AP News
(2010-07-18 00:49:59)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - With an injury to Andy Pettitte disrupting the rotation, the New York Yankees face their first big operational question in the post-George Steinbrenner era: patch up the problem internally or deal for a top pitcher.
The mercurial Steinbrenner, who died last week 37 years after buying the acclaimed franchise, operated by the credo that budgets were made to be broken in order to put the pinstripes in position to win the World Series.
Steinbrenner's youngest son Hal is now in control, pledging to feed the fans' hunger for more titles while trying to keep payroll figures from soaring way beyond the $200 million mark.
How the Yankees deal with Pettitte's absence with the July 31 trade deadline approaching could be a window into the future business plan for the Bronx Bombers.
While operational reins were officially handed to sons Hank and Hal following the 2007 season, the elder Steinbrenner was still in the background to enable moves such as spending $423 million in free-agent contracts before the 2009 season.
Those players helped the team win a 27th World Series crown.
New York has the best record in Major League Baseball at 58-33 but they were in the bidding to trade for lefty ace Cliff Lee from the Mariners even before Pettitte strained his groin.
Pettitte, one of the 'core four' players along with captain Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada who all played on the last five Yankee World Series winners dating back to 1996, is expected to miss four to five weeks.
AL West-leading Texas Rangers won the Lee sweepstakes, but there are other prized pitchers on trading block including Roy Oswalt of the Astros and Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren.
General manager Brian Cashman, who has taken more direct charge of baseball decisions in recent seasons, said trading for a pitcher to replace Pettitte was not a priority.
Journeyman Sergio Mitre, 29, will take the left-hander's place for Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals.
Mitre has a 2.88 earned run average in 10 relief appearances and two spot starts this season, but he struggled in a similar scenario last year when he started nine games and went 3-3 with a 7.16 ERA.
Patience is being preached, with other internal candidates such as Chad Gaudin and Dustin Moseley also available.
In manager Joe Girardi's first season, the Yankees used a hodgepodge of starters to fill out their 2008 rotation including the forgettable Dan Giese, Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner.
That season the Yankees failed to reach the playoffs, ending a streak of 13 consecutive years in the postseason.
(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)
