No CC?

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!)…

Pettitte, Moose News

Andy Pettitte spoke briefly with some reporters today and it appears as though Andy will return next year although he didn’t explicitly commit to such a return (not yet, anyway). When asked about Mike Mussina’ future, Pettitte also mentioned that if anyone could walk away from the game after a 20-9 season, it was Mussina. I’d only take Pettitte back for what, $10 million? That’s fair, based on his performance this year, right?

Mo Will Have Surgery

Tyler Kepner informs us (in his great writeup on Mike Mussina) that Mariano Rivera has decided to opt for shoulder surgery, as it is a minor procedure and it will not force him to miss any time in 2009.

2008

Well, that’s all, that’s the end of the season. The Yankees finish up strong, but their 89-73 record just wasn’t enough to overcome a solid Boston team and a stunning Rays squad. As of now, uncertainty and change are on the horizon and it will be interesting to see what happens and who returns.

I plan on writing quite a few posts that critique (not criticize) aspects of the 2008 season throughout the week (from the pitching to the managing), so check in if you’d like. Also, with the Yankees, remember, the offseason is never boring and the blog will be up and running. I actually enjoy writing about possible acquisitions, free agent dealings, speculation and trades, so, again, be sure to stop by.

For now, here are some final bits to close out the final day of our season.

1. Here’s the boxscore for the final game of the season (Ponson faced a weak lineup, in case you were wondering why he pitched well).
2. Mike Mussina’s career could be over, although I think he could return for 2009. His record certainly reflects his current abilities and it’s evident that he can still pitch, it’s just going to be up to him to figure out if he wants to return or not.
3. Joe Girardi has considered putting Joba Chamberlain in the rotation to start 2009 (they’d be careful with him, skipping starts, limiting innings, and so on and so forth).
4. Speaking of Girardi, after talking with an assortment of players and personnel, Ed Price speculates that many of the players haven’t exactly meshed well with Girardi’s personality. According to Price, Girardi’s intensity before and after games has created this very “tight” atmosphere, which has hurt the team in their attempts to remain “loose”. When you think about how poor the club was at advancing runners and hitting with RISP (A-Rod and Giambi come to mind), it makes sense.

More tomorrow…