Yankee 21
02-06-2002, 06:56 PM
ON THE REBOUND
Robin Ventura -- Ventura's first season as a Met was an overwhelming success, as he hit 32 home runs, drove in 120 runs and hit .301. That was 1999. In the last two seasons, Ventura has hit .232 and .237, hitting 24 and 21 home runs with 84 and 61 RBIs. Playing in Yankee Stadium should help Ventura, as the left-hander will surely benefit from the short porch in right field. What could also help Ventura is his contract status -- he's a free agent after this season.
Orlando Hernandez -- After an injury-filled 2001, "El Duque" enters Spring Training without a spot in the rotation for the first time since joining the Yankees. After going 41-26 in his first 2 1/2 years in New York, Hernandez went 4-7 last season with a 4.85 ERA. There is a chance that Hernandez could be traded if the Yankees are presented with the right offer, but he could also beat out Sterling Hitchcock or David Wells for a spot in the rotation if he has a stellar spring. If not, look for Hernandez to be the long-relief out of the bullpen.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Last season, the Yankees entered Spring Training without a solid fifth starter, a mess in the bullpen and a second baseman that couldn't throw the ball to first base. This year, Joe Torre will have to decide between Shane Spencer and John Vander Wal in right field, figure out what to do with Orlando Hernandez, and fill out the final spot or two in the bullpen and on the bench. Look for Randy Choate, Ted Lilly and Adrian Hernandez to get good looks in the bullpen. Overall, the Yankees will use Spring Training to get to know one another, as nearly one-third of the roster has been turned over since Game 7 of the World Series.
The damn thing was too long, had to split it up
Robin Ventura -- Ventura's first season as a Met was an overwhelming success, as he hit 32 home runs, drove in 120 runs and hit .301. That was 1999. In the last two seasons, Ventura has hit .232 and .237, hitting 24 and 21 home runs with 84 and 61 RBIs. Playing in Yankee Stadium should help Ventura, as the left-hander will surely benefit from the short porch in right field. What could also help Ventura is his contract status -- he's a free agent after this season.
Orlando Hernandez -- After an injury-filled 2001, "El Duque" enters Spring Training without a spot in the rotation for the first time since joining the Yankees. After going 41-26 in his first 2 1/2 years in New York, Hernandez went 4-7 last season with a 4.85 ERA. There is a chance that Hernandez could be traded if the Yankees are presented with the right offer, but he could also beat out Sterling Hitchcock or David Wells for a spot in the rotation if he has a stellar spring. If not, look for Hernandez to be the long-relief out of the bullpen.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Last season, the Yankees entered Spring Training without a solid fifth starter, a mess in the bullpen and a second baseman that couldn't throw the ball to first base. This year, Joe Torre will have to decide between Shane Spencer and John Vander Wal in right field, figure out what to do with Orlando Hernandez, and fill out the final spot or two in the bullpen and on the bench. Look for Randy Choate, Ted Lilly and Adrian Hernandez to get good looks in the bullpen. Overall, the Yankees will use Spring Training to get to know one another, as nearly one-third of the roster has been turned over since Game 7 of the World Series.
The damn thing was too long, had to split it up