We haven’t fully digested Cliff Lee signing with the Phillies, but it’s time to start talking about Plan B for the Yankees.

If the season started tomorrow the rotation would be CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova, and a “mystery starter” (pun intended). I had Frank Russo contact our Tampa source who believes the Yanks will not go with kids in the rotation. Here are some options, some that are realistic, and others that might be a stretch.

Free Agency

The best pitcher left Carl Pavano. Yes, the man that had every injury possible might be the best choice for the Yankees. We were told this would never happen, but Pavano would give them innings, and had a better season than Phil Hughes or A.J. Burnett in 2010 (17-11, 3.75, 221 innings, 7 complete game). I suspect he, just like Javier Vazquez, is just not built for the caldron of New York. Never say never, but this one case where I can say it has 0% chance of occurring.

Some of the other options are of the scrap heap variety. There have been rumors of the Yankees interest in Brandon Webb and Jeremy Bonderman. If healthy, Bonderman is an interesting option since he has a history of success in the American League. He is only 27, but has shoulder problems. A power pitcher, he topped out at 89 mph last season. Brandon Webb is a sinkerball type who won the Cy Young Award in Arizona. Reports earlier this winter stated he was only throwing 83 mph. Interesting option, but like Bonderman, should be sixth or seventh on the spring training depth chart. Mark Prior also has been connected with the Yanks, but do I really need to explain why he’s not reliable?

The big winner in free agency, after Lee, is Andy Pettitte. Is it crazy to think he won’t get $20 million to come back? I have my doubts about whether he wants to pitch, especially now that Lee is not in the fold. Much will be expected of Pettitte, who should be more of a backend of the rotation guy right now, instead of a number 2, which is what the Yankees really need.

Trade

We reported that Atlanta has been calling the Yankees about Derek Lowe. Last year the Braves wanted to send Lowe, not Javier Vazquez, to the Yankees. He is due another $30 million for two years, but pitched well in the postseason for Atlanta. His overall numbers with the Braves haven’t been great, but he’s been very streaky. This is a guy that typical pitches well in big games, and can handle the pressure of a Yankees postseason. He beat them in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS at Yankee Stadium- enough said. I suspect a deal for Lowe won’t cost more than some prospects, none of which will be painful to give up. As a groundball pitcher there could be some issues with the aging Yankees left side of the infield. The hang up would be the big money owed to Lowe the next two seasons.

Zack Greinke? Forget it. The Yanks know the cost to obtain him will be outweighed by his makeup, which is clearly not suited for New York. We have been over this a thousand times, nice idea on paper, bad fit in reality. Nothing more to discuss.

The best trade option might be Ricky Nolasco, although he, unlike Lowe, won’t come cheap. The Marlins were dangling him during the Winter Meetings so he’s available. Good control and a high strikeout rate make him the ideal National League pitcher who could succeed in the American League. His total numbers are a bit deceiving (4.51 ERA) as Nolasco sometimes has some very bad outings that inflate the ERA.

The Yankees have also inquired about Kevin Slowey (we were told Francisco Liriano is not available right now). Slowey is a good backend of the rotation starter that will pitch well enough to win. No worse than what they trotted out last year.

Keep an eye on Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs have been on record as willing to trade Big Z, but he is due a ton of money, and comes with some mental and physical risks. I don’t think we will see the blowups like Chicago, but I worry about him lasting physically for the remainder of the three years of the contract. This will probably cost the Yankees a good haul of prospects which, along with the $55 million owed, makes him a huge risk.

I know you might be thinking about King Felix in Seattle. Let’s get serious. You think Jack Zduriencik is going to deal him to the Yankees after what happened this past July with Lee? I would be surprised if the teams ever dealt under the Zduriencik regime again. Apparently Mark Buehrle is not an option either. At least not at this moment we were told.

Internal Options

Brian Cashman went on record saying he believes Ivan Nova is the only youngster ready for the big leagues. No surprise, as Cashman has liked Nova for years, but it’s not out of the question that a David Phelps could also be an option come mid season. It’s probably too much to ask Banuelos or Betances to contribute this year. As for Joba Chamberlain, forget it. Frank asked his Tampa source again and was told not going to happen. Cashman said this with Mike Francesa in October after the season ended. Personally, they are better off letting Phelps develop in the big league rotation than wasting time with Chamberlain, who has yet to show he is serious about his big league career. I would bet money that Chamberlain is traded away before he is given a shot in the rotation.

Conclusion:

The Yankees don’t have many realistic options. I think they have to overpay to convince Pettitte to return, and hope that Ivan Nova can produce league average results in the five hole. Lets be fair, will Nova be any worse than recent backend rotation editions like Vazquez, Chamberlain, Gaudin, or Mitre? The Yankees have enough offense to survive and make the playoffs. Plus, lets see what becomes available in July.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

Mike Silva

View all posts by Mike Silva
Mikes website

Tags: Andy Pettitte, Atlanta Braves, Brandon Webb, Carl Pavano, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, Cliff Lee, Derek Lowe, Florida Marlins, Ivan Nova, Jeremy Bonderman, Kansas City Royals, Kevin Slowey, Mark Prior, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Ricky Nolasco, Zack Greinke