YANKEES STARTING PITCHING, PART I
With Pitchers and Catchers upon us (most staffs and their battery mates will arrive in warmer climes sometime this week), it is a good the time to offer predictions and insight into every team's biggest priority: The starting pitching. How do we match up with our rivals? What are potential problems and strengths? There is much to discuss.
As of now, our rotation has seven candidates for five spots. Here they are:
1. Randy Johnson
2. Mike Mussina
3. Chien Ming Wang
4. Shawn Chacon
5. Jaret Wright
6. Carl Pavano
7. Aaron Small
8. Roger Clemens (?)
Have at it, you animals.
As of now, our rotation has seven candidates for five spots. Here they are:
1. Randy Johnson
2. Mike Mussina
3. Chien Ming Wang
4. Shawn Chacon
5. Jaret Wright
6. Carl Pavano
7. Aaron Small
8. Roger Clemens (?)
Have at it, you animals.
posted by Anthony at 11:18 AM
7 Comments:
We have no ace! But then again, no one in our division has one either. But let's look at the other roations--
Boston:
C. Schilling
J. Beckett
M. Clement
D. Wells
T. Wakefield
B. Arroyo
O's:
K. Benson
E. Bedard
R. López
D. Cabrera
B. Chen
Tampa Bay:
S. Kazmir (no one else deserves mention)
Toronto:
R. Halladay
A. Burnett
G. Chacín
T. Lilly
J. Towers
Now, we bit a fat one most of last year against Baltimore's staff, which still baffles me. We still have yet to figure out wakefield's nuckleball (and Schilling did well against us as well). But for my money, aside from our rotation, I would take Toronto's staff as is. If they stay healthy, they're going to rack up wins. Toronoto is the danger. I would *definitely* take our staff over any other team in our division, except Toronto.
Well, Unit was an ace... but would you put Halladay in the ace category?
A healthy Halladay, Burnett, Schilling and Beckett could be better than anyone on our pitching staff. Of course, the chances of all four being healthy are not high. But I think you've got to look at these staffs and conclude that the Yankees are no better than the Red Sox and somewhat better than Toronto. Lucky for us, we are offensively much better than both.
As for Toronto, Chacin and Towers are innings eaters, but probably will go something like 24-22 combined. Lilly had his worst season last year, posting a 5.56 ERA. He's certainly not better than a .500 pitcher either way. In fact, his record the past three seasons has been a combined 34-31. If their offense is improved, perhaps all these guys could move to slightly better than .500. Of course, Burnett is only 49-50 for his career as well.
Overall, I think the Toronto staff is a bit of a paper tiger. They look very good on paper, but a lot of things have to go right for them to contend. Halladay has to be healthy, Burnett has reach his potential, Chacin and Towers have to improve, and Lilly needs to turn it around in a big way. This team is certainly not a pushover and should be over .500 for the seaosn, but I don't see the depth and consistency of Boston or our staff here.
I can't disagree with any of that. I think Baltimore's staff has a lot of upside and will be much better than we think. They won't contend but will cause plenty of trouble.
Oh, wait, I can disagree with part of it. I think the wildcard goes to the Red Sox.
Cleveland didn't have an off-season which convinced me they think they can win this year. They let their best pitcher go in Millwood and traded a center fielder on the verge of being an allstar. Marte might be the next big thing, but he won't be that this season.
Cleveland... ha! The Wild Card is Boston's to lose.
As for Baltimore, in terms of their rotation, they are by no means awful, but what in God's name do they think they can accomplish with that bullpen of theirs? Who IS this Chris Ray? (their closer) Talk about a skeleton crew manning the stations.
Hi Goose! I'm gonna try and give you a call tonight so we can catch up.
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