Yankees Pitching Strategy

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
ssmith7289 said:
Contreras may get better you're right, but he may not and he proved to be horrible in the clutch. So maybe yes and maybe no...but of course they will resign Pettite who is one of the best big game pitchers in the majors.

I pray that the do get Kevin Brown, I would the love for them to take on $15 million of MORE dead weight. We'll see which big names they bring in through Free Agency/Trade but as it is, Mussina and Pettite is all I see.

*darkhorse - Jon Lieber, this guy if healthy maybe an excellent 4th or 5th starter

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Proved to be horrible in the clutch? WTF are you talking about? He had one bad game, but besides that he did great in the postseason in the middle relief role. He also didn't do very good in Game 5 vs. Florida, but that was in a emergency long relief role, a night after pitching 2 innings. Not to bad for a rookie, who was only in the majors about half a season.

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

[TheDynasty]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

first of all, we have not signed pettite yet, so as of right now, our starting pitching looks pretty crappy...we have just signed heredia to a 2 year deal and are close to signing gabe white again...our pen is now:

lefties: hammonds (rumored to be headed to san diego in a trade), white, and heredia
righties: gordon, quantrill, karsay
long man: weaver (hopefully traded for a new bat boy)
closer: mo

...that is not bad at all, if you ask me...cashman is doing a good job thusfar with our pen...

...pitching wise, theres a strong chance we sign pettitte and trade for vasquez...those aquisitions alone will have our starting 5 at:

1.pettite
2.moose
3.vasquez
4.contreras
5.lieber

as a yankee fan, i want more than that, but i cant complain if thats what we look like going into the 2004 season...obviously the sox have a better starting 5 than us...this season is gonna be beautiful, regardless...its gonna be a dogfight--just like last year...classic baseball

[TheDynasty]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

first of all, we have not signed pettite yet, so as of right now, our starting pitching looks pretty crappy...we have just signed heredia to a 2 year deal and are close to signing gabe white again...our pen is now:

lefties: hammonds (rumored to be headed to san diego in a trade), white, and heredia
righties: gordon, quantrill, karsay
long man: weaver (hopefully traded for a new bat boy)
closer: mo

...that is not bad at all, if you ask me...cashman is doing a good job thusfar with our pen...

...pitching wise, theres a strong chance we sign pettitte and trade for vasquez...those aquisitions alone will have our starting 5 at:

1.pettite
2.moose
3.vasquez
4.contreras
5.lieber

as a yankee fan, i want more than that, but i cant complain if thats what we look like going into the 2004 season...obviously the sox have a better starting 5 than us...this season is gonna be beautiful, regardless...its gonna be a dogfight--just like last year...classic baseball

[TheDynasty]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

first of all, we have not signed pettite yet, so as of right now, our starting pitching looks pretty crappy...we have just signed heredia to a 2 year deal and are close to signing gabe white again...our pen is now:

lefties: hammonds (rumored to be headed to san diego in a trade), white, and heredia
righties: gordon, quantrill, karsay
long man: weaver (hopefully traded for a new bat boy)
closer: mo

...that is not bad at all, if you ask me...cashman is doing a good job thusfar with our pen...

...pitching wise, theres a strong chance we sign pettitte and trade for vasquez...those aquisitions alone will have our starting 5 at:

1.pettite
2.moose
3.vasquez
4.contreras
5.lieber

as a yankee fan, i want more than that, but i cant complain if thats what we look like going into the 2004 season...obviously the sox have a better starting 5 than us...this season is gonna be beautiful, regardless...its gonna be a dogfight--just like last year...classic baseball

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Stoud said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Stoud said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Stoud said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

So right now the probable rotation is:
Mussina
Pettite
Contreras
???
???

I agree Lieber may be a very good 4th starter, so that is 4 good pitchers. They will most likely bring someone in through trade or free agency. So I fail to see how their starting pitching is junk.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As it is right now, you'd be a fool not to say that's junk. Besides which, you act like it will be just that easy to get Pettitte* back, when in reality it will probably be a whole lot harder than you could ever dream. Contreras a starter? Have fun with that. I'm not saying he's bad, but rather that in his case, half a year is not nearly enough time to judge his abilities, especially when he was only a middle reliever. Even with Lieber there, and then you throw Weaver into the mix? Come on, if you can't admit that rotation is junk, you have some serious mental issues.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

First of all, the Astros have reported they are willing to inflate their payroll just to get Pettitte, the guy lives near Houston, to say EVERYONE in baseball thinks he will be back with the yankees again next year is a little nuts. I mean, they got rid of Wagner to make space for this guy. Maybe you don't like to hear things like that, so you deny them, but the cold hard truth is that it's half and half at this point. He could go ANYWHERE. You know it, I know it, the american people know it. (I love that line)

