What Now Yankees?

[Giantmetfan07]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that we will be more than 'okay' with the rotation that we have. Cliff Lee would've been a nice addition but what we have now is just as good on paper as it was the offseason we signed CC & AJ.

CC is an ace, he's big game, and he's silenced all those people who talk sh.t about him not being a postseason pitcher. Outside of Roy Halladay, there's nobody else I'd rather have on the mound in a game 7.

Phil Hughes finally got comfortable in the starting role and was one of the best pitchers in the 2nd half of 2010. I can't remember the last time I've seen such a nasty break on a curve. The more experience Phil has, the better he's become, and I'm not sure what stops that moving forward. I've read reports that AJ Burnett was dealing with some personal sh.t throught last season and this most likely played into his horrible performance. Do I believe it? Well...when the guy shows up to work with a random blackeye, yes, I do believe it.

AJ will always be a .500 pitcher but we brought him in b/c of his track record of completely shutting down AL East teams. The success of our rotation largely depends on how good he is and I'm hearing he's in a good place once again. A happy and less distracted AJ means a better performing AJ...and I think he has an incredible bounce back season in 2011.

Andy Pettite is coming back...at least that's what the Yankees' clubhouse and fans have been lead to believe. Missing out on Cliff means more to Andy than anyone. I guarantee Cashman is making it even more worth Pettite's while to go 1 more. A hell of a guy to have the backed of a rotation, still posting an ERA under 3.3, and always leaving the Yanks in a position to win.

That 5th and final spot in our roto will be tough to get a beat on. A majority of the teams in this league have garbage in the 5-spot and to be honest...I'm not all too thrilled with the Red Sox and the Phillies have/will field at the tail end of their roto's either. Sergio Mitre was surprisingly reliable after we brought him in, Ivan Nova looks to have nice potential, and I still think we bring in a few vets for ST & acquire another via trade.

Either way, what we didn't do this offseason only makes us more of a threat during the trade deadline. Mark my words, the minute the Mets dangle Johan Santana...Cashman is racing to the telephone.

Edit: Cash continuing to explore every option at strengthening the bullpen...

Really? I heard this morning that Cashman thinks Andy is still leaning towards retirement.

As for the idea of vets to sign and ST, I think that is their best course of action. Pursue veterans to sign who will give a consistent performance each time out on the mound. Not sure if they necessarily need to pursue a pitcher through trade, and I do think that Cashman would be on the phone immediately if Alderson began listening to offers for Santana -- but whether or not he actually will dangle Santana out there is to be seen.

 

[A.E]

Really? I heard this morning that Cashman thinks Andy is still leaning towards retirement.

As for the idea of vets to sign and ST, I think that is their best course of action. Pursue veterans to sign who will give a consistent performance each time out on the mound. Not sure if they necessarily need to pursue a pitcher through trade, and I do think that Cashman would be on the phone immediately if Alderson began listening to offers for Santana -- but whether or not he actually will dangle Santana out there is to be seen.

Was bassackwards on Hughes...good in the 1st half. Good looking out Elite.

The story on Pettite changes day to day. I just know that teammates are confident he'll be back and the Yanks aren't pressuring him. We;re definitely banking on the potential he decides to give it another go after resting during the offseason.

I really don't understand why we aren't in on Brandon Webb.