HITTING
"Only three AL clubs generated more runs than the Yankees' 797, only one posted a higher average than their .271 mark and two had more homers than their 188 in 1986. This hard-to-match attack is highlighted by Don Mattingly (.352, 31 homers, 113 RBI), simply the best player of his time, and Rickey Henderson (.263, 28, 74, 87 stolen bases), one of the best leadoff hitters and [one of the best] base stealers of all time.
Throw in Dave Winfield (.262, 24, 104), and developing youngsters Dan Pasqua (.293, 16, 45) and Mike Pagliarulo (.238, 28, 71) and it's obvious that the Yankees can get by with a minimum offensive contribution from catcher and shortstop. The signing of Texas free agent Gary Ward (.316, 5, 51 in 105 games) provides a right-handed designated hitter and platoon left fielder to complement left-handed hitters Claudell Washington (.237, 6, 16 RBI in 54 games) and Pasqua."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition
PITCHING
"The 1986 staff limped home with a 4.11 ERA, the ninth highest mark in the AL, and kept the Yankees from challenging the Red Sox in the East. However, the Yanks strengthened themselves considerably in the off-season with the acquisition of former Pirate Rick Rhoden (15-12, 2.84), former Phil Charlie Hudson (7-10, 4.94) and former Angel Ron Romanick. Of course, Dennis Rasmussen (18-6, 3.88) must prove his stellar 1986 performance was no fluke. Also, the Yanks must replace likely free agent defector Ron Guidry (9-12, 3.98).
Dave Righetti (8-8, 2.45) has to be regarded as the game's premier reliever after earning a major league record 46 saves. Cecilio Guante (5-2, 3.35, 4 saves), also acquired from the Pirates in the Rhoden deal, should prove a fine addition to the setup role vacated by the enigmatic Brian Fisher."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition
FIELDING
"Mattingly is a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base, Pagliarulo is on the verge of becoming a Gold Glover at third, Willie Randolph is a steady second baseman and Wayne Tolleson is an adequate shortstop, although the Yankees are concerned about his ability to sustain a high performance level throughout an entire season.
Joel Skinner must prove that he is a major league hitter, but there is no doubt about his ability as a catcher. Winfield and Henderson are defensive assets and they can chew up ground in right and center respectively."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition
OUTLOOK
"This is a team of stars, but chemistry has been lacking while the Yankees have placed second each of the last two years. Players are unsettled by the involvement of owner George Steinbrenner and by the pressure-filled atmosphere that goes with being a Yankee. The talent is there to improve on last year's 90-72 finish but, as manager Lou Piniella knows, talent isn't always enough."
-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1987 Edition
"When the 1986 season was in its final weekend, Yankee manager Lou Piniella told the press, 'There's no question that Dave Righetti has been the key to our season. We knew our starting pitching might be a little short but we didn't know we would have to struggle to score runs early on. Without a strong bullpen, we could have really have been in trouble.'
Righetti, an erstwhile starter who once authored a no-hitter, was that bullpen. Working in a career-high 74 games, the 6-3 left-hander split 16 decisions but posted a neat 2.45 ERA and major league record 46 saves, one more than Bruce Sutter or Dan Quisenberry managed in their record campaigns.
At one point late in the year, the star southpaw was successful in 24 straight save opportunities. That short-circuited the suggestions of skeptics that he be returned to the beleaguered starting rotation.
Instead of moving Righetti for 1987, Yankee management elected to strengthen the front line in other ways. Just before Thanksgiving, for example, New York outbid several AL East rivals to acquire the contract of 34-year-old right-hander Rich Rhoden, who had gone 15-12 for a lackluster Pittsburgh franchise.
Though two young Yankee pitchers, starter Doug Drabek and reliever Brian Fisher, were part of the package that brought Rhoden and relievers Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements, Yankee executives insist the one-time Dodger will win 15 to 20 games for his new club.
Rhoden joins a rotation that could include left-handers Ron Guidry (9-12, 3.98 ERA), a free agent, Dennis Rasmussen (18-6, 3.88) and Tommy John (5-3, 2.93), plus right-hander Joe Niekro (9-10, 4.87), but only Rasmussen is on the sunny side of 35. That age factor could open the gates for right-handers Charles Hudson (7-10, 4.94 at Philadelphia), Bob Tewskbury (9-5, 3.31), Ron Romanick (5-8 with the Angels) or Brad Arnsberg (8-12 in AAA), but the Yanks seem to have trouble trusting their pitching chores to youngsters. Perhaps veteran lefty Britt Burns will rebound from an idle 1986 season.
Righetti's bullpen supporters are Rod Scurry, Tim Stoddard, Guante and Clements- an uninspiring group.
Also uninspiring- though full of potential- was the play of Joel Skinner, now expected to succeed the traded Butch Wynegar as the everyday catcher. Skinner, whose father Bob was an All-Star outfielder who could swing the bat, hit just .232 with five homers in 114 games. Young Phil Lombardi and Juan Espino, who's been up before, could threaten Skinner's status.
Everywhere else- with the possible exception of shortstop- Piniella has a plum. First baseman Don Mattingly (.352, 31 HR, 113 RBI) won a Gold Glove, played all 162 games, broke 1927 club records for hits and doubles, and became only the sixth player to deliver 230 hits, 30 homers and 100 RBI in the same season (Joe Medwick, Babe Herman, Chuck Klein, Lefty O'Doul and Rogers Hornsby did it previously).
