The New York Yankees

The Yankees were very busy this off season making some of the biggest stories this winter. The departure of Robinson Cano opened the door to sign outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury from their rival, the Boston Red Sox. They also landed superstar pitcher in Japan Masahiro Tanaka, who finished 24-0 in the Nippon League.

The Yankees also added Brian McCann a big addition given that they recieved barely any production from the catching position in 2013. The Yankees also went on to sign Carlos Beltran to replace Curtis Granderson who signed with the Mets. Minor additions include Kelly Johnson, to man third base due to A-Rod' suspension and Brian Roberts to replace Cano at second base. Here is how I would make the lineup in 2014.

1. L. Brett Gardner         LF 108 OPS+
2. R. Derek Jeter            SS 114 OPS+ in 2012
3. L. Jacoby Ellsbury     CF 114 OPS+
4. S. Carlos Beltran        RF 128 OPS+
5. S. Mark Teixeira        1B 115 OPS+ in 2012
6. L. Brian McCann        C  115 OPS+
7. R. Alphonso Soriano DH 112 OPS+
8. L. Kelly Johnson        3B 99 OPS+
9. S. Brian Roberts        2B 89 OPS+

The Yankees bolstered thier pitching rotation by adding Masahiro Tanaka the Japanese Phenom who went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA. He has pitched in two spring training games and his splitter is masterful, no wonder why people have been saying it is the best in the world. Fan favorite Any Pettitte retired for a second time and Phil Hughes signed with the Twins. Here is how the rotation may look in 2014 with the fifth spot up in the air.

1. L. CC Sabathia           85 ERA+
2. R. Hiroki Kuroda        122 ERA+
3. R. Ivan Nova             130 ERA+
4. R. Masahiro Tanaka    1.27 ERA in Japan
5. R. Michael Pineda       101 ERA+ in 2012

The bullpen for the Yankees took a serious blow as member since 1995 retired, Mariano Rivera. David Robertson is going to take over as closer, but the rest of the bullpen is not very impressive. Boone Logan was replaced by Matt Thornton and the rest of the pen is up in the air, but David Phelps and Adam Warren will make the team as starters or relievers.

The New York Mets

David Wright in the WBC

The Mets made some notable additions this off season including slugger Curtis Granderson who was injured for most of the 2013 season. Although heavily rumored they did not sign short stop Stephan Drew, but there still may a chance he signs with the Amazin' Mets.

The Mets also did not trade first baseman Ike Davis this off season, I personally think they will keep him and give him one more chance. As the trade deadline gets closer the chances that Davis gets traded will probably increase. Other new additions include Chris Young who will probably man right or center field. Here is how the lineup for the Mets should look in 2014.

1. S. Eric Young               CF 79 OPS+
2. L. Daniel Murphy          2B 108 OPS+
3. R. David Wright            3B 156 OPS+
4. L. Curtis Granderson     LF 115 OPS+ 2012
5. R. Travis d'Arnaud         C 58 OPS+
6. L. Lucas Duda              1B 118 OPS+
7. R. Chris Young             RF  85 OPS+
8. R. Ruben Tejada            SS 49 OPS+

Mr. Met is surprisingly my favorite mascot

The pitching rotation for the Mets took a major blow when ace Matt Harvey had to get Tommy John surgery. Although Harvey is out they added Bartolo Colon and now Zach Wheeler will have a chance to shine. Another note is the departure of Johan Santana who is yet to sign with a Major League team. The 5th spot will probably be no one significant until the call up of young gun Noah Syndergard. Here is how the pitching rotation for the Mets may look in 2014.

1. L. Jon Niese                 96 ERA+
2. R. Zack Wheeler           104 ERA+
3. R. Bartolo Colon           141 OPS+
4. R. Dillon Gee                98 OPS+
5. R. Noah Syndergaard     No data available

In the bullpen for the Mets is closer Bobby Parnell, but other than him, the bullpen is looking a little bleak. Veteran lefty Scott Rice has a position in the bullpen, but the Mets are likely to fill in the spots with some young players or sub par relievers that remain on the market.

The New York Mets

It is easy to say that The Mets are going to have a rough 2012 season. There is now four empires in the making in one division. The Braves, The Philles, The Nationals, and The Marlins are all strong contenders for the National League East.

In the 2011 season The Mets traded Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez who is also known as K-Rod. The Mets also lost Jose Reyes to the Marlins due to free agency. These three players were big parts to their team and now they have all gone their own way. Probably the most damaging aspect of losing these key players is the fact that they are all still in the National League. Beltran is now on the Cardinals, Reyes is now on the Marlins, and Rodriguez is now on the Brewers.

Johan Santana is supposed to coming back to pitch for the Mets in this upcoming season after surgery. I do not believe that Santana will be able to put up the numbers that he did with the Minnesota Twins, which feels like ages ago. Even if Santana posts a sub 3.5 earned run average The Mets' offense cannot provide enough support for Santana.

The Mets still have their franchise face of David Wright. David Wright has not been putting up the numbers he is paid to do. I consider Wright to be one of the most over rated player in baseball, which sounds harsh, but it really isn't. If The Mets were to trade David Wright for prospects and begin to reconstruct their team and replenish their farm system, they may have a promising season in the future.

Although The Mets are in a reconstruction phase, they have made some transactions. They signed a few relief pitchers including Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, and Frank Francisco. Out of these 3 relievers the only one that will seem to have a decent impact on the team is Ramon Ramirez who posted a 2.62 ERA and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The Mets also signed Andres Torres, Ronny Cedeno, and Scott Hairston, who will probably receive a decent amount of at bats off the bench and platooning.