Not used to being out of the playoff limelight for very long, the New York Yankees are riding their first two-year streak without a playoff appearance since Bill Clinton replaced George H.W. Bush in office (1992-93).
Coming off a 2nd place finish in the AL East in 2014 (84-78), the Yankees are banking on a wave of good health for a starting rotation that was held together with paperclips and chewing gum due to injuries last season. Can they make it happen in the first year without Derek Jeter in their midst? Find out in our New York Yankees 2015 Season Preview & Predictions.
Projected Starting Lineup
OF Brett Gardner
OF Jacoby Ellsbury
OF Carlos Beltran
C Brian McCann
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Chase Headley
DH Garrett Jones
2B Stephen Drew
SS Didi Gregorius
Analysis: Every projected regular above (not counting possible platoon partners) hit at least 10 home runs in 2014, meaning that there's plenty of power potential up and down the lineup to take advantage of the short porches near both foul poles at Yankee Stadium. However, there's also a ton of questions to be answered when it comes to consistency and health. How's Carlos Beltran's elbow? Will Stephen Drew relearn how to hit? Can Brian McCann make up a major dropoff in batting average/on-base percentage in 2014 compared to his career averages, solidifying himself as the team's middle of the order threat? Is the paint dry on the team's new middle infield? Will Alex Rodriguez have any impact whatsoever off the bench? There's a lot to be answered, but there's enough room for optimism to calm the nerves for now.
Projected Starting Rotation
1. CC Sabathia
2. Masahiro Tanaka
3. Michael Pineda
4. Nathan Eovaldi
5. Chris Capuano
Analysis: Speaking of questions, the Yankees' starting rotation brings plenty to the forefront to start 2015. New York's projected top three of Sabathia, Tanaka, and Pineda (in some order) combined for just 41 starts and 350 innings pitched in 2014. That averages out to just under 14 starts and 117 frames thrown for the threesome expected to shoulder the load for the six-month grind ahead. If the trio can stay out of the doctor's office and combine for 85-90 starts in the neighborhood of 600 innings or so, the Yankees' playoff hopes will get a major boost.
Of course there's always the trading block...
Projected Bullpen
Closer: Dellin Betances
Setup: David Carpenter
Setup: Andrew Miller
Relief: Adam Warren
Relief: Justin Wilson
Relief: David Huff
Relief: Bryan Mitchell
Analysis: Losing David Robertson to the Chicago White Sox in free agency doesn't hurt as much as it could have after the signings of lefty Andrew Miller and righty David Carpenter. In fact, the three-headed monster of Miller, Carpenter, and soon-to-be star Dellin Betances is talented enough to rival the AL champion Royals' much-ballyhooed 7-8-9 combo of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland. That was the plan all along for GM Brian Cashman, and his work this offseason could be enough to add 3-4 wins to the team's ledger in 2015.
Final Prediction
This is the year that many critics have circled as the year for New York's 22-year winning record streak to be snapped. Don't believe the hype. The Yankees are in a transitional phase, but they're still just a dash of good luck and a bounce-back performance or two away from increasing their win total into the 88-90 range. New York has been outscored in each of the past two seasons, and has still averaged 84.5 wins over that span. Imagine what this team might do with a relatively healthy cast of characters...