Do the Yankees need offense?

Now that the Yankees are sure to start the 2009 season with a very formidable rotation, the attention shifts to their offense.  The Yankees will once again feature an aging, veteran lineup of guys like Jeter, A-Rod, Damon, Matsui, and a very questionable Posada.  They are most likely losing the services of both Abreu and Giambi, (they could opt to bring Giambi back for a year) and are still in negotiations with the Milwaukee Brewers over a trade that would swap the "Melk-Man" for Mike Cameron.  Should this trade get done, and Giambi and Abreu both sign elsewhere, the lineup will look something like this...

Damon

Jeter

 Matsui

A-Rod

Posada

Nady

Cano

Swisher

Cameron

Damon is a great leadoff hitter, and will get on base, and when healthy steal his fair share also.  He is getting older though, and although he had a good season last year, it remains to be seen if he can continue to do so throughout the 2009 season. 

Jeter is Jeter.  Despite having somewhat of an off year in 08' he still hasn't shown all that many signs of slowing down at the age of 34.  I would expect him to hit his usual .310, bat in about 70-75 runs, and score close to 100.  

The 3 hole is where it gets interesting.  Should the Yankees not go out and acquire a bigger bat, I would think they would elect to bat Matsui third, simply because if healthy, he is probably the closest they have to filling in for Abreu.  The key here is for him to actually stay healthy though.  He has had too many problems with his knees.  The Yankees are banking way too much on the fact that he is going to be healthy for all of 2009.  

As far as A-Rod, I expect him to have a great year.  Last year was a so-so year, but statistically, he usually follows an incredible year with a not so good one.  Don't expect the mammoth season he had in 07' but expect him to again lead a lot of offensive categories in the American League. 

The 5 hole could get very interesting.  I consider Posada to be a big question mark, that could potentially make or break the Yankees lineup.  Is he capable of coming anywhere close to his 07' season?  Can he even play a full season?  These are questions the Yankees seriously have to address when considering whether to upgrade their offense or not.  

Nady should give the Yanks a solid year.  I doubt he will have another year like last, but remember that was a career year for him.  He seems to like playing for the Yanks.  He didn't miss a beat last year coming over from Pittsburgh at the deadline.  I would look for him to hit about .280, with anywhere from 15-20 homers, and probably 70-80 RBI's.  

If Robinson Cano plays to his potential this year, you can forget about him being down here in the 7 hole.  He was absolutely horrendous last year.  He is such a natural hitter.  Two years ago he looked like he was going to compete for a batting title for years to come.  Last year every plate appearance kinda looked like J.D Drew against David Price in the ALCS.  What happened to this guy?  The Yankees are serious about turning him around.  They seem to want to get rid of his good friend Melky Cabrera probably because they feel he has been a distraction (and he simply is not any good).  Cano has been working with hitting coach Kevin Long all offseason.  The Yankees better hope this pays off, because if Cano plays to his potential next year, expect to see him in the 3 hole, which would give the Yanks a hell of a better lineup.

The Yankees are banking on the fact that Nick Swisher will bring more of his 2007 season with him to the Bronx.  The switch hitter batted a career low .219 with 24 homers and 69 RBI's in 08'.  He is a career .244 hitter, but usually stays around the .250 mark.  Even though he provides a decent amount of pop, the Yankees need more guys that are going to simply get hits.  Last season proved that clutch hitting is a problem, and the home run ball can not always be relied on.

I'm going to round out their lineup with Mike Cameron because I believe Cashman is going to get this deal done eventually.  I would have rather him attempt to go after a guy like David DeJesus or Rick Ankiel, but it doesn't seem like he wants to part with many prospects.  What does Cameron bring to the Yanks that Melky never provided?  Well, first off hes a multiple gold glove winner who plays a stellar center field.  Sure he isn't as speedy as he once was, but he still is very formidable.  Second, he is a veteran presence.  Finally, he won't distract Robinson Cano.  The Yankees became very annoyed with the friendship between the two teammates last season.  They thought it to be a major reason why Canos numbers dropped off so far from 2007.  Mike Cameron is a guy who isn't going to hit for average.  He is a career .250 hitter with some pop.  Like swisher, he's good for about 25 long balls per season, a major upgrade from Melky's disappointing 8 last year.  The downside is he strikes out a lot.  He did so 142 times last year, and 160 in 2007.  

Conclusion:

The Yankees could use 1 more big bat.  This doesn't necessarily mean Mark Texiera (although I would love that).  They just need a good on base guy, with reasonable power.  Why not Bobby Abreu?  I understand the Yankees are reluctant to sign him for what he wants, but he has proven himself in NY.  He has been an excellent number 3 hitter for them, and although he is afraid of that right field wall he plays his position decently.  Resigning Abreu would allow the Yankees to use a great outfield platoon to keep all of their aging outfielders healthy throughout the season.  Last year Johnny Damon got annoyed that he wasn't playing everyday but I think in the end Johnny just wants to win and would except this strategy.  Having a constant bench bat would be another benefit of this platoon, and also the ability to match the outfielder up with who the Yankees have pitching that day.  Signing Abreu is something to think about for the Yanks.  Whatever way you slice it, they need another bat in that lineup next season.