Kaat’s Korner: Pitching, outfield Yankees’ best bets

Always good to hear from the Kitty Kaat Korner!

My energy would still be directed toward pitching. As Derek Jeter has said repeatedly, the difference in this year’s team versus the past few years has been improved pitching. What a surprise, eh! Those of you that followed the great run of the mid to late 1990s know that was the strength of those teams, particularly the depth and quality of the bullpen. So, I’d go after John Lackey or Roy Halladay (it is the ‘Halladay’ season, isn’t it?), or any reliable relievers out there. Damaso Marte didn’t have a great season but what an important factor he was in the World Series.

You can assemble a decent enough lineup with average outfielders these days. The game has changed from the days when your infielders were looked upon more for their fielding ability and hitting was a bonus. The outfielders and maybe your corner infielders were looked to for your run production. Nowadays it’s the infielders who are the run producers AND good fielders. i.e. Alex Rodriguez, Jeter, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira. Other examples obviously are Albert Pujols, and how about Joe Mauer? It was unheard of in past years to have a Gold Glove catcher as a batting champion and run producer!

My thinking, and I realize I’m biased because as a former pitcher I know how important it is to have outfielders who can chase down fly balls and line drives and turn potential doubles into singles and gappers into outs, just sign some decent outfielders who can hit a little bit but can save you runs with their legs and gloves.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.