Upon the 2006 Yankee Preview- The Starters

The difference between a 27th world series title, and another disappointing playoff exit will come down to the work of the starting pitchers. The Yankees have 6 starters who could be top of the line. Randy Johnson had a solid year, and owned the Red Sox, but it still wasn't up to Big Unit standards. Mike Mussina has alternately looked brilliant and erratic this spring. Shawn Chacon and Chien-Ming Wang were surprises last year, and their repeat performances are yet to be seen. Pavano and Wright can't seem to get healthy, leaving some wondering if their signings will ever pan out. Finally, lurking in the bullpen, there is a guy named Aaron Small who just happened to go 10-0 last year out of absolutely nowhere. So lets see what we've got.


Randy Johnson

As mentioned above, a year in which your staff ace goes 17-8 with a 3.79 ERA, 4 complete games, and 211 strikeouts (more than their 207 hits), would be considered pretty successful. However, we didn't sign up Unit to have pretty successful years. in 2004, his record reflected the woeful state of the D-Backs (16-14), but his 2.60 ERA and 290 K were off the charts. A strong relief appearance in the playoff series was overshadowed by his sub-par starting performance when they were primed to be eliminated. Now we are in 2006, and Johnson is pushing 43. His back will probably continue to bark, and he has to either gain a repore with Posada, or reestablish one with Stinnett. Last year he thrived with Flaherty as his caddy, but his could also be attributed to his reacclimation to the American League and the confines of Yankee Stadium. Will age or comfort be the defining factor of Unit's 2006 season? Moving forward, I remain the optimist with respect to his potential. I feel as though he can put together another strong season, and his mechanics will continue to improve. Familiarity with opposing hitters should allow him to return to his big dominating presence, moving hitters back to allow that frisbee slider to do its damage.

Prediction- 18-12, 3.29, 225K, 5 CG, 3 SO

Mike Mussina

The question for the year with Mike Mussina is "What's left?" the 37 year-old has seen once fine numbers decline into the "decent" range. 2005 was a bit spotty for Mussina, and his peak stuff struggled to emerge. Spring 2006 has seemed to be more of the same, with an 8K in 5 IP one day, and 12 hits and 10 Runs in 4 IP the next time out. At his best, Moose possesses a seemingly endless array of pitches, keeping lefties and righties off balance. His knuckle-curveball is a filthy pitch, and leaves the games best flailing. However, when he gets into it, Mussina will often not conform to an umpire's strike zone, and continue to throw his pitches whether they are being called or not. This results in walks, and then he tries to gas it in frustration and throws bad balls. Moose has had some health troubles in recent seasons, with 2004's trip to Japan throwing him out of wack, and last year's elbow trouble shelving him late in the season. It remains to be seen what is left of this brilliant but mortal pitcher. 17 wins would not surprise me, but 13 wouldn't either. The Yankees expect Mike to step up as the number 2 behind Unit, and throw a precise and dominant Game 2 to Johnson's powerful Game 1 in the post-season. The Yankees need to see Mussina go longer into games, and give them a shut-down day on those (hopefully) rare occasions where the offense is misfiring. If he's got some left in the tank, Mussina will surprise a lot of people this year.

Prediction- 17-9, 4.12, 140K, 2CG, 1 SO

Chien-Ming Wang

Wang was called up early last-year to account for the depeleted Yankee staff, who saw Kevin Brown, Mussina, Pavano, and Wright all fall victim to injury. I believe it is fair to say that Asian pitchers have been somewhat feast or famine in the major leagues. With the various millions alloted to keep non-performing pitchers on the roster, the Yankees got a big lift from this call-up. His early season pitching showed flashes of brilliance, but a threatening shoulder injury shelved him from July through September. Shoulder injuries are always scary, but Wangs youth and easy delivery allowed him to come back by the end of the year, and even get a chance in the playoffs. The Yankees like his sinking stuff, as he keeps balls in the infield and doesn't tend to get his stuff airborne. This spring a comebacker off his knee had the brass worried, but he appears to have come through it ok. I don't have a lot on Wang, because I haven't seen him much. I think this first full season should tell us a lot aboout how he will fare in NY. He doesn't seem fazed by the spotlight or the presure, which is invaluable in a Yankee pitcher.

Prediction- 16-11, 3.98, 133K, 0 CG


I want to get this up, so I'll post now and do Chacon, Pavano, and Wright later. Bullpen is coming too.