Brett Tomko,Kicking Off Yankees 2009 Season...Really?

The Yankees open their 2009 Grapefruit League with Brett Tomko.

Really?

This thought ruminated, and for a moment it reminded me of the Saturday Night Live Skit. “Really?!..."

I understand that the Yankees need insurance in case a front line starter goes down.  So, the Yankees need to protect against the likelihood that Hughes, Aceves, Kennedy, Coke, Giese, Igawa, and any other AAA prospect with a pulse will tank…Really.

I understand that the Yankees had an excessive number of injuries last year and they need a dependable arm.  So, the Yankee hierarchy felt that the two months the right-handed Tomko was sidelined with a strained right elbow was an aberration…Really.  

I understand that there is a need for someone that has a steady record and has shown consistency throughout their career.  So the Yankee’s leadership feel that, even though it’s been a steady decline.

2005: 8-15 W/L, 4.48
ERA for SF

2006: 8-7, 4.73 for the Dodgers

2007: 4-12, 5.55 for the Dodgers and Padres

2008: 2-7, 6.30 for KC and SD

It is, well, steady, and must be a good thing…Really.

I understand the Yankees' desire to have players that have earned the respect of their peers, e.g. Curt Schilling's 1997 comment - Tomko will be a premier pitcher for the next decade. So the Yankee brass is buying this even though that decade was over a couple of years ago…Really.

I understand that the Yankees need someone with recent experience pitching in a tough division, like the AL East.  So the Yankees felt that they needed someone that spent the last five years in the NL West, (likely the worst division in MLB) and that was the type of experience they were looking for…Really.

And if Brett Tomko is on the 2009 Yankee roster, I'll be surprised...Really!