New York Yankees 2011 Projected Rotation

The key to the Yankees' success in 2011 will be their starting rotation.

Included in the rotation are a few young guns and seasoned veterans.

Ultimately, this combination will have to work for the Yanks to compete with the Red Sox in 2011.

The offseason plan failed, as waiting for Cliff Lee backfired, leaving the Yankees in shambles, not knowing where to turn.

A few minor signings on pitchers such as Mark Prior, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon could be low-risk, high-reward signings.

Anyway, here is a look at the projected 2011 rotation.

CC Sabathia

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees celebrates after he forced Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers to ground into a double play to end the top of the fifth inning of Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yank

CC Sabathia lost 30 pounds and is thought to be in his best shape of his career.

Sabathia is one of the most intimidating pitchers on the mound because of his immense size and he can pitch in the mid-90s with his fastball.

Sabathia has one of the best changeups in the league and it is his strikeout pitch.

Look for Sabathia to have another dominant year at the top of the rotation for the Yankees in 2011.

2010 Stats: 237 innings, 21-7 record, 197 strikeouts, 3.18 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

2011 Projected Stats: 242 innings, 20-7 record, 203 strikeouts, 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Phil Hughes

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Phil Hughes #65 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen

At only 25 years old, Phil Hughes is one of the best young pitchers in the game, and he should only get better.

He throws consistently in the mid-90's, but was primarily a two pitch pitcher, something that hurt him in the latter portion of the year, when he was struggling.

In the first half of the year, Hughes had a 3.65 ERA and even made an All-Star appearance.

Hughes vowed to use the changeup more this upcoming season, rather than just throw curveballs and fastballs.

Hughes struggled to throw the curveball last year for a strike, so teams could figure him out easily.

In 2011, there will be no innings limit.

2010 Stats: 176 innings, 18-8 record, 146 strikeouts, 4.19 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

2011 Projected Stats: 201 innings 16-9 record, 180 strikeouts, 4.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

A.J. Burnett

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: A.J. Burnett #34 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

To say Burnett struggled last year would be an understatement. In fact, Burnett was one of the worst pitchers in baseball, posting an ERA above 5.00.

What was disheartening was the low strikeout totals and the poor pitching in pressure situations.

When the Yankees signed Burnett to a five-year, $82.5 million contract, they certainly did not envision this type of struggle from Burnett.

Hopefully, the extra work put in by Burnett with new pitching coach Larry Rothschild will pay dividends; otherwise, the next three years could be a living hell for Burnett in New York.

2010 Stats: 186 innings, 10-15 record, 145 strikeouts, 5.26 ERA, 1.51 WHIP

2011 Projected Stats: 199 innings, 13-12 record, 183 strikeouts, 4.49 ERA, 1.43 WHIP

Ivan Nova

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 2: Ivan Nova #47 of the New York Yankees reacts in the ninth against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park, October 2, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Ivan Nova was a very impressive young pitcher for the Yankees late last season.

At only the age of 24, Nova is a power pitcher, but can also be erratic at times.

Along with Burnett and Hughes, Nova will be key in determining how far the Yankees can go in 2011, competing against the Red Sox.

Nova had a  2.57 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in the first four innings of his starts, compared to 12.46/2.65 from the fifth inning on.

Nova can be dominant at times, especially at the early goings of the game, but really tails off mid-game.

2010 Stats: 42 innings, 1-2 record, 26 strikeouts, 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP

2011 Projected Stats: 188 innings, 12-10 record, 151 strikeouts, 4.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP

Freddy Garcia

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NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Freddy Garcia #43 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the New York Yankees on April 30, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Freddy Garcia proved he can pitch in a hitter's ballpark in Chicago and the American League.

He did win the World Series with the Chicago White Sox in 2005, when he had an ERA under 4.00 while also getting 14 wins.

The Yankees will not ask much from Garcia other than to be an innings eater, but with Garcia's injury concerns, he cannot be trusted for the entire year to stay healthy.

Garcia does not strikeout many batters and relies on his finesse pitches, like his solid changeup, and will have to rely on the strong Yankee defense behind him to make outs.

2010 Stats: 157 innings, 12-6 record, 89 strikeouts, 4.64 ERA, 1.38 WHIP

2011 Projected Stats: 181 innings, 11-9 record, 98 strikeouts, 4.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP