PITCHING POTPOURRI

So, more rumors than normal these past few days with the New York Yankees attached to them. I like that. That’s the kind of winter I like in Yankeeland, the Yanks spreading a wide net in the hopes to snag someone. Obviously the issue this year is the Free Agent market is lame.
L-A-M-E.

PETTITTE: The Andy Pettitte Saga continues. Still no word on if he’s coming back. I don’t think he is for sure, but hey, Pettitte’s done this before. You never know. There’s a lot of talk about Pettitte being spooked by Roger Clemens which is a possible reason for him maybe retiring. Some say he’s afraid to have to deal with Clemens and his trial. I say this, Pettitte’s not afraid of anyone. Pettitte did the right thing a few years ago, he came clean, you can’t say that about Clemens. Turn the page. As far as the Yankee and their starting pitching, well we all know it’s gonna get ugly if Andy doesn’t come back.

BONDERMAN: The YES Network’s Jack Curry tweeted that the Yanks are no longer in on Bonderman. Earlier this month in WHY BONDERMAN ISN’T THE ANSWER , I stated my concerns on this guy. Injury problems and lack of recent pitching should have crossed im off the list a while ago. I liked him in 2006, enough said.

DUCHSCHERER: Reports today are that the Yankees have “stepped up” their interest in Justin Duchscherer. This coming from Jerry Crasnick from ESPN.com. Duchschereer is a righthander and a starter, but the report is he could either be used as a starter or reliever. That just give you an idea of what the Free Agent market is like right now. You have High priced free agents that no one wants to touch, you have broken down pitchers looking for comebacks and you have no names with no quality of work to show for their career. Horrendous year. As far as Duchscherer is concerned? Another injury riddled pitcher who had hip and elbow problems.

SORIANO: The Yanks were “out” on Soriano. Then Soriano said he would “set-up” for the Yankees, so the Yankees were reportedly “in” on Soriano. Then Cashman quickly dismissed that and said they would not giev up a number 1 pick for Soriano, only Cliff Lee. So technically, everyone assumed the Yankees were “out” on Soriano again. Then it was reported the the Yankees were not “out” on Soriano, but “in” on Soriano. Then, Buster Olney tweeted this “The question of what role Rafael Soriano will play for his next team is very much secondary to what his salary will be. In other words, if some club was willing to pay him to be it’s bullpen catcher for $45 million over the next three years, Soriano would consider it.” So does that mean the Yankees are “out” again? Maybe their “in”? I’m confused.

CHAMBERLAIN: Yes it’s true, Many many Yankee fans like the fact that Joba was a starter and would like to see him Start again. Sliding into home made a good argument for Joba being a starter for 2011. I prefer Joba in the bullpen, but I understand and respect the starter argument. I just don’t want to jerk the guy around, he’s been through enough. Maybe, just maybe, he is a 4^th or 5^th starter for the Yankees next year. My point is, if you’re going to do it, then do it and don’t keep moving him around, it’s not fair. Bottom line, I take Joba over Mitre, maybe even Nova.

Finally, if all else fails this winter, don't fret, have you ever heard of Hector Noesi, Andrew Brackman, David Phelips? You did? Good, they are some minor leaguers who Bronx Baseball Daily did a profile on, including a few more guys who the Yankees could call up if in fact, they don't sign any free agents. check it out, it's good.

My prediction, something's about to go down, stay tuned.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.