Jan 02 2009
Pettitte or Perez for 5th spot?…….& Who’s behind the dish in Boston?
More rumors are surfacing about the Yankees taking a look at Oliver Perez for the final spot int he rotation, but the smart money is still on veteran Andy Pettitte returning to the Yankees to open the new stadium.
While it may seem like Perez has far more upside he will also cost a longer deal,(probably 3-4 years), at the same $$ value per year as Pettitte. You also can not discount the popularity of the long time Yankee lefty hurler. Bringing Andy back will allow the Yankees to take another look at Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and even Alfredo Aceves this year in AAA.
Why Andy?
I understand that many of you are concerend about bringning back Pettitte becaue of his poor 2nd half last year but fear not! Andy was forced to be put into the #1 or #2 slot for the entire 2nd half of the season. He also stayed in many games that he should of came out because he tried to give the weary bullpen a rest and it took an obvious toll on his arm. This season he will be a 4th or 5th starter, and will face that counterpart form other teams. He will also be able to come out after 95 pitches or so because inning eaters Chein-Ming Wang, CC Sabathia, and (if Healthy) AJ Burnet. They will pitch far more innings than Sidney Ponson, Darell Rasner, and Carl Pavano who started almost 25% of the Yankees games last season.
Really?
Yes! No Wonder Pettitte was throwing 115 pitches every outing! This signing also allows the Yankees to keep the possibility of putting Joba in there pen out there. If Phil Hughes looks like a MLB starter in spring training look for the Yanks use Joba as part of a dominant 1-2 late inning combo.
If Varitek leaves the Sox are in BIG Trouble!
It is becoming more likely that the Red Sox will not re-sign the vateran catcher and team Captain Jason Varitek. While his futility at the plat was painful to watch at times last season it would still behoove the Sox to buck up, show some loyalty, and pay the man. The Sox have enough bats in their line-up that then can afford one dead bat, and who is to say Tek wont bounce back?
It appears that what Tek does for this team has been somewhat de-valued by the Theo Epstein and the current leadership group. All I can say is that if they do not bring him back you will a HUGE adverse effect on the pitching staff.
You think Dice-K be able to continnue his high wire act without a Varitek?
Can a young star like Jon Lester repeat his dominance with a young catcher calling his games?
How will Josh Beckett bounce back from a down year without his rock behind the plate?
And what affect will dropping the Captain have in the Sox clubhouse?
It amusing to me that all the Sox honks continue to rell me how they are all about HAAART. Really?
Your heart and soul is Jason Varitek. He controls the game. He knows every hitter and every pitch. He could be the one of best game calling catchers ever to play. Sure you may have to pay an extra year when he is washed up, but if the Red Sox dont want to finish in 3rd place in 2009 they better buck up and pay a big piece of the HAAART!
If the dont mark it down….Dice-K will fall apart, and you will see regression from Jon Lester, and another so-so year form Josh Beckett. Not to mention what it could do for the relievers…Papelbon only really has one pitch, and without someone putting it where it needs to be it could be a problem. I know he throws real hard but a fastball down broadway will get crushed by any major leaguer…..except for maybe Jason Varitek…..hehehehe!
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