The Large, Old, Injured, Ill-Tempered, and Unknown: State of the Yankee Rotation

I'm sure this is the way Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman drew it up coming into the season. The last turn through the Yankees rotation went like this: Mike Mussina, Dan Giese, Andy Pettitte, Darrell Rasner, and Joba Chamberlain.

Ok, so Mussina and Pettitte: check. Joba? Wasn't he supposed to be setting up? Instead Yanks fans get treated to a rousing rendition of Kyle Farnsworth in the 8th ... woo hoo! Rasner was an uninspiring injury replacement last year, and who the heck is Dan Giese? Sidney Ponson is next to the party. You remember him, right? He's the fat dude pictured here who got kicked off the Rangers for being a royal pain in the arse and enjoys driving after a few pops.

Injuries got them here.

The major issue is Chien Ming-Wang's foot injury -- because the NL hasn't grown up.

Ian Kennedy is on his way back from injury and threw impressively -- seven K in three shutout innings -- in a rehab start last Monday.

Finally, Carl Pavano is apparently closer to a MLB return than Phil Hughes.

Whaddaya say we fantasy spin it up for each dude after the jump ...

Here's what we can expect from here on out:

Mike Mussina -- Apparently he listened to Hank, because he's made the necessary adjustments to succeed as an old dude. He's actually on pace for 20 wins. Expect more like 17, but he should remain along this same path -- low strikeouts, high hits, and wins.

Andy Pettitte -- For a guy that's only 36 and has always been a finesse pitcher, you wouldn't expect him to slow down too considerably. He's been a tad bit consistent, and you can expect a similar final line to last season (15-9, 4.05, 141 K).

Joba Chamberlain -- He's finding his groove, and last Wednesday he collected his first career victory as a starting pitcher. Expect a lot more, starting with eight more this season. In his last three starts, he rocks a 0.98 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. As the season progresses he'll be able to work later in the game, and he's punched out 16 guys in the last two games. By August he's a strikeout-per-inning guy with shutout stuff nearly every start. Plus, he won't break down because he became a starter well into the season. He should never be benched from here on out.

Darrell Rasner -- Since a dazzling start (3-0, 1.89, 11/2 K/BB), he's fallen apart. In his last five starts, Razzy (doesn't work? ok, sorry) is 1-4 with a 7.00 ERA. He figures to be the one left out when the fat man joins, which means he's dead to you.

Dan Giese -- He handcuffed the Reds in his first career MLB start, and overall sports a 3.50 ERA. The thing is, he's 31 and just now made it to the bigs. He's always been good, but never great, in the minors. He does, however, strike out nearly a batter per inning. On the flip side, if Ponson sticks, Giese is only in the rotation until Kennedy returns. Use him only in deep AL-only leagues or as a short-term fix.

Sidney Ponson -- It's tough to trust him, but as of right now he actually looks like a good fantasy option moving forward. The Yanks will keep his personality in check, his run support should remain nice, his ballpark is now more pitcher friendly, and he was throwing the ball really well for Texas.

Ian Kennedy -- I mentioned Kennedy's rehab start earlier, which is a great sign. The 23-year-old was awful earlier in the season, but things are different in the Bronx now. His career minor league numbers are 14-3 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 180/52 K/BB in 160 innings. He's ready this time, and is a big-time second half sleeper. Stash him immediately.

Carl Pavano -- I don't care if he comes back before Hughes. There are enough other options. Don't waste your time.

Phil Hughes -- Sounds like the Yanks are thinking late-August. If Kennedy and Ponson work out behind the top three on this list there won't be any reason to rush the young stud. He's a stashee in large leagues, but can be ignored for a while in shallower ones.

Chien Ming-Wang -- He's gotta be stashed. If he's sitting on your waiver wire, get him now. He'll be back in September to join a hotly contested pennant race. One in which I predict the Yanks outduel the Rays for the AL Wild Card.