Coming off a solid 97-65 record in 2011, all signs seem to point to the New York Yankees repeating as the No.1 team in the AL East. Manager Joe Girardi is entering his fifth year at the helm of the most prominent team in baseball, and there is a legitimate case to be for this incarnation of the Yankees being the most potent one he’s ever had an opportunity to lead.
However you want to describe it, New York has clearly trimmed some of the old fat that plagued its roster during the offseason, and its place — for the most part — they’ve added either upgrades or non-downgrades. Gone are Jorge Posada, Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett, and in are interesting pieces like Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda. While it obviously remains to be seen what sort of impact the losses of Jesus Montero (which will hurt), Hector Noesi and Sergio Mitre will have, the Yankees look poised to be more efficient and effective then we’ve seen them in a long time.
The rotation will star CC Sabathia, Ivan Nora, Kuroda, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia – a strong group any way you want to look at it. Then when you factor in the ageless wonder, Mariano Rivera, as well as David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain and the rest of the relievers – you see why folks are expecting big things from the Yanks in the coming season.
Although you never want to read too much into these things, early reports out of Spring Training seem to unanimously agree that Mark Teixeira is in excellent shape. When you couple that with the steady production you’ll no doubt get from Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and the rest of the gang, you have to figure that New York will have one of the AL’s more capable offenses.
With arguably the best bullpen in the league and numerous intriguing roster tweaks, the Yankees seem poised for a 100-win campaign and some serious postseason success. Will that wind up coming to fruition? Odds makers seem to think so – the Yankees are 13/2 (+650) to win the World Series this year, only behind the Philadelphia Phillies (11/2) and equaled by the Los Angeles Angels (13/2) to win it all.
Click here to see the updated Yankees World Series odds or to see the rest of the team’s 2012 World Series Odds available at Bovada Sportsbook.
