I talked about the Texas Rangers being my pick to win the American League championship a couple days ago. I’ve been thinking about that statement over the last two days and really second-guessing myself because after all, you don’t usually bet against the Yankees. But after the trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I felt even stronger about my pick because I feel the Yankees failed to bolster the part of the team that has been the most disappointing: their pitching.
It started when they weren’t able to acquire the services of Cliff Lee. The Yankees felt like the Mariners were asking for too much in the deal and balked at it, but could that one miss end up being the difference? It’s definitely possible considering the way the pitching has gone this season. But before I carve, I'll point out that CC Sabathia has done his thing as the ace of the staff, Andy Pettitte was finding form from 10 years ago before he got hurt and youngster Phil Hughes is having a breakout year.
However, AJ Burnett has had a miserable season filled with inconsistency and Javier Vasquez’s return to the Bronx has brought the same struggles that he suffered in his first go-around with the club. Combine that with the thought that Pettitte may not be the same pitcher when he comes back from injury and that Phil Hughes is now losing some momentum because the Yankees want to limit his innings.
We haven’t even got to the bullpen woes as of yet. Other than Mariano Rivera being his usual dominant-self, the Yankees have not gotten much consistency from the rest of the relievers. Joba Chamberlain continues to struggle as he's stuck in limbo with thoughts of being a starter vs. the team making him a reliever. The Yankees also tried to get away with plugging young guys and journeymen into the bullpen, but that has not truly worked either.
So, if all the problems have been coming from the pitching side, why bolster your team by adding the services of Kerry Wood, Austin Kearns and Lance Berkman? If they think Kerry Wood is going to be the answer to their bullpen issues, they better hope that he turns his numbers around real quick. So far this year as closer for the Indians, 1-4 with 8 saves, 3 blown saves, 20 innings, 6.30 ERA and a WHIP of 1.6.
Austin Kearns and Lance Berkman represent better back-up and pinch hitting options, but they better not ask Kearns to be a defensive player and they better not expect the Lance Berkman that decimated NL pitching about 5 years ago.
All in all, the Yankees are still going to be a tough out for any team that faces them in the playoffs. The franchise and its players have a “never-say-die” attitude and have proven to be winners. I just don’t think they went about it the right this time around. But if they win each game by scoring 10 runs and holding the opposition to 9, who needs pitching, right?