C.R.E.A.M.

NoMaas has been calling Brian Cashman "Cash Money" for some time now. We've all adopted it in our commentary, and it's about as good a nickname as their is anywhere. I plan to keep referring to him as Ca$h Money, in general, but I like something that Bronx Banter regular "dimelo" said about him, with regards to his position at this year's winter meetings. He likened his laid back approach to Keyser Soze, and I've decided that "Keyser Soze" will be Cashman's Wu Tang alias around COH. Brian "Ca$h Money" Cashman, aka Keyser Soze. C.R.E.A.M. is my new motto.

It looks like we may see Big Andy back in the Bronx. At least early reports from the winter meetings would suggest that it's moving in that direction. I imagine it will happen, and would pencil Pettitte into the Yankees starting rotation at this point. Not yet ready for ink, but pencil seems a healthy move at this point for Yankee fans.

I love Andy Pettitte. I never thought the Yankees should have let him go in the first place. I know the money was a bit scary with the elbow issues he'd been experiencing, but it's also important to remember that he was a left handed pitcher with extensive postseason experience...and not only experience, but success. Andy was turning 32 when he left the Bronx, which is a period of decline for pitchers, and probably factored into the Bombers' decision to let him walk. The thing is, and this is something we've all come to understand since that time, a guy who can perform in the postseason is a rare breed. I'm not trying to suggest that some guys can will themselves to higher performances in the spotlight of the playoffs, I have no evidence to suggest that such a thing exists, but it is noteworthy that Jeter is not a legend because he suddenly puts up a 1.100 OPS in postseason play, but rather that he maintains his high level of play regardless of the stage. He is consistent. So is Pettitte.

In 24 postseason series, Andy Pettitte is 14-9(.609) with a 4.08 ERA, and a 1.349 WHIP. In his regular season career, he posts a .641 winning percentage, 3.81 ERA, and an identical 1.349 WHIP. Andy is loved for the times he stepped up huge when the Yankees needed him. He won a ridiculous battle with John Smoltz in the 1996 World Series that ended 1-0 in the Yankees' favor. That was the big day for him. If you look at his numbers, as I did recently when projecting Kei Igawa, you'll see that he wasn't a lights out, no brainer, ace. Andy Pettitte's reputation is FAR bigger than his ability, or his performance in pinstripes. Bringing him back in 2007 is the right thing to do, but we shouldn't expect him to be Roger Clemens or even Mike Mussina.

As a Yankee, Andy Pettitte produced the following records, ERAs, ERA+s, and WHIPs:

1995 12-9, 4.17 ERA, 110 ERA+, 1.406 WHIP
1996 21-8, 3.87 ERA, 131 ERA+, 1.362 WHIP
1997 18-7, 2.88 ERA, 154 ERA+, 1.240 WHIP
1998 16-11, 4.24 ERA, 105 ERA+, 1.447 WHIP
1999 14-11, 4.70 ERA, 95 ERA+, 1.591 WHIP
2000 19-9, 4.35 ERA, 116 ERA+, 1.461 WHIP
2001 15-10, 3.99 ERA, 112 ERA+, 1.321 WHIP
2002 13-5, 3.27 ERA, 134 ERA+, 1.307 WHIP (147 IP)
2003 21-8, 4.02 ERA, 109 ERA+, 1.330 WHIP

Those are decent numbers, but they aren't numbers that knock your socks off. What it shows you is how many games an above average pitcher can win with the Yankees' offense behind him. If you put up a 110 ERA+ you can win 15-20 games. If you put up a 120 or more, you can easily win 20....ask Chien Min Wang (19 wins, 123 ERA+). If the Yankees sign Pettitte to pitch at the ages of 35 and 36, it's for two fundamental reasons.

1. He's good enough to win 15-20 games in the heat of a serious AL East pennant race.
2. He's not going to crap out in the playoffs like other guys on the team.

Those are the key beliefs that the Yankees will be running with if and when they sign Andy Pettitte. What that signing will do is complete a rotation of guys who don't throw very hard, rely on offspeed pitches and control, and triple up on lefties for Yankee Stadium. What you're hoping for is continued performance by Wang and Mussina, at around a 120 ERA+, and a pair of guys in Pettitte and Igawa that should put up similar numbers from the left side. You hope that Randy Johnson is the Unit of 2005, with a 117 ERA+ and a 17 win season. Pavano should be traded for rosin bags.

The lack of a hard thrower is somewhat offset by the bullpen. If teams get used to seeing 88-92 MPH fastballs, and wait on the breaking ball, they'll have to face Bruney, Farnsworth, and Mariano among others. That may be the only saving grace. I'd love to find a hard throwing young pitcher to add into the mix....Hmmmm. Phil Hughes throws 93-95, with the occasional 97 on the gun. Maybe we get to see him after the All-Star Break. In the meantime, our rotation would be Wang, Mussina, Pettitte, Johnson, and Igawa. I like that, and I'd be happy to go with that as my infantry.