Friday, February 19, 2010

Harold Reynolds Answers Questions About Yanks

From the NY Post:

Q: How much will the Yankees miss Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon?

A: I didn't like letting either of them go. Matsui really mastered the DH role, not everyone can sit around all game and excel in four at-bats. And It's hard to imagine the Yankees without Damon. He brought so much thunder to that team at the top of the order with his coolness, calmness and experience.

Q: Are they still the World Series favorites?

A: Yes, because they added Curtis Granderson and Randy Winn. Watching Granderson in Detroit -- his potential is off the charts. ... And Winn is a tremendous professional player. . . . If you are not going to bring back Damon, they brought two complementary guys who will do a nice job.

Q: The biggest spring training competition for the Yankees is for the fifth starter's spot with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes as the top candidates. Who do you think is better off in the rotation?

A: Neither, both should be in the bullpen. If you look at Hughes, Chamberlain, (Damaso) Marte, (Mariano) Rivera at the end of games, you are now asking your starters to go six innings. That's a tremend-ous lift and takes a major burden off the starting pitcher. I think that's a formula that can win them another World Series

I agree with the his answers to the first two, but not the third. I do think one of them should start this year, and both should probably be in the rotation next year. The Yankees can still have their starters go six without either Joba or Hughes in the pen and still put themselves in a great position to win most games, especially when you consider that Hughes or Joba could be two-inning setup guys if they need to be.

What are your thoughts?

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