Eno,
  Thanks for your comments. No question Sabathia put the Brew Crew in the play offs this season and he’ll make an instant contender wherever he pitches in ‘09. But there are mitigating circumstances. C.C. looked like any other pitcher for those two innings against the Phils. His fastball didn’t have the same snap and his curve was hanging like a hot air balloon. Pitching in the play offs is a simple equation—win or go home. On the topic of pitching in the Bronx, Bombers fans are the toughest you’ll meet anywhere in the world—they demand a winner. Its nothing like playing in Cleveland or Milwaukee. Here in NYC all it takes is one mistake, one bad outing and the media will be all over you like a cheap suit. The final problem to be overcome is that Sabathia, a native Californian, has expressed his interest in playing for a California team. These then are the final questions: Can Sabathia win under pressure situations? He did against the Yanks during the divisional round in ‘07 but came up short this year. Can he pitch in NYC? Odds are against it. To play in the media capital of the world, a player needs extra duty toughness and not many have it. I’d love to see him pitching in the Bronx but I’m also hedging my bets—I’ll believe it when I see it.
  Are you kiddin’ about Derek Lowe? He’s now 35 and resembles a shadow of his former self. He lost more games than he won, had a high ERA and a high WHIP. The only reason he looked good in the play offs is that he was facing the Cubbies who couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. Lowe still has the smarts to win some games but his tools are gone. He’s relying too much on finesse. Once hitters figure him out, they’ll light him up like a Roman candle on the Fourth of July. Too risky in my book. His fastball doesn’t pop in the catcher’s mitt any more and his curve hangs like a hot air balloon. Yes let him stay in the NL at either pitching friendly Dodger Stadium or let him sign with the Padres—they have the Death Valley of ballparks. Lowe’s best days as a starter are behind him. Let him pitch long relief, mop up or spot start. 
  Teixiera is the answer to a lot of dreams—young, tough, hits for power, hits for average, sprays his hits all over the field, drives in runs, great glove. But I do have one question nagging at me—can Tex hit in the clutch? I saw him in a couple of games against the BoSox—damned impressive. Label this devil’s advocacy
—I’m wondering if the Yankees are the right team for Tex. They seem to have lost that killer instinct and win at any cost attitude—trademarks of their dominant years. Tex could probably give them back that winning attitude and killer instinct but he can’t do it alone.
  Joba a starter? Not if Posada has any say in the matter. He’s already on record as saying that Joba belongs in the bullpen and I’m inclined to agree. He looked good in his few starts last year but the Bombers need to start thinking about an heir to Mariano—still a potent reliever but he’s getting up there in age. Mark my words—Chamberlain will become the new Gossage—big, tough, nasty, scowling with a lights out fastball and a good repertoire of pitches to compliment his flame thrower.
  Thanks again for the comments.
Charles Mitri

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