Catcher Jorge Posada: Yet another productive season from one of the most under-valued catchers in baseball. So what if he pee's on his hands? B
1st Basemen Jason Giambi*: This guy just continues to amaze. Everybody on the entire planet counted this guy out after steroids were officially tested for in 2004, and somehow he's not only passed all his drug tests, he's still hitting 35 home runs a season and walking 100 times. His batting average is pretty low, but he's had plenty of big hits this year and had 17 RBI in 53 at-bats against the Bosawx. He'll never be what he was in 2000 but he's still a big part of this lineup. B-
2nd Basemen Robinson Cano: This guy is going to be a name to remember in New York for years to come. #3 in the batting race right now, plenty of power for a middle infielder (40 doubles and 15 homers despite missing over a month) and is able to make some acrobatic throws on the field. One thing he needs to work on going into next year is drawing more walks. If he can do that, the sky is the limit. B+
Shortstop Derek Jeter: His offense may not be what it was in 1999, his defense may not be what it was in 2004, and his stolen base % may not be what it was in 2002; but with all that said Derek Jeter may have just had his finest season. In a year where the Yankees lose TWO 30 home-run outfielders Jeter was able to step up and keep the Yankees in contention. Say what you want about him not even being the best shortstop on his own team, there's still a reason why Jeter has 4 world series rings and Miguel Tejada/Michael Young/Alex Rodriguez have zero. A
3rd Basemen Alex Rodriguez: By the way the media (and Bachaveli) have been talking this season, you'd think Alex was hitting .200 with 10 home runs. Well, his defense may have been the equivilant of that horrible (.939 fielding %), but he's still hit 35 home runs and drove in 121 RBI in his "worst" season of the decade. Bitch all you want, but A-rod > you. C+
Left Fielder Melky Cabrera: What an impressive rookie campaign by Melky. He's further proof that reports of the Yankees farm system being dry were over-exagerated. Remember when he robbed Manny of a home run? B-, can't ask any more from a rook.
Center Fielder Johnny Damon: The biggest aquisition of the entire off-season. Why? We took away the Red Sox leadoff hitter AND gave ourselves a leadoff hitter. He set a new career high in home runs (24) in his first year in pinstripes and completely smacked the shit out of the Sawx (22/68 with 4 home runs and 13 RBI). Coco Crisp will never fill his shoes. B+
Right Fielder Bobby Abreu: Played a huge role in the Boston Massacre and helped solidify the Yankees as THE offense of the century. Hard to judge a guy on 50-some odd games as a Yankee, but for that time I'll give him a B.
Bench:
Bernie Williams: Plenty of big hits, got alot of playing time to fill in for Matsui/Sheff. Gotta hand it to him. As a starter he would recieve a C, but because he's been viewed as a replacement I'll give him a solid B.
Gary Sheffield: N/A
Hedeki Matsui: N/A
Andy Phillips: N/A
Miguel Cairo: This guy could be starting on most national league teams. Still, N/A
Pitcher Mike Mussina: Started off hot and cooled off during the summer while battling injuries. Still, he had a pretty productive year. Almost hit 200 innings (197.1), 14 wins (with only 7 loses), definetly improved his BB/IP ratio and almost lowered his ERA an entire run from last year. B-
Pitcher Chein Ming Wang: He had less strike outs than several RELIEF pitchers around baseball, despite pitching in 218 innings. How does this man manage to win 19 games and turn himself into the teams ace in his sophmore season? However the hell he did it, he went beyond and above any expectations I had for him. Definetly a dark horse in the Cy Young discussion. B+
Pitcher Randy Johnson: Well, he was 17-11, which is a record you can't complain about. However, his ERA is 5.00, his ability to strike out batters at a world-record pace is long gone and I can recall several games where even the leagues crappiest hitters took him out to school. With all that said, I don't think any team can be disapointed when their third best starter wins 17 games. C+
Pitcher Jaret Wright: Jaret "the master of 5 innings" Wright has been nowhere near worthy of his contract since coming to NY. I expect him to implode in the playoffs, he just drains out our bullpen. D+
Pitcher Carl Pavano: Fuck you. F-
Relief Scott Proctor: Torre may have over-used him at certain points this season, but Proctor has been pretty solid as far as setup men go. I trust him the most of anyone in the Yankees pen not wearing Jackie Robinson's jersey #. B-
Relief Kyle Farnsworth: I certainly hope this is not the best Farnsworth will be as a Yankee. I knew he wouldn't adjust to the AL East that quickly and its hard to fill in Tom Gordons shoes (unless its the playoffs), but I was overall disapointed in Farnsworth this year. He did an ok job filling in for Mo when he was injured, but I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with him as a full-time closer. C-
Relief Ron Villone: This guy sucks. Nuff said. D-
Relief Mike Myers: Other than for pitching to David Ortiz, is there a reason we signed him again? Hard to judge a guy who threw 30.2 innings in over 60 appearances, but I've got no complaints from what I can judge. C+
Closer Mariano Rivera: The only knock I have on Mo is that he wasn't AS good as last year. A-
