Not a slam on the Yankees...

[Pavelb1]

...but do they realize how woeful they project to be offensively next year? They got Sabathia, Burnett....still talking about Sheets and Lowe.

And yet I'm looking at Arod, 5-6 OPSers of 100-110 (if lucky) and a season of Gardner and *Betemit-like players in the other positions.

*I know, he was traded.

[Slingshot]

For once, the Yankees have to rely on their pitching and not their hitting.

[Alloutwar]

Maybe they are learning? they've shelled out coin and talent to get sluggers for years (Matsui, Giambi, Abreu, Sheffield, Nady, A-Rod) and despite slugging their way to the playoffs, pitching was a second-tier priority (Pettite, Mussina, etc - though impressive, are not the most elite). They fit their rotation with good #2 and #3 guys - Clemens, Johnson- and tried some other solutions for #4 guys - Pavano, Kevin Brown.

It looks like they are realizing that pitching gets you farther, which is good for them. But in the case of their lineup...it is missing some thunder. Even with a stellar rotation, an OK offense and OK bullpen might drag them out of contention.

[dickay]

The yanks will be fine offensively IMHO.

C: Posada still ranks amongst the top 5 offensive catchers in the game, probably the top 2 or 3. Have to assume the injury won't recur or linger.

1B: Swisher is OK...though I think they will find another. Defense will be the priority here.

2B: Cano is amongst the top 3-5 offensive 2B in the game. He did struggle last season, but to be fair you have to look at his prior 3-4 years.

SS: Jeter...nuff said.

3B: Best hitter in the game.

LF: Matsui/Damon...both above average.

CF: Looks like Cameron will be a done deal sooner rather than later.

RF: Nady is a good hitting OF'er, not spectacular but solid.

DH: Matsui/Damon/Gardner/Etc...they will add another bat.

Anyhow......maybe not the most prolific offence in the game but when your C, 2B, SS, and 3B are in the top 5 offensively in the league at their respective positions...it isn't all that bad, in fact their offense should still be amongst the best in the league. The problem with the yanks last year was their offense underperforming. I venture a guess these guys will hit mroe like their usual form this year.

[bucher34]

The yanks will be fine offensively IMHO.

C: Posada still ranks amongst the top 5 offensive catchers in the game, probably the top 2 or 3. Have to assume the injury won't recur or linger.

1B: Swisher is OK...though I think they will find another. Defense will be the priority here.

2B: Cano is amongst the top 3-5 offensive 2B in the game. He did struggle last season, but to be fair you have to look at his prior 3-4 years.

SS: Jeter...nuff said.

3B: Best hitter in the game.

LF: Matsui/Damon...both above average.

CF: Looks like Cameron will be a done deal sooner rather than later.

RF: Nady is a good hitting OF'er, not spectacular but solid.

DH: Matsui/Damon/Gardner/Etc...they will add another bat.

Anyhow......maybe not the most prolific offence in the game but when your C, 2B, SS, and 3B are in the top 5 offensively in the league at their respective positions...it isn't all that bad, in fact their offense should still be amongst the best in the league. The problem with the yanks last year was their offense underperforming. I venture a guess these guys will hit mroe like their usual form this year.

I wouldn't consider Posada top 5 offensively, rarely is. He just had that great season a couple years ago. He's not up there with guys like McCann, Martin, Soto, just to name a few.

[bucher34]

But still, besides his position, their offense is similar to other good teams in the league and with the pitching that they now have (if it produces as expected), they will be a team to reckon with.

[dickay]

I wouldn't consider Posada top 5 offensively, rarely is. He just had that great season a couple years ago. He's not up there with guys like McCann, Martin, Soto, just to name a few.

Say what?????!!!!!!?????

You obviously aren't aware of how many poor offensive catchers there are throughout the league. As you quoted, I said top 5 and Posada is most certainly top 5....and historically is definetly on par with the three you linked, which are of the few decent offensive catchers in all of baseball.