Another thing is, Colon had a dreary year last year compared to 2001, and if I were the yanks I'd rather have Loaiza, not that it would be easier to do. Vasquez is a big pickup, but come on, not as big as schilling to the sox or anything like that. To have a rotation to match others next season, they'd need millwood and vasquez next season. Somehow I doubt it all, somehow I think Vasquez will end up back in montreal next year. Millwood might end up a yankee, and so might Colon, but other than that I doubt any other pitching you're hoping for. If you want to keep stretching for your team and praying that somehow it will work out, be my guest. It's still my opinion that as things look right now, the Yankees might not even find themselves in the post next season. I won't deny they are a great team, they are, but they had troubles last year, and unless they sign some major pitching soon, the only thing they've got going for them is their power. Of course, they have forever to sign/trade for pitching, but with how fast all the FA's are quickly disappearing, I would hope for your sake they get up off their butts and start making offers.

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

First of all, the Astros have reported they are willing to inflate their payroll just to get Pettitte, the guy lives near Houston, to say EVERYONE in baseball thinks he will be back with the yankees again next year is a little nuts. I mean, they got rid of Wagner to make space for this guy. Maybe you don't like to hear things like that, so you deny them, but the cold hard truth is that it's half and half at this point. He could go ANYWHERE. You know it, I know it, the american people know it. (I love that line)

Another thing is, Colon had a dreary year last year compared to 2001, and if I were the yanks I'd rather have Loaiza, not that it would be easier to do. Vasquez is a big pickup, but come on, not as big as schilling to the sox or anything like that. To have a rotation to match others next season, they'd need millwood and vasquez next season. Somehow I doubt it all, somehow I think Vasquez will end up back in montreal next year. Millwood might end up a yankee, and so might Colon, but other than that I doubt any other pitching you're hoping for. If you want to keep stretching for your team and praying that somehow it will work out, be my guest. It's still my opinion that as things look right now, the Yankees might not even find themselves in the post next season. I won't deny they are a great team, they are, but they had troubles last year, and unless they sign some major pitching soon, the only thing they've got going for them is their power. Of course, they have forever to sign/trade for pitching, but with how fast all the FA's are quickly disappearing, I would hope for your sake they get up off their butts and start making offers.

[Stoud]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

First of all, the Astros have reported they are willing to inflate their payroll just to get Pettitte, the guy lives near Houston, to say EVERYONE in baseball thinks he will be back with the yankees again next year is a little nuts. I mean, they got rid of Wagner to make space for this guy. Maybe you don't like to hear things like that, so you deny them, but the cold hard truth is that it's half and half at this point. He could go ANYWHERE. You know it, I know it, the american people know it. (I love that line)

Another thing is, Colon had a dreary year last year compared to 2001, and if I were the yanks I'd rather have Loaiza, not that it would be easier to do. Vasquez is a big pickup, but come on, not as big as schilling to the sox or anything like that. To have a rotation to match others next season, they'd need millwood and vasquez next season. Somehow I doubt it all, somehow I think Vasquez will end up back in montreal next year. Millwood might end up a yankee, and so might Colon, but other than that I doubt any other pitching you're hoping for. If you want to keep stretching for your team and praying that somehow it will work out, be my guest. It's still my opinion that as things look right now, the Yankees might not even find themselves in the post next season. I won't deny they are a great team, they are, but they had troubles last year, and unless they sign some major pitching soon, the only thing they've got going for them is their power. Of course, they have forever to sign/trade for pitching, but with how fast all the FA's are quickly disappearing, I would hope for your sake they get up off their butts and start making offers.

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Stoud said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

First of all, the Astros have reported they are willing to inflate their payroll just to get Pettitte, the guy lives near Houston, to say EVERYONE in baseball thinks he will be back with the yankees again next year is a little nuts. I mean, they got rid of Wagner to make space for this guy. Maybe you don't like to hear things like that, so you deny them, but the cold hard truth is that it's half and half at this point. He could go ANYWHERE. You know it, I know it, the american people know it. (I love that line)

Another thing is, Colon had a dreary year last year compared to 2001, and if I were the yanks I'd rather have Loaiza, not that it would be easier to do. Vasquez is a big pickup, but come on, not as big as schilling to the sox or anything like that. To have a rotation to match others next season, they'd need millwood and vasquez next season. Somehow I doubt it all, somehow I think Vasquez will end up back in montreal next year. Millwood might end up a yankee, and so might Colon, but other than that I doubt any other pitching you're hoping for. If you want to keep stretching for your team and praying that somehow it will work out, be my guest. It's still my opinion that as things look right now, the Yankees might not even find themselves in the post next season. I won't deny they are a great team, they are, but they had troubles last year, and unless they sign some major pitching soon, the only thing they've got going for them is their power. Of course, they have forever to sign/trade for pitching, but with how fast all the FA's are quickly disappearing, I would hope for your sake they get up off their butts and start making offers.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">


