February 15, 200422 yr The 1998 Yankees won 114 games in the regular season and went on to win the world series. Some debate the 1998 Yankees were the best team in history, so who is better, the 2004 Yanks or the 1998 Yankees? Position players: Catcher 1998 Jorge Posada OPS .825 2003 Jorge Posada OPS .922 Edge 2004 Yankees Jorge shouldn't lose his bat all of the sudden and his defense has improved incredibly since 1998. First Base 1998 Tino Martinez OPS .860 2003 Travis Lee (Soon will be signed) OPS .807 Edge 1998 Yankees Travis Lee will be 29 and his batting has been improving and his defense is solid, but Tino Martinez was better defensively and offensively Second Base 1998 Chuck Knoblauch OPS .766 2003 Miguel Cairo OPS .665 Edge 1998 Yankees Knoblauch was good defensively then and got on base well. Cairo stinks. (note, going position by possition with SS and 3B, with it seeming that Jeter won't move, the edge for SS and Third goes to the 2004 Yankees.) Shortstop and Third Base (who will play there is unknown) 1998 Derek Jeter OPS .864 1998 Scott Brosius OPS .843 2003 Derek Jeter OPS .844 2003 Alex Rodriguez OPS .995 Edge 2004 Yankees Scott Brosius and Derek Jeters were average defenders then, Jeter is bad defensively now and A Rod is the best defensive shortstop in the game. With A Rod's offense, the edge goes to the 2004 Yankees. Right Field 1998 Paul O'Neill OPS .882 2003 Gary Sheffield OPS 1.023 Edge 2004 Yankees Paul O'Neill's offense might of been a tad better, but Sheffield is definitely the superior pitcher. Centerfield 1998 Bernie Williams OPS .997 2003 Bernie Williams OPS .778 Edge 1998 Yankees Though Bernie's offense should improve, he will be offensively and defensively inferior to his 1998 counterpart. Leftfield 1998 Chad Curtis OPS .715 2003 Hideki Matsui OPS .788 Edge 2004 Yankees Chad was better defensively, but his bat was inferior. Designated Hitter 1998 Darryl Strawberry OPS .896 2003 Jason Giambi OPS .939 Edge 2004 Yankees Jason Giambi is sure to improve after orthscopic surgery and he's superior offensively. Rough average OPS of 1998 offense position players: .850 Rough average OPS of 2003 versions of 2004 position players: .862 Edge 2004 Yankees, and though outfield defense is a little bit worse, infield defense with the addition of alex rodriguez is about the same. With the improved offense the 2004 Yankees have the edge. Starting Pitching 1998 Andy PEttitte ERA 4.24 David Cone ERA 3.55 David Wells ERA 3.49 Hideki IRabu ERA 4.06 Orlando Hernandez ERA 3.13 rough average era: 3.69 Mike Mussina 3.40 Kevin Brown 2.39 Javier Vazquez 3.24 Jose Contreras 3.30 Jon Lieber (last available era) 3.70 rough average era: 3.21 Edge: 2004 Yankees Bullpen pitching (top 6 relievers) 1998 Mariano Rivera 1.91 Mike Stanton 5.47 Graeme Lloyd 1.67 Jeff Nelson 3.79 Darren Holmes 3.33 Ramiro Mendoza 3.25 Rough average era: 3.24 Mariano Rivera 1.66 Tom Gordon 3.16 Paul Quantrill 1.75 Gabe White 4.05 Steve Karsay (last available era) 3.26 Felix Heredia 2.69 rough average ERA: 2.76 Edge: 2004 Yankees On paper, the 2004 Yankees might be the most unbelievable team in history. The point I set out to prove is that unless you show to me on paper that the 2004 Red Sox are better than the 1998 Yanks, you cannot honestly put them over the 2004 Yankees. They're too good.
February 15, 200422 yr On paper, the 2004 Yankees might be the most unbelievable team in history. The point I set out to prove is that unless you show to me on paper that the 2004 Red Sox are better than the 1998 Yanks, you cannot honestly put them over the 2004 Yankees. They're too good. Too bad the game of baseball isn't played on paper. I won't call them the greatest team till they prove it on the field.
February 15, 200422 yr Author I aree, but it takes too long! I just the stats right off the 1998 team statistics at baseball reference. However, if anyone wants to improve upon my findings, go for it.
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