THIS IS JUST A HUNCH, but I believe Andy Pettitte’s decision is holding up the Yankees from signing Rafael Soriano.
Yesterday, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand wrote a “Memo to Cashman: Go Get Soriano.”
Almost two weeks ago Newsday’s Ken Davidoff wrote (regarding Soriano), “If Andy Pettitte retires, they'll have big money to spend, and they'll be looking at a roster that will need an ultra-deep bullpen to support a thin rotation.” I have two takeaways from this.
1. My hunch is correct.
2. Can an ultra-deep bullpen really support a thin rotation?
Assuming the Yankees’ payroll is currently around $170 million and if Brian Cashman wants to make a big splash at the trade deadline, that leaves them maybe $15 million to spend. Pettitte earned $11.75 million last year and Soriano made $7.25 million. There isn’t room for both, and Pettitte should have priority.
Why? Because a strong rotation is more important than a strong bullpen. TYU’s Matt Imbrogno said, “the worse a rotation is, the less the bullpen matters.” Two big reasons why:
- You can’t save a game you aren’t leading.
- Starters pitch three times the number of innings relievers do.
Every day the Yankees wait for Pettitte it hurts them, but if he returns it’ll be well worth the wait.
Logging you in...
