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According to Pete Abraham's blog, Joe Girardi has made it known how the Yankees will set their rotation.
- CC Sabathia - No brainer. He's one of the best in the game and the more starts he gets the better.
- Chien-Ming Wang - Now that's what I'm talking about. The Wanger gets a little respect. I always found it funny how people started referring to Wang as our #3 after the A.J. Burnett signing. I'll take Wang over A.J. any day of the week. I wonder if Wang in the 2-spot has more to do with respect for Wang or if it was more of a strategic move, which I'll mention below.
- A.J. Burnett - I like putting Burnett after Wang because it splits up the power pitchers and it will allow the Yankees to give teams a different look every night and it could help to throw the opposing hitters off a little bit. He just needs to stay healthy.
- Andy Pettitte - I like Andy in the 4 spot for pretty much the same reason I like Wang in the 2-hole. It again splits up the power pitchers. Pettitte ain't what he used to be and the lower he is in the rotation the better. I'm just hoping for a 500 record.
- Joba Chamberlain - Another no-brainer. Joba has to be in the 5-spot purely because of his projected inning total. He only logged 116 innings last year and according to Pete's post, the Yankees are projecting him to start 30 games. Wow. That seems like a lot and I'm surprised they expect so many starts from him. Even at only 5 innings per start that's 150 innings, which is a big jump for a guy they've been babying. I'm going to guess if he gets in all 30 starts, he'll finish with about 180 IPs. That's quite the jump. It also makes sense to put him right before Sabathia. If Joba continuously clocks in with 5-6 IPs per start, the Yankees will have to use the pen more. Sabathia will follow Joba and he's a horse and should be able to give the pen the night off for all intents and purposes. Same with the Wanger.
From top-to-bottom, it's pretty stacked and for money is one of, if not the, best rotation in baseball. Needless to say, this rotation works for me and I have to think that a monkey could have set it up. No offense Joe.
Peace, love and Pinstripes,
J-Boogie
3 comments:
Wang has been a better pitcher than Burnett. I never thought that Burnett was better than Wang. I do see how Burnett COULD become a better pitcher. But he is 31, so I don't know that he will improve going forward, but it is possible. Schilling did it.
I also considered Wang as our number 2 guy over Burnett, i mean.. the guy was heading for another 19 win season had he not had that freak injury.
Wang has definitely been the better pitcher. I remember when Eiland referred to him as their #3 and I was like "WHAT??" I'm glad he's getting the love.
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