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March 20, 2008

Cashman's '08 Yanks Hope To Be One Of Five To Work Trick Since 1973

So, now, we know that the Yankees will have Joba Chamberlain in their bullpen (to start their season) this year – and Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will be in New York’s starting rotation. This got me wondering as to how many times, since 1973, has a team had someone as young as Chamberlain featured in their pen – while having two guys as young as Hughes and Kennedy, along with a guy as old as Mussina, in their rotation as well.

Well, I think most people will remember the last team to do this: The 2006 Detroit Tigers. They had old-timer Kenny Rogers in the rotation with two kids, Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander, joining him. And, they had Joel Zumaya in their pen. Since that team won the A.L. pennant, it’s safe to say that this all worked out for them.

The team before the 2006 Tigers was the 1991 Chicago White Sox – who had old-timer Charlie Hough in the rotation with Alex Fernandez, a kid, and two other “kids” sharing a spot in the rotation, Ramon Garcia and Wilson Alvarez. And, they had Scott Radinsky in their bullpen. That ’91 Sox team won 87 games and finished 8 games out of first.

The team before the 1991 Chisox was the 1987 Texas Rangers - who, like the ’91 Sox, had old-timer Charlie Hough in the rotation with two kids, Bobby Witt and Ed Correa, joining him. And, they had Mitch Williams in their pen. That ’87 Rangers team finished last in their division – 10 games out of first.

The team before the 1987 Rangers was the 1982 Seattle Mariners - who had old-timer Gaylord Perry in the rotation with Mike Moore, a kid, and two other “kids” sharing a spot in the rotation, Edwin Nunez and Gene Nelson. And, they had Ed Vande Berg in their bullpen. That ’82 M’s team only won 76 games and finished 17 games back of first.

As far as I can tell, that’s it, since 1973 – just four teams in all of baseball to run the “Really Old Guy with Two Really Young Guys in the Rotation with Really Young Guy in the Pen As Well” trick.

It did not translate into success for the 1982 Mariners, 1987 Rangers, or 1991 White Sox. But, again, the 2006 Tigers made it to the World Series with this plan. Maybe the 2008 Yankees will make it to the Fall Classic as well, with this plan?

Of course, there’s the question of “offense” here too – as the 2008 Yankees will have a great offensive team.

For what it’s worth, the 1982 Mariners were a terrible offensive team, the 1987 Rangers were a bad offensive team, the 2006 Tigers were not a good offensive team, and the 1991 White Sox were an O.K. offensive team. So, none of these four teams had anything near the fire power of the 2008 Yankees.

In the end, the key may be how the four pitchers in question do – as Bonderman, Verlander, Zumaya and Rogers were all very, very, good for the Tigers in 2006. And, in the end, just how well Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain and Mussina do for the Yankees may determine what kind of season New York has this year.

"Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain and Mussina" - these are the four biggest eggs in Brian Cashman's basket this season. As Yankees fans, let's hope that none of them break before they successfully hatch.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 20, 2008 09:45 AM

Comments

Of course, besides 'Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain and Mussina', the Yankees have two top, reliable pitchers in Wang and Pettitte. Combine that with their no-doubt offense, and you have probably the safest bet in the majors to succeed.

Posted by: Andrew [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 20, 2008 10:39 AM