ALEX - as of 9/28 – 123 Hits, 28 HR, 93 RBI .285 AVG

Predictions….

• John B  – 126 H, 29 HR, 95 RBI, .281
• John S – 126H, 32 HR, 91 RBI, .272 AVG
• Joe – 125 H, 30 HR, 100 RBI, .279 AVG
• Ellen – 127 H, 28 HR, 96 RBI, .276 AVG (hoping higher)
• Mike G – 128 H, 31 HR, 98 RBI, .282 AVG
• Russ – 119 H, 29 HR, 94 RBI, .280 AVG
• Mike T – 124 H, 30 HR, 96 RBI, .285 AVG

With 6 games to play, looks like we were all pretty closte.  It will depend on how many days Alex rests. At this point, my guess is he gets to 30 HR, and finishes with 97 or 98 RBI and a mid .280 AVG.  Closest to that is probably Mike G.  But let’s see.

Trades
Matt Holliday – Acquired in 3 way trade with Colorado and Seattle. Matsui to Seattle for Ryan Rowland Smith, Rowland Smith and Cano and Kennedy (or another prospect) to Colorado for Holliday.
Mike Cameron – Acquired from Milwaukee for Cabrerra and Betemit
Jake Peavy – Acquired from SD for Hughes and Austin Jackson

Free Agent Acquisitions
CC Sabathia
Mark Texiera
Orlando Hudson
Adam Dunn

Rotation
CC Sabathia (L)
Jake Peavy (R)
Joba Chamberlain (R)
Chein Ming Wang (R)
Andy Pettitte (L)

Lineup
1. Damon (DH) (LF occasionally) L
2. Jeter (SS) R
3. Rodriguez (3B) R
4. Texiera (1B) S
5. Holliday (LF) R
6. Posada (C) S
7. Nady (RF) R or Dunn (RF) L
8. Hudson (2b) S
9. Cameron (CF) R

Bullpen
Rivera
Coke (L)
Marte (L)
Bruney (R)
Britton (R)
Ramirez (R)
Veras (R)

Bench
Dunn
Molina
Gardner
Ransom

Damon is the spare part in this lineup/team. I would look to move him in season shift the Jeter to Lead off and move Hudson to the two hole and let Dunn/Posada split the DH duties and get Molina in the game more often. Leave Aceves in the Minors to start the season.

Rotation:

Sabathia
Chamberlain
Wang
Hughes
Pettitte

Lineup:

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Swisher CF
A-Rod 3B
Posada 1B
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Matsui DH
Molina C

By the way, this presumes a third catcher and I hate this lineup! But I figure, the Yankees never do what I want so in a sense, I guess I’m trying the strategy of the “Reverse Maverick” on them. But if they really do this, I might have to go “Double Maverick” on them!

Pen:
Mo
Aceves
Britton
Bruney
Coke
Marte (Expensive but they like having two lefty setup guys)
Ramirez
Veras

Position:
1B: Eric Hinske or Sean Casey (They don’t get Tex, so they go for the “B” list – can’t decide which one)
2B: Cano
3B: A-Rod
SS: Jeter
C: Posada
LF: Damon
RF: Nady
CF Gardner (no good FA’s available and trading is too expensive)
DH: Matsui/Kevin Millar platoon

Bench:
Molina
Cody Ransom

That’s 25… c’mon guys, fill out the whole roster

Position Payers
C Posada/Molina
1B Teixeira
2B Cano (Peavy not coming to New York)
3B Rodriguez
SS Jeter
RF Nady
CF Gardner (monster Spring, Melky gone)
LF/DH Damon
DH/LF Matsui (no takers)

Not as much change as originally thought. Big on free agents, trades more minor.

Rotation

CC Sabathia: FA
Jake Peavy: Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera sent to Padres for Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez
Matt Cain: Cano, Matsui sent to SF Giants
Joba Chamberlain
Andy Pettitte

C Jose Molina: Important as ever with a new staff…and some promising youngsters.
1B Adrian Gonzalez: Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera sent to Padres for Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez
2B Orlando Hudson: FA
3B Alex Rodriguez
SS Derek Jeter
RF Xavier Nady
CF Brett Gardner
LF Johnny Damon
DH Jorge Posada

Bullpen

Brian Fuentes: FA. The Yanks don’t sound like they’re interested in Fuentes, but I think they grab him just for good measure. To set up for Mariano and in the event that Mariano gets hurt. Their is no closer in that pen. And if they’re going for it…then go for it.

Reasoning: I think the Yanks want Sabathia, but will try to fill most holes via trade. Cain and Joba are the future…with Peavy and Sabathia as the foundation for the next few years. That rotation could be devestating.

Mike G can create a folder for all submissions. Each RT member has until an agreed upon date to submit their official submission. Let’s say….by Friday, November 7th?

The submission must include the starting lineup, and starting rotation. Forget the bench players and bullpen.

The winner receives a swift kick in the pants on the Bi-Yearly Roundtable Day (2007, 2009?).

Thoughts?

Note: You may notice that Matsui is missing from the lineup. That is because I believe he will be traded to the San Franciso Giants for two of their highly touted young pitching prospects before the season begins. The Giants have zero offense.

Also, I did not project numbers for part time players other than Giambi.

LF Damon (.308, 16 HR, 71 RBI)

SS Jeter (.302, 20 HR, 85 RBI)

RF Abreu (.290, 27 HR, 115 RBI)

3B Rodriguez (.304, 45 HR, 144 RBI)

C Posada (.285, 15 HR, 85 RBI)

DH Giambi (.304, 31 HR, 105 RBI) Awarded Comeback Player of the Year.

1B Combination

2B Cano (.314, 25 HR, 111 RBI)

CF Cabrera (.285, 10 HR, 66 RBI)

1. A-Rod is signed by the Mets.
2. Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera are traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a mix of A and B level prospects.
3. Barry Bonds is signed by the Angels.
4. Johan Santana is traded and signed to an extension by the Red Sox for Clay Buchlolz, Craig Hansen, and two b-level prospects.
5. Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera are signed by the Yankees.
6. Carlos Beltran is traded to the Angels for a starting pitcher (Lackey or Santana)
7. Mike Lowell is re-signed by the Red Sox.
8. Miguel Tejada is traded to the Yankees for Kyle Farnesworth and two B-Level prospects.
9. Aaron Rowand is signed by the Yankees.
10. Melky Cabrera and Hideki Matsui traded to the Chiacgo White Sox for Paul Konerko and Jon Garland

Yankee Lineup:

• LF Damon
• SS Jeter
• RF Abreu
• 3B Tejada
• 1B Konerko
• C Posada
• CF Rowand
• DH Giambi/Duncan
• 2B Cano

Rotation

• chamberlain
• Hughes
• Garland
• Kennedy
• Mussina
• Pettitte??

Pen

• Rivera
• Scott Linebrink (FA Signing)
• I’m thinking…
• And whoever else was in there last year…