Breaking Down the 2009 New York Yankees Pitching Rotation

For the first time in nearly a decade the New York Yankees can take comfort in having a dominant starting rotation, at least on paper. The post dynasty Yankees have been plagued by a patchwork quilt of journeymen, has-beens, and never-was-befores. The likes of Kevin ‘Let’s Punch the Wall’ Brown, Javier ‘Afraid of my Own Shadow’ Vazquez, Randy ‘What’s my Name Again’ Johnson, Jaret ‘My Shoulder Just Ain’t’ Wright, Shawn ‘Puffy’ Chacon, Carl(a) ‘the American Idle’ Pavano , and the immortal Aaron ‘I’m 10-0 so Please Send me Back to the Minors’ Small.

Fortunately Hopefully I’m praying those days are over. Detailed below is a deeper analysis of what Big Five is likely to bring to the Yankees starting rotation for the upcoming 2009 season. As it stands the starting pitching is unequalled in the A.L. East and the Yankees will need their guys to be formidable, healthy and stable if they are going to get back into the post season and make a run at the series.

CC Sabathia

The Upside: In Sabathia the Yankees finally possess a True Ace. The big lefty has proven remarkably durable throughout his career and eagerly takes the ball every fifth day looking to dominate. Sabathia affords the Yankees a chance to rest their bullpen as he is a known workhorse who knows how to pitch deep into games. In a left-handed pitcher friendly park, Sabathia’s electric fastball and biting slider makes him one of the elite stoppers in baseball.

The Question Marks: CC has pitched a major league leading 494 innings over the last two seasons not including playoffs. Down the stretch for Milwaukee in 2008 Sabathia was taking the ball on three days rest for the entire month of September. No one can question his dedication, but we can certainly question if his arm will hold up, especially at his impressive size and playing weight. The other issue with CC is that he is a post season flop thus far with a frightening 7.92 ERA in 25 innings pitched. Whether it is a byproduct of pressure or blatant over-work, Sabathia must break that mold. I am stating the obvious by saying the pressure will not be any less in New York. Will he be there when the Yankees need him most? Perhaps more importantly will he be able to handle the media and fan reaction if he fails?

Chien-Ming Wang

The Upside: The unspoken one returns unceremoniously to the rotation, and this is exactly as the Taiwanese native would want it. After winning a league leading 38 games spanning the 2006 – 2007 seasons, Wang was put on the shelf in June last season after a freak foot injury that he suffered while crossing home plate in an interleague game against Houston. Many have tried to scoff at the notion of Wang being a top of the rotation starter, but his presence in the Yankee rotation since 2005 cannot be denied. His devastating sinker ball and developing slider make him a difficult pitcher to make solid contact against despite a limited number of strikeouts. Wang is an efficient pitcher who consistently posts in the top five of minimum pitches per inning, allowing him to pitch deep into games. Like Sabathia, he will keep the bullpen rested and the Yankees in the game.

The Question Marks: Wang has been a sabermetrics nightmare. His low strikeout rate and high number of balls in play routinely mathematically show that his ERA and ultimately Wins and Losses should be much worse than his record indicates. This coupled with the fact that the Yankees have fielded one of the worst statistical defenses (in terms of range) every season that Wang has been in the league befuddles the stat community even more. The Yankees are particularly porous up the middle where Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter have suspect range at best. Will this be the year the stat heads are proven right? Will Wang be able to stay healthy? Will Wang’s rapidly improving slider give him a legitimate out pitch and vastly improve his strikeout rate?

A. J. Burnett

The Upside: Coming off his best season, stat-wise and health-wise, the A.L. Strikeout King brings a fireballer mentality that has long been absent to the Yankees rotation. A.J. is an anomaly as he can absolutely dominate a lineup with just two pitches – an overpowering fastball and an ungodly curveball. Once known as an immature malcontent, A.J. has learned much under the tutelage of Roy Halladay and has evolved into a complete pitcher instead of just a thrower. He now values a quick at-bat and has learned to pitcher deeper into games, conserving his best fastball for a big strikeout in the late innings. A.J.’s intensity and dominant stuff will make him a Stadium favorite if he can keep his cool.

The Question Marks: Will this be Carl Pavano part 2? Another ex-Marlin, Burnett has an almost comical injury history with an unbelievable 9 trips to the disabled list. 2004 aside, 2008 was the only other season he was able to pitch a full season’s worth of games. Burnett attributes the injuries earlier in his career to overthrowing and a poor work ethic. He maintains that Halladay showed him how to be a real pitcher and how to take care of his body. Hopefully this will be the case.

Andy Pettitte

The Upside: Do I really need to go there? Andy’s résumé speaks for itself. The Yankee lefty has cultivated a legendary reputation as a big game pitcher who was always Torre’s go to guy to start game 2 of any post season series. With Andy, the bigger the moment the greater the focus. On top of all that he is one of the best second half pitchers in the history of the game. Andy will give you everything in the tank and will pitch until his arm falls off. He is the ultimate teammate, an unquestioned leader, and a consummate Yankee – even with the HGH scandal.

The Question Marks: Last year was the first of many chinks in the otherwise polished armor of Andy Pettitte. It started with being named in the Mitchell Report and the distraction carried into the season. Andy’s production really fell off after the All Star break last year, for the first time in his career. His shoulder was giving him great trouble but he pitched through pain because the Yankees were barely hanging on in the Wild Card race. Will Pettitte be able to bounce back and be a force at the bottom of the Yankees rotation? Or as A.J. Burnett put it, “I’m not really sure there is a bottom.”

Joba Chamberlain

The Upside: As the New York Yankees version of Wild Thing, Joba has all the goods: An ace-in-waiting, Joba features a blazing fastball, a filthy slider, an above average curveball, and a serviceable change-up. He boasts four pitches that he can throw for strikes and he is not afraid of pitching backwards (throwing off-speed stuff when behind in the count). On top of what scouts call can’t miss plus-plus stuff Joba has the swagger to be good, real good. He has embraced The City and lord knows The City has embraced him. He is the unquestioned fan favorite rock star of the pitching staff and his youthful exuberance is something the aged Yankees need. His talent level makes it unfair that he is the number five starter, however this is exactly where he belongs to keep the pressure off and his innings down as his spot in the rotation will be skipped on off days.

The Question Marks: Does he belong in the bullpen? Hell no, but this question will keep coming, especially if he struggles. Can he stay healthy? What happens when he hits his preset innings limit of 150? Perhaps the most important question, has the success gone to his head? The DUI this offseason raised some eyebrows and brought to light the fast lifestyle that Joba prefers. New York can consume the best of them and it is up to veteran leadership to keep him in line.