this is a huge mistake for the Yankees. The dude is really good, but he’s also like 800 pounds. Pitching is a risky job, and even guys who are in ridiculously good shape routinely break down. Offering ANY pitcher a 7 year contract is risky enough. Sure, he’s built like a tight end and everyone seems to think that’s a good thing, but I doubt it.

But I don’t buy into the size issue as an exacerbating factor. A study at Hardball Times a couple of years ago concluded that size and weight actually improved longevity among pitchers (but decreased longevity among position players…sorry, Carlos Lee).

Right now, the guy’s a truck. Even if they get five good years out of him then he posts either a couple of injury-riddled or average years, that appears to be what you’d expect when giving a big contract to a pitcher these days.