For posterity's sake, here is the current Yankee pitching staff.
Starters
Gerrit Cole
Carlos Rodon (L)
Nestor Cortez (L)
Luis Severino
Frankie Montas
Swing men
Clarke Schmidt
Domingo German
Bullpen
Wandy Peralta (L)
Tommy Kahnle
Jonathan Loaisiga
Ron Marinaccio
Lou Trivino
Closer
Clay Holmes
Uncertainties
Albert Abreu (out of options)
Michael King (recovering from injury)
Luis Gil
Greg Weissert
Gone are Jamison Taillon, Lucas Luetge, Aroldis Chapman, Zack Briton, Scott Effross and most of last year's rotation in Scranton. (Hot scoop: Luetge, 35, was traded last night to Atlanta for two dirt league minor leaguers.)
Impressions...
1. Once upon a time, Chapman's impending absence would cast a Stygian shadow over this franchise. Instead, it brings joy. Not only was El Chapo certifiably bad last season, but he quit on his teammates in October, running home in a hissy-fit after being - (rightfully, considering his performance) - bumped from the first-round playoff roster. Sad. If he stayed and worked hard, he might have coaxed the brain trust to restore him for the Houston series, especially after Effross went down. Instead, he's gone, and pass the Spanish fly. This is why the world invented caller I.D: If Chapman's on the line, let it ring.
2. The major change, of course, is Rodon. If he repeats last year, the Yankees have two beasts - maybe three, considering Nestor. No other team in the AL East can beat our rotation. If Setback Sevy can deliver, say, 150 innings, our starters could keep the bullpen from melting down, as it did last June. The starters are like the OL on a football team; if they fail, everything else eventually turns to shit. No way around it: Switching Rodon for Taillon, and bringing back Severino, means an improved rotation. Getting anything from Montas would be gravy.
3. The big intangible is King, who suffered last year what they called - scarily - a broken elbow. WTF? They claim he could be ready by opening day. I hope he takes his time. A broken elbow. W.T.F? In early 2022, King was our best pitcher - starter or reliever. He could pitch out of any situation and shut down the opposition. When he went down - broken elbow? Yeesh - the Unraveling began. If King returns to form, the Yankees will win the AL East. If he cannot, well, it's a wild card year.
Hal Steinbrenner says he's not done improving the 2023 Yankees. One could argue this staff looks fine. The problem is depth: You know all those young stud pitchers we had last year, around this time? They're in Oakland, Chicago and Texas. It's pitching, pitching, pitching. You never have enough.
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12 comments:
2023 is the centennial of the yankees first world series victory as underdogs against their former landlords from the polo grounds the giants.with an improved bullpen they could upset the present day kingpins of ny the mets as casey once said you cant win em all but you can if you have good pitching(perhaps unlikely but you never know)
Well said, Duque. And nice historical note, doo wop.
Now, I have to get some major green down with my bookie on Syracuse.
I'm not sure how good these guys can be. With no one in Left Field, opposing hitters are going to hit balls out there and end up on third base.
I don't recall pitching be an issue last year. But that being said, I don't see Johnny Holmes or Nasty Nestor duplicating the numbers from last year
Duque:
Slappy Chapman's absence is a major addition by subtraction. This team is not that much better with Hick's and Donaldson on the roster and no left fielder.
1) Notice that El Chapo has yet to find a home.
2) "Now, I have to get some major green down with my bookie on Syracuse."
Hoss much like blacksmiths and VCR repairmen, technology done wiped that profession and, sadly that joke, out.
MOST IMPORTANT
3) It's a good pitching staff (on paper).
The biggest unknown is which pitchers will have the most trouble adjusting to the new "You can only throw over to first twice to keep batters close rule."
I would think that Cole, given the intensity of his neurosis and propensity to unravel if the wind changes, would be a prime candidate for distraction. Nestor will probably laugh it off. Don't know enough about Rodon or Montas.
Ya gotta respect El Duque. He's already in mid-season delusion form, and it's not even spring training yet.
@edb...Rolaids' absence should be good for 6 wins right there...
Now let's get rid of Montas. Another bad trade by the Brain. He's going to be a liability. Unless he can play left field. That might work.
Doug, WHAT?!
No wonder I never win!
The good thing with bookies is that you don't leave a paper trail and there is no tax cut for the "big guys."
I wonder what the odds or that Holmes is still the closer by July?
P.S., I like the guy. This is just a query.
I fear that King's elbow issues will be a recurring problem.
I simply am not counting on him.
It would be like counting on Dooley Womack back in the day. Or Fred Talbot.
Archie,
The bad thing is... if you fall behind to the IRS you can go in with an advocate and work something out. If you fall behind to your bookie on the other hand... you might wind up eating with the other hand.
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