[beatnikpoet13]

Expectations are high this year as the Yankees prepare to take the field for the 2004 season. This offseason was busy for the Yankees, as they acquired relievers Tom Gordon and Paul Quantrill via free agency, along with starting pitcher Donovan Osborne, centerfielder Kenny Lofton, first basemen Tony Clark and Travis Lee, second baseman Miguel Cairo, and slugging outfielder Gary Sheffield.

The Yankees were also able to acquire ace pitchers Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez via trade, along with with superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who will take over at third base for the Yankees.

Now we'll start taking a look at the Yankees, position by position, starting with the starting rotation.

Starters
This group is led by Mike "Moose" Mussina, who enters his fourth season with the Bronx Bombers. Mussina is a crafty veteran workhorse who can be counted on for 200+ innings and 18-20 wins. Right behind Mussina will be newly acquired Kevin Brown, who at 39 years old may have seen better days. Brown, who was acquired this offseason for Jeff Weaver, has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons, but rebounded last year to post an outstanding 2.39 ERA to go with 14 wins for an anemic Dodgers team. With this Yankees offense, Brown could quite possibly win 20 games, provided he can stay healthy.

Young fireballer Javier Vazquez will anchor the number three spot in the rotation, perhaps giving the Yankees the best number three starter in the American League. Last season Vazquez won 13 games and struck out 241 in 230 innings pitched, and this season he should increase his win total to somewhere near 20.

Rounding out the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation will be crafty Cuban fireballer Jose Contreras and rookie Jorge Depaula. Contreras, who posted a fine 3.30 ERA and 7 wins in limited duty last season, will be counted on to provide the Bombers with quality innings at the back of the rotation. Jorge Depaula is one of the top pitching prospects in the Yankees farm system, and hopes are high that he will be able to provide the big club with quality innings in the number 5 spot in the rotation.

Injuries

Jon Lieber and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez will start the season on the disabled list. When he returns, Hernandez may step into a long relief/spot starter role, while the team is hopeful that Lieber will be able to step right into the rotation as the fifth starter.

Up next...a preview of the bullpen.