For Pettite, it really doesn't matter how much the Astros want to pay him. You think someone can outbid George? If the Yankees lose him, it will be because he wanted to go back home, and the Yankees never really had a chance. I just doubt that is going to happen. I can't remember the last time the Yankees lost someone they wanted to really keep. Remember Bernie? All we heard was how he was going to leave, and he was seperating himself from the team. He was all set to go to Boston, but finally decided to stay in New York for less money. My guess is Pettite will stay, and it will be similar to this, except maybe not less money. And almost every article I've read, from newspapers all over the country expect him to be back in New York.

Vazquez might not be as big a pickup as Schilling, but who said he was? Last year the Yankees had the better staff, the Red Sox matched it, and for the time being have the better one. If the Yankees get Pettite back and Vazquez, I'd give the slight edge to the Yankees as far as top to bottom goes, but the definite edge to the Red Sox for the big 3, which is what matters in the postseason.

As far as not making the post season, I doubt it. Boston is making improvements, and even if they win the division, I don't see anyone beating the Yankees for the wildcard.

[NYJets]

Re: Yankees Pitching Strategy

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Stoud said:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
NYJets37 said:

Yea, if the season started now, it would be junk, so would most teams. I know you hate the Yankees, and I know once the season starts you won't be able to talk to much about how bad they are, but come on, use your brain.

Mussina and Pettite= Top Notch pitchers
Contreras started 9 games last year, and was good in almost all of them, but don't let facts and stats get in your way

It is believed by almost everyone in baseball that Pettite will be a Yankee next year, it's not a gurantee, but if you want to talk about how good a rotation is, you have to pencil guys who will probably be here in.

And for as close as you can get to a gurantee, the Yankees will trade or sign a good starting pitcher besides Pettite. Maybe Colon, maybe Vazquez.

But hey, if you want to keep telling yourself how bad the Yankees rotation is, when your talking about a rotation that isn't close to what they will have at the beginning of the season, I won't stop your fun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

First of all, the Astros have reported they are willing to inflate their payroll just to get Pettitte, the guy lives near Houston, to say EVERYONE in baseball thinks he will be back with the yankees again next year is a little nuts. I mean, they got rid of Wagner to make space for this guy. Maybe you don't like to hear things like that, so you deny them, but the cold hard truth is that it's half and half at this point. He could go ANYWHERE. You know it, I know it, the american people know it. (I love that line)

Another thing is, Colon had a dreary year last year compared to 2001, and if I were the yanks I'd rather have Loaiza, not that it would be easier to do. Vasquez is a big pickup, but come on, not as big as schilling to the sox or anything like that. To have a rotation to match others next season, they'd need millwood and vasquez next season. Somehow I doubt it all, somehow I think Vasquez will end up back in montreal next year. Millwood might end up a yankee, and so might Colon, but other than that I doubt any other pitching you're hoping for. If you want to keep stretching for your team and praying that somehow it will work out, be my guest. It's still my opinion that as things look right now, the Yankees might not even find themselves in the post next season. I won't deny they are a great team, they are, but they had troubles last year, and unless they sign some major pitching soon, the only thing they've got going for them is their power. Of course, they have forever to sign/trade for pitching, but with how fast all the FA's are quickly disappearing, I would hope for your sake they get up off their butts and start making offers.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">


For Pettite, it really doesn't matter how much the Astros want to pay him. You think someone can outbid George? If the Yankees lose him, it will be because he wanted to go back home, and the Yankees never really had a chance. I just doubt that is going to happen. I can't remember the last time the Yankees lost someone they wanted to really keep. Remember Bernie? All we heard was how he was going to leave, and he was seperating himself from the team. He was all set to go to Boston, but finally decided to stay in New York for less money. My guess is Pettite will stay, and it will be similar to this, except maybe not less money. And almost every article I've read, from newspapers all over the country expect him to be back in New York.

Vazquez might not be as big a pickup as Schilling, but who said he was? Last year the Yankees had the better staff, the Red Sox matched it, and for the time being have the better one. If the Yankees get Pettite back and Vazquez, I'd give the slight edge to the Yankees as far as top to bottom goes, but the definite edge to the Red Sox for the big 3, which is what matters in the postseason.

As far as not making the post season, I doubt it. Boston is making improvements, and even if they win the division, I don't see anyone beating the Yankees for the wildcard.