Category Archives: Masahiro Tanaka

2018 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are once again making the biggest moves in baseball. They traded for the best power hitter in the Majors and only gave up Starlin Castro and some ‘okay’ prospects. The Marlins just wanted to get rid of Giancarlo Stanton’s massive contract and the Yankees obliged.

Youth is a huge key to the Yankees success. They need their future stars like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez to keep improving. Judge was making hard contact with every ball that met his bat, but strikeouts were a huge issue down the stretch. Can he cut down on strikeouts and keep his power stroke?

Here is the 2018 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2017 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

Before last season, I proclaimed, “The Yankees championship window is closing shut.” Well, thanks to the Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller trades, they jammed a crowbar in that window and swung it wide open. They made out like bandits in both trades.

There are rumors that the Yankees are stockpiling prospects to make a move on Angels outfielder Mike Trout, but I doubt any team will have enough talent to swap for the perennial MVP candidate.

I like the Yankees this season, but think they could run into some issues with their starting rotation. Will they try to make some moves early in the year to improve it?

Here is the 2017 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: New York Yankees

Derek Jeter? Nope. Hiroki Kuroda? Nope. Alex Rodriguez? Ugh…yes.

The Yankees will have issues this season with age, but they do have some young players to help keep them competitive. It will be interesting how GM Brian Cashman deals with the older players going forward. They are on the hook for a lot of money. I doubt they will get much in return for some of their high-priced veterans.

The AL East is expected to be very competitive. Toronto and Boston were very active this offseason with trades and free agent signings. Can the Yankees keep up with them?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2014 MLB Team Preview: New York Yankees

The Yankees made the biggest splash this offseason by signing Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka. A dozen teams were vying for his services and the Yankees had to pay through the nose to get him. They definitely need him since the rest of their rotation leaves a lot to be desired.

Since Boston won the World Series last season, the “we’re trying to cut payroll’ excuse they’ve been using, well, it went out the window. They opened up their deep pockets and signed Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran. If the Red Sox didn’t win, who knows if they would have spent as much.

The AL East is expected to be great and the race will be competitive until the end. Will the Yankees send Derek Jeter out a winner?

Here is the 2014 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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