Joe Torre: Were the Yankees really contemplating firing this man? A-
1st Basemen Jason Giambi*: This guy just continues to amaze. Everybody on the entire planet counted this guy out after steroids were officially tested for in 2004, and somehow he's not only passed all his drug tests, he's still hitting 35 home runs a season and walking 100 times. His batting average is pretty low, but he's had plenty of big hits this year and had 17 RBI in 53 at-bats against the Bosawx. He'll never be what he was in 2000 but he's still a big part of this lineup. B-
2nd Basemen Robinson Cano: This guy is going to be a name to remember in New York for years to come. #3 in the batting race right now, plenty of power for a middle infielder (40 doubles and 15 homers despite missing over a month) and is able to make some acrobatic throws on the field. One thing he needs to work on going into next year is drawing more walks. If he can do that, the sky is the limit. B+
Shortstop Derek Jeter: His offense may not be what it was in 1999, his defense may not be what it was in 2004, and his stolen base % may not be what it was in 2002; but with all that said Derek Jeter may have just had his finest season. In a year where the Yankees lose TWO 30 home-run outfielders Jeter was able to step up and keep the Yankees in contention. Say what you want about him not even being the best shortstop on his own team, there's still a reason why Jeter has 4 world series rings and Miguel Tejada/Michael Young/Alex Rodriguez have zero. A
3rd Basemen Alex Rodriguez: By the way the media (and Bachaveli) have been talking this season, you'd think Alex was hitting .200 with 10 home runs. Well, his defense may have been the equivilant of that horrible (.939 fielding %), but he's still hit 35 home runs and drove in 121 RBI in his "worst" season of the decade. Bitch all you want, but A-rod > you. C+
Left Fielder Melky Cabrera: What an impressive rookie campaign by Melky. He's further proof that reports of the Yankees farm system being dry were over-exagerated. Remember when he robbed Manny of a home run? B-, can't ask any more from a rook.
Center Fielder Johnny Damon: The biggest aquisition of the entire off-season. Why? We took away the Red Sox leadoff hitter AND gave ourselves a leadoff hitter. He set a new career high in home runs (24) in his first year in pinstripes and completely smacked the shit out of the Sawx (22/68 with 4 home runs and 13 RBI). Coco Crisp will never fill his shoes. B+
Right Fielder Bobby Abreu: Played a huge role in the Boston Massacre and helped solidify the Yankees as THE offense of the century. Hard to judge a guy on 50-some odd games as a Yankee, but for that time I'll give him a B.
Bench:
Bernie Williams: Plenty of big hits, got alot of playing time to fill in for Matsui/Sheff. Gotta hand it to him. As a starter he would recieve a C, but because he's been viewed as a replacement I'll give him a solid B.
Gary Sheffield: N/A
Hedeki Matsui: N/A
Andy Phillips: N/A
Miguel Cairo: This guy could be starting on most national league teams. Still, N/A
Pitcher Mike Mussina: Started off hot and cooled off during the summer while battling injuries. Still, he had a pretty productive year. Almost hit 200 innings (197.1), 14 wins (with only 7 loses), definetly improved his BB/IP ratio and almost lowered his ERA an entire run from last year. B-
Pitcher Chein Ming Wang: He had less strike outs than several RELIEF pitchers around baseball, despite pitching in 218 innings. How does this man manage to win 19 games and turn himself into the teams ace in his sophmore season? However the hell he did it, he went beyond and above any expectations I had for him. Definetly a dark horse in the Cy Young discussion. B+
Pitcher Randy Johnson: Well, he was 17-11, which is a record you can't complain about. However, his ERA is 5.00, his ability to strike out batters at a world-record pace is long gone and I can recall several games where even the leagues crappiest hitters took him out to school. With all that said, I don't think any team can be disapointed when their third best starter wins 17 games. C+
Pitcher Jaret Wright: Jaret "the master of 5 innings" Wright has been nowhere near worthy of his contract since coming to NY. I expect him to implode in the playoffs, he just drains out our bullpen. D+
Pitcher Carl Pavano: Fuck you. F-
Relief Scott Proctor: Torre may have over-used him at certain points this season, but Proctor has been pretty solid as far as setup men go. I trust him the most of anyone in the Yankees pen not wearing Jackie Robinson's jersey #. B-
Relief Kyle Farnsworth: I certainly hope this is not the best Farnsworth will be as a Yankee. I knew he wouldn't adjust to the AL East that quickly and its hard to fill in Tom Gordons shoes (unless its the playoffs), but I was overall disapointed in Farnsworth this year. He did an ok job filling in for Mo when he was injured, but I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with him as a full-time closer. C-
Relief Ron Villone: This guy sucks. Nuff said. D-
Relief Mike Myers: Other than for pitching to David Ortiz, is there a reason we signed him again? Hard to judge a guy who threw 30.2 innings in over 60 appearances, but I've got no complaints from what I can judge. C+
Closer Mariano Rivera: The only knock I have on Mo is that he wasn't AS good as last year. A-
Joe Torre: Were the Yankees really contemplating firing this man? A-
