What will the 2009 Yankees look like?  I see a lot of question marks.  Its hot stove time and many teams are looking to fill out important roster spots but the Yankees are overhauling their entire starting pitching staff.  That’s a lot of change for a team competing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. 

I know there are more three months until pitchers and catchers report but I got to tell you, I’m getting nervous.   Sabathia is talking to the Angels now and others.   Peavy is destined to stay in the NL.  The Yankees of showing disinterest in Burnett.  Pettitte is talking to the Dodgers.   Lowe is talking to the Red Sox and others.   Mussina is done and will probably move to the Yes booth (my guess, not a fact).  See why I’m nervous.

What will the Yankees do if they are not successful in the free agent market, cobble together a starting 5 through trades?  Who will they go after, Ben Sheets? Please!   If you see this as a good plan B please post your comment.  Personally, I think the Yankees are in deep trouble if plan A fades away.

As of now we have one solid pitcher in the rotation, Wang and he’s coming back from injury.  Joba has been designated as a starter but he struggled last year and the jury is still out on his ability to hold down a position in the rotation.  Phil Hughes is working on his stuff this winter but are we convince that he can be a viable big league starter?  Forget Ian Kennedy.  Completely forget Kei Igawa.

I’ll admit I’m pulling the fire alarm but a good team starts with good pitching and it seems the options could close out fast for the Yankees.  I have to believe that Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman see the critical situation they’re in and I hope they act accordingly.

If they fail to pull together a top notch rotation, the New Yankee Stadium will be the host of many sad days next season.  I just hope that come July we’re not wishing we still had Pavano!

Speak Out: Yankee Fan Forum

Mike Mussina officially announced his retirement today.  The Yankees have scheduled a news conference at 4pm today to discuss. 

Moose will be missed by Yankee fans for his crafty pitching, unrivaled spirit and relentless dedication.  It was a pleasure watching Mike pitch, especially when that knuckle curve was in the zone.  He was a fierce competitor grinding out every pitch of every inning. Mussina, who turns 40 next month, is the first pitcher to retire after a 20 win season since Sandy Koufax did it in 1966.

Last season Yankee fans were treated to 20 examples of his artistry on the mound and I for one enjoyed all of them.   While he seemed a little cold or distant at times there was no quit in Mussina.  His firey attitude was evident and he was know in the clubhouse as a good teammate.

 A few career highlights:

• Drafted by the Orioles in 1987 in the 11th round, did not sign.  Instead went to Stanford University
• Earned a degree in economics from Stanford in December 1990 finishing in only 3 1/2 years
• Signed with Orioles in July of 1990 after he was taken in the 1st round of the draft.
• July of 1991 made his first Major League start and finished the season with a 2.87 ERA
• Pitched 10 seasons for Baltimore before signing with the Yankees in 2001.
• Mussina pitched 8 seasons for the Yankees his last being his best winning 20 games.
• 18 Year Career stats: 537 Starts, 270 Wins, 153 Losses, 57 Compete games, 23 Shut outs, 3562 innings pitched, 2813 Strikeouts, 3.68 ERA
• Works with many charitable organizations throughout his baseball career.
• Received the 2007 Thurman Munson Award for his accomplishments on the field and his philanthropic work within the community

During his Yankee career Mussina made donations of baseball equipment to kids throughout the tri-state area.  He had a big influence on youth players including my son who learned the knuckle curve after watching Mussina’s masterful use of it.

As I said in previous posts.. I thought he would stay in the game at least one more year.  After the season he had in 2008 I thought he would give it one more shot.  Maybe it was more hope on my part rather than a practical, logical prediction.  I still think he could be successful, I’m sure he does too.  However, it’s always best to go out on top… no one can blame you for that.  He ended it on a 20 win season… the highest of high notes for a pitcher.

BTW… I purposely held off posting this until Mussina officially announced his retirement.   I thought waiting for him to announce his decision was the right thing to do.

The debate will soon begin as to whether or not he is worthy of the Hall of Fame.   Let’s leave that discussion for another day and focus today on thanking Mike Mussina for being a solid citizen and a great Yankee player.   So Long Moose!

Speak Out: Yankee Fan Forum

One thing is for certain, Yankee brass are serious about rebuilding the pitching staff for 2009. With the Yankees blockbuster offer to C.C. Sabathia and the prospect of the big left hander wearing pinstripes looking good (even LeBron James has indicated C.C. will be coming to the Yanks), Yankee fans are no doubt musing about the 2009 starting rotation.

While the pitching staff was a bane to fans in 2008, our anticipation of Sabathia taking the mound on April 6th against the Orioles will certainly heighten as the Spring approaches. We can’t ask for a better pitching Ace and stronger presence on the mound.

The pleasant thoughts continue… We can look forward to the return of one of the best pitchers in the AL, Chien Mien Wang. Sorely missed in 2008, Wanger is primed and ready to fill out the #2 spot. We know if his performance stays consistent with previous years the Yankees will have a 1-2 pitching punch arguably unmatched by any team in baseball.

In the #3 spot we have to be pleased about the prospect of adding either Jake Peavy, Derek Lowe or A.J. Burrnett to the group. All of these strong hurlers would fill out the middle position in the rotation very nicely.

As we move on to the #4 and #5 spots we have Joba Chamberlain in one of them. Yes, we have to wait and see how the 23 year old, hard throwing, hulk matures over the winter. But there is no doubt he has one of the most powerful arms in MLB. If he can tame his command and become a little more crafty with his pitches, he could turn out to be a very tough 4th day Ace!

To complete the rotation we could have either Andy Pettitte or Mike Mussina. Andy has already said he would sign a one year deal and Moose has not decided if he’s going to hang up his cleats. However it works out I don’t think we would mind having either one of them taking the mound in the 5th spot.

So when you flush it all out… This could be one of the strongest pitching staffs the Yankees have assembled in the clubs HISTORY! That’s right, History! Thinking back on my years as a Yankee fan I’m having a hard time coming up with a better possible five.

While I wish overall team salaries were lower so attending a Yankee game would be more affordable to the average fan, at least we know we have an organization that is planning to invest big dollars to rebuild the pitching staff into one of the best in baseball.

I don’t think I’m the only Yankee fan who’s saying… I’m pumped about 2009.

Speak Out: Yankee Fan Forum

No exciting news on the Yankee personnel front.  Hopefully we’ll hear about Mike Mussina’s decision as well as Yankee negotiations with Andy Pettitte.  Yankees are under a Thursday deadline with Pettitte.

The Yankee organization continues to move into the new stadium including personnel offices and Monument Park.   LoHud Yankees Blog reports that the stadium will be equipped with the latest in video technology to enhance the fan’s experience at the ball park.  Apparently .. “The Stadium has the capability to allow fans to communicate with players before and after the game using interactive video-based technology.”.   Should be pretty cool.   Hopefully I can afford the tickets without taking out a loan.

Speak Out: Yankee Fan Forum

Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina filed for free agency today.   Mussina turns 40 this month.    There’s still speculation that he may play in 2009 but according to a few reports Cashman and Girardi think he’ll hang up his cleats.    Cashman has said he “could be” considered in the 2009 rotation.   In September the 2008 twenty game winner said he could be satisfied with walking away from the game on such a high note but continues to be non-comittal.  Time will tell.

Speak Out: Yankee Fan Forum