Yankee Rotation Complete

[jacksonianmarch]

With the signing of Andy Pettitte, the yankees have now rounded out their rotation and have sent a serious message to the rest of the MLB. This yankee team is finally built the appropriate way.

 

In 2008, yankee starters were mediocre in performance and putrid in durability. They were 19th in ERA, last in CG, 25th in IP, 19th in K's and 27th in BAA. That is all about to change. Instead of starting the yr with 2 rookies in the rotation, the yankees turn to 4 proven veterans and a second yr player with immense upside to take the reigns of a rotation that was both fragile and ineffective. The two rookies from a yr ago are now AAA depth, gaining valuable innings and experience for when they are needed to step up, whether that be for injury purposes in 09 or into the spot vacated by Pettitte in 2010.

 

Out goes Mike Mussina. 20 win season in his finale, a great way to walk off into the sunset. But with Mussina it was a hit or miss activity over the past 5 yrs with him. Once a durable and dominant pitcher (9 consecutive 200+IP seasons) he hadnt reached that plateau in 5 yrs. He surpassed that by 1/3 of an inning in 2008. While they will miss his performance from 2008 immensely, the growing sentiment among baseball people was that he likely wouldnt be able to repeat his effectiveness and his durability had he decided to return.

 

Out go Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner. Together they combined for 193IP 234H 120ER 71BB and 100K. Thats a line of 5.60ERA 1.58WHIP 4.7K/9IP 1.41K/BB. Thats just flat out terrible.

 

To AAA go Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, two guys who were granted rotation slots before they were ready both physically and mentally.

 

In comes CC Sabathia. The 2007 AL Cy Young award winner and a guy who probably would have won a Cy Young had he stayed in one league in 2008. He brings both dominance and durability to a club lacking both. His 30+ starts in 7 of his 8 seasons will be a welcome addition to the team. Then consider the level to which he has performed over the past 3 yrs, mostly spent in the AL and it is enough to make yankee fans salivate. Serially decreasing WHIPs (1.17, 1.14, 1.11) and improving K rates have him primed for a dominant, durable start to his yankee career.

 

Back somes Chien Ming Wang. He was on his way to having another CMW type of yr. 1.32WHIP, 6.1IP per start, 8 wins in 10 decisions when he broke his foot running the bases. He is completely healed from this injury and is throwing pain free right now, back at full speed for this time of the winter. I think the addition of CC will take some pressure off CMW as he no longer needs to be the guy to carry the load for the rest of the rotation. He was the guy who the team would count on to give the pen a rest if they were spent. Now, he can be counted on for a bit less innings in that instance and potentially a bit more effectiveness.

 

In comes AJ Burnett. An intriguing fellow who has had multiple DL stints but has only had one major injury. A guy who has had 3 200+ IP seasons to his credit and is coming off a season where he was both durable and dominant in the ALE. If he remains as durable as he was last yr, then he would be an absolutely devastating addition to this team. If he reverts to his prior form, then he'll make a significant contribution, but likely need about 5-8 starts skipped due to various minor injuries that he cannot pitch through. Regardless, this is why the depth with Wang, Pettitte and CC is so important. It makes AJ's durability less of a concern and as long as he takes the bump 25 times, then he'll be worth it. If he takes the bump 30 times, along with CC, CMW, and Pettitte, then this rotation will be lights out

 

Back comes Andy Pettitte. The guy who was his typical durable self in 2008, but with a different turn of events. Typically a slow starter, he started out well decreasing his WHIP and ERA pre-ASB only to see himself get injured and fall apart post ASB. If he is healthy and can give us those pre ASB numbers then this is an awesome signing and well worth the incentives (which do not count against the salary cap since they are incentives). He's a durability signing, though. A guy who is known to be able to pitch with pain and since this will likely be his last season in the big leagues, I expect him to be able to take the bump 30 times barring an uncharacteristically significant injury

 

Then you have Joba. The guy who has been yanked around more than Mr. Crunchy yanks around those southy prostitutes. A guy whose stuff is amongst the best in the game, yet nobody seems to know how to train the guy. He's had two mirror opposite seasons since signing with NY. Starter to relief, relief to starter. Well, now he's healthy and he's gonna start. He'll be babied significantly. He'll likely be skipped multiple times. And I truly only expect him to start about 25 times this yr. But if those SP numbers he put up last yr correlate, he will be a find and someone well worth the time to develop. He had massive K numbers, improving control and lights out dominance once he got his pitch count up. If he continues that, even in a short burst, it will be worth it.

