Tuesday, April 3, 2012

WHY YANKEE ROTATION QUESTIONS WILL SURFACE AGAIN

So finally, we've figured out the Yankees starting rotation... that's done...but I guess I think too much because what happens when Andy Pettitte is available sometime after April and Michael Pineda works his way back from shoulder tendinitis? The questions start again, right?

Right now, I'm ecstatic! We have a pretty nice looking 5 man rotation. Besides, you can never have too much pitching, but to be honest, it was getting hot in Tampa for a moment down there when we were all waiting for the rotation announcement. Remember when Casey wrote of Freddy Garcia's frustrations in MO PITCHING, MO PROBLEMS and for a while there, it was clear that something could happen with Garcia... I thought maybe he'd shipped off or at least stuck in the bullpen.

Then, things started happening. Andy Pettitte, it was reported wouldn't be ready until May 1st and Michael Pineda got hurt, read HERE. This ultimately opened the door for Garcia, and after all, he deserves it, he's pitched well for the Yankees since last season and had a good spring as well. It is funny how things work out.
But yes, with the rotation set now, what will happen later? For instance, when Michael Pineda comes back, will they send him down to AAA before they bring him up to the big team? To be honest, once we see how his progress is, we can decide then, but to be honest, I never objected to starting Pineda in the minors. Pineda will be our future and if he does great now, that's a bonus, but Pineda is a long term investment and it's a great pick up! However, if the Yankees want to make room for Andy in May, will that muck everything up as well? We'll just have to see. My guess is whomever isn't hacking it early will need to step aside and let the new guys give it a shot. Again, it's a problem, but it could be a very good problem to have too much pitching.
Before the rotation was even announced, I thought that Phil Hughes should move to the pen, then, once Andy was ready in May, you could also transition Freddy in. Sounds crazy and not the greatest idea but the only other option would be the release Freddy Garcia. To be honest, I just never saw Garcia as a long man so I figured if we had a rotation of CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Phil Hughes as a permanent reliever, all would be well in Yankeeland and we may have to say goodbye to Freddy. Well, let's just say it didn't work out the way I thought... and that's fine, I'm glad Freddy's in the rotation.

Although it's nice to have the pitching that we've have been missing for a long, someone is going to draw the short stick here eventually. Yes, again, we have a rotation set now, but what happens when Pineda and Pettitte come back? What do you think will happen?

Luckily, I don't get paid to make those decisions, I just analyze them... and to be honest, that works fine for me...



--Jeana Bellezza --BYB Writer and Editor


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