From Tyler Kepner (NY Times):
Hank Steinbrenner has publicly promised to be aggressive in pursuing free agents this winter, and the crop will be thick. The Yankees will explore Sabathia, although they are pessimistic about his desire to play for them.
If the Yankees can’t get CC and if Mike Mussina retires, then it’ll be interesting to see what they decide to do with their rotation. Money always talks, but CC, a native Californian (he’s from Vallejo), appears willing to concede a few dollars in exchange for comfort and location. My buddy from LA was discussing CC’s possible destinations with me and we both agreed that Dodger Blue would make sense. Kepner notes that the team probably won’t pursue any NL pitchers (for obvious reasons), and although Ben Sheets has been mentioned, his latest injury (elbow) doesn’t increase the Yankees’ interest, as it’s just more of the same from another injury-prone pitcher.
The Yankees do have other options outside of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. AJ Burnett is a notable free agent who will certainly get a look if he opts out of his contract with the Jays. Derek Lowe is another guy, a former Red Sox, that could take the ball in the AL East without hesitation (he knows what it takes to succeed in this division) but, remember, he is 36 years old and has earned himself a big payday (and multi-year deal). Would the Yankees be willing to give a 36-year old a 4-year deal? It doesn’t sound like an attractive option, to say the least.
At the end of the day, the Yankees are going to need starters and, while there are a few good pitchers out there, they could have problems signing players that they want and finding good fits for their team. Wang and Andy Pettitte are the only “definite” rotation mates right now (and Pettitte isn’t even a lock yet). If the Yankees can’t sign or choose not to sign either CC, AJ or Sheets, then they’ll have to go to plan D, as in D-Lowe. If that doesn’t work out, they may be forced to go after a guy like Jon Garland who is a mediocre starter, yet a reliable innings eater (it could be worse, like, Paul Byrd worse…). If the team is struggling to find bodies, then they’ll have to look at other NL pitchers who aren’t AL proven and take their chances. The hated Oliver Perez could even be one of those starters.
If that ultimately doesn’t work out, the Yankees would have to pursue some sort of trade, because they can’t rely on Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or IPK, at least not right away, to start off the 2009 season in the rotation. If I had to guess on possible trading partners, I’d say to keep an eye out on the Reds. Also, there’s always this guy, if we’re really desperate (it’s a joke!)…
