Now that the season has officially ended for the Yankees (and all other baseball players in New York) and I figure it's about time to look at the Free Agent pitchers that will be impacting the roller coaster ride Yankee fans will be on this Winter. First let's take a look at the current Yankee starters that will be free agents:
Andy Pettitte - He's been a solid start for the Yankees in the past, but during the tail end of the season he's begin to drop off a bit. He's again stated that he will either pitch for the Bombers or retire, and if you ask me - every pitcher should have that attitude. With his stuff declining (perhaps as the HGH has worn off) I think they should try to bring him back at a reduced rate. Maybe aroudn $8 million a year with incentives for innings pitcher, wins, or k's?
Mike Mussina - Mikey Moose really brought it back this year after what was just an awful 2007 season. On top of that, he just got his 20th win tonight which gives him (at least in my opinion) a ride to the hall of fame. With the Yankees locking up ARod until he will likely break the HR record, it would be nice if Moose was around to hit 300 winds. It would take him two pretty good seaons or 3 average seasons to rack up the 31 wins he needs. I'd say give him a 2 year deal for about $20 million with a mutual option on the 3rd for a few extra bucks.
Carl "I'm a Loser" Pavano - It's no secret, if this guy can stay healthy, he can probably pitch above average. As long as he's going to pitch somewhere, let's give him an opportunity to save his reputation and make things right with the Yankees. I'd say offer him a $1.5 million dollar deal with $100,000 for every start he makes during the season. This way if he makes only 3 starts because of a bruised butt, no big loss.
Sidney Ponson - Please clean out your locker and go back to being a sandwich artist.
Now let's take a look at some of the pitchers the Yankees will probably throw way too much money at this Winter.
Ben Sheets - I'm really scared that they Yankees will actually end up signing this guy. Yeah, he's got good stuff and would be a nice addition to any rotation if he can stay healthy, but that's a big if. If he gets signed and turns out like Pavano, fans would be calling for heads to roll.
AJ Burnett - Also, a great addition when he's healthy. The Jays have offered him a couple of more years onto his current contract at $15 million per which brings his total to 4 years and $54 million. The Yankees would have to throw a whole lot of money at him to get him to leave Toronto and frankly, I think that would be a mistake. Let him stay in Toronto or go somewhere else, but let's keep him out of New York.
CC Sabathia - No matter who gets him, he's going to be paid extremely well. The only thing of concern here is his work load the past few months. He's tossed up a couple of good #'s this year including a career low ERA and a career high in K's but since they got him, the Brew Crew have treated him like the rental they know he is - he's tossed a career high in innings pitched and complete games. He's also racked up some extremely high pitch counts - yeah, not good. The info I'm finding says all but 2 of his Brewers games have been over 100 pitches with a few being well over 120. The Yankees need him and need to pay any price needed - and they will pay it.
I think a Yankees rotation shaking down like I've listed below would be pretty solid:
1. Wang
2. Pettitte
3. Moose
4. Sabathia
5. Hughes
Now if Pavano is back, make him work for a spot in the rotation. Also, if they can pull down 2 big free agents - make Kennedy and Hughes both fight for a spot - neither of them earned it this year.
In any event, something needs to change......
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