Andy Pettitte announced his retirement yesterday after 16 seasons in the majors. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but it does leave a gaping hole in the New York Yankees’ starting rotation. Currently constructed, the Yankees rotation includes CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, an erratic A.J. Burnett, and a prayer. The possibilities for fourth and fifth starters include youngster Ivan Nova, two dinosaurs in Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, and a guy better suited to be a long reliever in Sergio Mitre.
Pettitte’s retirement leaves the Yankees with only one left-handed starter in Sabathia. This could cause further problems this coming season due to the fact that Boston added two All-Star left-handed batters in Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. The Yankees’ right-handers will have difficulty trying to neutralize the big-time lefties in the Red Sox’ lineup. Knowing the Yankees, it seems logical that they will wait until June or July to find a team that has given up on the season and take a high-priced player off their hands. This season the Yankees will certainly be searching for a left-handed starter to poach from cost-cutting prey.
Pettitte has been a very reliable starter for the Yankees, even at his advanced age. Pettitte will be missed this season, and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the great Yankees starting pitchers of all time. However, although he was a very good pitcher, he is not a Hall of Famer. You can read my thoughts on that subject here. http://www.thesportsjury.com/20110116948/mlb/the-case-against-andy-pettitte-for-the-hall-of-fame
Aside from the holes in the starting rotation, the rest of the team looks solid going into spring training. The Yankees have a solid bullpen, shored up by the additions of Rafael Soriano to take care of the 8th inning, and Pedro Feliciano to be a left-handed specialist. Feliciano’s addition will be a welcome sight against the Red Sox, hopefully being able to shut down the likes of Ortiz, Crawford and Gonzalez in the late innings of games. Soriano’s addition takes some pressure off David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain, neither of whom will be expected to fill the 8th inning role anymore. As a result, they should be able to excel in lesser roles in the middle innings.
The Yankees have a solid outfield, with all of the starters in their primes. None of them will be superstars this season, but you don’t need an All-Star at every position. The Yankees outfielders bring speed and situational hitting to the table, something that is much needed to be able to grind out runs when the big guns aren’t producing.
The infield is aging, with Jeter at 36 and A-Rod at 35, so some injuries will occur throughout the course of the season. Ramiro Pena is a serviceable backup infielder, who will be able to provide cover for short periods of time. However, if someone goes down for a long stretch, Pena will be exposed as the weak hitter he is. Robinson Cano had an MVP-caliber season last year, and will be looking to continue to progress as a player, by carrying the offensive load for the Yankees this season. Mark Teixeira is a dominant defensive first-baseman and a solid, middle-of-the-lineup hitter, who will be a reliable player throughout the Yankees’ 2011 campaign.
Jorge Posada will likely take some time to adjust to being the everyday DH, but in the long run it will help his production by not having to squat for nine innings all season. Russell Martin is looking to have a bounce back year this season, and will be an upgrade offensively over Francisco Cervelli behind the plate.
The Yankees lack of depth in their starting rotation is their only legitimate concern going into the season. The way this team is currently constructed, they are looking at a tough fight to secure the Wild Card in the American League. If they can manage to bide some time and stay within striking distance of the Red Sox and Rays until they manage to trade for a reliable starter they will be in good shape to make the playoffs and put together a run at their 28th World Series Championship.
** Picture from espn.com*