Two questions about the 2008 Yankees.

[JfromJersey]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

[bcom33]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

With Andy:
1) Wang
2) Andy
3) Hughes
4) Joba
5) Kennedy/Mussina

W/O Andy:
1) Wang
2) Hughes
3) Joba
4) Kennedy
5) Mussina


I think Brett Gardner could be a good 4th OF and pinch runner off the bench if we need him and if he continues to improve his hitting.

[nnysiny]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

1) Andy
2) Wang
3) Hughes
4) Joba
5) Kennedy/Mussina

i dont really see an impact player coming in for 2008. most of the real talent is in the lower levels. maybe Horne if he tighens up his pitches, or Humberto Sanchez if his recovery goes without a setback

[dont_ya_know24]

With Andy

1. Wang
2. Andy
3. Hughes
4. Joba
5. Kennedy

Without Andy

1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Joba
4. Kennedy
5. Mussina

the only person i think really has a chance to impact this team is humberto. it will be out of the bullpen too.

who knows, maybe he can be what joba was for us last year.

[gregzzy22]

With Andy:
Wang
Pettitte
Hughes
Moose
Joba/Kennedy

You cant tell me Joba right now having made 0 starts in the majors is better than Mussina. If Andy doesnt come back just take him out and put Igawa 5th.

I think Horne will definetly come up and have an impact but other than that we've seen some young guys come up last year that will have a bigger impact this year like Ohlendorf adn Ramirez. Hitting wise maybe Eric Duncan will come up or one of the young outfielders? Not much there.

Humberto Sanchez can have a Joba Chamberlain type impact on the team but thats if he doesnt have any injury setbacks, does well in the minors and then can come up midseason to the majors and dominate.

[Tabata]

Someone on here was told the Yankees think Mark Melancon will make an impact next year.

[primetime714]

With Andy:

1. Andy- this is thinking about the playoffs as he'd be our game 1 starter.
2. Wang
3. Hughes
4. Joba
5. Kennedy

Without Andy:

1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Joba
4. Kennedy
5. Moose

As for minor leaguers. Out of spring training the only guys that I think could possibly make the team that haven't already been up are Gardner as a 4th OF or maybe Miranda at 1B but not likely. If we're talking about guys that weren't up for long Kennedy is the obvious choice there. Ohlendorf, Britton, and Veras are also guys that should fit into the bullpen picture. Oh and if we're talking about guys that won't make the team out of ST but will be called up during the season Sanchez, Horne, Whelan, and possibly Melancon come to mind.

[Prison Mike]

With Andy

1. Wang
2. Andy
3. Hughes
4. Joba
5. Kennedy

Without Andy

1. Wang
2. Hughes
3. Joba
4. Kennedy
5. Mussina

These would be my lists.

Humberto will probably be the first to come up and make an impact. I see us really needing bullpen help this year, and he could be great.

[JeffWeaverFan]

With Andy:

Wang
Andy
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

Without Andy:

Wang
Moose
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

The reason is that the last slots of the rotation, in that order, will have to have their starts skipped from time to time. With Andy, it's a lot easier as we can slip Moose into those guys starts (mostly for Joba, a good amount for Hughes, and a much lesser extent for Kennedy based on their IP limits this year). Without Andy, Moose has to start every 5th day (when he's not hurt) and the likes of Igawa or Rasner would take that slot for the young pitchers.

Alan Horne and a bunch of our relievers.

[ZYanksRule]

1. Wang
2. Chamberlain
3. Pettitte
4. Hughes
5. Kennedy
6. Mussina

I think Horne will around, as will Humberto... he had TJ surgery this year, but all indications are that he will be a contributor on this team.

[BennyTheJetRodriguez]

Do you mean rank as in where they will be in the rotation, or rank as in ability? I think Joba will be the 5th starter for the sake of keeping his innings down, but he's obviously better than your Kennedys and Mussinas.

I think if Kennedy isn't traded Horne will be big in the 7th and 8th inning. Sanchez and or Melancon could also get long looks this year.

[DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

With Pettitte:
1. Andy Pettitte
2. Joba Chambelain
3. Chien-Ming Wang
4. Philip Hughes
5. Ian Kennedy
6. Mike Mussina
If you want to keep innings down and you have all six, what's wrong with going to a 6-man rotation. Now, if there's a day off here and there, then you let Mussina be the odd man out and have him in long relief.

Without Andy Pettitte:
1. Johan Santana
2. Joba Chamberlain
3. Philip Hughes
4. Ian Kennedy
5. Mike Mussina
If Pettitte retires, which I doubt then the Yankees might go after Santana and Wang will be part of the package. Melky will probably go as well.

