Who follows Mariano?

[Dr. Detfink]

In the MLB version of Searching for Bobby Fisher, the NY Yankees might have to think about the inevitable replacement for the GREAT Mariano Rivera. It's going to be an adjustment period for Yankee fans and maybe a rude awakening when the last active player to wear #42 tips his cap for the final time.

Who can match this selfless God fearing man, who stepped out of the bullpen like a lunch pail worker who takes out the garbage and sweeps the steps before starting his shift? No one can pitch like a man whose newborn had a gun pointed towards it like Mo...

So WHO are the possible heirs to what was once the ultimate strength to this Yankee era of winning?

Joba Chamberlain?

He was easily pushed out of the set up role by Robertson and then lost the 7th inning role.

Jonathan Papelbon?

Another over emotional headcase whom Boston wouldn't mind letting go. Papelbon would gladly come to the Yanks for big dollars.

FA could deliver if the Yanks over pay but closing is difficult to gauge in a place like NY. Standing up to the pressure time and time again.

One thing's for sure, I can't believe the Yanks are only initially offering Mariano a one year deal. Mo wants a 2 year deal and surely he's good for that. Touchable in the regular season? Yes. Post season? Sorry, he still has that mean streak.

Good Luck Cash.

[Pharmcat]

it'll be a internal option from one of the many pitchers cash has been stockpiling

[Wade2k6]

Well the good thing about this new pitching coach is that his staff has lead the NL in strikeouts in something like 9 of the last 10 years. He has had a lot of success with hard throwing pitchers, and has worked with head-cases (Zambrano in CHI, gets Burnett here). Maybe he can fix some flaws in Joba's mechanics and revert him back to the pitcher we saw in the minors and the 2nd half of '07.