The importance of CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and the man they call A-Rod has been covered in great detail this offseason. So have Derek Jeter's defensive troubles and Joba Chamberlain's role on the pitching staff. All are vitally important issues, and all will play a role in defining where the Yankees wind up in the standings. So will these the three, somewhat under the radar, questions that follow, however.
1. Can Brian Bruney get the ball to Mariano Rivera?
The Yankees got a great performance from their unheralded bullpen last season while the rotation imploded, now that the starting pitching is better the bullpen has to maintain their performance. Bruney is pivotal to that task. He's got the power arm for the role, but control has been a big problem over the years. It wasn't in 2008, but Bruney only managed 34 innings because of a foot injury. He needs to at least double that output this year, while pitching in high-leverage spots, without losing any of his effectiveness.
2. Has Robinson Cano learned anything from last year's disaster?
Watching Cano hit in 2008 was as frustrating as banging your head against a brick wall. Time after time he'd swing at the first pitch, pop the ball up and seem to shrug as he took a couple of steps toward first before his pop-up settled into an opposing glove. He's been in the big leagues long enough that no one can expect him to become a patient hitter who helps himself, but he needs to show some selectivity if he's going to post the .300+ batting average he needs to be a valuable player.
There were whispers last year that Cano wasn't taking baseball seriously enough, which his performance bore out. In addition to a rebound in offensive performance, the Yankees need Cano to show the maturity needed to handle such an important role on the team. If he fails on either front, the team will have to start thinking about other options at second base.
3. Will a kindler, gentler Joe Girardi bear fruit?
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The manager took a page from Giants coach Tom Coughlin's book and removed his foot from the gas this spring. Trips to play pool and golf games lightened the mood, especially with all of the turmoil created by A-Rod's myriad issues early on. Girardi probably couldn't have done anything to change last year's outcome, what with all of the injuries, but a new, lighter approach may help his players deal with the pressures of playing for the Yankees.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