As for the 2nd question, I'll take a guess that Humberto Sanchez will fit into our bullpen. Maybe Alan Horne if Sanchez is not ready. Other than those two, Ross Ohlendorf did not pitch that much last season, so I think he might have a big impact in the pen since he throws about 96 mph.

[BxBomber44]

Wang Andy Hughes Joba Moose/Ian & Wang Hughes Joba Ian Moose

I really want Kei Igawa to have a positive impact, but I can go with Humberto like most of the previous posters.

[stephsamps]

With Andy:

Wang
Andy
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

Without Andy:

Wang
Moose
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

The reason is that the last slots of the rotation, in that order, will have to have their starts skipped from time to time. With Andy, it's a lot easier as we can slip Moose into those guys starts (mostly for Joba, a good amount for Hughes, and a much lesser extent for Kennedy based on their IP limits this year). Without Andy, Moose has to start every 5th day (when he's not hurt) and the likes of Igawa or Rasner would take that slot for the young pitchers.

Alan Horne and a bunch of our relievers.

I am curious as to why you don't have Moose in the rotation at all if Andy is here, but then put him in the two-slot if no Andy. Where would Moose be if Andy comes back? Long relief?

[Roberto Kelly]

w/
Andy
Hughes
Wang
Mussina
Joba

w/o
Hughes
Wang
Mussina
Joba
Kennedy

[coba]

w/
Andy
Wang
Hughes
Mussina
Joba

w/o
Wang
Hughes
Mussina
Joba
Kennedy

Just quite curious, if Andy really doesn't come back, do you think Yankees should try to trade for (lefty) SP ? I read some article in MSN sport where they bring up the idea of trading Cliff Lee (who has offyear last year and will likely come cheap) to replace Andy and give more time for our young pitchers to develop.

[ballgame9]

With Andy:

Wang
Andy
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

Without Andy:

Wang
Moose
Kennedy
Hughes
Joba

The reason is that the last slots of the rotation, in that order, will have to have their starts skipped from time to time. With Andy, it's a lot easier as we can slip Moose into those guys starts (mostly for Joba, a good amount for Hughes, and a much lesser extent for Kennedy based on their IP limits this year). Without Andy, Moose has to start every 5th day (when he's not hurt) and the likes of Igawa or Rasner would take that slot for the young pitchers.

Alan Horne and a bunch of our relievers.

I really like that reasoning, it was an approach I wouldn't have thought of without you pointing that out. With that said, I would probably just flip Hughes and Kennedy. The little I saw Hughes pitch he seemed ready to start pitching for real so I'd give him the nod.

[wang+cano=future]

With Andy:

Wang
Andy
Hughes
Joba
Kennedy

W/O Andy:

Wang
Hughes
Joba
Kennedy
Moose


I wouldn't be suprised to see Horne up in a reliever or spot starter role during the season. Also I could see Gardner coming up at some point as a 4th OF or pinch-runner. Most of the relief prospects are coming off of TJ or other surgeries so we most likley won't see Sanchez, Melancon, Garcia (even though he is viewed as a starter) or Cox this year -- maybe a late season call-up. Those prospects hopefully will make key contributions in the future so I can't see the Yankees jeopordize their health unless they are wawy ahead of schedule. I could see possible Patterson be a bullpen call up since he was just added to the 40-man.

[False1]

Igawa
Rasner
Karstens
Wright
Clippard

...oh wait, you mean 2008? I am geeked to see what the young arms can pump out. I'm predicting:

w/
Pettitte
Hughes
Wang
Chamberlain
Kennedy

w/o
Hughes
Wang
Chamberlain
Kennedy
Moose

[metalboy15]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

With Andy Pettitte:

#1 Chien-Ming Wang
#2 Phil Hughes
#3 Andy Pettitte
#4 Joba Chamberlain
#5 Ian Kennedy

Without Andy Pettitte:

#1 Chien-Ming Wang
#2 Phil Hughes
#3 Joba Chamberlain
#4 Ian Kennedy
#5 Mike Mussina

Why Phil ahead of Andy? you ask... Well... Because Phil Hughes is ready to go sub 4.00 ERA on us.

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

Alan Horne as a Reliever.

The guy has #2 SP-type stuff.

[RIYankee23]

With Andy:
Wang
Pettitte
Hughes
Moose
Joba/Kennedy

You cant tell me Joba right now having made 0 starts in the majors is better than Mussina.

Seriously??? Even with just 2 pitches Joba is much better than Mike "batting practice" Mussina. Just imagine how good he'll be once he develops his change and curveball.

