Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports
I think it’s safe to say that no one thought the New York Yankees would be where they are now. With injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson, last place in AL East looked like a strong possibility.
In total, those four players accounted for 341 runs scored, 593 hits, 100 home runs, and 305 RBIs for the Yankees last year. With those kinds of losses, few guessed that New York would be competing for the AL East title, let alone a Word Series bid.
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Don’t look now, but not only are the Yankees the best team in the AL East, but they are also only one game back of the best record in MLB. A combination of savvy business moves by Brian Cashman and excellent managerial skill from Joe Girardi have helped the Yankees to excel.
With Granderson back and others soon to follow, the Yankees look to be in excellent shape for a World Series run. According to sources, Teixiera could be back by the end of the month. Though Lyle Overbay has filled in nicely, Teixeira is clearly an upgrade at first, providing Gold Grove defense and a lethal middle-of-the-order bat.
Rodriguez’s recovery also appears to be moving along, and he could be back as early as July. His return would be huge, because currently the Yankees are short on right-handed power. Derek Jeter is probably the furthest of these three from a return, but he is close to being able to walk without a boot.
Having star players returning from injury is almost like getting excellent mid season acquisitions at the trade deadline. The Yankees have certainly played well with their current roster, but the return of Teixeira, Rodriguez, and Jeter will only improve their chances at a World Series victory.
Kyle Massa is a New York Yankees writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylemassa, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
