Yankees manager Joe Girardi optimistic after A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira have strong springs
TAMPA - The Yankees and Tigers made quick work of their final spring game at Steinbrenner Field Tuesday, but the two teams will meet Thursday at Yankee Stadium under much more meaningful circumstances.
Spring training is over, and although the Yankees weren't able to completely avoid the injury bug, they boarded their charter Tuesday feeling pretty good about their chances to make a run at the World Series this season.
"I feel good about this team," Joe Girardi said. "I know one of the things we have to do is we have to stay healthy."
The news on that front was encouraging, as Curtis Granderson was optimistic about his chances to play on Opening Day after taking part in a simulated game at the minor-league complex Tuesday. Granderson, who did not accompany the team to New York, will play in a minor league game Wednesday, giving his strained right oblique one final test.
Pedro Feliciano isn't as fortunate, as the typically durable reliever will open the season with his first career trip to the disabled list.
"If you don't have your lefthanded specialist and your center fielder starting the season, that's not how you want to get started," Girardi said. "But I believe this team is extremely talented and I like this team."
The manager has every reason to feel good about his club, especially considering the spring performances of some of the Yankees' biggest stars.
Alex Rodriguez looked like an MVP candidate, hitting .388 with a team-leading six home runs and 15 RBI, while Mark Teixeira hit .294 and hopes to carry that momentum into the season and avoid another awful April.
"Alex's spring was unbelievable," Girardi said. "There's really no other way to describe it - the power that he displayed and how hard he hit the ball on a consistent basis. I don't know if you're surprised, but to see a guy locked in from Day 1 sometimes is kind of different to see."
Derek Jeter was also a bright spot this spring, as the captain adapted to his new stride-less swing, hitting .304 in 18 games. Jeter is likely to share leadoff duties this season with Brett Gardner, although Girardi planned to discuss the top of the order with his coaches during the flight home Tuesday night before writing out his Opening Day lineup.
"Some of the balls that he's pulled with authority, I've noticed that he seems to get to that better now, and I think it's something that pitchers are going to have to think about," Girardi said. "Everything he used to try to shoot the other way, and he would pull some breaking balls. I've seen him pull some heaters with authority. People are going to have to decide whether the risk is worth it now."
The biggest questions heading into the spring surrounded the final two rotations slots, but with Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia now entrenched at No. 4 and 5 behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes, the Yankees believe they have the arms to contend in the ultra-competitive AL East.
"I've always raved about Nova's stuff," Girardi said. "I believe he can be a winner and pitch at a very high level. And Freddy's a competitor and knows how to compete."
Girardi believes his team is good enough to win it all, but when asked for a season prediction, he opted not to follow Rex Ryan in the prognostication business.
"Be the best we can be," Girardi said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2011/03/30/2011-03-30_yankees_manager_joe_girardi_optimistic_after_arod_derek_jeter_mark_teixeira_have.html
No comments:
Post a Comment