| |
The next Murderers' Row?
| |
SportsLine.com helps Yankees manager Joe Torre fill out his opening day lineup card:
| 2004 Yankees Potential Starting Lineup |
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 1. Kenny Lofton (L), CF |
$1,025,000 |
547 |
97 |
12 |
46 |
.352 |
.450 |
.296 |
|
Lofton might wind up the Yankees' fourth outfielder, although he might be needed to play regularly in order to serve as the leadoff man. He can still steal bases (30 in 2003) and has a lot of postseason experience.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 2. Derek Jeter (R), SS |
$15,600,000 |
482 |
87 |
10 |
52 |
.393 |
.450 |
.324 |
|
Jeter hit for his highest average in several years last season. This after he recovered from a dislocated shoulder sustained on Opening Day. Even with the trade for Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees captain will remain at shortstop -- for now.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 3. Alex Rodriguez (R), 3B |
$22,000,000 |
607 |
124 |
47 |
118 |
.396 |
.600 |
.298 |
|
Rodriguez, the reigning American League MVP, is considered to be the best all-around player in the game. A-Rod will shift over to the hot corner, taking over for the injured Aaron Boone.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 4. Jason Giambi (L), 1B |
$11,428,571 |
535 |
97 |
41 |
107 |
.412 |
.527 |
.250 |
|
Giambi had a significant drop in average last season. That was caused in great part by a series of nagging knee, shoulder and eye injuries. Even so, his .412 on-base percentage and power numbers were still upper level.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 5. Gary Sheffield (R), RF |
$11,416,667 |
576 |
126 |
39 |
132 |
.419 |
.604 |
.330 |
|
Sheffield provides consistent right-handed power from the right-field position. It's something the team hasn't had since Dave Winfield. Sheffield still has the ability to steal bases (18 in 2003) and has a strong arm.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 6. Bernie Williams (S), DH |
$12,357,143 |
445 |
77 |
15 |
64 |
.367 |
.411 |
.263 |
|
Williams has been slowed with knee and shoulder injuries. Yankees manager Joe Torre plans for a competition between Williams and Lofton for the center field job with the loser getting a majority of the DH duties.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 7. Hideki Matsui (L), LF |
$6,000,000 |
623 |
82 |
16 |
106 |
.353 |
.435 |
.287 |
|
Matsui exceeded all expectations in his first season in the major leagues. Since he is more familiar with the pitchers and ballparks, look for his power numbers to rise. 'Godzilla' possesses excellent baseball instincts with an average arm in left field.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 8. Jorge Posada (S), C |
$8,000,000 |
481 |
83 |
30 |
101 |
.405 |
.518 |
.281 |
|
Posada played up to the leadership pressures he put on himself. He criticized his teammates for not playing with hunger during the 2002 ALDS loss to Anaheim. He will play an even more important role in 2004 as he will have to help pitchers like Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez learn the AL hitters.
|
 |
Player |
'03 salary |
AB |
R |
HR |
RBI |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 9. Enrique Wilson (S), 2B |
$700,000 |
135 |
18 |
3 |
15 |
.276 |
.363 |
.230 |
|
Wilson will get to play more than just against Pedro Martinez. He has always done well off the bench, but the longer a reserve plays the more his weaknesses will be exposed. Barring a trade, look for Wilson to split time with Miguel Cairo.
|
|
|
| Headlines |
