Submitted by Keith, Jun 14, 2007 16:54

The recent change and "streak" in the Yankee clubhouse, I believe, has come from a few areas. Giambi, a glorified .260 hitter in his time with NY, is on the DL and off the bases which adds more speed to the Yankee lineup (I would rather punch myself in the face than watch Giambi run). Damon taking over at the DH spot with Cabrera in center upgrades the defense and adds a different element to the offensive lineup giving Joe Torre more opportunities for hit and runs and playing small ball. Abreu's recent surge is of course not going to hold up, but the guy is a career .300 hitter whom has walked over 100 times for the past eight seasons so he is serviceable and has a strong defensive arm (unlike Damon's skee ball excuse for one). In the case of A-Rod and Jeter, Alex will go through peaks and valleys, but if Abreu can protect him and Matsui behind him can drive in runs, he will hit 50+ homers and knock in 140+. Jeter has undoubtedly lost a step and his range is limited in the field, but everyone knows what he is capable of after having a career year in '06. In the past few seasons the Yankees have had trouble with teams that didn't have to pound out 9 or more runs to win. The Yankees of '96-00 won by executing hit and runs, stolen bases, going first to third and taking the extra base and winning 5-4 or 3-1. Yes, the pitching is in dire need of help. As a die hard fan, I would rather watch the nightly news than go through a trauma inducing 8th inning with Farnsworth. Vizcaino is worse and Proctor has to decide when he wants to show up. If the starting pitching can get into the 6th or 7th, the offense can manage 4-5 runs a game and they can add a quality arm in the pen, this Yankee team can make a story out of '07.

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