Addition of Javier Vazquez to Yankee Rotation May Be Too Much to Handle for AL East Foes

As we count down the days until Opening Day, it is time to look at each of the teams on the Red Sox' 2010 schedule. Our fourth installment sizes up the New York Yankees.

2009 record: 103-59, first in AL East

Manager: Joe Girardi

Key additions: SP Javier Vazquez, OF Curtis Granderson, DH/1B Nick Johnson, OF Randy Winn, OF Marcus Thames

Key losses: OF Johnny Damon, DH Hideki Matsui, OF Melky Cabrera, SP Chien-Ming Wang, RP Phil Coke, RP Brian Bruney, OF Austin Jackson

Outlook: One major criticism levied against manager Joe Girardi during the Yankees' postseason run surrounded his decision to go with just three starters throughout. Regardless of where one stood on that argument, it was clear that Girardi had no faith in anyone beyond the trio of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

Enter Javier Vazquez, one of the game’s most durable starters coming off his best season in the majors. The 33-year-old went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and 238 strikeouts for Atlanta before returning to New York in a five-player trade that featured outfielder Melky Cabrera going the other way.

Mudslingers will point to Vazquez’s rocky first go-round in the Bronx in 2004 (Red Sox fans likely recall his giving nature in the ALCS) as an indication that he cannot handle the environment, but remember that Vazquez was an All-Star that year before arm trouble, which he reportedly kept quiet, curbed his second half.

And Vazquez allows the Yanks to give the fifth spot in the rotation to one of a series of competing arms – including Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain – and use the losers in that competition to bolster the bullpen, a place the aforementioned twosome has enjoyed success.

It was a move within a move which should render the Yankees’ pitching staff as a whole a potent collection.

That puts the question marks on the other end of things, as New York bid adieu to Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, who combined for 52 home runs and a heavy dose of October magic.

The acquisitions of Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson soften the blow, and Girardi will have a host of movable parts in a younger, potentially faster outfield. But Johnson is a health hazard, and Granderson has seen his OPS plummet 133 points over the past two years. Also, the lineup exploded with Derek Jeter hitting in front of Damon in 2009, and how they lay things out one through nine remains in doubt.

Add in the fact that the Yanks are long in the tooth at a few positions and won several games last season in improbable comeback fashion (remember? pies in the face? Thuh-uh-uh-uh-uh-Yankees win!), and there is reason to foresee a slight drop-off in wins.

But such issues in Yankees-land are often minor. Alex Rodriguez is healthy, Robinson Cano is entering his prime and Mark Teixeira is still 29 and already a perfect fit in the Bronx. One hundred victories are less likely, but if Vazquez shows up the division is theirs for the taking.

What it means to the Red Sox: Only two Yankees teams since the Mickey Mantle days have had a better winning percentage than the 2009 version. They are clearly the hunted once again the AL East.

But Boston may be the one team in the division which can boast a pitching staff which is as good, or better, and a superior defense. That’s what the organization is now all about, and sticking to its guns in the face of the Yankees' powerhouse may yield an electric race.

The annual drama gets under way April 4 in prime time, a fitting start to the season.

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March 3: Go-Go Rays Look to Ride Speed, Rotation Back to AL Pennant

March 4: Blue Jays Hoping Bats Will Produce Wins After Ace Roy Halladay Fled to Philly

March 5: Improved Orioles May Be Ready to Rid Camden Yards' 'Fenway South' Nickname