No Cliff Lee, No Worries For Yankees, But Questions Still Looming For Rotation

The Yankees is going to be fine without Cliff Lee. The Yankees don't Need Cliff Lee. Would they've liked to have signed him? Of course. Who wouldn't have? Having C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, a 19-game winner in Phil Hughes and possibly Andy Pettitte should be sufficient for the Yanks. They have a young pitcher in Ivan Nova who, if he fixes his sixth inning troubles, ought to be a solid pitcher.

And if Pettitte doesn't return, which appears to be the case, there are a few alternatives for filling his spot in the rotation. Based on Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, "If spring arrived these days, Ny would head into camp with a group of largely unpredictable candidates to complete the rotation, headlined by Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre and then much less most likely options among Andrew Brackman, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, Hector Noesi and Manny Banuelos. Basically, the Yankees goes on with their plans with out Pettitte.

Using the acquisition of Luis Vizciano looking to be a mistake in the producing, fans must remember that he only signed a minor league deal. No problem. Speaking of minor league deals, the signing of former Cubs ace Mark Prior seemed to be a shock to a lot of Yankee fans. The signing of Pedro Feliciano appears like an excellent move, seeing as the Yankees had been a little desperate for a southpaw in the 'pen. Like a Mets reliever in 2010, Feliciano posted a three.30 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 62.2 innings. The purchase of catcher Russell Martin might be regarded as a great signing. Martin is a great defensive catcher, which the Yankees are desperate for using the lack of defense and energy in Francisco Cervelli with Jorge Posada moving to the full-time DH position. Martin had a 39 percent caught stealing percentage, instead of Cervelli's 14 percent.

Martin's defense behind home plate is a positive. But another thing the Yankees can appear forward to is the two catching prospects in Austin Romine and Jesus Montero. Two guys that Yankee fans happen to be waiting, some say too long, to see. GM Brian Cashman is pretty much particular he will not quit Montero for anything. The Yankees missing Carl Crawford isn't a terrible loss, either. Brett Gardner has the talent. They each had 47 SB this year. Gardner matches Crawford's speed. No doubt. But Crawford's bat is a little much better. Gardner is much better at working the count and taking pitches than Crawford. Gardner had 79 walks to Crawford's 46.

Simply because the Yankees didn't make big deals like they did last year doesn't mean it's going to be an unsuccessful season. There is no need to panic, Yankee fans. They have the talent. You'll be able to obtain a Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia along with a.J. Burnett trio each and every offseason. The Yankees want to get an additional core. Say Cano, Gardner, Nova, Russo, Montero, Golson, Banuelos, Cervelli, Nunez, and so on?-? Take your pick. Regrettably, the only real mistake. they seemed to have created this offseason ended up being to place all their eggs in the Lee basket. But don't count them out of next season. The Yankees will be fine. They're the Yankees after all.