The Magic Carpet

By Matthew Storey

Yesterday, the Yankees swept the Rays in The Bronx in a Labor Day Doubleheader. In so doing, they took a Nine Game Lead over the Boston Red Sox for the AL Eastern Division and a Six and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for best record in the American League.

With an 89-50 record, and 23 games to play, it is time to declare victory in both races.

Congratulations to the 2009 New York Yankees, American League Eastern Division Champions for the 8th time in the Decade and first time since 2006.

Congratulation to the 2009 New York Yankees for the best record and #1 Seed in the American League, which, with the American League victory in the All-Star Game insures that every series they make will begin at Yankee Stadium and, if needed, play a deciding game there as well.

Those are the only things that can be accomplished in the Regular Season and they took care of their business.

On to the next challenges. Everything is relative. Yankees won 87 games in 2000 and notched their 3rd Straight World Series, they won 103 in 2002 and were ousted by the eventual champion Angels in the first round. Although they have lapped the rest of MLB in the regular season, Manager Joe Girardi, closer Mariano Rivera, starter Andy Pettitte, Shortstop Derek Jeter and Catcher Jorge Posada all played on the 1998 Yankees and the 2009 version would have to win out its last 23 and sweep 11 playoff games to match that team's 125-50 season.

Before we look ahead, lets look at what has transpired since our last update;

Yankees through 116 Games were 73-43 (.629) in 1st Place by 6.5 over Red Sox

Since then, in Games 117-139, they have played 16-7 (.696) and lead by 9 games with an overall record of 89-50.

As we are focusing on the future and a SUMMARY of the past, I'll abandon my usual game by game summary, which can easily and more completely be found on Yankees.com (remember, you should all be spending at LEAST an hour a day there anyway! With NFL starting, MLB playoffs, Breeders Cup, NHL and NBA on the way (and some of you College Football, which Guru doesn't follow) NOW is the time to assess your friends, family and acquaintances for those relationships that can be abandoned or sent over the edge, which will free up the time you need for sports.

Accordingly, here is a player by player look at the Season that has been and a projection forward.

Manager Joe Girardi

Joe put Derek Jeter, the definitive #2 hitter of the previous decade into the leadoff spot and Johnny Damon, on the short list of best leadoff hitters in that decade in the two hole. Both guys have turned in superior seasons and have complimented the change in roles perfectly. Joe put the CF position into the hands of Melky Cabrera, coming off the worst season of his career and Brett Gardner, an unproven pinch-runner who struggled with MLB pitching in 2008, both have played Gold Glove defense, have stolen bases, shown complementary offensive talents (Melky switch hits with some power, Gardner's speed unravels defenders). Joe had to juggle personnel to make sure Hideki Matsui's knees, Alex Rodriguez's hip, Jorge Posada's shoulder, Mariano Rivera's shoulder, Johnny Damon's wheels all held up and their numbers and vigor speak to how effectively he has done that. Joe had to adjust on the fly when Wang, Bruney, Veras, Marte, Ramirez, Melancon and now, perhaps, Joba ALL blew out body parts or performed beneath expectations and he inserted former starters into the pen, and has watched Phil Hughes (1.08 ERA as reliever), Alfredo Alceves (10-1 in relief), Phil Coke, David Robertson all strike people out, work multiple innings and keep the Yankees in ballgames. Now, with Marte, Albaladejo and Melancon up and getting a chance to show what they can do, Joe has an ideal preview for Playoff Bullpen considerations. Joe has balanced out the loss of Wang, and struggles of Joba by spotting Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin in places where they can win and do no harm to Yankee plans. Joe has found time for Eric Hinske, Jerry Hairston, Jr, Ramiro Pena, Francisco Cervelli all to play and gotten terrific play from all of them. After a tough first year with NY media, Joe has been a straight shooter and established where he will and will not go with player discussions, and peace has reigned throughout the Yankee kingdom. Alex has Kate Hudson, but no drama. Alex, Derek and Mariano periodically take over the spotlight because of some silly Hall of Famer they need to pass statistically, they do so in style, everyone claps and smiles ear to ear and they all move on. The are workmanlike, which defines Girardi, their stars, their role players and their new arrivals and that has always been a winning approach in Pinstripes.

