Giambi is the key

[Green Jets & Ham]

If the second half of last season {post season included} was not an abberation, but an indication that Jason Giambi has indeed regained his Groove, that would allow Joe Torre to draw-up a lineup that would be an opposing managers worst nightmare

It would make it IMPOSSIBLE for opposing managers to use their bullpen effectively verses the Yankees in terms of righty/lefty matchups

Again, at first glance it would appear nuts to bat Gary Sheffield 6th, but Giambi was actually our BEST HITTER for most of the second half and into the post season, so if that is NOT an abberation this lineup is not nearly as crazy as it seems ... and the upside of breaking up the lefties and righties from 1 thru 9 would be enormous ... that makes it worth it

lastly, I have Cano hitting ahead of Posada and Williams for one simple reason ... he may be young, but he's a better hitter in my view ... and he only figures to keep getting better

CF Johnny Damon {L}

SS Derek Jeter {R}

LF Hideki Matsui {L}

3B Alex Rodriguez {R}

1B Jason Giambi {L}

RF Gary Sheffield {R}

2B Robby Cano {L}

C Jorge Posada {S}

DH Bernie Williams {S}

If we deploy this lineup, the opposing manager can only call on a lefty or a righty to have the matchup advantage for ONE HITTER ... no matter where or when he calls on the pen ... ONE HITTER, then he's at the disadvantage ... either that, or the opposing manager can deplete his pen at warpped speed ... pick your poison

[MasonJet]

That is one sick lineup.

[Bob]

Pitching is the key. Pitchers stay off the DL, the Yanks cruise.

[GimmeShelter]

Pitching is the key. Pitchers stay off the DL, the Yanks cruise.

Good call Bob. The Yanks added one bat to a already All-Star filled line-up.

This allows them to murder the weak teams of the AL.

The key though will remain in the Pavano's , Wrights, Mussina's staying healthy, Chacon being as good as he showed last season along with the new bullpen guys handling NY.

If I am the Yanks, I look to add a "sure thing" to the starting staff. While they have the names to be brilliant, there are too many injury/age concerns.

Mets staff has the same problems.

[mbn007]

Good call Bob. The Yanks added one bat to a already All-Star filled line-up.

This allows them to murder the weak teams of the AL.

The key though will remain in the Pavano's , Wrights, Mussina's staying healthy, Chacon being as good as he showed last season along with the new bullpen guys handling NY.

If I am the Yanks, I look to add a "sure thing" to the starting staff. While they have the names to be brilliant, there are too many injury/age concerns.

Mets staff has the same problems.

The problem is that there is no such thing as a "sure thing" when dealing with pitching. If Randy could not handle it, and Clemens needed time also, no pitcher is a sure thing these days.

Last year, would you have believed me if I told you Shaun Chacon was a sure thing? He was as close as could be, looking back.

[Matt39]

Good call Bob. The Yanks added one bat to a already All-Star filled line-up.

This allows them to murder the weak teams of the AL.

The key though will remain in the Pavano's , Wrights, Mussina's staying healthy, Chacon being as good as he showed last season along with the new bullpen guys handling NY.

If I am the Yanks, I look to add a "sure thing" to the starting staff. While they have the names to be brilliant, there are too many injury/age concerns.

Mets staff has the same problems.

Agreed for the most part. However, the Yanks didnt lose in the playoffs last year because of their pitching. They couldnt get a clutch hit to save their lives. Damon completely changes the lineup.

[mbn007]

GJ&H;

Good thread. If Giambi is the Giambi of the last 4 months of 2005, the Ynakees have the best lineup in Baseball. No questions asked!!

Personally, I bat Giambi 3rd, followed by A-Rod, Matsui, Sheff. But I am waffling here, and have changed my mind several times the past few days. I believe though, that there is no way to mess this up. After Damon and Jeter, put those 4 guys together, in whatever sequence. Keep Cano, Posada, and the Bernie/Phillips combo in the bottom third.

Devastation!!

[Barton]

The Yankees are making a big mistake if they have Sheffield playing 140+ games in right field.

ERIC BYRNES - Was nontendered by the Orioles.

Pick him up. Put him in right field, make Sheffield the full-time DH. Or at least limit Sheffield to 50 games in right field.

Byrnes is an all out hustler, who is a good defensive player. He brings alot of energy.

Byrnes also had a good season in 04' with 20home runs. A .283 batting average. 17 stolen bases. 91 runs scored and a .347 OBP.

