Yankees Need the Doctor

Yankee ownership's extravagant purchase of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira re-established New York as a pennant contender. A fading foundation needed sturdy reinforcement, the Bombers' bucks did the job. So far, so good but it's not enough.

The rebuilt rotation is reeling. CC and A.J produce as advertised, it's all down hill from there. Andy Pettitte got rocked in Cali. Saturday leaving the venerable lefty with an ERA of 4.85 which is a mirror image of '08's number. At this stage of his career, it's safe to say, reincarnation isn't in the mix. Joba Chamberlain has transitioned from dominant reliever to bullpen-draining head case. The next big thing threw 100 IP in '08 as his '09 total reaches that plateau is there any reason to believe that he'll get stronger down the stretch? Wait till next year. Chien-Ming Wang resides on rehab mountain with the latest in a long list of injuries. Do you believe in miracles?

Now what? Turns out, there is a Doctor available. Roy "Doc" Halladay (the Big Foot of starting pitchers) is for sale. A dominant innings eating machine is the tonic for what ails New York. The rumored price is four elite prospects. Toronto's GM is starting high and holding his breath.

Most organizations will balk at the prospect of gutting their future for instant gratification. The Yankees' future is now. The core is too old to wait till next year. The farm is too green to provide impact.

Halladay bridges a gap between flickering glory and promising future. The Doc is 32, adding him to CC and A.J. keeps the Bombers window open for a few years. Time to recapture the glory and nurture the farm.

What about the price? Here's the deal: A) Phil Hughes: hyped prodigy, frail history, work in progress starter, eye opening relief stint puts icing on the overrated cake. (Editor's note: it's not Phil's fault he's overrated, it comes with the Big Apple territory.) Toronto could pretend he'll be the next Halladay. B) Jesus Montero: big bat, really big body, thin defense, still young enough to labeled as a catcher. The Yanks have organizational depth behind the plate and don't need another DH. C) Cabrera or Gardner: Young, useful role playing pieces. Austin Jackson, come on down.



Will it cost mo' money? Actually, it's a bargain. The Doc's price is a mere seven million shackles for the remainder of '09, (just had a Clemens flashback) $15 million in 2010,offer a two year extension at CC scale with an option. Next season Damon, Matsui and Pettitte come off the bloated books. Can you say austerity?

Yankees' ownership didn't shell out $200 million to compete. The ring is the thing. Doc Halladay is the answer.

Photo