Starting Pitchers

LF CC Sabathia

CC has been the Ace he has always been. He is always calm, always around on the bench in games he isn't pitching and you can see how effortlessly he leads and sets a tone. He is pure professional on a hill, in front of a microphone, in the community. He dominates about half the time, and finds a way to stay close the other half, he seems to have 4-5 tough starts early each year but Yankees haven't seen that in months.

RH AJ Burnett

AJ has been a great TEAMMATE, the aloof, sniping AJ has not been seen much in NYC. He is emotional and will continue to benefit from the company he is keeping by controlling the swings better. On the hill, he also dominates about half his outings, but has a difficult time controlling damage and remaining focused on EVERY pitch when he is not on top of his game, and that has led to some bad losses. He needs to do better and be more consistent and needs to cut the Walks WAY down. But his big arm and obvious joy at being in Pinstripes make him an easy guy to root for. He was terrific last night in 11-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

LH Andy Pettitte

Andy was pretty good for the 1st Half last season and sitting at 12-7, before things fell apart in the latter months. It took months for the team to bring him back, but he has made that decision pay off big time, with a 13-6 season and a sub 3 ERA in the 2nd Half, Andy is firmly in the Playoff rotation and has put himself in position to get a 2 year extension in the offseason if he pitches well in October. He is a Yankee, who loves being a Yankee and takes an active role with all his teammates, he can be seen with other starters, with old friends, with new arrivals, always friendly, always open, never a jerk towards opponents or teammates. Andy is a Texas Evangelical who has nothing but positive vibes for The Bronx and The Bronx for him, and that is saying a lot.

RH Joba Chamberlain

Next to the devastating loss of Chien-Ming Wang, Joba has been the Yankees biggest disappointment and a genuine concern has to exist within the organization as to whether or not he is ever going to be the sort of pitcher, physically and mentally, that he was prior to straining his shoulder August 4, 2008 against Texas. His fastball is anywhere from 5-8 MPH slower, his slider has fallen off, his control has been terrible, his ability to pitch out of jams or put hitters away goes missing for several starts. He gets chance after chance to right himself and take advantage of the flexibility the Yankees situation affords to either sit out and pull together or step up and perform, and for the last six weeks, he simply has not been able to do so. He may be tired, he might be hurt or may be dealing with things in his personal life. At only 23, it would not be surprising if all three are going on, but for the Yankees to WIN, he has to be better than he is right now.

RH Sergio Mitre

Tough call. Sergio has stuff that is similar to Chien-Ming Wang's 'B' arsenal, not the crackling mid '90s sinker but a low '90s dropper with decent control and other pitches. He is no front of the rotation type, but he has shown flashes of being a dependable #5. He is still in his first year after Tommy John surgery, so he will be better in the next couple of years and has shown enough to keep the Yankees interested. With just a few more starts this year, he needs only to show health and improvement to be a Bullpen piece in playoffs.

RH Chad Gaudin

Chad is a perfect example of a guy who is not going to be a Yankee for long. He has been on multiple teams with little success in his brief MLB career, got dumped on the Yankees from the lowly Padres and has chafed at being used in a spot starters role since arriving. He is decent in relief or starting, but is being counted on to play a supporting role and seems not to be able to play that way. He wants to be a starter somewhere and will need to go elsewhere for that chance. In the meantime, he is filler for the next 23 games.

Bullpen

LH Damaso Marte

Marte came up lame after the World Baseball Classic, took months to heal, struggled in the minors and managed to lower expectations into the underworld before being called up in late August. And then, he has pitched terrific baseball since arriving. He is throwing in mid '90s, slider is nasty, control is there. He is perfect used as a LH specialist and never in the role they put him in last year of set-up for both RH and LH and multi-inning.

RH Jonathan Albaladejo

A role player in the Bullpen, Jonathan is not a flame thrower but he throws strikes, gets ground balls and chews innings and has avoided being fuel for big innings since his return from minor leagues.

RH David Robertson

A strikeout artist, Robertson has an impressive 61 K's in his 41 Innings (13.4 per 9 innings!) and is an ideal bridge to the set-up guys.

