SNOW, HOT CHOCOLATE & YANKEES HOT STOVE

It’s cold, it’s snowing and Yankee Hot Stove is on the television.  Thinking about pitching heats me right up.  My son and I were debating over some hot chocolate on the Yankee pitching combinations and you know what, I am excited.  Will we get Masahiro Tanaka? I sure do hope so. 

Honestly, I think we should send our franchise player, Derek Jeter, as ambassador to woe the future major leaguer to the Bronx.  According to Jack Curry, if Tanaka truly wants to make a splash in the major leagues, he needs to go to a premiere ball club like the Yankees or the Dodgers.  And honestly, we need to beat our West coast rivals to the punch and go all in on Tanaka. 

The Hot Stove crew also said that the Yankees would not have made the big signings in Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran without seriously thinking about picking up some integral pitchers.  There are some choices in Bronson Arroyo,  Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana who would easily shape the team around a Tanaka signing and a CC Sabathia comeback.

I really like Arroyo.  I think he offers consistency and innings and we need this desperately. 

Finally, there is the fifth starter.  Will he be Adam Warren, David Phelps, Vidal Nuno or even Dellin Betances?  The field is wide open.  We also need someone in the swing position- the long reliever, fill in starter, etc.  I think Adam Warren and David Phelps are top contenders for the 5th starter slot.  However, let’s not leave out Michael Pineda who, according to the Stove, is the person to watch during spring training. 

A lot to think about folks despite the snow, heated blankets and hot chocolate.  Lots of possibilities which all start with some strategic thinking and the all American dollar.  Stay warm, fans!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fasted growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.