Probable Starters for the 2010 Season

Yankees are still looking for pitching for the upcoming season. Brian Cashman stated numerous times that a team “can never have enough pitching” [as stated in a MLB Network short interview and radio interview on 660WFAN.]

With John Lackey signing with Boston, the list of remaining FA starting pitchers has names like Ben Sheets, Joel Piniero, Jason Marquis, Eric Bedard, and Braden Looper.

Yahoo.com Sports posted in an article Brian Cashman is interested in Ben Sheets. FA Justin Duchsherer is also being considered by the Yankees. However, neither Sheets or Duchsherer pitched in 2009. Ben Sheets is looking for a contract that pays about $$11M to $$12M a year. In 2008, Sheets hurled a 198.1 innings and finishing with 3.09 ERA and a 13-9 record. Duchscherer pitched 141.2 innings with a 2.54 ERA and a 10-8 record for Oakland in 2008. He has since declinced arbitration from Oakland after spending 6 seasons with the A’s.

Both have had injuries sidelining them for the 2009 season. I like Ben Sheets’ 198+ innings pitched. I believe he’ll produce an 11 or 12 wins while going 5 or more innings per out. I’d definitley go with this than go with Joba as a starter. If you remember, Joba’s ERA as a starter through June of 2009 exceeded a 6. Justin Duchsherer can be added as bullpen addition. He’s played in 39 games in the previous two seasons combined with a 2.79 ERA as both a starter and a reliever.

If the Yankees sign him Duchsherer, don’t expect him be thrown into the rotation. But I believe Yankees will try to negotiate with Sheets as a fitting number 4. Cashman has informed the media on various accounts that the probable number 5 starter will be either Joba or Phil Hughes.