Yankees Pitching Progression

The Yankees have seen the effects of the Cashman plan now. They had a great offense last season even with the loss of two the games leading run producers. Arod could bounce back and Abreu is an underrated player who could do a lot more than last year too. Last year they were undone by poor starting pitching from Johnson, none from Pavano, and little room for error against teams with good pitching. Now there is a difference.. The Yankees would like to have a guy on the mound each game who can hold the opposition to 3-4 runs o er 6+ to 7 innings. Now they have that possibility with Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, and Igawa( who translates into a 4.40 range ERA). The fifth starter should be the top minor league pitcher who is ready for promotion to the bigs and here the menu is : Rasner, Karstens, Sanchez, Ohlendorf, and White. Phillip Hughes will be brought uip on club decision in September for a few starts unless necessity requires an earlier callup. This is the progression factor: Pavano is there if he earns it. If Clemens sign then Pavano might be traded before the deadline. Clemens spot would be replaced by Hughes in 2008 when Sanchez too would come up. The Yankees are creating the possibility of an all homegrown rotation headed by Hughes and Wang and including Igawa, Sanchez, Ohlendorf or White or Clippard.. a progression..nice.