Formally knows as the Brian Doyle Cup
The Yankees secured the 2010 AL Wild Card with a Machiavellian scheme of losing just the right amount of games to ensure they will not have home-field advantage throughout the postseason with the added bonus of starting play in the sub-arctic open air of new Target Field. Given their sub-optimal play of late, it's hard to gauge their chances at bringing home the 28th title. Will it be a replay of '07's death by midges or will they take the path of the numerous WC teams that carved a path to the Fall Classic after stumbling down the stretch (see '06 Cardinals and Tigers).
The answer to that lies in what I call the Damaso Marte factor. After an inglorious season as the lefty specialist in which he posted a 9.45 ERA, Marte emerged as a combination of Lefty Grove, Whitey Ford, and Graeme Lloyd in the '09 postseason giving up zero runs while neutralizing the Phillies big lefties like Ryan Howard. I believe it will take someone playing over their skis in this second season to lay claim to another flag. Here is my list of the most likely candidates:
Joba Chamberlain
Remember when Joba was the toast of the town? Seems like only yesterday. Somewhere between innings limits, pitch counts, midges, and Joba/Torre rules the man lost his mojo. There's been little glimpses here and there but nothing like the electricity he created like a second coming of Goose Gossage. Supposedly Kerry Wood has been mentoring him hopefully not on how to cope with being a washed up former phenom. Maybe his very average season (4.40 ERA) belies a big postseason. Hopefully frigid Minnesota will keep the midges away.
Curtis Granderson
Granderson has had the type of year (.247/24/67) which seems indicative of a guy playing below the back of his baseball card as he transitions to the big town. Will he be a younger, more athletic version of Johnny Damon or the second coming of Danny Tartabull. We'll see in 2011. For now, he has some big shoes to fill this postseason as Damon pulled his own Marte last year and produced some clutch hits and, of course, his wily steal of third in game 6. Perhaps the crisp autumn air will give us a preview of Granderson's sophomore Yankee campaign as he gets a clean slate in the second season.
Mark Teixeira
This may be a little picky as Tex has put together another relatively solid season. You really can't complain about another 30/100 campaign backed up with solid defense at the initial sack. However, postseason-wise he's got a little bit of the A-Rod disease. He did hit a game-winning HR last year against the Twinkies but that was about it. A player of his capability could put a streak together that carries the entire team. Maybe 2010 will be the year.
A.J. Burnett
If anyone was set up to take home the DMMA it is Allan James Burnett. After having one of the worst seasons for a pitcher in the history of the organization he can't go anywhere but up. Unfortunately (or fortunately) he may not see the mound this fall. Sometimes, though, the baseball gods give you the opportunity to redeem yourself and you never know when an injury or an extra-inning game may give you a chance to make everyone forget your past sins.
Derek Jeter
GASP! BLASPHEMY! I know, how can I go there. Well I did. But as you know Jeter seems to have lost his "Edge" in 2010 hitting 50 points below his lifetime average and generally looking like he's lost a few steps (who hasn't by 36, I know I have). This is his time of the year, though, and might be the viagra Mr. November needs to add to his scrapbook of clutchness.
Honorable Mention: Chad Gaudin, Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and A-Rod (just because)
