They brought up Cano looking for a spark, but also felt that he was ready during Spring Training, but we had just signed Womack or he might have stayed up then. Same could happen with Hughes IF they truly feel he’s ready and it won’t hurt his development.

my thoughts on all this:
* keep Hughes down one more year. Isn’t this kid only 21? He can stay with AAA one more year, and let the Yanks get in his innings total with the gradual rise that they’ve been implemented from (seemingly) day-one.

* if they struggle out the gate, then they can forget about Clemens. I think his biggest note between Houston, Boston, and NY will be overall records and established in-season reputation. Whichever one is doing better on the whole, and seems the most formidable… he’ll join them. You’re telling me Boston wouldn’t mind putting Wakefield in their bullpen as their long reliever? Beckett’s going to be good for at least one short appearance, more than likely against us.

* I think, if anyone should get a shot near the middle of the year… and I’m talking NEW guys, unlike Karstens and that lot… it should be Sanchez. Like Russ said, he was in the same pack as Verlander and Zumaya for Detroit last year. That has to carry some weight with it as far as whether the guy is ready or not… those two guys did pretty well for the Tigers, I heard.

* I like Betances, too. Will be interesting to see his progression.

* JRVJ’s post confused me. I had to read it, literally, five times. To get the connection. Best of luck to that kid, though. Whoever he is.

* If Pavano comes out firing, why not try to keep him? If he’s pitching lights out… keep him for the year, and give him a go. I think anyone would take him with the aforementioned 8-0 start, and would be willing to take the risk… but why aren’t we included on that? Moose is gone after this next year. Andy will probably be, too. If Clemens comes on, that’s obviously until November 1st at the latest. Why wouldn’t we want to try and have an experienced guy with Wang to anchor the rotation? If he pitches well this year… give him next year. I stay we stick with the plan to build within, and not throughout the rest of the league. Pavano’s within our system now; let’s see what he’s got.

* aren’t we just 10 days away? Or less? Man, my adrenaline just kicked in… April can’t get here fast enough.

Last season, the Yanks had the luxury of being far ahead in the division and were able to let Karstens, Rasner, and Henn get cracks at starting. I don’t care for Henn, but my point is they’re not going to throw their top pitching prospects into the Majors to fill holes unless they REALLY need to do so. Might as well see what the not-as-high-ceiling guys can do…and I ask, did Karstens and Rasner disappoint?

If his stock goes up and we have guys ready that allow us to move him, be it Clemens or a rookie, he’s gone unless Cashman just wants some return on the $20M he’s already been paid instead of cutting our losses. It really depends on more than just how he’s pitching – status of the rest of the rotation, what teams offer for him, etc.. If there’s a surplus and we can get something solid in return, who would you rather ship than him (assuming Igawa pans out)?

Like Mussina said, he has a lot of trust to earn, why shouldn’t that include ours..

FOr a number of reasons. One is that he is on a strict pitch count and it would be much better to have him throwing those innings in Sep-Oct.

Two, if hes up early that means one of the starters didnt work out which wouldnt be good. And prob no Clemens.

Let him go to Triple A. Do his work. Refine his pitches. Then come up and add a fresh power arm to the stretch run.

I agree Hughes is in front of Sanchez, and articles and scouts’ comments I’ve read seem to indicate the same. But I also wouldn’t rule out Rasner or Karstens coming up first if they need someone before any of the higher profile guys like Hughes, Sanchez, Ohlendorf, etc.. aren’t ready yet, mainly because they thought enough of those 2 to bring them up last year. Should be interesting though, because a lot of the AAA guys are supposed to be very close and scouts have said about most of them that they could help a major league club right now. Hopefully we’re lucky and we don’t have to rush any of them up before the time is right. But when that time is right, I have no issue shipping Pavano out no matter how well he’s pitching if Hughes or someone else can come up and be just as effective, or even close to it. I just don’t trust Pavano in October until he shows some character through major adversity.