Pitching seems to be the downfall of the Yankees’ otherwise dominant organization year after year, and the current 2007 rotation isn’t shaping up to be any better than the last few years. Wang and Mussina (whose new 2-year, $23 million contract should be finalized this week) combine to offer a 1-2 any team could be proud of, but the Yanks have little else to rely on in the form of starting pitching. Wright is gone (not that he was 100% reliable…but at least he had healthy buttocks), leaving Pavano, the Unit and Humberto Sanchez to round out the rotation, all three of whom make me very, very nervous. The Unit underwent back surgery just 3 weeks ago, and while he will be healed enough to play next season it is unclear whether the old man will be able to rehab in time for opening day. Pavano, of course, is more likely to take a tumble over a pile of batting gloves and impale himself on Joe Torre’s pen than to pitch more than 4 innings next year, and while I am very excited about the addition of young Humberto Sanchez I don’t think it would be prudent to expect a 23-year-old rookie to lead the team just yet.

Daisuke Matsuzaka has been the name on the top of every GM’s Christmas list all year, but much like Tickle Me Elmo, the demand simply exceeded the supply. Many people – Yankees Chick included – believed that the Yanks would put up the big bucks to ensure that the Great Matsu would be wearing pinstripes when he crossed the International Date Line, but their (comparatively) conservative bid and subsequent loss of any chance of a New York Matsuzaka means that they will simply have to look elsewhere to fill the gaping holes in the swiss cheese that is the Yankees’ rotation. Here’s a look at some folks who are considered to be options for the Yanks’ rotation at this stage in the game:

Scott Proctor: The Yankees are apparently considering transitioning Doctor Proctor out of his reliever role and putting him into the starting rotation. This isn’t an inherently bad idea, as he did a swell job pitching several times a week (102 innings over the course of the season) in 2006 and probably wouldn’t have too big of an problem adjusting to the higher pitch counts. However, this would simply shift the hole in the cheese to the bullpen, which isn’t in such hot shape itself.

Andy Pettitte: He is officially a free agent now, though he hasn’t said if he plans to pitch next year or if he will be heading to the retirement home. Cashman has expressed an interest in him, but I have a feeling ol’ Andy will be following in his boyfriend best friend Roger Clemens’ footsteps and will stick around in Astro-ville.

Kei Igawa: The 27-year-old lefty from Japan's Hanshin Tigers was posted last week and teams have until 5 p.m. Nov. 27 to make a bid. Igawa has a 3.15 ERA in 8 seasons, pitching in close to 30 games each year since 2001. With Matsuzaka being touted as the hot ticket this year, Igawa has flown somewhat under the radar, but he would likely be a fine – and more affordable – starter for the Yanks.

Ted Lilly (right): The Yankees love bringing back former team members, and Ted could be just the salve the Yankees’ pitching pains need. He’s apparently looking for a 4-year deal in the $36 million range, which is pricey, but the meager market drives prices up faster than a bidding war for a PS3 on Ebay. Since leaving the Yanks in 2002 (when they traded him for Senor Scowl Jeff Weaver), Ted has put up consistent numbers for Oakland and Toronto. Just yesterday Cashman acknowledged that the Yanks are indeed looking into a Lilly-redux, but I don’t believe any contact has been made at this time.

As for Barry Zito, the Yanks don’t seem to be too keen on entering into the sort of mega-contract Scott Boras would no doubt demand. Zito will probably fetch a 5-year deal worth upwards of $75 million (yes, you read that correctly), making Lilly, Pettitte or Igawa seem like a bargain in comparison. The Yanks have slightly more than 4 months to put together a rotation to back up their awe-inducing batting lineup, and Cashman’s patience and insight in recent years has satisfied me enough to feel confident that they will indeed add a respectable arm to the roster in plenty of time - - - and if he can somehow keep Pavano wrapped in enough bubble wrap to prevent major injury for even a month of the season, I believe my feelings for Cashman would skyrocket from “satisfied” to “awe-stricken deification”…