New York Yankees starting lineup:
Damon, CF
Jeter, SS
Abreu, RF
Rodriguez, 3B
Giambi, DH
Matsui, LF
Posada, C
Cano, 2B
Mientkiewicz, 1B
The result? Team is on a seven game losing streak. The Yankees have used 9 different starting pitchers in their first 21 games.
Here it is, your first installment in Spaulding's predictions for the 2007 baseball season. Very little (if any) actual "research" has gone into these predictions -- instead they are gut-level guesses which will almost certainly make this author look like an idiot (probably before the All-Star break). Presented for your entertainment purposes only, are a few (probably misguided) picks.
AL EAST
The teams:
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
The outlook: The AL East is where the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox fight their yearly war of attrition. The East is also the only division the national media pay any attention to -- assuming you're a Red Sox or Yankee. If not, you're practically in the witness protection program. Roy Halladay anyone?
For 2007, expect more of the same. The Red Sox and Yankees buy all the good names, and that's good enough to get you to the post season (but not necessarily win it -- see: A-Rod, Randy Johnson, Jason Giambi)
Spaulding prognostication:
AL East Champion -- New York Yankees
Note: Don't be surprised if the Red Sox get the AL Wild Card, but with so many good teams in the AL Central, Spaulding has to give the pre-season Wild Card prediction to that division.
Up next: The AL Central
Alex Rodriguez says he wants to stay with the Yankees, but I'm just not buying it.
New York Times, 11/16/06:
Sound familiar? Remember when A-Rod was named the captain of the Texas Rangers in January 2004?Rodriguez maintained that he was comfortable with the Yankees and in New York and had no desire to leave...
“One hundred percent, yes,” he said. “My family now is beginning to really get comfortable here — my wife and my daughter. And I love New York, I love the challenges New York brings.
“There’s no question last year was a very challenging year for me personally, but I think New York wants to see people have a tough time and come out of it and fight through it.”
Rodriguez has a no-trade clause and has consistently said he has no plans to waive it.
"I feel good about with who I am bed with and who I am married to with the Rangers," he said. "I don't feel betrayed at all. I am very honored to work for an owner like Tom Hicks, who I feel is the best owner in the game. I definitely hope to be here at least seven years and then ask Mr. Hicks if we can negotiate into my 40s. I am pretty sure it will work out for the best for the organization and for the fans who deserve a winner. The effort has started and we are on our way."By mid-February 2004 A-Rod was in New York.