Byrnes + Sheffield > Williams + Sheffield

[Green Jets & Ham]

Byrnes + Sheffield > Williams + Sheffield

I wouldn't mind adding Byrnes to replace Crosby as a part-time OF verses lefties, but I would only start him verses lefties cause he's a brutal hitter verses righties, but a much better hitter verses lefties

VS LEFTIES

==========

CF Johnny Damon {L}

SS Derek Jeter {R}

LF Hideki Matsui {L}

3B Alex Rodriguez {R}

1B Jason Giambi {L}

DH Gary Sheffield {R}

C Jorge Posada {S}

2B Robby Cano {L}

RF Eric Byrnes {R}

Or sometimes you can give Giambi a blow, start Phillips at 1B, DH Giambi, bench Byrnes, and start Shef in RF

Or if you want to give Shef or Giambi a complete day off, Just DH Bernie that day

There's no doubt about it, EB, Byrnes would give us a ton of options ... he'd be a valuable role player who allows the older vets to stay fresh for 162 ... and I absolutely view Byrnes as an upgrade over Crosby for that role

VS RIGHTIES

===========

CF Johnny Damon {L}

SS Derek Jeter {R}

LF Hideki Matsui {L}

3B Alex Rodriguez {R}

1B Jason Giambi {L}

RF Gary Sheffield {R}

2B Robby Cano {L}

C Jorge Posada {S}

DH Bernie Williams {S}

[Barton]

Only 1 problem, ham.

Bernie sucks vs right handed pitching (as a lefthanded hitter).

Bern, IMO, can still be valuable if we only let him bat from the right side. Thats his best side.

But I still like your plan, and I'd love for the Yankees to sign Byrnes. Didnt the Yankees try and trade for him sometime over these past few years?

[Maxman]

Ham...there is no way Matsui is batting 3rd. I hear you about the lefty righty thing (breaking them up in the order).

But you put your best hitter 3rd. There are several hitters better than Matsui on this team.

[mbn007]

Ham...there is no way Matsui is batting 3rd. I hear you about the lefty righty thing (breaking them up in the order).

But you put your best hitter 3rd. There are several hitters better than Matsui on this team.

Agree. It'll be A-Rod or Giambi..

But what about Sheff batting 3rd, followed by Giambi, A-Rod and Matsui? I know it is a slap at A-Rod to put him 5th, but I really like Giambi ahead of A-Rod, and since Damon and Jeter have speed, and will be on base a lot, I like Sheff up at that point.

Should be interesting to see what works best.

[Jet/BosoxFan]

Pitching is the key. Pitchers stay off the DL, the Yanks cruise.

Thanks for the stellar insight. Who woulda thought that pitching was such a big deal???

Screw pitching...the Yanks need more offense!

BTW Ham, in what baseball vernacular is jucing up euphamistically called "regaining a groove"

if thats the case...here is hoping Mike Lowell can "regain his groove too"

The way I see it...MLB does too much "regaining your groove" testing. Like the crowd said in the Bad News Bears:

Let them play! Let them play! Let them play!

[Maxman]

I think the key to this season is being, "Loosey Goosey". The Yankees historically have very little loosy goosieness about them because of their high payroll.

They need to be loosey and goosey. The wins will follow.

NOTE: If you have never had the misfortune of listening to Mad Dog on WFAN this will make no sense to you!

[mbn007]

I think the key to this season is being, "Loosey Goosey". The Yankees historically have very little loosy goosieness about them because of their high payroll.

They need to be loosey and goosey. The wins will follow.

NOTE: If you have never had the misfortune of listening to Mad Dog on WFAN this will make no sense to you!

Nyuk! Nuyk!

[Jet/BosoxFan]

oh by the way, you spelled his name wrong:

it is spelled Giambi*

[mbn007]

oh by the way, you spelled his name wrong:

it is spelled Giambi*

Make sure you start learn ing how to spell............... 3rd place. :wink:

[Jet/BosoxFan]

Make sure you start learn ing how to spell............... 3rd place. :wink:

the 3rd place? Is that where your wife wants me to give it to her from now on?

[shawn306]

3rd place ? You give the Sox too much credit.

[mbn007]

the 3rd place? Is that where your wife wants me to give it to her from now on?

You only can wish that you ever get anyone even close to what my wife is like. To say she is way out of your league is an understatement.

[mbn007]

3rd place ? You give the Sox too much credit.

I am still not impressed with the Birds pitching staff, now minus BJ Ryan. The Rays have the lineup to compete with the BoSox, but not the pitching staff either.

But if some of the young kids get it together, the Bosox could slip to 4th.

[Thor99]

Giambi* is the key?

He's only one of 8 starters making over 10 million a year. If any of the other 7 are worth their money, you'd think they could pick up the slack.

Yeah, god forbid Giambi's* 'condition' returns.