[MVB]

If Johnson is traded, then Phil Hughes or Humberto Sanchez will be promoted to the rotation, which would then look like this:

1. Wang
2. Pettitte
3. Mussina
4. Pavano
5. Hughes

That's pretty good.... Wang could easily win 20 games, while Mussina and Pettitte will pick up at least 15 victories. Pavano, if he's healthy, may be baseball's best #4 starter, and if Hughes is all he's supposed to be, the Yanks might be undefeatable.

But I'm still surprised the Yanks are looking to trade Johnson. I know he's bad, but he's a good veteran to have at the back of the rotation. Keeping Johnson for one more year would give him a chance to win 300 games with New York and Hughes another year of experience in the minors.

[mervinout]

you dont think igewa or however you spell his he'll will be a starter

[MJHMarc]

Igawa. (Don't ask me his first name).

I'm waiting for a deal to be struck, and finalized.

[mervinout]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Igawa. (Don't ask me his first name).

I'm waiting for a deal to be struck, and finalized.

its been done for a week remember it had to be done by last thursday he got 4 yrs and 20

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MVB

If Johnson is traded, then Phil Hughes or Humberto Sanchez will be promoted to the rotation, which would then look like this:

1. Wang
2. Pettitte
3. Mussina
4. Pavano
5. Hughes

That's pretty good.... Wang could easily win 20 games, while Mussina and Pettitte will pick up at least 15 victories. Pavano, if he's healthy, may be baseball's best #4 starter, and if Hughes is all he's supposed to be, the Yanks might be undefeatable.

Even if they get rid of Johnson, I doubt Hughes is pushed this early. I recall Cashman saying during 2006 that he wouldn't want to bring Hughes up in 2007 until late in the year and would look more towards 08 as his big opportunity. But I guess you never know.

Pettite, a #2? I know he did okay in Houston but I wouldn't count on him to be an ace again. His ERA was pretty big in the NL last year. And you gotta hope his elbow will stay strong. Mussina I feel is your 2nd most consistant pitcher (next to Wang) who's usually good for roughly 15 Ws per year.

Pavano, the biggest questionmark in the rotation. Nobody has a clue how he will perform. He can get hurt again, or have a 5 ERA or (I very much doubt this one) return to his form that helped the Marlins win the World Series.

[ThePundit]

It looks like Roger Clemens is an option. In today's Newsday:

The Yankees also plan to pursue Roger Clemens to replace Johnson, although they would go after Clemens even if Johnson were staying.....And without Johnson, the Yankees will be leaning heavier on Japanese lefthander Kei Igawa, youngster Jeff Karstens and the perennially injured Carl Pavano.

Unit on verge of heading out - Newsday.com

[MVB]

Empire, I guess Mussina would be better slotted at number 2, but Torre might want to bounce from a righty (Wang) to a lefty (Pettitte) to righty (Mussina) to a lefty (Johnson or Igawa). But, you're right, Mussina will probably be more effective then Pettitte next year, so we'll see where they're stationed.

I've heard a lot of rumors (from Yankees.com and several beat-writers' blogs) that Hughes may be brought during the second half of the season...

The New York Times had an article yesterday on the Yankees' interest in Clemens. It looks like if they can get rid of Johnson, they can spend his money on Clemens....

[EmpireWF]

Sounds like Johnson could be traded as soon as tomorrow. The thing holding it up still is how much money the Yankees will send Arizona's way...effecting how many/who they get back as far as prospects.