Aceves is solid but long term I’m concern with his low k/9 rate.

Hughes seems solid but needs that third pitch to be a solid starter. It may take a few years, but I see him as a starter.

Joba is a starter now since he has four plus rated pitches. His velocity was down in 2009 but he was a 2-3 type pitcher until late July when they worried about his innings.

If Ace wins #5 fine, but don’t waste development on both Joba & Hughes in the pen…send one down, pass the other around (1-3 innings outings)

In that case, Hoffmann makes the team as the fifth outfielder (or the proposed trade), for no other reason than that the Yankees lack young OF depth and Hoffmann plays good defense.

If the Yankees want right handed power, they have Tex, Alex and Posada in the lineup. The early season eventual right handed pinch hitting power bat will come from Jorge Vazquez, former Mexican League slugger, who mashed last year at AA Trenton (15 2B, 13 HR, 56 RBI’s,.935 OPS) before getting hurt.

Not that he will make the team out of spring training but can be a call up in May or June.

Even though the Dodgers have a decent rotation, all team need depth and the Dodgers do not have the established depth.

I have always felt Aceves should be a starter, as his arsenal of five pitches throw in any count is best suited as a starting pitcher. I also feel that Joba and Hughes are starters, too.

Under Cashman’s reign since 2005, the Yankees have begun to develop starting pitchers, but also relief pitchers such as Melancon and Robertson who can go two innings at a time and get out righties and lefties.

That eliminates the need for a second lefty and gives the roster more flexibility.

If Joba and Phil do not pitch well the rest of the spring, why can’t Aceves take over the starting spot? Why can’t Joba go back to Triple A and work on his starter command? Why can’t Hughes go to the bullpen for the early part of the season and throw two inning stints each appearance?

Then if an injury occurs in the rotation, then Joba could move right in. Also, if Aceves falters (which I doubt) you also have Joba ready. Hughes is on an innings limit anyway so he can not be a full time starter all season.

Obviously, ST stats take a significant backseat to how a guy looks.

That said, I really don’t like Logan, but he could certainly change my mind.

Sum total value of all the predictive or informative data about the makeup of the 2010 Yankees pitching staff we’ve gleaned thus far through 2 weeks of spring games: bubkes

I thought I narrowed down who would potentially be discussed quite plainly.

Only if the Yankees are reactionary, don’t understand how spring training works, and lying to their young pitchers when they say “we know you’re not comfortable coming inside/throwing changeups, but do it anyway…it won’t impact your standing in the ’5th starter race’”

Ace is doing great but the bread is still baking in the 5th starter spot.

Look for the majority of 5th spots going to Joba for the season even if he fails to get that spot come April. He was solid after the All Star game until they had him skip a start. The battle is fair drama but don’t let the SSS rule your thinking; as both Hughes and Joba are FAR likely to exceed as starters.

Talent wise, the other three are not in the same zip code!