Jeter could have his finest season yet
By Ken Davidoff/Newsday
February 15, 2002
Many people predicted that shortstop Derek Jeter would produce a breakout season last year, but they were wrong. Not that Jeter stunk it up by any means, but he has done better.
Still, it is again a safe bet that the shortstop will exceed his previous bests this season. As the Yankees' unconventional leadoff hitter -- unconventional in that he doesn't really draw a ton of walks -- Jeter will find his niche. He'll get on base as much as anyone, thanks to more than 200 hits, and he'll hit about 30 homers, a la Rickey Henderson.
Why do we think this? Because Jeter, who thrives on offseason workouts, realized that he had to change his workouts. He hired a personal trainer and worked on flexibility and agility, in the hopes of avoiding the leg injuries that hindered his efforts last year. Look for Jeter to finish in the top five in AL MVP voting. . . .
It was a surprise that the Yankees actually brought righthander Orlando Hernandez to camp, in light of the fact that he is the sixth pitcher in a five-man rotation. But the team ultimately decided to keep him for injury insurance, especially with lefthander David Wells' back making him a question mark.
El Duque attempted to put a happy face on his situation, but he privately has expressed anger about his situation. The quicker the Yankees trade Hernandez, the happier they'll be. An unhappy Hernandez makes for an unhappy club. . . .
The Yankees have brought Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra into camp for the entire time, mostly so he can work with Jorge Posada. The 30-year-old Posada is one of the game's best catchers, but he has much room for improvement, especially in light of his 18 passed balls last year. Posada takes his job seriously and will get better, although he'll never win a Gold Glove.
DARK-HORSE CANDIDATE
Manager Joe Torre has been calling lefthander Sterling Hitchcock a "dark horse," but Hitchcock has a two-year, $12 million deal, which makes him something more than that. Ron Coomer more accurately fits this category.
Coomer, an All-Star with the Twins three years ago, seems to be an ideal fit for these Yankees, who should consider themselves fortunate that they signed him to a minor-league contract. He can play first base and third base, and he hits righthanded. The Yankees' first baseman, Jason Giambi, and third baseman, Robin Ventura, both hit lefthanded, as does DH/first baseman Nick Johnson.
It would make sense for the Yankees to keep Coomer because he would be a nice option at first, third or even DH when the opponent starts a lefthander. Will he actually make the team? He should, as long as he proves that he can patrol first base and third base adequately and hit a little bit.
But Coomer certainly could play his way off of the team. While he seems an ideal fit, the Yankees could count on Johnson to back up Giambi at first, Enrique Wilson to back up Ventura at third and then deploy beloved veteran Luis Sojo as a virtual player-coach.
By Ken Davidoff/Newsday
February 15, 2002
Many people predicted that shortstop Derek Jeter would produce a breakout season last year, but they were wrong. Not that Jeter stunk it up by any means, but he has done better.
Still, it is again a safe bet that the shortstop will exceed his previous bests this season. As the Yankees' unconventional leadoff hitter -- unconventional in that he doesn't really draw a ton of walks -- Jeter will find his niche. He'll get on base as much as anyone, thanks to more than 200 hits, and he'll hit about 30 homers, a la Rickey Henderson.
Why do we think this? Because Jeter, who thrives on offseason workouts, realized that he had to change his workouts. He hired a personal trainer and worked on flexibility and agility, in the hopes of avoiding the leg injuries that hindered his efforts last year. Look for Jeter to finish in the top five in AL MVP voting. . . .
It was a surprise that the Yankees actually brought righthander Orlando Hernandez to camp, in light of the fact that he is the sixth pitcher in a five-man rotation. But the team ultimately decided to keep him for injury insurance, especially with lefthander David Wells' back making him a question mark.
El Duque attempted to put a happy face on his situation, but he privately has expressed anger about his situation. The quicker the Yankees trade Hernandez, the happier they'll be. An unhappy Hernandez makes for an unhappy club. . . .
The Yankees have brought Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra into camp for the entire time, mostly so he can work with Jorge Posada. The 30-year-old Posada is one of the game's best catchers, but he has much room for improvement, especially in light of his 18 passed balls last year. Posada takes his job seriously and will get better, although he'll never win a Gold Glove.
DARK-HORSE CANDIDATE
Manager Joe Torre has been calling lefthander Sterling Hitchcock a "dark horse," but Hitchcock has a two-year, $12 million deal, which makes him something more than that. Ron Coomer more accurately fits this category.
Coomer, an All-Star with the Twins three years ago, seems to be an ideal fit for these Yankees, who should consider themselves fortunate that they signed him to a minor-league contract. He can play first base and third base, and he hits righthanded. The Yankees' first baseman, Jason Giambi, and third baseman, Robin Ventura, both hit lefthanded, as does DH/first baseman Nick Johnson.
It would make sense for the Yankees to keep Coomer because he would be a nice option at first, third or even DH when the opponent starts a lefthander. Will he actually make the team? He should, as long as he proves that he can patrol first base and third base adequately and hit a little bit.
But Coomer certainly could play his way off of the team. While he seems an ideal fit, the Yankees could count on Johnson to back up Giambi at first, Enrique Wilson to back up Ventura at third and then deploy beloved veteran Luis Sojo as a virtual player-coach.
