HITTING
"If Don Mattingly can return to form, it will make a vast difference in an offense that ranked last in the American League in batting average (.241), runs (603), slugging percentage (.366) and on-base percentage (.300) in 1990. Back problems limited Mattingly 102 games, his string of .300 seasons ended at six with a .256 average and he failed to show his usual punch with only five homers and 42 RBI.
The Yankees have high hopes for 1990 rookie sensation Kevin Maas (.252, 21, 41) and ever-improving Roberto Kelly (.285, 15, 61). Kelly ranked third in the AL with 183 hits, despite striking out 148 times.
Jesse Barfield, the team leader in home runs (25) and RBI (78), returns and the Yankees believe Hensley Meulens, the International League MVP with 26 home runs and 96 RBI, will provide some sock as the regular left fielder."
-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition
PITCHING
"The Yankees' pitching took a major turn for the worse when they lost closer Dave Righetti to San Francisco as a free agent last winter. Righetti left as the Yankees' all-time saves leader with 224, including 36 in 39 opportunities last year. Now Lee Guetterman (11-7, 3.39) must prove he can be more than just an excellent set-up man.
The Yankees did make several positive moves by signing Scott Sanderson (11-7, 3.88 with A's) and Steve Farr (13-7, 1.98 with Royals) and retaining new-look free agent Mike Witt (5-9, 4.00) and free agent Tim Leary (9-19, 4.11). Farr can start or finish games and Leary is considerably better than his 1990 record would indicate. He was supported by just 38 runs in his 19 defeats.
Chuck Cary (6-12, 4.19) was another victim of poor support, but Andy Hawkins (5-12, 5.37) is a rollercoaster ride. Dave Eiland, the International League's biggest winner with 16, may be given a chance to show what he can do as a major league starter if Pascual Perez' shoulder doesn't prove sound."
-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition
FIELDING
"The Yankees boast a fine keystone combination in second baseman Steve Sax and shortstop Alvaro Espinoza. They placed second in the American League in double plays (202). Barfield is a defensive weapon in right. He topped the majors with 16 outfield assists and ranks third lifetime (149 assists) among active outfielders. When he's healthy, Mattingly's a state-of-the-art first baseman. But third base remains a hole and no one is sure how Meulens will do in left field."
-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition
OUTLOOK
"The Yankees' 67-95 record last year was their worst since 1912. Outside of pitching, there is little chance of improvement and 1991 would be a success if Stump Merrill can avoid another last-place finish."
-John Shea and Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1991 Edition
"The New York Yankees had no .300 hitter and no 100-RBI man last year in losing more than 90 games for the first time since 1917. Does that sound like the Yankees? This year, they'll be without suspended owner George Steinbrenner, their best reliever, Dave Righetti, and a steady starter. That doesn't sound like them, either. Thus, manager Stump Merrill will package kids around rehabbing first baseman Don Mattingly and 17-game Scott Sanderson from Oakland."
-Joe Goddard, Chicago Sun-Times (Street & Smith's 1991 Baseball)
"The New York Yankees' offense in 1990 was offensive. They were last in the league in scoring, doubles, triples, slugging, and on-base percentage and second in strikeouts. It was surprising, then, that the club's only winter moves were to extend the contract of Steve Sax, whose average had plunged 55 points, while signing free-agent pitchers Scott Sanderson and Steve Farr, re-signing pitcher Mike Witt, and letting ace reliever Dave Righetti escape to the National League as a free agent.
Is anybody minding the store? Meddlesome general partner George Steinbrenner was forced to resign under orders from commissioner Fay Vincent for consorting with a gambler. Robert 'Broadway Bobby' Nederlander took over, but he seems to be a wall decoration as new GM Gene Michael and vice-president George Bradley try to mend the worst Yankee team since the 1912 Highlanders. 'We didn't get this way overnight,' Bradley said of a 67-95 record under Bucky Dent and Stump Merrill.
Merrill will be next on the firing line if Don Mattingly doesn't regain the power that he lost from chronic back problems- he hasn't homered since May 20 [1990]- and the closing committee of right-hander Farr and the left-handed incumbent Lee Guetterman isn't the answer to Righetti. It would help if the outfield put the ball in play more often, too. Starters Hensley 'Bam Bam' Meulens, Roberto Kelly, and Jesse Barfield have the potential to become baseball's first 500-strikeout outfield.
