Ask the Experts: New York Yankees

Our friends over at RotoProfessor recently had the opportunity to post five questions to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. I figured with the offenses that the Yankees and Mets are looking to "commit" this year, these constitute good reads.

• What role do you see Joba Chamberlain filling coming out of Spring Training? Do you see any innings limit being put on him?
  
• Mark Feinsand: Brian Cashman won’t say what it is, but the innings limit on Joba will probably be around 140 or so. I think he’s going to start the year in the bullpen, and if they decide/need/want to move him into the rotation a month or two into the season, they’ll send him to the minors to stretch him out. Personally, I think he is best fit to be the setup guy this year, throwing about 120-130 innings out of the pen. If they use him like they used Mariano Rivera in 1996, they would have a tremendous bullpen. 

What are the chances that Ian Kennedy is able to win a rotation spot out of Spring Training? If he doesn’t, do you see him making an impact this season?
Mark Feinsand: I think Kennedy will win a spot in the rotation unless he completely falls apart. His inning limit will be approximately 190-195 from what I can figure, which isn’t really much of a limit at all. Remember, Kennedy was a polished college pitcher, so even though he was drafted less than two years ago, he’s experienced to some degree.

• How do you see the Yankees handling the 1B situation? If it’s not Jason Giambi full-time, what role do you see him playing on this team in ‘08?
  
• Mark Feinsand: Joe Girardi has made several comments that indicate he would like to see Giambi play first base on a regular basis, so he’ll be given that opportunity. Of course, that’s assuming Giambi can stay healthy enough to do so. Shelley Duncan will see some time at first, and I look at Morgan Ensberg as a darkhorse to win the job this spring. I could easily see Ensberg making this team. 
  

With Robinson Cano quickly becoming one of the top young hitters in the game, where in the order do you see him batting this season? Is there any chance they ultimately move him to the #2 or 3 spot by season’s end?
Mark Feinsand: I see Cano batting seventh or eighth this year, since there are still too many veterans ahead of him. Damon, Jeter, Abreu, ARod, Posada, Matsui, Giambi, Cano, Cabrera. That seems about right to me. As good as Cano is, it’s not like hitting seventh or eighth in this lineup is a problem, since guys will still be on base ahead of him. Now, in 2009, with Giambi and Abreu likely gone, I could see Cano sliding up to the #3 spot that season.