It appears that the New York Yankees’ 2013 starting rotation is complete. It also appears that the Yankees will have the same rotation that they had throughout most of 2012. If so, then things will look very good once again in the Bronx.
#1 — CC Sabathia
Lefty CC Sabathia will once again serve as the staff ace. Sabathia had another terrific season in pinstripes, going 15-6 with a 3.38 ERA. The pressure of pitching in New York, especially as the #1 starter, has not affected Sabathia one bit. He has averaged 18 wins and 3.22 ERA per season since becoming a Yankee in 2009. This includes pitching most of his games against the hard-hitting A.L. East. Sabathia spent a little time on the disabled list in 2012 but came back just as strong. I will look for another 18+ wins from Sabathia in 2013.
#2 — Andy Pettitte
After taking 2011 off, Andy Pettitte returned to the Yankees and pitched as if he had never left in the first place. He did miss a lot of time getting ready early and on the disabled list later, but while in the rotation, he pitched like his old self. Pettitte went only 5-4 but had a 2.87 ERA. He averaged 6.1 innings per start, which is just fine at age 39. Now 40, he signed for 2013, and for general manager Brian Cashman to pay Pettitte $12 million, Pettitte must be ready to continue in this fashion.
#3 — Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda came over from the Los Angeles Dodgers with high expectations, and he fulfilled them. He went 16-11, 3.32, and then pitched well in the postseason (with very little run support). He turned down the qualifying offer of $13.2 million and got a nice raise ($15 million) for 2013, which he earned. Even at age 38, Kuroda should have just as much success in the same rotation.
# 4 – Phil Hughes
I admit that I did not like Phil Hughes as a starter when 2012 began. However, he rebounded from a tough beginning to finish 16-13, 4.23. He also pitched nearly 200 innings in 32 games, and he has had winning records as a full-time starter in 2010 and 2012. I would like to see Hughes pitch deeper into games at age 26 and save the bullpen, but he makes a good back-end starter for the Yankees.
#5 – Ivan Nova
After an incredible 2011 rookie year of 16-4, 3.70, Ivan Nova struggled in 2012. His ERA was over 5.00, but he still managed a 12-8 record. That can happen with a potent offense that the Yankees put up every year. I look for Nova to rebound and have another solid season in 2013. Nova has shown that he can pitch in New York and win in the postseason. I predict 12-15 wins from Nova but with a better ERA close to – if not under – 4.00.
The Yankees rotation is older but well-experienced and flat out good. Each can pitch in the very tough New York atmosphere. With the offense that the Yankees have, this rotation will help the Yankees win another division. I just hope they can make it all the way to the World Series in 2013.
Sources:
Anthony DiComo, Kuroda Re-Signs with Yankees on One-Year Deal, yankees.mlb.com, November 20, 2012.
Bryan Hoch, Pettitte’s One-Year Deal with Yankees Sealed, yankees.mlb.com, November 28, 2012.
New York Yankees, Individual Player Pages, yankees.mlb.com.
Raymond was born in Connecticut into a family spilt between the Red Sox and Yankees. Although he grew up in Florida, Raymond became a Yankees fan. He played baseball through high school and soon after became a varsity coach. Raymond previously produced radio sports talk shows and hosted a weekly MLB radio call-in show. Follow Raymond on Twitter @RayBureau
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