Left-hander Andy Pettitte does not look close to ready, according to a rival scout who watched him pitch Sunday at Triple A.

Pettitte allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings against the Red Sox’s Pawtucket affiliate. The scout said that Pettitte threw 86 to 88 mph, but that his stuff lacked crispness and that he likely will need several more starts at Triple A before he is ready to pitch in the majors. (Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports)

In my opinion, a few more starts is the perfect thing for Andy and the Yankees. The problem is Andy wants to help his team so bad while the Yankees well, need the help that bad. Rushing Andy back into competition would be the worst thing for all sides involved.

Some say Andy just needs Spring Training which is what he just went through. I call bullshit. The guy hasn’t pitched since 2010 he needs some more time after not playing in 2011. There’s a reason he’s struggling and his pitches aren’t crisp yet, he hasn’t thrown in over a year!!

Sorry Yankees fans throwing with your kids and casual workouts is not the same as competitive pitching. If he has control but not the crispness on his pitches to get Double-A and Triple-A hitters out he’ll get completely destroyed in the Major Leagues. Yes, he’s crafty and a veteran fighter but what’s that doing for him right now?

I plead with Brian Cashman to give him some more time. Fight the urge to call Andy up and hope history is revisited and give him the amount of time he needs. Pettitte’s a proud guy and will fight it but it’s time to throw the hammer down. You’re not in the big leagues till you look like a guy who can get Major League hitters out.

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@Buster_ESPN: Sources: Yankees have serious interest on OFer Jorge Soler, among many teams. Cubs are not close to signing Soler, as has been reported.

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Which of course means a team like the Yankees can come in and make an offer he can’t refuse. Something they’re well equipped to do.

The rumor involving the Cubs last night had the team signing him to a three or four year deal worth about $27.5 million. A very expensive deal for a 19-year old who will most likely need to start his career playing Single A baseball.

All of baseballs hierarchy is interested in this kid, which team wins out?

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #Angels interested in Burnett, but they are on his no-trade list and he wants to stay east. #Pirates heavy favorite.

Many would think that a deal would happen because the Angels are one of the Yankees rivals come playoff time. Would they really want to trade A.J. to a team where he could hurt them?

I think they would. No matter what Brian Cashman says, I think he’s that desperate to get rid of the guy. The only teams he wouldn’t trade him to would be the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

Unfortunately the Angels are on his no-trade list. So they’d have to really sweeten the pot for him to accept a trade to Los Angeles. Which is something that won’t happen. So back to the Pittsburgh Pirates rumors we go.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #Yankees in serious discussions with Ibanez. He is willing to take less to play for them than he could get elsewhere.

What surprises me the most about this tweet is how Raul is willing to take less money to play for the Bombers. I guess he knows if he’s not in Philadelphia the team that gives him the best chance to win in 2012 is the Yankees. Especially when you consider he’s a perfect fit in that stadium with the short porch.

Only thing else I have to say is Brian Cashman – Git RRRRRR Done!

@JimBowdenESPNxm: There are four teams that are still playing on Johnny Damon to different degree’s: Baltimore, Seattle, Oakland & NYY…surprisingly not TB

I’m a little surprised with Seattle and Oakland showing interest. I don’t see how he would fit in with them especially with the size of their ballparks. He’s no longer the true speed guy he once was. A short porch like Yankees Stadium or a hitter’s park like Camden Yards would suit him best.

I don’t think he’ll sign anytime soon. All of those teams have interest but I doubt any of them are ready to sign they all probably consider him as a backup option. Time to start dropping that asking price Johnny boy.

“I think it will be helpful; I do,” Girardi said at Modell’s Sporting Goods in Times Square. “I think we’ve had a good offseason; I think Brian has done a really good job this offseason in what he’s done. But I think it’s important to our club that you add that other bat. The American League is going to be tough.” (MLB.com)

The three main names that have been thrown out so far are Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez. With the first two holding a place in many fans hearts you’d have to wonder how Ibanez has any chance. All along I’ve said the Yankees shouldn’t live in the past and if there’s a better option then they should exercise it. Thankfully it looks like that one of them won’t be handed a roster spot.

“When you think about Raul Ibanez, he has had success wherever he has [gone],” Girardi said. “There could be other things that could happen; I can’t tell you it is going to be one of those three guys, or anyone. But obviously, we know they know how to play here.”

…

“Obviously, we know what Johnny and Matty have meant to this organization over the years, and how they’ve been successful in New York,” Girardi said. “I’m curious to see how it is all going to shake out.” (MLB.com)

In my opinion the best option would be Raul Ibanez. He struggled in 2011 but still hit 20 homers with the Philadelphia Phillies. I have no doubts in my mind that he can reach that number in Yankees Stadium, remember Citizens Bank Park is just as much a hitters park as the Stadium.

He’d also form a nice platoon at the DH position with Andruw Jones on days that Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera and Derek Jeter aren’t getting breathers. See Ibanez can’t hit lefties anymore while Jones still mashes them, sounds like a good match to me.

Like Joe said it will be interesting to see how this plays out. All three can provide a spark to the lineup but we know Cashman’s preference is to trade for a hitter not sign one.

@CAA_Baseball: #Yankees arbitration-eligible RHP Phil Hughes (@PhilHughes65) agrees to 1-year contract for $3.2M + PBs. #MLB

In 2011, Hughes made $2.7 million so with a $3.2 million contract I’d say the team and Hughes found the middle ground. For Phil it was probably in his best interest to accept the deal. With a 5.79 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP over 14 starts he probably would have lost if his salary went before an arbitrator.

I’m very interested in seeing what dollar figures both sides were going to submit if it went that far.

@Buster_ESPN: Oakland Athletics are in negotiations with Bartolo Colon.

@jaysonst: The #Diamondbacks, who still have an opening for a 5th starter, are showing interest in Bartolo Colon.

Both of those teams wouldn’t be bad options for the veteran, especially the A’s. Oakland has an opening at the tail end of their rotation and Colon could fit nicely.

Bartolo struggled mightily down the stretch but is that a surprise it was his first full season since 2005. Most of his struggles though actually came at home at Yankees Stadium. Playing in a park like the Oakland Coliseum could be very beneficial to him. Remember that was the place he had his best start of 2011, pitching a complete game shutout.

If he doesn’t sign with anyone anytime soon though it might be hard for him to get a guaranteed major league deal.

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