with Angles)

Francisco Cervelli .279 (with Tampa Class A)   

The Yankees have one of the most talented catching staffs in the major leagues. Although Jorge will not repeat the monster year he had in 2007, which he even admits, Jorge will still put up good numbers and will be the solid catcher he has always been with the Yankees. Look for Jose Molina to be a solid backup catcher with Yankees. Just judging by his Yankee numbers, look for a great backup by Molina, who should be a starter. Cervelli will probably not see time with the Yankees this year but if Molina is traded at the deadline, look for Cervelli to be considered. The catchers are nothing to be worried about this season. 

First Base :( 

Jason Giambi .236 (disgusting) 

Shelley Duncan .257 

Wilson Betemit .226 (37 with Yankees) .231 (84 with Dodgers) 

Morgan Ensberg .231 (with Astros and Padres) 

First base is a concerning category. All besides Betemit have a chance to be a starter at some point. And judging by the way first base has been a revolving door since Giambi arrived, it would be a safe bet to say they all will start at first base at one point. Giambi has prestige and Girardi's support behind him, Duncan has his hitting and fiery personality behind him and Ensberg has his fielding behind him. If the world was right, on opening day we would see Shelley Duncan or Morgan Ensberg at first, but Giambi will start only because Matsui will be DH. I think they need to find someone who can take the position as their job because I can't see the team being successful without a full time, reliable first baseman. Look for Shelley Duncan to either take over at some point or get traded in July to bring in a real first baseman. The sleeper for this job is Morgan Ensberg who reminds me of Doug Mientkiewicz. He'll get a few starts but will ultimately be surpassed by a better hitter. Giambi does not deserve to be on this team but will start until he either gets injured or the management can't deal with his sub-par hitting and fielding anymore. It is his walk year, so maybe he'll start juicing again to try and trick the Yankees into signing another $100 million deal. The Yankees can't afford to mix and match like they have since 2002. 

Second Base:

Robinson Cano .306

Wilson Betemit

This position is all but a lock.  This guy (Cano) is as steady as they come.  Imagine having a down year that consists of a .306 AVG, 19 HR, and 97 RBI.  I think he will for sure bounce back and play as he did in 2006.  Besides shortstop, I think this position is the biggest for sure thing.  When you put Cano in the lineup, you know what you're going to get, consistency.  There should be no problem here for the Yankees, barring some freak injury (god forbid).  This guy is a key point for the Yankees, and I think he will have a great year batting over .310 hitting over 20 HR and driving in 100+ runs.  The infield for this team is as good as it gets in the majors, this guy is a huge part of that.  Don't worry about this area on the field.

Third Base:

Alex Rodriguez .314

Wilson Betemit

Juan Miranda .265 (with Trenton) .264 (with Tampa)

Coming off an MVP year, A-Rod looks better than ever.  His fielding has improved vastly so look for him to be another strong candidate for MVP.  He's a HR machine and possibly the best player ever.  He will hit above .300, hit at least 35 HR, and drive in 100+.  Don't expect to see Wilson Betemit or Juan Miranda often, because A-Rod will play at least 150 games, and besides, they cannot afford to see him not take the field.  Yet another rock in this Yankee infield.

Shortstop:

Derek Jeter .322

Alberto Gonzalez .071 (with Yankees) .330 (with Trenton) .247 (with SWB)

Wilson Betemit

This position is the biggest lock in baseball, and has been since 1996.  This man is the most consistent player in the game today and the looks of that doesn't appear to be fading at all.  He will have another .310+ year and have an OBP in the high 400's.  He's as solid as they come at this position today, and possibly ever.  Again, to worry about this position would be a waste of energy.  There aren't enough words to express the ability of Derek Jeter.  I feel sorry for the guys who have to back him up.  Another huge year on the way for DJ.

Outfield:

Bobby Abreu .283

Melky Cabrera .273

Johnny Damon .270

Hideki Matsui .285

Shelley Duncan

Jason Lane .175 (with Astros and Padres)

Projected Starters:

LF: Johnny Damon

CF: Melky Cabrera

RF: Bobby Abreu

The Yankees' outfield is in a great position here.  They have more options than needed and are all good players.  This enables them to deal someone or some people at the deadline.  I truly wouldn't be surprised to see them deal Matsui for some pitching.  Their current alignment of outfielders is a good one and I really think you will see improved stats and production from all 3 of the projected starters.  Abreu and Damon both came into camp last year out of shape, this strongly effected their play throughout the year although they were able to pick up towards the end of the year.  This for sure won't happen again, they reported in the best shape of their lives and I think this will translate onto the field.  Look to see a .300, 15, 100 season for Abreu this year.  Look for Damon to do about a .280, 10, 70 this year.  I think Melky finally has enough ML experience to have a good, solid year this year.  I'm thinking about .290, 10, 80, with his fielding prowess, that is certainly enough for me.  Look for all three of these guys to come back strong with rejuvenated years.  This looks like the OF picture is setting up nicely.  I don't know about you, but I think any club that has Hideki Matsui as a backup OF must be a strong one.  I like where this is going.

I think this club is strong, but their competition is very strong and its going to take quite a performance from these guys to get into the playoffs.  I think the Yankees will win roughly 90 games, but the way I see the American League East playing out, I don't see them passing the Sox.  The Wild Card is where I think they will need to look.  And the Indians are strong this year, but they will not win their division.  I think the Yankees' offense is better than the Indians', but their pitching is better than ours, and I feel pitching trumps hitting any day.  So basically what I'm getting at is, for the first time since 1994, I don't see the Yankees fitting into the playoff picture.  I would loved to be proven wrong, but these pitchers need to get more experience under their belt before they can make a strong push for a title.  I think Joe Girardi will have a strong year, but I need to see a stronger pitching performance before I think they can be at a playoff level.  I would love to see the Yankees make a strong push, hopefully we will, I just have little confidence in their starting rotation and their 'pen this year.

Welcome

Hi, I'm Sterling Steiner and I'm the blogger here at The Roll Call. I'm a longtime bleacher creature and I've been consistently following the Yankees since I moved back to New York in 1995. I want to tell you about myself before we kick the blogging off. 

I was born on July 14, 1972 on River Avenue in the Bronx to a small family consisting of just me, my father and my mother. I didn't have any siblings and my parents worked late hours so I spent a lot of my time following the Yankees. I would attend at least one Yankee game a week until 1990 when I went away to college. I moved back to New York and currently live on Long Island with my wife. Since 1995, I've followed the Yankees, watching nearly every game. I saw Pete Abraham blogging and decided that I needed a blog to be able to vent and talk about my ideas for the Yankees. 

Welcome to the Roll Call, let's get the blogging started.  Thanks for stopping by.

LET'S GO YANKEES!