NewsYanks looking for additional hardware
Commissioner's Trophy in hand, Jeter, Teixeira up for more
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By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
11/09/09 3:15 PM EST
NEW YORK -- Hoisting the World Series championship trophy behind second base in the Bronx last week represented the ultimate team accomplishment for the Yankees. Now comes the chance to bring home some individual hardware.
As the reality of a 27th championship begins to set in for the Bombers, several Yankees are likely to receive serious consideration for Major League Baseball's 2009 awards.
American League Gold Glove Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, with first baseman Mark Teixeira likely in the hunt for his third such honor -- and first as a Yankee -- and Derek Jeter looking to obtain his fourth at shortstop.
With his slick defense, Teixeira made a huge difference in the Yankees' infield in 2009, deftly gobbling up most everything hit in his general direction and helping out defenders by scooping errant throws at first base. Teixeira posted a .997 fielding percentage in 2009.
After winning Gold Gloves in three consecutive years beginning in 2004, Jeter should have also received votes in what was a resurgent defensive campaign for the five-time World Series champion.
Committing just eight errors in 2009, his fewest in any full season of play, Jeter posted a .986 fielding percentage to lead all AL shortstops and earned praise even from stat-based analysts for improved range thanks to a workout regimen focused on lateral movement.
The best hitters in the AL get their due Thursday with the unveiling of the Silver Sluggers at each position, and the Yankees are probably going to have at least a few showings when the announcements are complete.
Teixeira should be a candidate at first base, having led the AL in RBIs (122) and tied Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena for the league lead in home runs (39). While it's no slam dunk, Teixeira's numbers hold strong against those of the Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis, the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera and the Angels' Kendry Morales.
Robinson Cano established career highs in runs (103), hits (204), doubles (48) and homers (25) in what he called his "best season," leading all AL second basemen by hitting .320 for the World Series champs. He'd need to fend off challengers that include Toronto's Aaron Hill and Boston's Dustin Pedroia.
At shortstop, Jeter was as consistent as ever, hitting .334 to rank second in the Majors in hits (212) and fourth in batting average. The captain finished third in the AL in on-base percentage (.406) and tied for fourth in runs scored (107). Jeter also ranked third in the Majors with 66 multihit games.
Despite missing the first month of the season, third baseman Alex Rodriguez still benefited from reduced expectations to become the only player in history to collect 30 homers and 100 RBIs in 13 seasons, though it may not be enough to outpower Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria or Texas' Michael Young.
The awards grow larger in magnitude next week, as the AL Cy Young Award winner will be unveiled on Nov. 17.
CC Sabathia's debut season in New York probably won't be strong enough to bring home the honors against a loaded field of candidates, but the big left-hander tied for the Major League lead with 19 victories and went 11-2 after the All-Star break, then won the Most Valuable Player Award for the AL Championship Series.
The AL Manager of the Year will be revealed on Nov. 18, and Joe Girardi should present stiff competition for the rest of the field after guiding New York to 103 regular-season victories. Having finished his second year as the Yankees' skipper, Girardi will have to fend off contenders in Mike Scioscia (Angels), Terry Francona (Red Sox) and Ron Gardenhire (Twins).
The last major AL award comes out on Nov. 23, when the MVP is unveiled. While Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been viewed in many circles as a leading candidate, Jeter and Teixeira have also been lobbied for and should receive a considerable number of votes for their contributions to the Yankees' fine season.
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
