All I Want For Christmas Is Two Starting Pitchers

The Yankees signed Cuban Defector Jose Contreras to a four-year, $32 M contract. They are still negotiating with Roger Clemens to re-sign for 2003. Quoth ESPN, "The Yankees anticipate that by the Jan. 8 deadline they will re-sign Clemens to a one-year contract worth $8 million to $10 million."

If Clemens re-signs, the Yankees will have eight, count 'em, eight starting pitchers on the roster: Contreras, Clemens, Mussina, Wells, Weaver, Pettite, Hernandez, and Hitchcock. The Yankees would love to divest themselves of Hitchcock's massive contract, but the prospect seems remote. He'll probably end up the left-handed long reliever in the bullpen. The same goes for El Duque if they cannot trade him.

That leaves six starters. Weaver seems the logical choice to be dropped based on last season (he was used out of the bullpen on many occasions). However, he was acquired to lead their staff in 2003 and beyond. If they cannot trade a starter, Mussina, Pettite, or Wells will have to move to the bullpen. Given his smaller salary, I wouldn't be surprised if the choice was Wells.