Anyone is better than Mussina.

[Yankeesfan811]

with andy:

Wang
Pettite
Chamberlain
Hughes
Mussina

without andy:

Wang
Chamberlain
Hughes
Mussina
Kennedy

[b_joseph]

Andy
Wang
Hughes
Ike
Joba

Wang
Hughes
Moose
Kennedy
Joba

But, I have a sneaky feeling that someone from another team might be in our rotations

2) Juan Miranda.

[cyhughes22]

W/ Andy
Andy
Wang
Kennedy
Hughes
Chamberlain
Mussina(keeping Hughes/Chamberlain's innings down.)

W/O Andy=screwed
Wang
Kennedy
Mussina
Hughes
Chamberlain
Igawa(same as Mussina in w/ Andy rotation)

The order that I have the kids lined up in these rotations is based on projected IP limits not ability.

[dougj1]

The starting pitching is nothing more than a series of question marks, and unproven rookies wrapped up with a lot of hope. This is certainly not the way to the World Series. Furthermore, if they don't come up with a good, experienced bullpen to back up these unproven starters, this team won't even make the playoffs....

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Torre?

[dont_ya_know24]

The starting pitching is nothing more than a series of question marks, and unproven rookies wrapped up with a lot of hope. This is certainly not the way to the World Series. Furthermore, if they don't come up with a good, experienced bullpen to back up these unproven starters, this team won't even make the playoffs....

i like to think of this way: i would much rather have this year's (most likely) opening day rotation, than last year's opening day rotation.

hughes, chamberlain, kennedy >>>>> mussina, pavano, igawa (lol this side cracks me up.)

[R.V.47]

The starting pitching is nothing more than a series of question marks, and unproven rookies wrapped up with a lot of hope. This is certainly not the way to the World Series. Furthermore, if they don't come up with a good, experienced bullpen to back up these unproven starters, this team won't even make the playoffs....

I would agree with that. We still need to see what Joba can do as a starter. Towards the end of last year and into the playoffs his control was starting to go a little haywire and he was throwing more pitches. That cant happen as a starter as Im sure he will be on a pitch count.

[teknetic]

The starting pitching is nothing more than a series of question marks, and unproven rookies wrapped up with a lot of hope. This is certainly not the way to the World Series. Furthermore, if they don't come up with a good, experienced bullpen to back up these unproven starters, this team won't even make the playoffs....

2004 Rotation: Vasquez, Lieber, Moose, Brown, Contreras, El Duque.
2005 Rotation: Johnson, Moose, Pavano, Wang, Brown, Wright, Chacon, Small
2006 Rotation: Johnson, Wang, Moose, Wright, Chacon, Lidle

and you're worried about an '07 rotation that might include our two best starters from last year, two kids who have all the potential in the world, and a Kennedy/Moose/blank for the 5th spot?

[Stupid Flanders]

1) Assuming we stand pat with what we have, and Joba stays in the rotation, how would you rank our starters from 1 to 5, both with and without Andy?

2) Assuming the Yankees will continue promoting from within, what player currently in the minors, will make the team and have an impact next season?

Wang
Kennedy
Chamberlain
Pettitte
Hughes
Mussina

Humberto Sanchez.

[Stupid Flanders]

The starting pitching is nothing more than a series of question marks, and unproven rookies wrapped up with a lot of hope. This is certainly not the way to the World Series. Furthermore, if they don't come up with a good, experienced bullpen to back up these unproven starters, this team won't even make the playoffs....

Yes, the path to the World Series is clear. Let's trade away all these unproven rookies for old, over the hill pitchers trying to hang on for one last season.

Hughes for Maddux, Kennedy for Glavine. Sign Kenny Rogers. Trade Joba for Todd Jones.

[jcarey]

Yes, the path to the World Series is clear. Let's trade away all these unproven rookies for old, over the hill pitchers trying to hang on for one last season.

Hughes for Maddux, Kennedy for Glavine. Sign Kenny Rogers. Trade Joba for Todd Jones.

no way Hughes will be enough to get Maddux. are you nuts? oh wait, this isn't 1995.

stupid flanders is right - these rookies are going to turn a lot of heads next year.

[mbn007]

The rotations are as most posters above had them.

The Impact player from the Minors? I am surprised that no one so far listed either Wordkemper pr Dave Robertson. I believe one or both will be up here before June, and will solidify the 'pen. I also think Ohlendorf will play a major role in the 'pen, right out of the gate from ST.

[Cheesyhoboe]

Say no to Humberto. Does he have the stuff? Definitely. Does he have the control? No. Let him improve a little more in the minors.