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You and others a vastly underating the pitching that the Yankees have assembled this year. It's actually an improvement over last year.

Yep. People keep on pointing out that the Yankees lost 60% of their starting rotation. I don't think of it that way -- Clemens was supposed to retire, and nobody expected (or even wanted) the Yankees to re-sign Wells after his book and his meltdown in Game 5. Heck, I'm surprised the Yankees even made him an offer! Of course, San Diego's deal has no weight clause in it, so that sweetened the deal.

The main loss was Pettitte, and I still contend he wanted to go home to Houston for personal reasons, and there was little the Yankees could do to stop him. We'll see what happens with the Yankees' new pitchers -- I'm not too worried just yet, particularly with the enormous upgrade in the bullpen.

Letting Pettitte go was entirely Steinbrenner's fault and the worst act of his ownership, worse even than letting Reggie go. The Boss has never liked Pettitte and thinks he lacks fire because he never gets in brawls or makes the back page. Andy stayed in New York as long as he did only because Michael and Torre were barely able to persuade Steinbrenner to keep him at a few critical junctures. Having said that, the BEST post-season pitching moves the Yanks made was getting rid of Weaver. I always thought the standing offer should have been "Weaver for anybody on your 40 man roster, including the clubhouse attendant." Losing Boone is a blessing too. Like Jack Clark, Jack McDowell, Denny Neagle, Kenny Rogers and Rickey Henderson before them, Weaver and Boone belong on that list of skilled players who simply can't make it with the Yankees. I don't think A-Rod will fall into that category. Weaver could very well fourish with the Dodgers. Great stuff. Headcase.