The race for #5

[MSBNYY]

How great could it have been? They've made the playoffs exactly zero times since they got rid of Beckett. Meanwhile, Beckett won a championship in Boston.

Ramirez became a great player, but that doesn't change that they traded away an ace in his mid 20s and that they are a disgrace to the game.

[heartybooooo]

Never mind that they got a top 5 player in his cheap years. It was a good trade for both.

[MSBNYY]

At the time, Hanley hadn't gone above AA yet. There is no such thing as a sure thing. Yes, it worked out that they got a talented player in return--an MVP caliber player--but that doesn't change that getting rid of a WS MVP PITCHER in his mid 20s is a disgrace. That should never happen.

[IronHorse4]

They also got the highly-touted Anibal Sanchez in that trade, who only threw a no-hitter his rookie year. Sanchez hasn't been much since because of injuries, but they thought they were getting a stud pitcher as well, and they may well have still. Jury is still out, because he's only a year or so older than Joba Chamberlain, and we all know that Chamberlain shouldn't be written off yet according to Balls.

And at least Sanchez has an excuse for having trouble as a starter.

[MSBNYY]

They THOUGHT they were getting a stud pitcher, and they TRADED an ESTABLISHED stud pitcher in his mid 20s.

The Yankees actually drafted Chamberlain. They didn't trade a 25 year old ace/WS MVP for him.

It's not really a valid comparison.

[IronHorse4]

They didn't trade an ace for Sanchez. They traded an ace for Sanchez AND Ramirez, among others.

[MSBNYY]

They were lucky ONE player worked out. Doesn't change that the way they do business is a disgrace to the game.

[sean]

Rick Porcello in 2010 is why there are innings limits on young pitchers and why i worry a bit about Hughes in 2011 if he makes a big jump in innings this year. Porcello entered action today sporting an 8.03 ERA. It won't be getting any better today, as he has already given up 5 runs in 3 plus innings, and the bases are loaded in the 4th

[MSBNYY]

This potential Pettitte injury is why I think that Joba should have been in the minors starting.

[Chris]

The potential age-related nagging injuries to Mariano is why I think Joba should be in the pen, being groomed to assume the mantle.

[$heriff Tom]

Agreed. Yet there are already people howling to stick Joba back in the rotation if Pettitte is forced to miss any substantial time.

Sad reality, Mo wont be around forever.

But, think about this - when his time does come, the Yankees will probably just go out and buy the best reliever dangling out on the market at that time. I think they are more likely to buy, then groom.

[MSBNYY]

But Joba hasn't shown he would be anything close to Mo yet. If anything, he'd be the opposite because at least at this age, he is not as cool as a top closer should be.

Joba would still benefit the team more as a starter than as a reliever in the long run, and sticking him in AAA is the best thing for him.

As for buying the best reliever, I think they will do both.

Ultimately, they aren't stupid. I think it's safe to say that at least middle relievers are not bought--they are groomed. In the long run, the same will be true for a closer. However, until one CAN be groomed, they may have to go the free agent route from year to year.