WHAT COULD GO WRONG

Forgive me for writing this piece, but besides being a life-long Yankee fan, I am also a fan of the NY Jets...and thus I can be very pessimistic. So, although the Yanks come into the 2010 season loaded and a favorite in many circles to go back to the World Series, I couldn't help but ponder what's the worst things that could happen to this team. Here's my list of 5 events that could turn this season into a "2009 Mets" type disaster...

1) ARod reinjures hip

I know that ARod was told that last season's hip surgery went so well he won't need a follow-up procedure, but after seeing Carlos Delgado have to go back under the knife, the ARod hip issue just can't be ignored. If word should come that ARod will need to miss extensive time for a follow-up procedure it would crush the hopes of Yankee Universe. Unfortunately, the Yanks will have to live with this possibility for the next 8 years of ARod's (insane) contract.

Probability: 15%


2) Sabathia, Burnett & Pettitte all suffer arm related injuries

Last year's big three all pitched over 200 innings. They went deep in the playoffs, CC & AJ for the first time, and Andy for the first time in many years. If all three broke down this year due to tired arms, strains or tears it wouldn't be a surprise. Fortunately, Girardi and the Yanks are aware of the potential danger, and are attempting to limit the amount of throwing these guys do in the pre-season. The Yanks could afford to lose 1, possibly even 2, of these guys for significant portions of the season (the Vasquez signing was big for this reason) but if all 3 were to go down, it would be a disaster.

Probability: 10%


3) Yankee outfield struggles

One thing about Johnny Damon was he was consistent as hell. From 2002 to 2009 he never batted below .270, scored less than 93 runs or had an OBP under .345. His replacement Curtis Granderson has a LIFETIME OBP of .344, hit .249 last year, and has scored less than 93 runs in 2 of his 4 full years despite playing in a pretty good offense in Detroit.

The other outfielders for the Yanks - Swisher, Gardner, Winn, Thames, Hoffman - are either inconsistent (Would you really be surprised if Nick Swisher, after partying all winter, hit .220 like he did with the White Sox in 2008), young & unproven (Gardner, Hoffman), or old & flawed (Winn, Thames). There is the distinct possibility that by mid-summer, Yankee fans may long for the days of one Melky Cabrera.

Probability: 20%


4) Mo finally behaves humanly

One of these years it's bound to happen. Mo has had early season struggles, so a bad April will not necessarily be cause for alarm. But what if by the All-Star Break Mo is sporting a 7.00 ERA with 6 blown saves. Would the Yanks do as the Phils did last year with Brad Lidge --- keep sending him out there. Or would they panic and move Joba or Hughes to the back of the bullpen, hoping they were ready to handle the pressures of replacing the greatest closer of all time?

Probability: 8%


5) Jeter linked to PED's

I may get death threats for even writing this. So let me say this:

I DO NOT HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK THAT DEREK JETER HAS EVER USED PED'S.

The only reason I bring this up is because, if Jeter were to ever be linked to PED's, it would totally destroy the Yankee brand. When we all found out ARod, Manny, Big Papi, Bonds, Giambi, Sosa, & McGwire were linked to the stuff, no one was surprised. I mean if the cheater played for your team, you tried to pretend like it was a surprise, but we all knew the best hitters in the game were a little too good.

But if Jeter ever was associated with PED's it would make all Yankee championships since '96 null and void. You know it would. All the Yankee haters would come out the woodwork to trash Jeter. They've wanted to for so long but haven't been able to say much except the occasional "he's overrated" or "he's a terrible short-stop", even though deep down they know he's one of the truly great winners of all time, right there with the likes of Bill Russell, John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan & Joe Montana.

A connection to PED's for Jeter (and the obvious media tsunami it would create) would tarnish his impeccable reputation and would suck the life out of this Yankee team in the same way Thurman Munson's death did to the '79 Yanks, who were also trying to repeat as champs.

Probability: Less than 1%