What is it about the New York Yankees that they always seem to be the team to beat? At least according to oddsmakers they are. The year 2007 doesn’t appear to be any different and according to offshore sportsbook BoDog.com , the Yankees are the favored to win the World Series at 7/2 odds, the American League Pennant (9/5) and the AL Eastern Division (4/9). Here at Point-Spreads.com we think the reason the Yankees enter the season as the team to beat has a lot to do with their payroll and people are always willing to bet their money on the Yankees. In 2006 owner George Steinbrenner and the Yankees organization paid out $194,663,047 USD to their players. To put that in perspective, the Saint Louis Cardinals organization only paid out $89 million over $100 million less than New York.
Much to Steinbrenner’s chagrin, a high payroll doesn’t always translate into championships. They came close to winning the AL Pennant the last two years but close doesn’t cut it with the Yankees owner. Neither does World Series appearances, something the Yanks haven’t done since appearing in the 2003. And New York hasn’t won the Fall Classic since the year 2000 when they completed a three year back-to-back-to-back sweep.
This off-season, General Manager Brian Cashman traded aging stars Randy Johnson and Gary Sheffield making room to bring back long time pitching ace Andy Pettite. He will take the number three spot in the Yankee rotation, behind Chien-Ming Wang and steady ace, Mike Mussina.
Since losing out on the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes to the Red Sox, the Yanks signed the next best thing coming out of Japan in pitcher Kei Igawa. Igawa is projected to be fit anywhere from a No. 3 to a No. 5 spot in the rotation. Igawa’s role as a four or five starter could also depend on the status of Carl Pavano. Pavano threw zero pitches in the majors last season, but still made headlines for his myriad of injuries. He was penciled in as the number four starter coming into spring training.
Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui will make up one of the best starting outfield in the American League. Also Melky Cabrera will help when called on to provide relief at any outfield position whenever needed. Cabrera is a terrific young talent who will be tough to keep on the bench.
The newcomer to the everyday lineup will be former utility man Andy Philips. Philips will be starting at first base mostly relegating Jason Giambi as the regular designated hitter. However, if Philips does not perform offensively (he must improve his strikeout to walk ratio and on base percentage to cut it), Giambi will undoubtedly be looked at as a first baseman, which would allow Abreu to move to DH and get Cabrera into the lineup much more frequently. Doug Mientkiewicz has also signed on and will likely be used as a special defensive sub more than anything else. Of course, the Yankee lineup also consists of Captain Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez. His contract has an opt-out clause at the end of the season, and unless he performs in the clutch, that could be a realistic option for him.
Future Hall of Fame reliever Mariano Rivera will still hold down the closer job for the Yanks this season with Scott Proctor as the set up man. Kyle Farnsworth will provide middle relief along with Chris Britton who was recently imported from Baltimore.
Favorite teams to win the 2007 World Series according to offshore sportsbook BoDog.com.
Boston Red Sox 9/1
Chicago Cubs 9/1
Chicago White Sox 10/1
Detroit Tigers 5/1
LA Angels 10/1
LA Dodgers 12/1
NY Mets 9/1
NY Yankees 7/2
Philadelphia Phillies 12/1
Saint Louis Cardinals 11/1
