MEET THE YANKEES "A-TEAM"

With the New York Yankees signing of Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka their rotation became a lot better and deeper.  The 25-year-old right hander comes off a historic season in Japan that saw him go 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA and a microscopic 0.94 WHIP.  While those stats were generated against a league regarded to be of a Triple-A level, scouts universally agree that Tanaka has the “stuff” to be a star in MLB. 

For our Yankees, his addition was a priority this offseason.

Ironically, by adding Tanaka the team almost assures itself a starting five whose names all end with “A”.  The coincidence provides the group with a new moniker.

Without further ado, we give you the New York Yankees “A-Team”:

CC SabathiA – The Yankees “ace” had perhaps the worst season of his career in 2013.  He posted the highest ERA (4.78) and allowed the most earned runs (112) in the league.  He entered that campaign having lost weight and it appeared with that came a loss in velocity.

As fangraphs shows, Sabathia’s fastball lost, on average, over 1 mph in 2013.  The 91.3 mph average was the lowest of his career for that pitch.  As if to compensate, his use of the changeup and cutter pitches both increased in 2013 (again, shown by fangraphs).

Will that trend continue?

We don’t think so.  CC is a year removed from offseason elbow surgery in late 2012, and if recent reports and photos of the left-hander are any indication, Sabathia has aggressively worked on his physique.   Without losing weight (according to Sabathia), he has been on a weight training program that has made him stronger.  It is noticeable and should translate to a better performance on the mound.

Look for Sabathia to re-establish himself as one of the premiere pitchers in the American League.

Masahiro TanakA – The right-handed hurler comes to the Yankees with much fanfare.  As the most sought-after free agent this offseason, Tanaka has much to live up to in 2014.  Numerous teams made their pitch to him, but none matched the Yankees’ offer ($155 million over 7 years) and none could stand on the rich history and tradition that only the Bombers have.  Also helping with the decision was former World Series hero Hideki Matsui who joined Brian Cashman in his presentation.

So what does Tanaka bring to the table?

As Baseball America reports:

“He has three pitches that deserve 60 or better grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. There’s the fastball that reaches the mid-90s, a vanishing splitter and a slider that gives away from right-handed hitters.”

The Yankees made sure to do their homework on Tanaka before offering him a contract.  They had been watching him pitch since 2007 and used 11 different scouting evaluations in concluding that they needed him in pinstripes.  Those evaluations ran the gamut from his physical talents to his intensity to how he conducted himself on and off the field.  All were positive.

Even though he has yet to throw a pitch in MLB, Masahiro Tanaka will make a difference to the Yankees staff in 2014.  In addition to his high-ceiling potential, he shares the same goal as his teammates and Yankees’ fans - To win a World Championship.

Hiroki KurodA –Before a late season swoon, Hiroki Kuroda was being mentioned among CY Young

contenders for 2013.  As Sabathia struggled, Kuroda raised his game and through July 31^st was 10 – 6 with a 2.38 ERA.  He may have tired in August and September, but his value to the rotation was unequalled last season.

He has been a model of consistency for the Yankees; making 65 starts and pitching 221 innings over his two seasons with the club.  As a Yankee, he is 27 – 24 with a 3.31 ERA and a stellar 1.16 WHIP.  Where others struggled with control, Kuroda walked just 43 batters in his 32 starts. 

At home in Yankee Stadium, the right-hander had a 2.35 ERA and held opponents to a .216 batting average and only twice did he go less than five innings.

He has provided stability in a rotation characterized by its erratic performances.

By re-signing the 38-year-old, the team ensures a reliable anchor to hold on to during turbulent times over the course of a season, as well as gives them a leg up on opponents’ number three starters.

Ivan NovA – It has been a roller coaster ride for Ivan Nova over the past three seasons with the Yankees.  After exploding onto the scene as a full-time starter in 2011 (16 – 4 record and 3.70 ERA), Nova stumbled in 2012 finishing 12 – 8 with a 5.02 ERA.  That season he yielded 28 home runs and required a trip to the minor leagues.

2013 became a rebirth of the Yankees’ “Super Nova” as he went 9 – 6 with the lowest ERA (3.10) and WHIP (1.285) of his short career.  As if feeding off the success Kuroda experienced during the summer, in 10 starts from July 5^th to August 31^st Nova went 6 – 2 with an incredible 2.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. 

The young pitcher had finally found his groove, and by doing so ensured a spot in this year’s rotation.

If Nova continues to build off last season’s strong second half, he’ll give the Yankees one of the best front four pitchers in all of baseball.

His ceiling is high, and at age 27 is now entering his prime seasons.  Look for more consistency while Ivan Nova continues to establish himself as a vital cog in the Yankees rotation.

 Michael PinedA – While the first four of the Yankees’ starting five are all but etched in stone, the fifth spot is expected to go to the winner of a spring competition that will include Michael Pineda, David Phelps and Adam Warren.

All three have their pluses and minuses.  

Where Phelps has the most experience, and Warren has a strong end to 2013 to put on his resume, it is Pineda that holds the most promise.

Brought to the Bronx in a trade that saw prospect Jesus Montero go to Seattle in January of 2012, Pineda was slated to be part of the rotation coming out of spring training.  Those plans derailed when he suffered a torn labrum just prior to breaking camp.  The injury and subsequent rehab from surgery have meant two lost seasons for the acquisition.

While many lament the deal altogether, there is still hope where Pineda is concerned.

First, he is young.  His one full successful season with the Mariners was done as a 22-year-old.  That season he went 9 – 10 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.099 WHIP.  He struck out 173 and walked 55 in a little over 171 innings of work.

Now, at 25 and coming off two years of little work, he still has his prime seasons ahead of him.

Second, as reported on NJ.COM, the Yankees coaches and GM Brian Cashman are pleased with what they’ve seen in Pineda’s rehab.   They are in agreement that the young right-hander can contribute at the Major League level, and Cashman has indicated that Pineda would get the chance to prove himself.

We believe that he won’t disappoint.

The Yankees saw something special in Pineda when they decided to trade their top-rated prospect (Montero) for him.  Their patience with his recovery is only further indication that they’d love for him to be in the rotation when the team moves back into the Bronx.

So, there you have it; the 2014 version of the Yankees’ “A-Team”.  It is a nice blend of experience (Kuroda and Sabathia) and youth (Nova, Pineda, Tanaka).  Its strength lies in the depth of talent and promise for the future, and it represents a marked improvement over its predecessor.

There are plenty of reasons for Yankees fans to be excited about the upcoming season and at the top is our “A-Team”.

 
    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

 

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