Brian McCann hit his first Spring Training HR. As has been noted by pundits everywhere, Yankee catchers last year combined to hit a grand total of EIGHT! What's the over/ under on games til McCann has more than that? Factoring in Left Field and his protection from Beltran, Teixeira, and Soriano, I give it til June 17th or 73 games for his 9th HR. With Ellsbury getting on base in front of him, there is going to be a substantial increase in runs for the Yankees this year.
It feels good to finally be optimistic and not worry about hoping for comeback years. All three free agent batters had good years. We only expect continued production. As for Tanaka, I think he will adjust after the first month.
Do the Yanks still have holes? Absolutely. But name one team that doesn't! Name one team that is impenetrable from top to bottom. Even the teams with solid pitching like the Braves are still trying to build their lineup. And while the NL will have more interleague play, the Yankees will be competing with AL teams for the most part. In the East in particular, the Orioles are putting different pieces in to find the right formula. Some of their moves are respectable, but hardly formidable. And the Red Sox will have a near complete group returning from last year. But the onus is on them to prove that it wasn't a magical run. Will they continue their health? Will other teams adjust to their gameplans? Let the Sox fans worry about. For the next few weeks, all Yankee fans can unitedly agree, McCann was better than anything Girardi trotted out behind the plate for the last three years.
Before I close it out, just think of this: with Brett Gardner's signing, the Yanks will have the same outfield for at least the next three years, barring a trade or serious injury. Ponder that!
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