With Mattingly crippled, opponents were able to bomb [sic] New York with right-handed pitchers. The Yankees were 39-68 against right-handed starters, compared with 28-27 against lefties. First baseman Mattingly went on a winter exercise program after .256 with five home runs and 42 RBIs in just 102 games. Other left-handed hitting hopes are Kevin Maas, who had 21 homers in 79 rookie games but only 41 RBIs (.252 average), platoon catcher Matt Nokes (.238, 8, 32) and reserve outfielder Mel Hall (.258, 12, 46). With Mattingly reclaiming first base, Maas will have to be a designated hitter at age 26.
If Mattingly and Sax (.260, 4, 42 and 43 steals) come around, the infield will be sound on the right side. The left side is another story. Alvaro Espinoza makes the routine plays at shortstop but can't hit (.224, 2, 20). The Yankees hope he'll respond to [returning] batting coach Frank Howard. Third base was a horror show last season. The players there were a combined .224 with 12 homers, 50 RBIs, and 31 errors. Mike Blowers (.188), who made four errors in one game, will vie with Randy Velarde (.210) and Jim Leyritz (.257), but Leyritz may be needed at almost all the other positions. Steve Balboni, who fanned 91 times in 116 games, is a pinch hitter and DH.
Meulens looks ready- at last- as the International League's Most Valuable Player after batting .285 with 26 homers and 96 RBIs (and 132 strikeouts) at Columbus. He's a converted third baseman, so left field could be an adventure. Kelly struck out 148 times but otherwise is fine offensively (.285, 15, 61, and 42 steals), plays a respectable center field, and was the only American Leaguer to play 162 games. Barfield led American League outfielders in assists (16) and although he hit only .246 with 150 whiffs, he still hits the long ball (25 HR, 78 RBI). Hall, Velarde and Leyritz are insurance.
Nokes went to the Instructional League to polish overdue defensive skills. Bob Geren is a fine receiver but doesn't hit much (.213, 8, 31). Leyritz can catch and Bobby Ramos is available.
Right-hander Tim Leary was the No. 1 starter, but he was en route to 20 losses when the Yankees stopped using him. He finished 9-19 with a 4.11 ERA and little support. Chuck Cary (6-12, 4.19) is a strikeout artist when he his screwball is working. Witt (5-9, 4.00) was re-signed and Scott Sanderson (17-11, 3.88) was added from Oakland. Dave Eiland gets a full-time look after an International League-best 16-5, 2.87. He was buoyed by the development of a sinker. A starting spot remains open for the rehabilitating Pascual Perez, Dave LaPoint, Andy Hawkins, or rookies Steve Adkins and dark horse Wade Taylor. Perez was 1-2, 1.29 when he went out with rotator-cuff surgery. He may not show up until midseason. LaPoint had a slow start after 1989 surgery but rallied to 7-10, 4.11. Hawkins followed a lost no-hitter with 11 shutout innings but was 5-12, 5.37. Adkins was 15-7 at Columbus but went to the Instructional League to work on his control. Taylor was a combined 12-8 with low ERAs at two minor-league stops. Kevin Mmahat was set back by a rotator procedure.
Free-agent Farr signed on from Kansas City (13-7, 1.98, one save) to help the bullpen. He'll team with Guetterman (11-7, 3.39, 2) with former A's Greg Cadaret (5-4, 4.15, 3) and Eric Plunk (6-3, 2.72) the set-up men. Alan Mills seemed ready, but he broke his hand in Venezuela during the winter."
-Joe Goddard, Chicago Sun-Times (Street & Smith's 1991 Baseball)
1991 NEW YORK YANKEES SPRING TRAINING DEPTH CHART
C Matt Nokes
1B Don Mattingly
2B Steve Sax
3B Mike Blowers
SS Alvaro Espinoza
LF Hensley Meulens
CF Roberto Kelly
RF Jesse Barfield
DH Kevin Maas (1B)
UTILITY
C Bob Geren
3B Jim Leyritz (C)
SS Randy Velarde (2B)
LF Mel Hall (RF)
CF Mike Humphreys
DH Steve Balboni (1B)
PITCHERS
Mike Witt
Scott Sanderson
Tim Leary
Chuck Cary
Andy Hawkins
Steve Adkins
RELIEF PITCHERS
Steve Farr
Lee Guetterman
Eric Plunk
Greg Cadaret
No comments:
Post a Comment