Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans' questions Do you think the Yankees will be as timid in pursuing CC Sabathia as they were Johan Santana last year? -- Jose G., Houston I don't know if I'd use the word "timid." I think there will not be the same kind of back-and-forth that we saw with the Santana soap opera, when Hank Steinbrenner was openly pining for him and the Yankees decided to go instead with Brian Cashman's vision of developing young talent and holding off on big financial commitments in that stage of a retooling process. It does seem that the organization has progressed in the last year to speak more consistently with one voice, though they are still the Yankees and operate in a media fishbowl that makes it difficult to keep secrets. Cashman spoke of a better discussion process in July, when the Yankees held meetings to debate trading with the Pirates for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. Maybe they're all on the same page now, maybe there's still some splintering at the fringes. This much is certain -- starting pitching is the priority for the Yankees this winter, something they have made no attempt to conceal. It doesn't take much reading of the tea leaves to see that a boatload of cash could be there for Sabathia as a top-flight free agent, and the Yankees do still consider themselves big-game hunters. But it's a two-way street -- Sabathia would need to want the East Coast, the American League, the whole package. If he doesn't, the Yankees will look elsewhere. In all the free-agent rumors, why does the name Manny Ramirez never surface? He is a proven big-game hitter and would love to take revenge on the Red Sox. Despite his contract demands, would he be a worthwhile signing? -- Nick T., New York It depends on where you're listening. Certainly in our neck of the woods, there's been lots of chatter about Ramirez in pinstripes -- nearly all of it by fans. Of course, there's hot-stove appeal to bringing in a player who has hometown connections and could tweak a rival fan base. Here's what those people are not going to like hearing: Ramirez runs completely contrary to everything Cashman has said about trying to make the Yankees' roster younger, more payroll-flexible and more athletic -- not to mention that starting pitching is the priority. Ramirez fits none of those criteria and would be 42 at the end of a six-year contract, which is the sort of pact he playfully mentioned this week. I understand that a three- or four-year deal might be more in Ramirez's ballpark, but let's not discount the idea that maybe Manny would like to stay in Los Angeles, where it's all clicking for him. Furthermore, if the Yankees are going to shell out for a hitter, wouldn't a bat like Mark Teixeira be a better fit? Teixeira is younger and plays a position where the Yankees desperately could use the help -- he's not just another outfielder/DH candidate. Still, expect to see Scott Boras begin tossing out the New York teams when Joe Torre gets the Dodgers wherever they're going. Are there any rumors about the Yankees making a trade for Jake Peavy? I can't see them passing on another chance to get an ace in their rotation. -- Jamie A., West Jefferson, N.C. Sure -- 'tis the season for rumors, after all. Peavy fits the Yankees' needs quite well and is a nice reminder that free agency isn't the only avenue, though he has a no-trade clause and would need to switch leagues. Peavy may consider waiving the clause if, as some think, the Padres are leaning toward a rebuilding effort. Peavy is due $59 million from San Diego through 2012 and the Padres will at least think about a deal if that's the way they plan to go. It does not hurt that Cashman and Kevin Towers get along well, but if any sort of deal is there to be made, it's thought that it would not take place before the start of the season. Now, here's a splash of cold reality to think about -- if you're Towers, what kind of talent do you need to get in return to sell a Peavy trade to your fan base, and can the Yankees meet the price? Don't you think they're hurting Joba Chamberlain by flip-flopping him from starter to reliever? They should keep him in the bullpen -- after all, he did have shoulder problems while in the rotation. What do you think? -- Erik S., Moreno Valley, Calif. The debate rages on. For now, the Yankees plan to use Chamberlain as a starting pitcher in 2009 and stagger his innings creatively, skipping him at times and shifting to a six-man rotation so as to not put him at risk. I wouldn't use the tendinitis in August as evidence that Chamberlain won't be able to hold up to duty as a starting pitcher. Had that been, say, Andy Pettitte, it's extremely likely the Yankees would have not waited the full month to put him back in the rotation. But since Chamberlain is 23 and they see a decade or more of service ahead, caution rules. Chamberlain in relief is a known quantity, but it seems like people are forgetting he has shown dominance as a starter -- pop in the tape of that July 25 start at Fenway, when Chamberlain struck out nine and scattered three hits in shutting down the Red Sox for seven innings. He was 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA as a starter, limiting opponents to a .641 OPS. You can absolutely win with that kind of performance and, since the rotation is the top priority, having a chip like that in-house is a big step toward where the Yankees need to go. Also, Chamberlain's own preference is to start. What are the chances Austin Jackson starts in the outfield next season? -- Derek S., Wichita, Kan. Not terrific. It'd probably take a Spring Training of epic proportions for Jackson to break camp with the team, and an April in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre seems the safe bet. Jackson is the Yankees' top position-player prospect and, if there's a need in-season, they'd promote him. But it doesn't serve development to have him on the bench, so they'll only call up a player like Jackson if he is actually going to play. I was curious what the Yankees are going to do with Brett Gardner. He has been very exciting to watch play, but I'm concerned that he isn't good enough of a hitter to play more than just every few days. -- Nick F., Lansing, N.Y. Gardner has to be in the discussion for center field, as of now, either as the starter or a fourth outfielder. Joe Girardi loves his tools and hustle, and many in the organization feel the same way. Gardner has started slow at every level but really started to get it going in September. Platoon duty is difficult for everyone to adjust to, but especially a young player like Gardner. Not surprisingly, he'd prefer to play every day. What do you think will happen with Ivan Rodriguez and the Yankees? Should they keep him and move Posada to first base? -- Gerardo G., San Juan, P.R. As of now, it appears that Pudge's time in New York was as a two-month rental. Posada will begin a throwing program on Dec. 1 and insists that he will be able to catch the majority of games in 2009, though Jose Molina is preparing for more duty in case that's not realistic. Posada is not interested in the idea of first base, saying that he is a catcher, and given the rehab ahead of him, the Yankees are going to dangle that carrot to move him along. How do Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne figure in next year's plans? And what are the Yanks planning for Shelley Duncan? -- Scott J., Farmington, Conn. Marquez and Horne both figure to be in the mix during Spring Training but are most likely to begin the year in the Minors. Marquez is in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Javelinas and will see some relief duties after missing nearly two months of the 2008 season. Injuries also interrupted Horne's year, and it would not be surprising to see the Yankees proceed with caution. As for Duncan, it did seem when the Yankees sent him out that June afternoon in Houston that it could have been for good. The Yankees just never had a role for Duncan this season and were not able to find at-bats for him. If he doesn't get another chance in New York, at least Shelley appeared to enjoy every minute and kept a good attitude about his situation. http://tinyurl.com/3jg9lh --

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