There’s a CHANCE that the Yankees COULD have 5+ players in 2017 age 27 or younger play 100+ games in the season season.

The last time that happened in Yankeeland was 1968. (And, that’s a long time ago.) In fact, it’s only happened twice since 1959.

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As you can see above, it’s only happened 12 times in franchise history.  And, half of those times was before 1932.

Those are the only real question marks for the Yankees in 2017, in terms of not knowing for sure who is going to fill those roles.

But, what about the positions that we do know about?

Up the middle, last year, Didi Gregorius (OPS+ 97) and Starlin Castro (OPS+ 93) where below league average offensive performers. And, per the sabermetric stats, neither one of them was a league average defender. (Castro, in fact, was very bad.)

At third, Chase Headley was very much improved (compared to 2015) with the glove. But, he also was a below league average offensive performer.

As far as DH, well, Matt Holliday has to prove that he’s not washed up.

Don’t even get me started on Jacoby Ellsbury. And, Brett Gardner? He’s become a slap hitter who doesn’t run. This year could be anything when it comes to him – either he rebounds, stays the same, or gets worse.

Lastly, in terms of hitters, while I hope Gary Sanchez has a great year, we don’t know for sure what’s going to happen there.

On the pitching side, Tanaka and Sabathia have health/mileage concerns – yet, should be OK. But, does anyone have faith in Michael Pineda?

For the last 4 seasons, on average, the Yankees have been an 84 win team. Even if everything works out with 1B, RF and those last two rotation spots, how can anyone be confident that the Yankees are any better than they have been since 2013?

Many like to say that Mike Piazza and (now) Jeff Bagwell open the door to the Hall of Fame for those suspected of using PEDs and those found to use PEDs. However, their careers were basically before there were rules around PED use. (We know that Major League Baseball did not roll out a PED policy with teeth until after the 2004 season.) It’s really hard to ticket someone for speeding, much less just pull them over, when there’s no speed limit posted. And, what about Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez? Yes, I know: Jose Canseco confessed that he introduced Pudge to PEDs. But, look at the numbers. From 1991-2004, Pudge played 1758 games and had an OPS+ of 115. From 2005 through 2011, he played 785 games and had an OPS+ of 85. And, remember: in Spring Training 2005, Pudge showed up 20 pounds lighter than he was in previous years. If Pudge was using PEDs, there’s some evidence to point towards him no longer using them once there was a policy against them. All of this is probably why Piazza, Bagwell and Pudge are in the Hall of Fame now – it’s suspicion only and all pre-policy. You are going to see the same thing with Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Granted, there’s more than just a suspicion with them. But, the bulk of their body of work is pre-policy and there are no suspensions or convictions on their record due to PED use. The two PED cases that will be most interesting with respect to the Hall of Fame are Manny Ramirez and Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez. Both failed tests twice. Both were suspended for lengthy periods for failing a test AFTER there was a policy against it. Manny is already on the ballot. (This was his first year on it.) A-Rod has to wait 5 years before they vote on him. They may both get elected to the Hall. But, it’s not going to be quick or easy for them.

This guy has destroyed minor league pitching. But, why would the Angels just let him go?

Hey, he could turn out to be the Korean Big Papi. Or, he will be the next Hee-Seop Choi…who also raked in the bush leagues.

Sabathia and Pineda will be free agents.  Tanaka can opt out.    Who does that leave for the season after this one?

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Retire #30 before even thinking about #13!

Will 2017 be the first time in the last 19 years that the Yankees fail to draw three million at home? I think they have a good shot at it – watching their attendance trend.

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Jesus Montero is now an Oriole. Peter O’Brien is now a Royal.

Gary Sanchez is still in the house.

Mickey Mantle has been dead for over 21 years.

When Mantle retired, you can make a case that he was the 5th greatest position player of all time (after Babe Ruth’s retirement):

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Mantle’s prime was the mid-to-late 50’s to early 60’s.  If you were 15-years old in 1960, that would make you over 70 years old today.  The audience of those who saw Mantle at his best is aging out.

Kids today – and many young Yankees fans, I suspect – have no idea how great Mickey Mantle was with respect to the time that he played and when his career ended.

That’s a shame.