New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has now played the ‘we will just have to find a couple of starting pitchers from our farm system’ card.
Sure, Brian. Just like Bubba Crosby was going to be your center fielder a few years back. And he suddenly morphed into Johnny Damon.
Just like Nick Swisher was going to be your first baseman. And he suddenly became your right fielder when Mark Teixeira magically appeared in pinstripes.
Just like Mike Lamb was going to play third base a few seasons back. And, somehow, he suddenly morphed into Alex Rodriguez.
We will believe you start the season with two rookies in your rotation when we see it.
Andy Pettitte might retire. Maybe the Yankees will wind up with Ivan Nova or another young, unproven kid in their starting rotation. But, I’m not buying Cashman’s ‘we will just trust the farm system’ routine.
I do buy it when Cashman says the current market really isn’t all that attractive, and when he says “I have March, April, May, June and July, really, to come up with someone.”
If Pettitte retires, though, I just don’t believe Cashman will sit back and do nothing to bolster the rotation — even if it is just bringing in a couple of veteran, stop-gap type guys to hold down the forte until he can make a splashier move.
But, do nothing? Just turn it over to the kids? Nah! Don’t believe that one.