5 BOROUGH SPORTS

…And we’re back. With the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic last night, the 2013 Major League Baseball season is just around the corner. To be honest, the 2012 New York Yankees season seemed very lackadasical. The Yanks finished on top of the AL East, but there was a feeling around the city that this team was doomed in the postseason. With injuries looming and old age being a tremendous factor, we were all waiting for a collapse. The Yanks were able to sneak by the Baltimore Orioles in the Division Series with almost no offense (with the exception of Raul Ibanez). But after Jeter’s playoff-ending injury in Game 1 of the ALCS, it was over. Did the Yanks even score a run after that? Can’t remember.

What was also sad about last year’s postseason was the lack of attendance. I’ve mentioned it before on how the Yankees must lower ticket prices in order to get the real fans back. I was  delighted at the fact that the organization received criticism around the country for the lack of energy and fans during the playoffs.  You would think the front office learned from the humiliating attendance numbers last season. Unfortunately they didn’t given they decided to break their partnership with Stubhub…

I love the New York Yankees – which is why I’m saying that I hope they miss the postseason in 2013. This franchise needs a fresh start – a whole new look. Maybe a fourth place AL East finish will an under .500 record could spark the front office to make changes (and I don’t mean in free agency). If I were Brian Cashman, I would start the rebuilding process today. Look at the Red Sox last season. They tried to hold on to their best players (riddled with injuries and had chemistry) and it completely backfired. By August, GM Bill Cherrington finally cleaned house. Boston might suck this year, but they are headed in the right direction.

So instead of preview the Yankees this season, I’m going to show you might starting nine and rotation if I were running the organization:

2013 Opening Day Lineup w/ 2012 Stats

CF Brett Gardner (.323, 10 H, 2 SB – 16 Games)
SS Derek Jeter (.297, 6 HR, 61 RBI)
RF Ichiro Suzuki (.283, 9 HR, 55 RBI)
2B Robinson Cano (.313, 33 HR, 94 RBI)
LF Vernon Wells (.230, 11 HR, 29 RBI)
3B Kevin Youkilis (.235, 19 HR, 60 RBI)
DH Travis Hafner (.228, 12 HR, 34 RBI)
1B Lyle Overbay (.259, 2 HR, 10 RBI)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  C Francisco Cervelli (.246, 2 HR, 39 RBI – AAA)

Starting Rotation
1. C.C. Sabathia (15-6, 3.38 ERA)
2. Hiroki Kuroda (16-11, 3.32 ERA)
3. Andy Pettitte (5-4, 2.87 ERA)
4. Ivan Nova (12-8, 5.02 ERA)
5. Phil Hughes (16-13, 4.19 ERA)

Bullpen:
David Phelps
Joba Chamberlain
Boone Logan
David Aardsma
David Robertson
Mariano Rivera

Get ready for the 2013 Mets Preview tomorrow…