Developed Teams 2011: New York Yankees

I know I said the Angels would come next, but the A's have since moved on to their next opponents: the New York Yankees. And since I was able to catch their matchup on MLB Network last night, I might as well jump right into their developed team while they're fresh in my mind.

What do we start with, traditionally? Developed players still with the team, of which the Yankees have 10. A pretty average amount, so far. You'll notice the presence of the entire Yankees' Core Four on this developed team - for those of you not versed in Yankees lore, that's Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte, who all came up with the team around the same time - despite the fact that Pettitte has announced his retirement (again) prior to 2011. I decided to put this team together based on aggregate major league experience and projected level of 2011 talent, regardless of the ability/willingness to produce in actual 2011. I figure if we're positing an alternative universe where thousands of trades/free agent signings never took place, what's a couple of ignored injuries and nullified retirements into the mix?

From left: Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Pettitte

Speaking of ignored injuries, Pettitte's imagined rotation mate, Phil Hughes, went on the 60-day DL and is out indefinitely after just 3 starts in April. And Christian Guzman still counts himself among the unsigned Free Agents. But other than Guzman (who played on a World Series caliber team as soon as last year), it was either Kevin Russo or Ramiro Pena for the utility infielder spot. Neither of those two have played in 2011 nor amassed sizable major league careers. The Bronx Bombers seem a little weak on infielders in general, once we get past middle infield stalwarts Jeter and Robinson Cano. Nick Johnson was the only other choice at 1B, and while he has had a longer career than Juan Miranda, only one of the two are currently starting for a major league team.

The outfield, however, is solid, despite the injury to Alfonso Soriano (again, ignored). In fact, he might not even be the best candidate to round out this group, considering the up-and-coming status of Jose Tabata, who never actually played a game with the Yankees, but spent parts of four years in their minor league system before a trade to Pittsburgh. At 22 years old, he would fit in better with 24-year-old Rookie of the Year runner-up Austin Jackson and 27-year-old speedster Brett Gardner. But, again, I'm going with former major league pedigree over potential future stardom. (Hence the presence of Hideki Matsui, who is playing so poorly that he's actually costing the A's money to put him in the lineup every day.) Other outfielders who didn't quite make the team: Toronto's Juan Rivera, Los Angeles's Marcus Thames, and Cleveland's Shelley Duncan. None of these three can match the performance Melky Cabrera is putting up for Kansas City right now (good enough for me to grab him for my Fantasy Team), plus he can play other positions than LF and DH.

Sports Illustrated sure loves the Yankees, huh?

To go over the other three hurlers in the rotation, Ian Kennedy is really coming into his own in Arizona. Phil Coke is proving he can start in Detroit. And Ivan Nova is barely holding on in NY. Jeff Karstens has started 2 out of every 3 games he's played this year, so that's kind of a red flag for Long Relief. Based on my comment about past major league pedigree, I could have had Chien-Ming Wang (he who hasn't pitched since 2009) join him in the bullpen, but he just had shoulder surgery in March and isn't likely to contribute in 2011. There's also Alfredo Aceves, who has a mix of starts and relief appearances for the Red Sox, but he only has one good season under his belt - not enough to warrant a spot.

Plus, why mess with the strength of the team (the bullpen) by putting questionable starters in there? In addition to the Yankees' current setup staff behind Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera (namely Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson, sporting a combined 2.06 ERA), we've got the Phillies' acting closer Jose Contreras, the Nationals' star setup man Tyler "The Yankee Clipper" Clippard, and Marlins lefty Michael Dunn (I hadn't heard of him either, but he was ranked on MLB's preseason rankings, and every club needs a lefty out of the 'pen). Honorable mentions who would be star relievers on most other teams: Ramon Ramirez on the Giants (1.64 ERA in 22 IP), Mark Melancon on the Astros (2.05, 26.1, 3 SV), and Daniel McCutchen on the Pirates (1.19, 22.2).

So, there you have it. The New York Yankees' developed team. As much fun as I had putting this together, I'm not embarrassed to say I hope the A's can take at least ONE GAME from their real-life team when they play each other later this afternoon...