There's no slack to cut CC. The knee is degenerative...why? Part genetic and part lifestyle. And so that's the subtraction of one quality arm and we have a big gimp and Crapuano as his back up.
Stranger things have happened, Capuano is injured and one of three younger pitchers may turn him into Wally Pip (sort of,lol).....Warren, Rogers (I doubt), or Mitchell. This is an example of the MGR having more influence than the GM. I would like to see Mitchell (23-yrs old) make the team as the #5 starter if he pitches okay the rest of ST. Let's see what this kid is and what he may bloom into. The MGR is the guy (culprit ?) who is responsible for the overall depth and personnel of the team when they break camp and begin the season. As long as Mitchell doesn't suck the rest of ST, I would make him the #5 SP. He's done well in his short time last year with the Yanks....23 yrs old!
...location, location, location. ...CC has not been "getting banged around" only because of his velocity, though it didn't help because it also makes his change up less effective too. His problems are due more to the fact that he keeps leaving pitches over the plate and up...and he did again in his last start. ...his FB also does not have the movement it once had...and a 92 mph FB with no movement is no challenge for MLB hitters if it's left over the plate. Hell, even most minor league hitters destroy pitches like that. ...no matter what his velo is, if CC is to be successful, his misses need to be down in the zone and/or off the plate.
Can I add to this....consistency, innining after inning. Retiring the side followed by losing his spot and giving up a multirun inning, this doesn't help us.
No doubt about it, he MUST improve his control and command of at least two of his pitches particularly his fastball.
I still think when it comes to lively 2 seam fastballs with movement. Doc-K's was pretty damned good, shades of Bob Gibson's, even Koufax's.... I just can't see Sabathia going forward, is it just me? What are your thoughts, will CC even be a #4 SP. If so, I wonder how long he can keep his status spot. If he does start, I also doubt he will have the stamina to continue beyond the AS break. Sad to see and say, and I'd love to be proven wrong.....!
I believe in his last full season (2013) he averaged just over 6 inning a start & sadly I just don't see that changing. If he finishes with over 30 starts & 190+ innings I'd be surprised.
Honestly, I'm real curious over what's going on and being said behind clubhouse doors. I'd honestly be surprised if CC see's 20 starts this year. Don't get me wrong, I'd give anything (well almost), to see Sabathia return to Cy Young form, tho' that may take a Miracle.......
...I know Tanaka is vital for success this year, but I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Tex and CC are the wild cards this year".
A healthy Tanaka and Pineda would be a solid 1-2. If CC can give what Kuroda did I think we would all be happy.
Me too. And I really hope Beltran stays healthy enough to get his ABs because if he can, I think he'll be able to at least come close (I know he's older) to putting up very respectable numbers-- and this would be huge as it will improve production from both DH and RF.
Tex & CC definitely have to start putting up some #s as they approach the ends of there contracts. Otherwise their baseball careers will be over when there Yankee careers are over.
