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04/28/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: ---- Yankees"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Today's MLB News: Yankees-The biggest story of the season so far is the incredible start by the New York Yankees. It is the best start in team history, and the starting pitchers were 12-0 at one point. People are already asking how many games this team will win. ESPN's Rob Neyer predicts 110. Some they think may challenge the 2001 Mariners record 116 wins. Why are the Yankees so good? Well, the answer isn't hard to find. Just look at their payroll. At $152 million, not only are the Yankees the highest paid team ever, they are also the only team exceeding the $117 million luxury tax threshold. With so much more money than anyone else, is it really surprising that the Yankees are so good? The point of the luxury was to prevent exactly this, one team spending so much more than anyone else. But it backfired, as it prevented every team except one from exceeding $117 million. The Yankees are so rich that they can afford to pay not only a higher payroll, but also the luxury tax fines. The fine percentage goes up with every subsequent violation, and hopefully it may finally be high enough to stop the Yanks freespending ways. If it is not, the next Collective Bargaining Agreement will have to be modified. In the meantime, the Yanks keep on winning. They took a team that won 103 games last year and added a quality leftfielder in Hideki Matsui, filling the only real weakpoint in the lineup. As for the pitching, the starters are old, but they have been healthy and effective so far. It has been said that the middle relief is soft, but Antonio Osuna, Steve Karsay, Chris Hammond, and Sterling Hitchcock are all quality hurlers. The Yankees are stocked, and its no secret why.
Some may point out that the second biggest story of the young season, the Kansas City Royals hot start, shows that poor teams can win. But I doubt the Royals can keep this up much longer. The Royals success has been based on two factors: Great pitching and weak opponents. The great pitching has been led by a rookie named Runnelvys Hernandez. Although he is a great propect, and may turn out to be a fine pitcher, his 5-0 start is mostly due to the fact that like many rookie pitchers, he hasn't been around long enough for opponents to get used to him. When the hitters catch up to him, he will cool quickly. Furthermore, veterans Albie Lopez and Jason Grimsley have been unhittable, but most likely will not keep it up much longer. The Royals have played most of their games against the lowly Tigers, as well as two fairly weak teams in Cleveland and Toronto. When they play tougher opponents, they will have a harder time winning. The Royals hitting has also been about average. The Yankees meanwhile, have the best hitting in the league to go along with the great pitching. They have played quality opponents, including the Twins, against whom they are 6-0 this season. Who knows how many games they will win?
Replies: 1 Comment
I love it when people who consider themselves baseball experts start with their theories on why this will happen or why that won't happen. Look, I know that the Royals beat up on teams like the Tigers and Indians, but they've also faced the White Sox, Blue Jays, and Twins. According to you, the Twins are a quality opponenet. The Royals are 2-0 against the Twins so far. Furthermore, middle relief hasn't had to pitch that much thanks to the great starting pitching, so no one in Kansas City is worried about Albie Lopez or Jason Grimsley. They're more worried about Japan returnee Darrell May who has been crap since returning from Japan. I'm actually surprised that you've heard of Runelvys Hernandez. He is the real deal, so don't worry about "hitters catching up to him." Do you remember what Bret Saberhagen did in 1985? Well, we're witnessing something similar... Mr. Expert, I'm sorry but in the weak AL Central, it looks like the Royals will contend this season.
Posted by ken @ 04/29/2003 07:28 AM EST
