The reason is the 2012 New York Yankees are on route to being last season’s identical twin, which wasn’t enough then and odds are it won’t be now.

With a little luck, mixed in with smarts GM Brian Cashman did find the pot of gold in 2011 but remember the Yankees did not make it past the ALDS. And it is hard to believe that almost the same team, a year later will be World Series bound.

The media will spread rumors that the Yankees are bigger ‘players’ in the market because it sells, but when has the Yankee brass been shy about expressing their interests. The simple fact it is that actions speak louder than words.

So, when Cashman told Dan Patrick that the team’s offseason priority was pitching back on November 4th it gave the notion that the Yankees would be perusing one of the top free agent arms, like Rangers CJ Wilson.

That is till I realize that this time last year Cashman had already made multiple trips to Arkansas and everyone knew it was to convince Cliff Lee to come to New York.

All that Cashman has said about Wilson is:

“I don’t think it’s a stretch to tell anyone he’s the most attractive candidate.”

So, there will be no Lee type bidding wars to lose, as the Yankee brass clearly stated that the team’s biggest move was to lock-up CC Sabathia, and that is exactly what Cashman did.

That means no surprise Christmas gifts named Reyes, Pujols or Fielder. So, Yankee fans should try not to get their hopes up because unless ‘the Boss’ gets reincarnated, Pujols will not be in pinstripes because the team does already have one of the best first baseman in Mark Teixeira.(...)
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Post tags: Brian Cashman, CC Sabathia, ESPN, Mark Teixeira, New York Yankee, Yankee

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“The Yankees made two big moves this offseason. Keeping CC, and I expect to be who I have been in the past.”

Image via Wikipediapast.”

That was the first quote New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez offered up to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman in an exclusive interview from this past Sunday’s paper.

A-rod told Sherman how last year was the worst in his career and how humiliated he was of letting down the Yankees fans, as well as his own teammates.

Sherman reported that A-rod has started his off-season workout three weeks early, focusing on “functional movement” like he did back in his heydays of 2007-2008.

The article goes on to question if A-rod has become delusional about his own mortality, using age, his steroid omission and Derek Jeter to back up his reasoning.

Sherman is not far-fetched in doubting A-rod, but he never counter argued the other side of the argument; so I will and it starts and ends with the name Lance Berkman.

THE BIG PUMA:

If Berkman, aka Big Puma could come back in 2011, there is absolutely no reason that A-rod cannot do the same in 2012.

Berkman was a 35-year-old veteran and a Houston Astros lifer, who was without question a player on the decline after 2010.

The main reason is as the 2010 season progressed things continued to get worse for Berkman. His baseball demise really came to light after the Astros traded him mid-season to the Yankees, as Berkman could not produce at all as the team’s DH after hitting 29+ home-runs, and over 102 RBIs in the three seasons prior.

Essentially, the Yankees paid Berkman around $4 million for nine RBIs, one home-run, 13 walks and 15 strikeouts in 106 at-bats as a second-half rental. It was frivolous spending for a veteran who had come into the season after having knee surgery.(...)
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Post tags: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Houston Astros, Joel Sherman, Lance Berkman, New York Yankee, Run batted in, Yankee

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The only sure thing is the one team will be crowned the champs, while the other will join the long list of World Series meltdowns.

Before getting to my prediction, read my posts about the good, the bad and the ugly about both the RANGERS and the CARDINALS. (Click on team name to read previews.) Click HERE for TV schedule for all World Series games.

So, who do think has the upper hand in this battle royal?

MY 2011 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION:

On paper the Rangers have a slight edge over the Cardinals, but neither team has an overwhelming advantage over the other.

Both teams have gotten sub-par performances in the postseason thus far from their starting pitchers, so look for the team whose rotation steps it up to play a big part of the series.

Looking at the regular season numbers, the Rangers have better starting rotation, but not as much vs. the Cardinals. See, the strength of the Cardinals hitters is the long-ball and the Rangers starters have given up 16 of the team’s 20 home-runs this postseason, with six off Rangers ace CJ Wilson. Wilson only gave up 16 homers in the regular season, so they need a big start from him in Game 1.

The Cardinals fate hangs on the Game 1 performance of ace Chris Carpenter, who is now suffering from elbow soreness but says he is good to go, but what else is he going to say.

Since Game 1 is in St. Louis, it gives the Cardinals home field advantage to start this World Series. The Cardinals are slightly better defensively than Texas, and have a better bench.

While the Rangers have the edge in their starting rotation, as they feature three lefties, which could make it tougher for the Cardinals righty dominate bats to get going. This is pending on at least two of the three lefties kicking it up a notch.(...)
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Post tags: 2011 World Series, Cardinals, Chris Carpenter, Ranger, St Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Missouri, Texas, Texas Rangers, World Series

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Image via Wikipedia

The 2011 World Series kicks off on Wednesday night, with the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the Texas Rangers to start this best of seven series.

Which team has the advantage?

I have watched both teams throughout this postseason and they match up well. So instead of going stat crazy, below are my cut and dry observations of the St. Louis Cardinals.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS:

The Good:

There is no denying that something special is going on in St. Louis. Remember the Cardinals were not supposed to be here. Actually the Cardinals were not supposed to make the post season, beat the Phillies or the Brewers either but this team continually defies the odds. Regardless that the Cardinals have the best player on earth, Albert Pujols, it is a total team effort in St. Louis and this team is hot. And when a team continually believes in themselves when no one else does, that is a team that will be hard to beat.

Also, the over-managing by skipper Tony La Russa has worked on all cylinders this post season. The sometimes-irritating La Russa is now baseball’s Einstein. The mixing and matching of his bullpen, after not one St. Louis starter in the ALCS pitched five innings, was beyond impressive. Not to mention his unconventional genius of carrying eight relievers just to make sure St. Louis didn’t get blown out by the bats of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. La Russa has been this team’s MVP this post season.

The Bad:

Thus far, the Cardinals starting pitching has gotten away with doing the bare minimum this post season because the bullpen has saved their behinds, and quite well. Still, the bullpen cannot be the Cardinals crutch, which means the starters have to contribute at least five innings because the relievers could easily run out of steam. This could be the difference maker as the Rangers hard-hitting bats can easily knock out any starter. Also, the Cardinals had a regular season record of 65-42 when a starting pitcher threw six or more innings.(...)
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Post tags: 2011 World Series, Albert Pujols, Milwaukee Brewers, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, St Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Tony LaRussa, World Series

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