The New York Yankees Preview in 2016
Here is the starting lineup I believe would win the most games this year.
1) Jacoby Ellsbury ( CF )
2) Brett Gardner ( LF )
3) Starlin Castro ( 2B )
4) Brian McCann ( C )
5) Arod ( DH )
6) Mark Teixeira ( 1B )
7) Carlos Beltran ( RF )
8) Didi Gregorius ( SS )
9) Chase Headley ( 3B )
Here is what I think the starting rotation should be.
1) Masahiro Tanaka
2) Nathan Eovaldi
3) Luis Severino
4) Michael Pineda
5) Ivan Nova
Here are my predictions for the 2016 season
AL East Champs ( 91 - 71 )
Here is my 3 top key points why they will win the division.
1) The rest of the division is talented and wont be a laughing stock but I believe that it’s the Yankees division to take. The AL Champs from last year, Toronto Blue Jays, still have a very scary lineup with Batista, Donaldson (2015 AL MVP), and Troy Tulowitzki. It all comes down to pitching and I think since losing David Price, the combination of the rotation and bullpen, will cost them from repeating as the 2015 AL East Champs. The Boston Red Sox have a interesting roster and will compete with the Yankees for the division. The addition of David Price and Craig Kimbrel will help the Red Sox fight for the division. Young and talent players, Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, and Jackie Bradley Jr combined with the veterans, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedoria, and Hanley Ramirez will give Boston a offensive edge over the division. In the long run, the Red Sox won’t have enough pitching to win the division. The Rays and Orioles won’t be in any contention to win the AL East.
2) Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Dellin Betances is a three headed monster in the bullpen that will be tough for any team to beat at the end of games. The bullpen will give a big boost to the starting rotation and make the starting pitchers work less then they have too. Bryan Mitchell and Chasen Shreve have a lot of promise this year and will round out the rest of the bullpen.
3) The Yankees free agent acquisitions will give the Yankees depth and will make good enough impact when starters need a rest. Starlin Castro will be the best addition this year, and will be the critical reason there will be more runs scored and less runs scored against. Chapman is regarded as a top 3 closer and will give the pitching edge over the division. Aaron Hicks and Dustin Ackley aren’t going to be studs but will fit in very nicely with the talent around them on the field.
