New York Yankees to contend in 2012-13 MLB Season

The New York Yankees will look to duplicate their 2011-12 season, in which they won 97 games and the American League East title. However, they weren't able to get past the 1st round off the post season last year and they'll be tested this season by all of the free agent acquisitions by other top contenders.

According to the SRB Sportsbook, the New York Yankees sit just behind the Philadelphia Phillies as MLB betting favorites to win the World Series. The current MLB odds have the Yankees listed at +650, tied with the LA Angels, and just ahead of the Boston Red Sox (+750).

Lets take a look at the Yankees and decide if this is a team worth backing with your MLB picks this year.

Making their moves

Normally in the offseason, you would see the Yankees spending a lot of money and picking up as many big names as possible. So far the offseason has been uncharacteristic, as other teams, such as the Los Angeles Angels, have been throwing around big money to bring in new faces.

There wasn't a clear cut Roy Halladay-like pitcher up for grabs, so the Yankees decided to lay low this year. The Bombers aren't afraid to take risks, but they've been burnt by acquisitions such as Carl Pavano and current Yankee A.J. Burnett.

Instead, the Los Angeles Angels catapulted themselves into contention with the signings of superstar Albert Pujols and pitching ace C.J. Wilson. The Angels were one of the teams that gave the Yankees major troubles last year, and now with these two signings the Yankees will have a major obstacle in LA.

Aging accomplished veterans

This is a team that needs to get younger on the offensive side of the ball, but can still manage to contend with the roster that they have. Established stars like Derek Jeter (will be 38 in June), Alex Rodriguez (37 in July), Nick Swisher (31), Mark Teixiera (31), and Curtis Granderson (30) are all in the 30 and over club. Robinson Cano is just 1 year away from that distinction. This is a team that needs to win now, as their “Big Guns” are slowly beginning to get rusty.

What is this team lacking?

The Yankees biggest weakness has to be their depth at the pitching position. Aside from C.C. Sabathia and Ivan Nova, their pitching rotation has been very inconsistent to say the least.

The Yankees are also lacking a good contact hitter. The new Yankees Stadium is hitter friendly, and players like Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixiera have no problem hitting home runs, but Teixiera's batting average has plummeted in 2011 from .292 in 2009 to .248 in 2011.

The Bombers must also ask themselves how long can Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez keep playing? The future Hall of Famers are clearly not the same players that they once were, and Alex Rodriguez is constantly hampered by injuries. Can anyone say steroid damage?

Paid off of reputation

The Yankees organization and longtime Yankee star Derek Jeter created some tension before the 2011 season in regards to the signing of Jeter's contract. Many people believe that Jeter should be paid handsomely for all of his dedication to the Yanks throughout the years, yet when the management was hesitant, Jeter was disturbed. He wants to play another 3 to 4 seasons, and it didn’t look as if his plans and those of the organization were on the same track.

The signing appeared to be a huge mistake, but Jeter became more productive as the year went on, proving that he still has the ability to be a good major leaguer. On the season, Jeter batted .297 with 6 HR, 61 RBI, and 16 SB in 131 games. He also managed to reach the 3000 hit milestone with a homerun at Yankee Stadium. If he can put up similar numbers in 2012, the Steinbrenners would be thrilled.

A. ROD a question mark

Currently, Alex Rodriguez is seeking treatment for an injury out of the country. 2011 was a disaster for Alex as he managed only 373 at-bats, hitting 16 HR, 62 RBI, and .276.. The public had all sorts of big expectations for Alex, as they expected him to break all sorts of records. Now that seems unlikely, as Rodriguez hasn't managed a full season in the last few years.

If healthy, Rodriguez can still give the Yankees 25 to 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in, and anywhere from a .280 to .300 batting average.

Master blasters

Centerfielder Curtis Granderson and 1st baseman Mark Teixiera are the primary source of power on this team. It's expected (along with outfielder Nick Swisher) that these players are in their prime. There's no clear answer for the drop in Teixiera's batting average and Granderson doesn't hit for average  (.262), but their power makes up for their deficiencies.

On the season, Granderson had 41 HR, 119 RBI , and batted .262. He sort of tailed off as the season went on. For most of the season Grandy was hitting in the .280's but the baseball season is a 162 game marathon.

Teixiera had 39 HR, 111 RBI, and .248 BA. He's a great first baseman and a good teammate in the clubhouse, and I'm expecting him to increase his average this season by at least 25 points.

Underestimated talent

As a Yankees fan, I think that Robinson Cano's talent as a baseball player is often overlooked. He's a great 2nd baseman that can hit 25 HR, 100 RBI and bat over .300 each season. He's the Yankees best and most consistent player. This past season, he out-dueled Adrian Gonzalez as won the home run derby trophy at the All-Star break as his father pitched to him. That should prove to the doubters that Robbie has plenty of pop in his bat. At 29 years old, Cano will be the building block for the Bombers in years to come.

Pitching depth

This is an area where the Yankees have problems. A good team need's a solid rotation, and New York's pitching staff will be unable to compete with the likes of the Angels and the Red Sox.

C.C.

C.C. Sabathia's production is as big as his physical presence. He can give the Yanks 19 to 20 wins each season, while pitching deep into ball games. He's a legitimate ace.

In just his 1st year as a full time starter, right hander Ivan Nova had a sensational "under the radar season". He didn't get the same press coverage as other young guns, but was 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA. Although he is a rising star, I would have to see Nova have a somewhat similar year to have confidence in him being a number 2 pitcher.

Starter Phil Hughes has proven to be very inconsistent. There's times where he seems unhittable, and the rest of the time he's either injured or giving up a big inning. Durability will be a major issue with Hughes because he's a number 3 pitcher when healthy. It's really going to be a wait and see situation of who pitches the best between Hughes, Freddy Garcia, and A.J. Burnett.

Another pie anyone?

A.J. Burnett seems to throw pies better than he can throw a baseball. He has good stuff but is erratic and can get shelled at anytime. The Yankees are looking for anything that they can get out of A.J. after all of the money that they spent on him.

Bartolo Colon had a decent 2010, and the Yankees would be happy to get a similar year out of the hefty right hander.

Ageless wonder

Mariano Rivera will go down as the greatest closer of all time, as no pitcher has played so well for so long. How much longer will he play is the question. I don't have the answer to that, but Rivera, at 42, doesn't seem to be slowing down. He nailed down 44 saves and a 1.91 ERA last season. Along with the spectacular pitching of setup man David Robertson, the Yankees will be solid in the pen.

Prediction

There's less pressure on the Yankees to win this season. Look for Rodriguez to be healthier and for Teixiera to be motivated. Due to the pitching staff, I like the Angels and Red Sox over than the Yankees, but the Yankees are capable of taking it all if everything falls right.

Record- 95-67