Mattingly, 26, is less than a year older than third baseman Mike Pagliarulo, who hit just .238 in 149 games, but came into his own with 28 homers and 71 RBI. Steady Willie Randolph, not yet 33, is the second baseman after a .276 season, while Wayne Tolleson (.265, 17 stolen bases), a switch-hitting shortstop, rates the nod over superior fielder Paul Zuvella, also a capable second baseman. Zuvella was a hitting disaster in the Bronx but batted .302 in Triple-A to merit a second chance.
There's plenty of punch in the outfield, where Dan Pasqua's powerful left-handed bat (.293, 16, 45 in 102 games) joins center fielder Rickey Henderson (.263, 28, 74, 87 SB) on a full-time basis, with Claudell Washington, Henry Cotto, Gary Ward and Gary Roenicke the primary reserves.
Washington has emerged as the top left-handed designated hitter because unhappy incumbent Mike Easler (.302, 14, 78) has been traded. The top right-handed DH, who doubles as an outfielder, is former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle (.218, 21, 60 in 116 games)."
-Dan Schlossberg, Baseball Preview '87
"PROBLEMS: With the idea that the lack of starting pitching was what kept the Yankees from catching the Boston Red Sox last year, owner George Steinbrenner made several deals over the past winter to shore up his mound corps. If he had been able to sign Jack Morris from the Tigers, perhaps all problems would have been resolved in a single move.
But Charles Hudson and Ron Romanick, two of the hurlers who were [acquired], are not world beaters. Both were considered highly expendable by their old clubs. Ex-Pirate Rick Rhoden is a good arm, but he is 36 and may not be as of much use as the front office hopes.
Still to be resolved are the free agency of second baseman Willie Randolph, and the depth behind the plate now that Butch Wynegar is gone in the trade for Romanick. Joel Skinner, a good defensive hand, will probably start at catcher, but the backups available are low in experience on the major league level.
PITCHING: Dennis Rasmussen and Bob Tewksbury performed very well last year. Even if veteran Ron Guidry is only a shadow of his former greatness, Hudson, Rhoden and Romanick should be an improvement over the disorganized staff of last year.
The bullpen should be solid. Dave Righetti will be back after setting an all-time single season save record of 46. Cecilio Guante came from Pittsburgh with Rhoden to help as Righetti's setup man. Veteran Bob Shirley was also signed to a new contract, to help with long relief.
Overall, the staff should be at least 150% to 160% better than last season.
HITTING: Since third sacker Mike Pagliarulo has found the long distance range at New York's Yankee Stadium, the starting lineup features real Bronx Bombers in Mike, Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield, DH Ron Kittle and swift Rickey Henderson. The only ingredient missing will be the steady clutch bat of Randolph behind leadoff ace Henderson, if Willie fails to come to contract terms by spring.
Bryan Little was demoted to the minors at the end of last year, so the infield depth and bench hitting strength is very uncertain as the BIG BOOK OF BASEBALL goes to press.
One thing is as certain as death and taxes, however. Led by Mattingly, this club will be one of the league's best in scoring runs.
INFIELD: If Willie Randolph is re-signed, he will play second and Wayne Tolleson will be at short, the same keystone pairing in effect for the Yanks late last season. Without Randolph available, Tolleson will move to second base, his old position, with weak-hitting Bobby Meacham moving in at shortstop. Mike Pagliarulo finally took charge at third last year. His average wasn't much, but he demonstrated solid power and good RBI ability.
First base was in the hands of the man most consider to be the best player of the game today, Don Mattingly. Still young, Don is a threat to almost totally rewrite the career record book. Ron Kittle, who can relieve at first or in the outfield, is the DH.
Butch Wynegar went in a winter deal for pitching, so Joel Skinner is left as the heir apparent for regular catching duties. Joel is an excellent glove man, and baseball people love the way he handles a pitching staff and commands his defense. But Skinner's bat work is anemic and will have to improve if he is to remain as the club's starting backstop.
With Mattingly, Randolph, Tolleson, Pagliarulo and Skinner playing, color this infield deep and strong except in catching. If Meacham plays short, the quality drops to just a little bit above average- even with the presence of a force as powerful as Mattingly.
OUTFIELD: Dan Pasqua has come on strong to become the Yankee left fielder. And the re-signing of veteran Claudell Washington late last winter makes the outfield very deep as well as excellent both offensively and defensively.
Rickey Henderson in center may have a few defensive liabilities, but at bat and on the basepaths he is one of the best offensive sparks in the game today.
Dave Winfield in right, despite his running feud with the club's owner, is a class ballplayer who hits and fields and runs and throws with the best.
Henry Cotto and Gary Roenicke join Washington and Kittle in offering a backup unit as strong as any in the game. Slumps and injuries should be covered by the reserves, and the good manpower gives manager Lou Piniella a tremendous amount of maneuvering room.
PROGNOSIS: Yankee haters are in trouble for 1987. Even without 'buying' Jack Morris, Steinbrenner has added to the strength of his club in the off-season without dealing away too much in return.
Unless Roger Clemens wins 30 games this year, and Jim Rice has a runaway MVP type of season, the Red Sox are likely to lose out this year to the charging New Yorkers and even possibly to the rampaging Bengals from Detroit."
-Tommy Kay's Big Book of Baseball 1987
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