With 12 days to go before the trade deadline, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is sticking to his plan, even with Andy Pettitte on the shelf for 4-5 weeks with a groin strain.
That plan involves trying to bolster the Yankees’ bench and possibly their bullpen — but it does not include the pursuit of a starting pitcher.
“I’m not looking for starting pitching,” Cashman said. “I don’t feel compelled. This is why we have Sergio Mitre.”
Mitre started for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre last night, allowing three runs on four his in 42⁄3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks. He will come off the disabled list (strained left oblique) in time to start Saturday’s game against the Royals in Pettitte’s place.
Mitre made nine starts for the Yankees last year and two this year. The Yanks see him as a more than capable fill-in until Pettitte can get healthy.
“Mitre would be in most people’s rotations,” Cashman said.
If Cashman was interested in acquiring another starter, the asking price probably is too high right now, anyway. Teams are demanding a lot in return for the top pitchers on the market, such as Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren.
Mitre is a more appealing option than any of the second-tier starters on the market because he’s already in the organization and won’t cost the Yanks any prospects or additional money.
“Mitre’s role was long man and spot starter, and now we need a spot starter,” Cashman said.
J.P. Ricciardi, as the Blue Jays’ general manager for eight seasons, watched Cashman work. Now an analyst for ESPN, Ricciardi believes Cashman is likely calling around but will be content to go with Mitre for the six or seven starts Pettitte will miss.
“You get a guy like Mitre and he gets hot and you can ride him for those six starts,” Ricciardi said. “I’m sure the Yankees are out looking at every possible thing they can. The one great thing about the Yankees is they don’t have to worry about the price for the most part.
“So I’m sure they’re looking at every possible starting pitcher that will be available. They’re doing their due diligence. I think Cash will probably, and this is just an educated guess on my part, he’ll ride whatever he’s got in-house.”
One person not considered for the temporary starting spot was Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees have moved Chamberlain between the starting rotation and the bullpen during his career, but Cashman did not hesitate when asked if Chamberlain was a candidate to move back into the starting role.
“No,” Cashman said. “He was beat out by Mitre, too, in spring training [for the fifth starter’s job].”
The Yankees will officially place Pettitte on the 15-day disabled list today. The corresponding move is likely to be a reliever, since they do not need to activate Mitre until Saturday. The call could go to Jonathan Albaladejo, who has been tremendous as the closer for SWB, notching 31 saves with a 0.96 ERA.
Cashman has talked about bench help and bullpen help being his priorities in the trade market, but the market for relievers looks weak. Yankees scout Kevin Reese attended the Blue Jays-Royals game last night, possibly taking a look at Jays relievers Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs along with Royals closer Joakim Soria. All are believed to be on the market, but the price is high now.
If that price does not come down, the Yankees may have to live with who they have right now.
Additional reporting by Joel Sherman and George A. King III