Breaking down the 2009 Twins and Yankees

Published 8:50 am Thursday, March 26, 2009

Comparisons are based on knowledge and emotions. What I think is true you may not. Nothing wrong in differing opinions. What a dull world this would be if we all thought alike. Here is a somewhat informed comparison of the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.

Let’s compare the position players skipping the designated hitter.

Catching: Yankee starter Jorge Posada has been a Yankee standout for a decade. He was a good defensive catcher and a middle of the lineup hitter. However, Posada is reaching the end of his career. He was injured last year, missed a lot of games and had a batting average of .268. He’s aging and is not one of the strengths of the Yankee’s lineup.

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The Twins’ Joe Mauer finished fourth in the MVP balloting and holds the American League batting title. Strong edge for Mauer and the Twins provided he’s healthy.

Justin Morneau finished second in the MVP balloting and provides the team with a very possible Hall of Famer at first base.

The Yankees did what they always do and signed Mark Teixeira, perhaps the only first baseman in the league that equals Morneau. Teixeira has averaged 35 homeruns, 120 RBIs and batted .290. He’s a very valuable addition to the Yankees. A slight edge goes to Morneau and the Twins.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla’s performance of last year indicates he will hit around .280 and provide better than average defense. Casilla has speed and can be a disrupting influence on base.

Robinson Cano of the Yankees chased Joe Mauer to the wire for the American League batting title a couple of years ago. Cano is not the fielder Casilla is, but is a proven major league hitter. Second base goes to the Yankees.

Third base: Joe Crede is in his first year for the Twins and has back problems, but if he holds up, his career average of .257, 25 home runs and 86 RBIs per 162 games, will be a force for the club. With Joe Mauer’s medical problems the team is fortunate to have him.

The Yankees third baseman was a cinch for the Hall of Fame until his steroid use popped up. Alex Rodriguez was considered to be the best, certainly the highest paid player of our time. Even though Rodriguez will miss part of the season, you have to give the edge to the Yankees.

Nick Punto shortstop will perform well for the Twins, but Derek Jeter is a Yankee institution and icon. Edge to Jeter and the Yankees.

Michael Cuddyer has perhaps the best arm in the league and if he hits well, is a better than average right fielder.

The Yankees have an unsettled right field, but I’ll give Nick Swisher the start. Swisher only batted .217 last year and at best, is only an average fielder. The nod goes to the Twins.

Center fielder Carlos Gomez is perhaps the toughest to predict, he of the other worldly speed, may have a breakout year and become an All-Star type.

The Yankees have disappointing Melky Cabrera slotted for center field and while Cabrera has some potential, Gomez; has the edge, perhaps by a big margin.

Left field: Denard Span has the opportunity to prove himself again and be the player he was last year, which was very good.

Johnny Damon of the Yankees is an aging star that has slipped the last couple of years. Maybe this is hometown, but I’m giving the edge to Span, and if Denard lets us down, there is Delmon Young waiting in the wings.

Accordingly, which team looks better for 2009?

Matching position player to position player, the Twins have a five-three edge. That surprised me. Another observer may call it differently, but that’s my pick and if it proves to be wrong, so be it. In any case it will be interesting to see the Yankees and the Twins go head-to-head.