WHY IT'S DAY 78 FOR ANDY

Day 78. This is what we know:

• Andy Pettitte is working out, according to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.


• Brian Cashman has talked to Andy on occasion. Andy knows the Yankees want and need him. But Cashman's "not going to bother him.". When Andy's ready, he's ready. The good news is if he doesn't retire, he will remain a New York Yankee; not a Ranger, an Astro or a Red Sock... A Yankee. That's good at least. Unfortunately, that's all we have right now.


• Cashman says he's not waiting for Andy, his nose is to the grindstone trying find the best deals and pitchers for the Yankees in a lousy Free Agent market. A late rotation innings eater that the Yankees can replace Mitre with. If not a 4th or 5th starter, a 3rd starter if Andy doesn't come back. That's it.

In the quietest winter the Yankees have ever had, nothing's going on with Mr Andy Pettitte. So what would I do? Fill 1 rotation hole. Look, most of these free agent pitchers have been in the majors a long time, none of them want to sign a minor league deal, but some may have to to prove themselves again. I would suggest signing 1 of these guys, a Garcia or a Millwood inexpensively of course, to a 1 year deal and sign another to a minor league deal and say "pitch well in spring training, we'll give you a shot." It's a pipe dream of course, merely because the Yankees have a sack full of money reserved for Andy if he decides to come back so they need to spend little and hope to get quality. That's not always easy with injury riddled free agents. That being said, it's doubtful that will happen right now.

Plus, right now Brian Cashman is on the phone with some potential suitors for Joba Chamberlain. Ladies and Gentlemen, If Cashman liked what he saw in the Free Agent market, believe me, he would have done it by now. That's why he's the GM and I'm a blogger. I can only speculate that once Soriano was signed, Joba was trade bait and a trade is imminent. If we can get a quality starter for Joba, that's great. If Andy comes back too? Well, that's just gravy.

So where are we in Yankeeland? At a mountain that's about to erupt,I have a good feeling this week, good for the fans, great for the rotation, bad for Joba Chamberlain. Bottom line, another January surprise is about to happen.

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