ESPN Fantasy
SLEEPER
The lack of hype surrounding Kei Igawa means he could quietly put together an excellent season while everyone pays attention to his countryman in Boston.
BUST
Chien-Ming Wang's inability to strike batters out limits both his fantasy value, and his ability to repeat 2006's impressive campaign.
prospects
HITTER TO WATCH: Brett Gardner, OF
Gardner is a fifth outfielder/pinch runner type who can run and take a walk but not hit.
PITCHER TO WATCH: Phil Hughes, RHP
Hughes has received remarkably little hype for a Yankee pitching prospect. He's a strikethrower with above-average stuff and should be ready to answer the first call for reinforcements.
-- Keith Law, Scouts Inc.
ESPN.com Predictions
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Gammons
90-72
2nd in
AL East
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Stark
91-71
2nd in
AL East
-
Crasnick
91-71
2nd in
AL East
-
Olney
89-73
2nd in
AL East
-
Neyer
94-68
1st in
AL East
-
Kurkjian
94-68
1st in
AL East
-
Phillips
96-66
1st in
AL East
-
Law
94-68
1st in
AL East
-
Caple
95-67
1st in
AL East
-
Karabell
92-70
1st in
AL East
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MLB Preview 2007

FIXED
Ten years after guys named Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter broke into the bigs, along came Robinson Canó and Chien-Ming Wang. The time in between was the Lost Decade, as the Yankees failed to deliver many prospects of note. While the division titles continued, the world titles stopped. But in the past
18 months, GM Brian Cashman has re-emphasized player development and changed the team's draft plan. "Go get the highest-ceiling players," he told a scouting executive, "and don't be afraid of the cost." The Bombers have quickly gone from having one of the worst farm systems to one that appears poised to produce another bumper crop. That, and not $25M infielders, is the key to October glory.
NEEDS FIXING
The change in emphasis from signing free agents to finding prospects means the Yankees lack their usual stable of seven veteran starters. If Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano flop, the club will be forced to rush kids Phil Hughes and Jeff Karstens. Of course, if the rotation gets thin, there is one old horse who could move into the stable. Roger that?
MIDSEASON FIX
"We could've used him last year. He's like a young Rocket." -- Jason Giambi on Hughes, whose big arm has Yankee fans imagining a twin Rocket booster.
-- Buster Olney
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