 

 

Now what does all this offseason pitching spending do? It allows the yankees to do something that they havent been able to do since they dissolved the pitching powers after 2003. It allows us to take the rest of the system slowly. This allows Phil Hughes and the rest to get their innings and confidences up while working on rounding out their arsenals. It will give Hughes et al a chance to have a cup of coffee when Joba needs a break due to rising IP or due to injury when AJ has a hangnail. This allows us to groom Coke as a starter for now without having to thrust him into the rotation. This allows us to groom Aceves as a Mendoza type spot starter/reliever, something I think he is best suited for. And it also allows the other guys time to mature their arsenals as well. Guys like Kontos, Kennedy, McCallister, Brackman, Bleich, etc. Guys who over the past 2 yrs would probably have been moved through the system more vigorously.

 

Regardless ladies and gents, the yankees are getting back to basics. A rotation that is capable of being both durable and dominant. A rotation that has no weak links in it. And a system capable of filling the holes as needed without being leaned on too heavily to start. I can't wait for the opening bell to toll. Cause, IMO, the Yankees have a rotation that is equal to the best in the game and superior to most, if not all. And this is gonna be fun

[Keeper]

Loath as I am to admit it, barring any significant injuries the starting rotation should be dominant. We'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.

[rician blast]

With the signing of Andy Pettitte' date=' the yankees have now rounded out their rotation and have sent a serious message to the rest of the MLB. This yankee team is finally built the appropriate way. [/quote']

 

yes we know the message they've sent.

 

In 2008, yankee starters were mediocre in performance and putrid in durability. They were 19th in ERA, last in CG, 25th in IP, 19th in K's and 27th in BAA. That is all about to change.

 

nothing money can't fix.

 

Instead of starting the yr with 2 rookies in the rotation, the yankees turn to 4 proven veterans and a second yr player with immense upside to take the reigns of a rotation that was both fragile and ineffective.

 

this from the guy who said go with the youth last year?

 

Now what does all this offseason pitching spending do?

 

It illustrates the financial advantage the Yankees hold. Duh.

 

 

Cause, IMO, the Yankees have a rotation that is equal to the best in the game and superior to most, if not all. And this is gonna be fun

 

So you agree that there is absolutely no reason why this team should NOT win the WS and anything short will be an utter and abject failure?

[26 to 6]

So you agree that there is absolutely no reason why this team should NOT win the WS and anything short will be an utter and abject failure?

I know this wasn't directed to me, but I absolutely feel that way, as I do every year.

[msubulldogs21]

I know this wasn't directed to me' date=' but I absolutely feel that way, as I do every year.[/quote']

 

Then that should apply this year more than ever.

[Dipre]

I know this wasn't directed to me' date=' but I absolutely feel that way, as I do every year.[/quote']

 

You should with the money they spend, an it's good that you admit it.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Cause' date=' IMO, the Yankees have a rotation that is equal to the best in the game and superior to most, if not all. And this is gonna be fun[/quote']

 

I agree it will be fun when the Yankees prove to be completely par with the competition, and it will be fun watching Hanky s*** a chicken and swing an ill-advised quick fix trade for an overpriced veteran.

[ARod2212]

Not to mention the stress it will take off of a talented bullpen. Can't wait.

[rician blast]

This Yankee team as currently constructed, IMO, could reach the 100 win mark.

[jacksonianmarch]

This Yankee team as currently constructed' date=' IMO, [b']should[/b] reach the 100 win mark.

 

and I will be disappointed if we do not win a WS.

