Offense Is Overrated Anyway

The focus on pitching for the Yankees has been necessary since they had more openings in the rotation than they had spots filled, but the neglect on offense has been a bit curious. A team that produced 758 runs last season and has since lost 196 of those runs to free agency has to be a little concerned. The Yankees seem to be saying that with Posada and Matsui back in the line up, the addition of Nick Swisher, and the comeback of Robinson Cano should more than account for what we're losing. However, I fail to see how this is at all a good idea. Besides assuming the healthy returns of Posada and Matsui, we're also putting a lot of stock in the rebounds of both Swisher and Cano. The runs driven in by Jeter and Damon were pretty much in line with what they've produced in other seasons so I don't expect we'll find the runs there. The heart of our lineup as defined by Swisher, Cano, A-Rod, Matsui, Posada, and Nady has more unknowns then definits. A-Rod will give you 100 RBI's, but whose going to protect him in the lineup? This calls into the question the idea of signing Manny. Could you imagine the kind of pitches A-Rod would see with Manny on deck? I know we already have too many DH types on the team, but none of them have a bat like Manny's. Will he clash with his teammates and manager? Yes. Will he do things that will infuriate Yankee fans? Yes. But will he drive in more runs than anyone else in that lineup, and give you some huge hits along the way? Yes.