The Rotation Has Question Marks

Today, River Ave. Blues discussed the possibility of an injury riddled rotation.  Let’s just say I was optimistic, but you have to be realistic too.  I didn’t read the whole post, as I wanted to break down some of the possibilities myself and how it can have a great effect on the outcome of 2009.   So let’s get right to it:

CC Sabathia- He is the closest to a sure thing the Yankees have.  But he doesn’t come to NY without question marks.  His 253 innings pitched last season was a career high.  This is quite a hefty number for starting pitchers nowadays.  How will this effect his production in 2009 and beyond?  However, Sabathia has never thrown fewer than 180 innings which might be the more important number.  His is the the ace the Yankees have been searching for, but now he has perform on the big stage like one.   He has never pitched in quite an atmosphere like NY and hopefully he can make the Yankees look smart.

Chien-Ming Wang-  A foot injury last year cut his season in half and the Yankees had to rely on the likes of Ponson among others.  At least it wasn’t an elbow or shoulder that was injured.  Although a leg injury might be the second worst injury for a pitcher as that is what propels them towards home plate.  He no longer has to be the ace that the Yankees so desperately needed the past few years.  Hopefully, he keeps his sinker down and the defense does their job.

AJ Burnett- He might be the biggest unknown of the entire staff as he is no stranger to the disabled list.  He also has the highest upside and the best pure stuff on the entire staff.  When completely focused, he is nearly unhittable.  If he is healthy for most or the entire year, the Yankees might find themselves in a really good position within the division.  He could ultimately (and I predict) lead the team in strikeouts.  He is the wild card and possibly what prevents Ponson from making another uninspiring appearance in pinstripes.

Andy Pettitte- At 37, Pettitte’s retirement might be coming sooner rather than later.  As the fourth starter, Pettitte will only be asked to be average every fifth day.  If he gives up three or four runs for six innings, well we should all take that.  After watching his second half season collapse last year, I just don’t have the same confidence in him anymore.  He is also another injury risk.  Given his age and recent injury, 180 innings seems far from certain.

Joba Chamberlain- After throwing 100 innings last year, Girardi and the Yankees expect him to make the leap to around 160-180 innings or 30 starts.  This increase can severely hamper the development of Joba for the next few years if he suddenly breaks down which is entirely possible.  The bad news is that he has a history with health problems.  The good news is that he hasn’t logged a lot of innings in the pros and at the collegiate level and he has a defined role this year.  He wants to be a starter and so do the Yanks.  He might be more focused than ever this year.  He might be in the running for best stuff on the staff and can clearly be successful in the fifth spot as he gets to face the opponents worst starters.

All in all, every starter in the rotation has question marks.  I can say with almost certainty that someone will get injured along the 162-game grind.  Who that may be I cannot determine, but the Yanks need everyone to be successful.  Hughes, Aceves, Kennedy, Coke might soften the blow along the way if this were to happen, but it will only be a bandaid.  And they are made to come apart.

Spring Training

- Not much can be read into the performance of players in spring training as this is a warmup and practice for the grind of the regular minor and major league seasons.  When pitchers throw 90% fastballs, of course they are going to be hit.  And when batters know that pitch is coming and right down the middle, their numbers will be inflated.  But it is sure fun to watch, especially after the long offseason.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s throw it out the window.  What about that Brett Gardner?  Two homeruns and two stolen bases later, he is midseason form and probably won the center field job already.  Does it mean anything, well yes and no.  It means that he has a hold on the CF job, but it’s only five games of spring training.  It has always been said that Gardner needs to develop more power to stick in the majors and now people are complaining that he is not hitting the ball on the ground (PeteAbe).  If he hits homeruns fine, if he doesn’t, than so be it.  Either way he is putting the ball in play and causing havoc on the basepaths.  What more can you ask for by a leadoff hitter?

- Memo to the Media:  leave ARod alone.  Just let him play baseball.  Sure he has a black cloud over his head for the rest of his life, but he has ‘ kind of ‘ answered for his wrong doings.  It’s over and done with.  Are any of these media members baseball fans?  Some have to be Yankee fans right?  The less ARod has to answer questions, the better the Yankees will do.

- Why isn’t every game on Yes?  The first Spring Training game had record views, so wouldn’t it be in the Yankees best interest to broadcast every game?  People will watch.  How much pre-March Madness college basketball can a person take?

- Nathan, Hawpe, Sizemore, and Ryan have all dropped out of the WBC.  Most, if not all have bowed out due to injury concerns…as they should.  The USA might be in trouble if more players can’t go.  This will be no walk in the park as they found out the first time.