[pinstripezac]

the yankee rotation

[jacksonianmarch]

Per Peter Abraham, the Yankees will use Phil Coke as their long reliever this yr. This was in doubt prior to the Pettitte signing as Coke was considered to be a possible candidate for the #5 starting slot and would have been much needed depth if the yankees once again broke camp with two young kids in the rotation. But with Pettitte rounding out the impressive 5 man rotation and Hughes and Kennedy waiting in the wings in AAA, Coke's need as a starter became minimal. So he will assume the long man duties. He may get a few spot starts as well and will certainly enhance the utility of the other lefty in the pen, as Marte will likely be able to focus completely on the setup task.

[example1]

Per Peter Abraham' date=' the Yankees will use Phil Coke as their long reliever this yr. This was in doubt prior to the Pettitte signing as Coke was considered to be a possible candidate for the #5 starting slot and would have been much needed depth if the yankees once again broke camp with two young kids in the rotation. But [b']with Pettitte rounding out the impressive 5 man rotation [/b]and Hughes and Kennedy waiting in the wings in AAA, Coke's need as a starter became minimal. So he will assume the long man duties. He may get a few spot starts as well and will certainly enhance the utility of the other lefty in the pen, as Marte will likely be able to focus completely on the setup task.

 

It sounds like you're auditioning for USA Today sports page or reading from a teleprompter on ESPN News. If it was in doubt prior to the Pettitte signing, why is it noteworthy today? Couldn't a monkey with a moderate interest in baseball have said that CC, Burnett, Wang, PED-it and Joba were going to be the rotation?

[Gom]

I still think the Sox have the better team.

 

I am not sure I like Joba in the rotation. I think that Hughes, Kennedy, or Aceves can be a decent #5, and Joba gives the Yankees the best 1-2 punch in the bullpen in baseball.

[The Dustball]

I still think the Sox have the better team.

 

I am not sure I like Joba in the rotation. I think that Hughes, Kennedy, or Aceves can be a decent #5, and Joba gives the Yankees the best 1-2 punch in the bullpen in baseball.

 

I agree with you about having Joba in the pen. It's like essentially shortening the game to 6 or 7 innings. He's filthy when he's got that fastball cranking up in the high 90's and then mixing it up with a slider in the dirt. But as for the Sox being the better team, it's all based on our HUGE question marks. If our guys come back healthy and put up numbers like their career averages we are going to be in good shape but if the injuries linger and Ortiz, Lowell, Drew, Saito, Smoltz, etc, can't come back from their injuries we could be screwed. We have the potential but it is all up in the air at this point. You gotta love baseball

[Gom]

The guy who has been yanked around more than Mr. Crunchy yanks around those southy prostitutes.

 

It's the other way around. They yank him.

 

Finally...now I understand you. You like to yank the prostitutes. This goes a LONG WAY in explaining you to us.

[mtbykr]

Tim Kurchen needs to put the bong down and back away. He was on ESPN tonight saying that you can take anyone of the yanks starters, and they are as good (and matchup great against) as any teams #1 in the league.

[Gom]

Tim Kurchen needs to put the bong down and back away. He was on ESPN tonight saying that you can take anyone of the yanks starters' date=' and they are as good (and matchup great against) as any teams #1 in the league.[/quote']

 

How far off is that, really?

 

You can put all but Pettitte in my mind against any other teams #1.

 

The Red Sox can do that with their top 3, and when Smoltz comes back, it's their top 4 too.

[mtbykr]

The way he stated it was that he would take anyone in the yanks rotation against another teams #1. While the yanks rotation is vastly improved, would you take pettitte in September/October over Beckett, Lester, Santana, ect...?

[BSN07]

Tim Kurchen needs to put the bong down and back away. He was on ESPN tonight saying that you can take anyone of the yanks starters' date=' and they are as good (and matchup great against) as any teams #1 in the league.[/quote']

 

All it is is the normal Yankee pre season push, the Sox get it as well.

 

Besides it's comments like these and Gammon predictions a while back that get everyone wound up and interested in the beginning of the season.

[rician blast]

Finally...now I understand you. You like to yank the prostitutes.

 

The real secret lies in his unique ability to simply drive by and discern that there is a schlong hiding under the skirt.

[YAZMAN]

It's the other way around. They yank him.

 

Finally...now I understand you. You like to yank the prostitutes. This goes a LONG WAY in explaining you to us.

 

He's a little too good handling the fungo.