Written by Greg Fertel
|
24 August 2007
According to
Newsday, the Yankees may or may not cut bait on Mike Mussina if he struggles on Monday. The article mentions Ian Kennedy as a possible replacement.
Could it happen? I think that the Yankees have easily ruled out Tyler Clippard, Chase Wright, or Jeff Karstens as possibilities. I'd be very surprised if they went the Kei Igawa route again (although, with the struggles of Henn and Villone, they'd be smart to try him as a relief pitcher). Kennedy is their logical alternative. He's been successful at AAA.
I'm a little skeptical though. I don't think that Torre is desperate enough for the wins that he'd leave a veteran like Mussina, no matter how much he struggled. Kennedy has been on an inning count for awhile at Scranton, so I'm not sure if the Yankees are comfortable with him pitching in the major leagues, without a count, for another month or more.
What do I think? I've been back and forth on the issue. For one, I'd like to see him at least get two months of AAA experience under his belt before really assessing him. Kennedy has been excellent for five starts, but just five starts. On the other hand, I think that Kennedy is probably our best option to win games.
The question is purely academic unless Mussina struggles on Monday. I've been a Mussina supporter through his toughest times, but in the playoffs? I couldn't warrant giving him a spot.
