More Starting Pitching Options for Yankees
By Mike Silva ~ December 5th, 2009. Filed under: Offseason Speculation.
Ken Rosenthal reiterates the Yankees desire to resign Andy Pettitte to a deal. He also brings up other pitching options not named Roy Halladay that may interest the Yankees such as John Lackey, Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, and Rich Harden.
I am not going to get into for the millionth time why I would obtain Roy Halladay. It’s obvious at this point. If Halladay is not an option I would then go after John Lackey who is rumored to have scared some teams off because of injury risk. If Lackey comes away from his A.J. Burnett money demands (5 years $85 million) I could see the Yanks swooping in late and stealing him. How about 4 years and $60 million? Ironically that is what he turned down from Anaheim earlier this year. Even better question, all things equal, would Lackey rather the opportunity to pitch for the Yankees on the big stage? We shall see.
A third option would be to take a chance on someone like Rich Harden. Each year Harden has peripherals that put him in elite status. The problem is he can never stay healthy for any length of time. He already, unlike the other NL arms mentioned, has a benchmark of success in the American League. Because of the Yankees young arms like Chamberlain, Hughes, and McAllister they could afford to take a risk on someone like Harden.
In short, I would make Halladay, Lackey, and then Harden the three targets. Acquiring one of these pitchers than allows either Hughes or Chamberlain to develop as the fifth starter.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Agreed. Halladay. Lackey and than a risk. The first 2 would be perfect for them n well any team