Research the catchers in the game.....i think it'll surprise you.

[bucher34]

He may HAVE BEEN top 5 in the AL, but I don't see his health holding out much longer as missed 3 quarters of the season last year.

[Arctic Blast]

Look back at those late 90's teams that won titles for New York...good pitching, but not exactly an awe-inspiring batting order overall. They made sure their pitching and bench were good.

[bucher34]

of the few decent offensive catchers in all of baseball.

Decent? Those guys are great offensive catchers, I don't know how you can get much better AND they are all young, whereas Posada is nearing 40.

[RedsoxRockies]

It is not an awful lineup, I mean it won't inspire much fear, but A-Rod and Swisher have good power, and really, like Arctic said, it looks more like the Yanks of the 90's. Heres to hoping Sabathia becomes the new Irabu.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

I have to agree with bucher on the topic of catchers. Posada isn't a top-offensive catcher anymore, if he ever was. McCann, Martin, Soto, Mauer, Pierzynski are all guys I can name off the top of my head that are definitely better than Posada, and I'm sure if I actually looked into it more I could find 2 or 3 more. Posada's age isn't ignorable either. Not many catcher's stay anywhere close to productive when they get to be the age Posada is at. He's going to be on the decline this season, it's just a matter of if it's a Varitek-esque falloff or not.

[HoustonGM]

McCann, Martin, Soto, Mauer, Pierzynski are all guys I can name off the top of my head that are definitely better than Posada, and I'm sure if I actually looked into it more I could find 2 or 3 more.

Pierzynski? No. Never has been. Never will be.

This really depends on how Posada ages and how he's recovered from his injury, but Posada, over the past few years (AND for his entire career) has undoubtedly been a top-5 offensive catcher.

Over the last 4 seasons, here are the top catchers sorted by OPS+, minimum of 500 plate appearances (yes, this is so Geovany Soto is included).

1) Joe Mauer 128
2) Jorge Posada 127
3) Brian McCann 122
4) Victor Martinez 121
4) Mike Napoli 121
4) Geovany Soto 121
7) Ryan Doumit 109
8) Russell Martin 108
8) Mike Piazza 108
10) Javy Lopez 107

Posada's career OPS+ is 124. All-time for players that have played 75% of their games behind the plate, that ranks tied for 8th with Roy Campanella (behind Mike Piazza, Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, Johnny Bench, Gabby Hartnett, Yogi Berra, and Ernie Lombardi).

Posada is arguably a top-10 all-time OFFENSIVE catcher. He's easily top 5 among active players. In terms of going forward, maybe not. I'd put Mauer, Soto, Martin, Martinez, McCann, Doumit, and Napoli above him, because of the injury and his age, but he certainly has the potential to be a top 5 offensive catcher this year.

[dickay]

Decent? Those guys are great offensive catchers, I don't know how you can get much better AND they are all young, whereas Posada is nearing 40.

Yes, they are great offensive 'catchers'. I said they are decent offensively in respect to the great offensive players at other positions throughout the league. At their respective position, they are great as is Posada. Too many look at a catchers numbers and relate them with offense of others at other positions and don't realize how poor catchers in general hit in comparison to those other positions.

Jorge had one season in which he got hurt and suddenly you guys want to throw out the 10 or so consecutive seasons in which he was amongst the top offensive catchers at his position.

I have to agree with bucher on the topic of catchers. Posada isn't a top-offensive catcher anymore, if he ever was.

This is amazing to me.

[bucher34]

Too many look at a catchers numbers and relate them with offense of others at other positions and don't realize how poor catchers in general hit in comparison to those other positions.

Jorge had one season in which he got hurt and suddenly you guys want to throw out the 10 or so consecutive seasons in which he was amongst the top offensive catchers at his position.

I'm not comparing them to other positions, I'm comparing them to Posada.

Are they not doing the same with Ortiz of Boston after this past season?