~~Do you think the Yankees are a playoff team right now or do they need to add a big time arm?~~

As of now, the Yankees are like 5 back in the LC of the WC. So, they ARE playoff contenders…for the moment. Are they a playoff team? Well, they should be – even with their injuries – because of the talent on the team. Most would agree that they’re one of the five best teams in the league – even with their warts. But, only four teams make the playoffs…

FWIW, yes, I think they need one more big-time arm in the rotation to say that they’re almost can’t miss for the playoffs. As of now, it’s close…and they might miss, if they stand pat.

If the season hinges on the return of Pavano and Wang then this might be a lost season. The advent of the Rays has put a monkey wrench in the works of former slow start Yankee seasons. I thought that that team would be Toronto but it turns out that the artists formerly known as the Devil Rays have done it. In essence, the Yanks can’t just turn it on and hope for the best because the Rays are in the mix as well this year.It might be too late at the trading deadline to trade for a CC Sabathia or a Burnett or someone of that ilk.

I don’t think they can become a pitching team ,but the offense will come alive in some way. That is a better bet for the Yanks. I don’t see them becoming a Blue Jay type team (all great pitching,no offense) and winning this division or getting the Wild Card when the Rays and Sox can both pitch and hit. Their best best is to get better offensively, because the pitching out there is slim and they have plenty of guys who have been master hitters on their team and that could be the difference.

Steve,

Ken Singleton was asked by Joe and Evan on WFAN if he thought the Yankees were a playoff team and Singleton sort of tip-toed around the question after a long pause.

It’s hard to believe that so many people are writing them off right now, but without a proven rotation it’s understandable.

Do you think the Yankees are a playoff team right now or do they need to add a big time arm?

This means they need to improve the last two slots of their starting rotation – and become a pitching team. Or, they need to start getting some offense from Jeter, Cano, Cabrera and Abreu and become a monster hitting team.
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I would wager the latter than the former (will it happen? dunno).

Looks like the pitching will hinge on the return of Wang, Hughes & Kennedy returning and pitching effectively (will it be too late? dunno).

Either that, or Cashman has something up his sleeve. I doubt it, but stranger things have happened.