YANKEES ROTATION IS SET... SAY HALLELUJAH

Finally, the Yankees have their rotation all set and all will be well in Yankeeland. It doesn't matter what any of us thought could happen, Girardi finally revealed it yesterday. Say Hallelujah... say Amen.
It breaks down like this:

CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda will be the Yankees 1 and 2 guys. Everyone knows that Sabathia is a monster and no one has really talked about CC this spring, probably because we know what we're going to get and because he's just so damn good. CC is truly an ace, I must have stated that numerous times on BYB. I Love the guy. Much like the past, expect CC Sabathia to start slow but become stronger and more dominant as the season progresses. CC Monster is the best, gotta love it.

Hiroki Kuroda was my pick for number 2, and it was because I thought he'd be a nice compliment to CC and of course. I suggested that his veteran experience and he being a righty would be nice to slots behind CC. I believe that once Pettitte comes back, he could potentially be the #3 guy in the rotation. We will see of course, but more on Pettitte in a moment. We'll see what happens with Kuroda though, meaning, can he handle the American League after being in the National League? I believe all will be OK...but again... we shall see.
Phil Hughes will be the Yankees number 3. This is not only because he capitalized when he needed to this spring, but also because he's being put on the big stage as to suggest to him, "The Yankees want you to be the guy we know you can be." The Golden boy can and will be golden this season. While I've always loved Hughes in the bullpen, I believe he will be a great starter this season...let's hope he can snag those 18 wins again in 2012.

Ivan Nova will be the Yankees number 4. Nova has proven he can win after going 16-4 in 2011. He's underrated and knows what it takes to win on the Yankees. I am very happy for this kid and I just hope he can handle batters the way he did in 2011.

Freddy Garcia is our number 5. "The Chief" is one of my favorites. I am thrilled he's in the rotation. Not only has he reinvented himself, the man is a veteran still with a lot to offer. One has to believe that if Michael Pineda was healthy going into the season, Garcia would have been out of a job, or perhaps the long man in the bullpen. It's funny how things work out.
When Pineda comes back, it will be interesting because one thing the Yankees in my opinion should not do is go to a 6 man rotation. And what about Andy Pettitte? When he returns, does Freddy go to the bullpen? Does Pettitte take the #3 spot? True, the rotation's set right now and it just worked out that way due to Pineda's injury, but there will still be some interesting questions come May 1st when Pettitte's ready to return.

For now though...let's play ball! Yankee baseball is almost here!

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