Three Pitching Possibilities

Okay, it's looking like the Yanks will be adding another veteran pitcher this offseason, the three being mentioned as possibilities so far are Lackey, Halladay and Lowe. Now, obviously, Halladay gives you an ace, while the other two give you above average, middle of the rotation guys. Now let's take a look at them and what they are likely to cost.

Lackey is a big right hander who hasn't pitched 200 innings in the last few years, but is a "bulldog" and wants more that AJ Burnett got last year from the Yankees. His best pitch is his curveball, and his velocity was down this year. What used to be 94+ is now around 91/92. Who knows if this represents the beginning of his decline? He would cost the Yanks about what AJ Burnett cost, or a bit more, plus their first round pick.

Halladay is also a big right hander and an absolute ace. During any given start he is the best pitcher in baseball. His cutter is nearly as good as Mo's and he has a nice assorment of other plus pitches to go with it. He would cost the Yanks a fortune in prospects and just one more year of his current contract. The Yanks could either then extend him or take two picks.

Lowe is yet another big righty and he's got a killer sinker. He's got 3 more years left on his deal, and is older than Halladay or Lackey. He's been in the NL for years now, but as an extreme groundball pitcher may not have as much "league shock" as a flyball pitcher would coming back to the AL. Lowe would cost lesser prospects, but 3 more years at about 15M per plus decline.

In all, if we can get Halladay without giving up Jesus Montero or Phil Hughes or Joba, that seems far preferable than giving a big deal and a first round pick for Lackey, or a lesser prospect package, but multiple years for Lowe. I wonder what else is out there.