RH Brian Bruney

A tough two seasons for the Yankees set-up man, who has battled injury and rehab, but has pitched better of late. Brian still has stuff that take a backseat to nobody, with 97 mph heat, wicked breaking stuff and guts. He just needs to pitch more than the Yankees can give him now, and that effects his control and his mood in negative ways. With Hughes going back to the rotation in 2010, Bruney will still have his chance to be the full time set-up guy next year if he manages to keep it together through the rest of this frustrating year and contribute in the playoffs.

LH Phil Coke

Coke can pitch a ton of innings and games and be effective. He strikes people out, dominates LH hitting, throws hard, throws sliders...his hits per inning is low and his spirit is positive. But...he gives up a LOT of HR's and that is not a good long term strategy for a Yankee reliever (see Farnsworth, Kyle, Proctor, Scott). He has to get a handle on that serious flaw and will then be a long time Yankee asset.

RH Mariano Rivera

39 of 40 saves, 35 in a row, the year after 39 of 40. 63 K's and only 51 Baserunners in his 56 innings. Had a mild groin strain that cost him a few days, but was his normal self yesterday picking up the save. As long as he can strike out six times as many people as he walks, give up less than a runner per inning and save almost every game, you are covered. All of the sudden, he is going to be looking at ANOTHER contract. Amazing. Maybe the most amazing of all team sports athletes.

Infield

1B Mark Teixeira

Gold Glove Defense, all-world hustle, big power and clutch from both sides of the plate, a passion for being a Yankee and embracing his team, manager, tradition, fans and goals. A perfect signing.

2B Robinson Cano

Cano played Gold Glove defense for the first four months of the season, combining his unmatched range and cannon arm with the sure hands and concentration he sometimes lacks, but has fallen back of late as Yankees have begun to coast a bit. That said, he is still a great, great Defensive 2B who will blow an easy ball periodically (10 errors). Offensively, he is back to the player he was in '06 and '07, with 23 HR/76 RBI/.316 AVG/ .516 SLG and is second in MLB in total bases to Pujols, all at only 90%.

He is the most gifted combination of defensive and offensive skills of any 2B and has numbers, but STILL lacks the whole maturity that could make him a HOF type. He will surely be given a decade or so to find that next gear by the Yankees.

SS Derek Jeter

The great Jeter, who has merely spent his summer becoming the ALL-TIME hits leader for Shortstops and now is on the brink of becoming the ALL-TIME hits leader for the Yankees. He is Derek, at bat and in the field, on fire for two months, leading the team, making the right play, getting the big hit, saying the right thing. What he has avoided this season that has cost him in recent years is that twisted leg, pulled muscled, smashed hand that keeps his production merely mortal. Hitting .330, will have 20 HR to match is 20+ steals, outstanding defense, unmatched presence. ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

3B Alex Rodriguez

Alex has had to fight his surgical hip all season, and their were times in the Summer when he looked like it was really slowing him down, sapping his power, reducing his speed. But he is feeling great of late, has managed to steal 10 of 12 bases anyway, play strong 3B and moved his average above .280. He can reach 30 HR/100 RBI if he stays hot, despite the missed time and the reduced flexibility. He seems relaxed and happy and, on this years team, he is just a guy not a savior, which he has proven is too large a role for him. Idea situation for both parties.

UT Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Jerry doesn't really do anything better than the man he replaced, Cody Ransom, but he is a 3rd Generation MLB player whose brother is also in MLB and he is comfortable in his role and confident in his ability. Both men can run, play infield or outfield with skill, pop an occasional HR or drop a bunt, but Jerry believes in Jerry and its his job now.

UT Ramiro Pena

Some guys come up to the Yankees and play tense, overwhelmed by internal expectations and the setting. They usually need to go elsewhere to be the best they can be. Ramiro came up from Double A, played tremendous SS, hit the ball effectively from both sides of the plate, doesn't ever get rattled, runs the bases well. Ideal utility player.

Outfield

RF Nick Swisher

Really Nick has had two seasons. At home, for whatever reason, he has struggled (.206 AVG/ .311 SLG, 3HR/20 RBI) and on the road, he is an MVP candidate (21 HR/55 RBI/ .614 SLG). He plays an enthusiastic RF, with glimpsed of both excellent and porous play, but is a consistent Giambi style On-Base machine and a well liked teammate who would be even more valuable if he could match up his road work with home cooking and move himself into the star orbit of his teammates.

CF Melky Cabrera