With the acquisitions of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, two of the top free-agent pitchers on the market, the Yankees significantly bolstered their rotation, and a pitcher in their 2008 rotation is excited about the moves.
“It is great. It’s going to be exciting for us,” said Joba Chamberlain, who was at Last Licks in Manhattan yesterday for an autograph signing. “[Sabathia] is a great competitor, and he brings a lot to the table.”
Chamberlain also had high praise for Burnett.
“[Burnett] is just another guy who goes out and competes and knows how to win,” the Chamberlain said. “He is a great addition and another top of the rotation guy for us.”
Sabathia and Burnett join Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang in the Yankees’ 2009 starting rotation. The other spot is yet to be determined and could include Andy Pettitte (who has not decided if he will take the Yankees $10 million, one-year deal), free-agent Derek Lowe, or perhaps one of the Yankees youngsters, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy.
Chamberlain credited team management for getting these two deals done.
“The way our front office did things today was fantastic,” he said. “They went about their business and got things done, and it is very exciting.”
Chamberlain said the newest Yankees will take some pressure off the rest of the rotation.
“I feel less stress because you have all these guys around to be leaders for you,” Chamberlain said. “It takes a little pressure off of everybody.”