Game 1 of 162 Jesus Montero goes 0-4 and Yankees fans are easily impressed with Brian Cashman’s deal of trading Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda.  I’m not yet ready to jump the band wagon that the Yankees got the better trade.  While a majority of teams are still in spring training mode the Oakland Athletics and Settle Mariners already had a jump start with the opening series taken place in Tokyo and much further away time zone?

  When Montero had his brief stint with the Yankees last season he was sounded with a line-up that had 3 players with over 100 RBI’s (Cano, Granderson and Teixeira) while last season Miguel Olivo lead the Mariners with 62 RBI’s.   Granderson and Teixeira also came in 2^nd and 3^rd place with 41 and 39 home runs in the American League while Miguel Olivo also lead the team with 19 home runs last season with the Mariners. 

     I could keep on mitigating how much a better offense the New York Yankees are then the Seattle Mariners.  However I’m not going to let one game become the final answer of how much better the trade was in favor for.  Especially since Michael Pineda hasn’t yet pitched a game during the regular season yet with the Yankees.  Let’s allow a few starts for Pineda and a least a month or two for Montero to see what he can do before us fans debate who got the better end of the deal.

 I don't know why it didn't dawn on me until today and thanks to a follower on Twitter (@AtTravisMiller) for pointed out from one of my photos taken over 9 months ago that I was "LaPayowering" in reference to "Tebowing" which accoroding to Wikipedia Tebowing occured when Tim Tebow and the Broncos' comeback overtime victory over the Dolphins on October 23, 2011.

1)      Will the Yankees win their 28^th World Series this upcoming season?

2)      With the new wild card rules in place will the Yankees win the division?

3)      The Yankees currently have 7 Staring pitchers (Sabathia, Nova, Kuroda, Pettitte, Pineda, Hughes & Garcia).  However there needs to be a 5 man rotation.  Besides C.C who will be the other 4 starting pitchers that will lead the Yankees into the playoffs?

4)      How does the lack of pitching at a professional level affect Andy Pettitte during a year of retirement?

5)      Will Raul Ibanez and Andrew Jones be an effective DH?

6)      Will Mariano Rivera retire after this upcoming season?

Time will tell when the questions are fully answered as this upcoming season unravels itself.  I’m sure we all can think of plenty of other questions to add to this list.  However I feel these are the most important questions that are currently on everyone’s mind.  

     Buck Showalter during last year’s spring training made some criticism about the Yankees in the April edition of Men’s Journal.  Obviously the Yankees during the 2011 Season won 13 games out of the 18 played against the Orioles.  Hopefully with Bobby Valentine as the new Boston Red Sox manager recent criticism can fuel the Yankees into more wins this upcoming season compared to last season 6 wins and 12 loses against the Red Sox. 

   When Bobby Valentine managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 – 1992 until he for fired by future former President George Bush halfway into the season.  The Rangers won 51 games and the Yankees lost 44 games during that time period out of 95 games played.  However when Bobby Valentine managed the Mets from 1996 - 2002 during interleague play, he lead the Mets to 12 wins and 18 losses.  Let’s not forget the 2000 World Series in which the Mets only won a game. 

     Overall out of 130 Games Bobby Valentine has managed against the Yankees between the Rangers and Mets he has a record of 64 to 66 (World Series included).  Based on Valentine’s past this upcoming 2012 season the Yankees and Red Sox will I personally think it’s going to be either 8 – 8 or either team with a slightly better winning percentage?  Yes I’m aware that the Yankees didn’t play well during the late 80’s and early 90’s.  Plus the Mets didn’t play well during Bobby V’s years either expect 2000.   That’s why I don’t think the Red Sox should be taken as a Joke this upcoming season regardless of last season’s worst collapse in Major league baseball history.  It’s a new season where anything can happen.         

Thanks

You can also follow me on Twitter @BigYankeesFan

Hello YankeesLand,

  On February 26^th 2012 the movie “Moneyball “didn’t win any Oscars and Yankees utility outfield Chris Dickerson was outright moved to triple-A and removed off the 40 man roster.  However he’s still staying at the big league camp.  I know I wasn’t the only Yankees fan that was shocked about this move.  So I’ve decided to utilize social media by going to twitter and tweeted among Yankees fans how I didn’t feel it was right.  I’ve found out that I wasn’t the only Yankees fan out there. 

   The Yankees went after Chris Dickerson twice.   Chris Dickerson was originally drafted during the 2000 drafted by the Yankees but opted for college.  During the 2003 draft Chris Dickerson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and didn’t play his first major league game until August 12, 2008.  During 2010 Chris was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Jim Edmonds.  On March 25, 2010 the Yankees traded pitcher Sergio Mitre for Chris Dickerson.   It’s obvious that the scouts must have seen something in Chris Dickerson in order to attempt to draft him and trade for him within his brief career. 

  I’ve decided last night why not take the initiate and speak out among Yankeesland doing what I do best by making a youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDu3QCmFmlE I’m taking a “Bad News Bears” movement approach with social media.  Instead of “Let them play” its “Let Chris Play”.   How do we truly see someone’s playing ability if they don’t get a fair amount of playing time?  Look at Jeremy Lin (Knicks PG) who’s made some huge headlines within a short period of time.  No I’m not comparing Jeremy Lin to Chris Dickerson but I’m just trying to say that guy on the bench can make a difference if given the right chance/ Opportunity.  Most fans cheer for the BIG names like Jeter, Rivera, Rodriguez, Swisher and Sabathia for example.  Minor leaguers and MLB potentials also need fans too.  That’s why Chris Dickerson has my support.

  I’ve been following Chris Dickerson (@CDickerson_PFTP) on Twitter during this past off season. Chris actually interacts with fans.  I’ve exchanged several tweets with him during the past few weeks.  I’ve tweeted him a link to my video “#LetChrisPlay” and he wrote back “Thanks Buddy LOL”   I’ve sent out plenty of tweets to anyone that I know on twitter that’s an Yankees fan “#LetChrisPlay”  I got some great mentions (Responses) from Mike O’Hara (MLBFanCave Season 1), Francisco Cervelli (Yankees Back-up Catcher) and Lou DiPietro (YesNetwork.com) writer. Thanks to those that read/heard what I had to say.

  Here are some screenshots of those notable mentions that I’ve received today: 

Hopefully I can get others to join the #LetChrisPlay bandwagon.  It would be very rewarding to all of those that participate to watch Chris Dickerson rejoin big league club to be among his teammates.

Thanks

You can also follow me on Twitter @BigYankeesFan