Its official (according to MLB.com anyway) the position war is on!

For the 2010 defending world champion Yankees, there lie 2 questions: Who is in left? and who is our #5?

LEFT FIELD
Last year: It was all Damon’s territory. But hes donned an old english D for the interlocking NY.
The contenders: Brett Gardner (fav), Marcus Thames, Randy Winn.

-Gardner enters this fight as not only the favorite, but also as the only one with a ring from last year.
strength: Fast…like, really fast. Like, you can catch him on a pitch out and he’ll still steal 2nd. Also defense. He’ll play you shallow and still track down a fly ball on the track.
weakness: No power. The only homer hes hitting is an inside the park one…but hes already got one of those on his resume…

-Randy Winn may not be as fast as he used to be, so good thing he isnt a 1-trick pony.
strength: Switch hitter. So unlike a certain unnamed person on this team, Winn can hit lefties.
weakness: No power. Never was much of a power threat…then again, hes in Yankee Statium now.

-Thames has some former Yankee days to call upon is his 2nd go around. A non-roster invitee means he the heavy underdog in this battle. 50:1 odds…
strength: Compared to the other two, hes got home run power.
weakness: No security. Unlike the other two, where the bench is always an option, Thames is starter or die. He needs to really impress if he wants to stay in the big leagues.

-Projected winner?
Brett Gardner. The Yankees have enough raw power in their lineup, so Thames’ only edge goes out the window. Gardners speed fills a huge void left behind by Damon. Look for Gardner to be so impressive, he might win center field and push Granderson over to left.

STARTER #5
Last year: It was a freakin merry-go-round for the Yankees. With 1-4 set in stone, anyone and everyone who was apart of the beforementioned merry-go-round are lookin to win that 5 slot and avoid either the bullpen of AAA.
The contenders: Joba Chamberlain (co-fav), Phil Hughes (co-fav), Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves.

The clear favorites in the battle are Joba and Hughes. The fact that the other three are showing up for this is like Mexico showing up for the winter olympics: hopeless.

-Joba has been released from his imfamous “Joba Rules” restriction, which should unleash some fury on oppeonents this year.
strength: No rules. No mercy.
weakness: Waaaaaaaay more dominant from the bullpen.

-Phil Hughes wasnt too shabby when he was a spot starter last year, and he was unstoppable from the pen.
strength: rotation or bullpen, either way you win.
weakness: that flexability may become a liability against Joba.

-I said it before and Ill say it again. A big reason why our trio of starters were so dominationg during the 09 playoffs, was because they were able to rest and prepare all during September. And while they were resting, Gaudin and Mitre were kicking @S$ and winning.
Mitre
strength: When hes on, hes ON!
weakness: when hes cold, hes freezing. Potential for injury always present.
Gaudin
strength: He pitched well in some big games for us down the stretch last year.
weakness: He lacks longevity in his starts. 5 inning pitchers dont look to promising in this fight.

-…and then theres Aceves. He did great out of the pen last year. Why change that? He can always find a good time to spot-start. Anyone remember Ramiro Mendoza? Great long reliever who occasionally started a game. Thats a nice role for Aceves.
strength: Great pitcher who has some clutch stuff….but as a starter?
weakness: Too many guys ahead of him in line. Too mant guys need to flop for him to take over #5. Stick to relief.

-Projected winner?
Phil Hughes. Jobas downfall in my mind is that hes just TOO good out of the pen. Hughes has similar stuff nomatter if its the 1st or 7th. Joba on the other hand can hit 100 pitching out of the pen. Thats scarier to face.

…so those are the 2 major battles projected for spring training 2010…Ill be keeping tabs on both as the games roll on.

(fantasy draft: March 21 someone remind me when the time draws near)