By WFAN.com
Opening day is finally upon us, and for the Yankees, it marks the beginning of what many expect to be a tremendous season for the Bronx Bombers.
New York won 100 games last season, and after adding numerous pieces during the offseason, Aaron Boone's squad is in a great position to once again reach triple-digits in wins.
Despite numerous key contributors starting the year on the injured list, the Yankees should be able to get off to a good start this season, thanks in part to a soft early schedule.
Legendary Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill joined "Joe & Evan" Thursday to break down the 2019 Yankees and what they are capable of achieving this season.
"I'll tell you one thing, I couldn't even make this team right now," O'Neill joked with "Joe & Evan" Thursday. "You've got Aaron Judge in right field. But I'll tell you what- offensively, when you look at this on paper, obviously they're stacked. To have three or four key guys in your lineup, and pitching staff down, and still expected to get off to a great start it shows you the depth this team has also."
One of the biggest storylines to follow this season will be the performance of Gary Sanchez.
After a strong start to his career, the catcher struggled mightily in 2018, hitting .186/.291/.406 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI in 89 games in what was an injury-riddled campaign.
While Sanchez is now healthy and ready to go, the former Yankees outfielder noted how crucial it is for the catcher to get his season off on the right note.
"He came with a chip on his shoulder," O'Neill said about the Yankees' catcher. "Him and (Greg) Bird are the most important guys to get off to good starts because if you get off to a good start, you look at last year (and say) 'That was a fluke, I don't know what that was or how it happened.' But if you struggle through April, all of a sudden that little man in the back of your head says, 'You know what, here we go again.'
"Again, not only is April important for the Yankees to get off to a good start, but especially Bird and Sanchez."
The Yankees lineup is undoubtedly filled with some big name stars, but it is two of the younger players that should end up playing huge roles in the team's success this season.
Gleyber Torres hit .271/.340/.480 with 24 home runs and 77 RBI in 123 games during his first big league action, while Miguel Andujar slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 92 RBI in 149 games in his first full MLB season.
Many young players endure the infamous "sophomore slump" during their second MLB season, but O'Neill is not worried about Torres and Andujar struggling in 2019.
"These guys are in a position where they can have great years and still pretty much fly under the radar..." the Yankees legend said about two of the team's rising stars. "You can go watch them hit .290, drive in 70-80 runs, hit 25-30 home runs and not even blink an eye.
"I don't see either of them, the way they swing the bats, falling off offensively."
To listen to Joe & Evan's full interview with Paul O'Neill, click on the audio player above.
WFAN is the flagship station of the Yankees. Tune in to 660 AM or 101.9 FM this season to hear all the action.
