Rotation auditions ready to start
-
- May
- 6
It was a year ago today that Roger Clemens popped up in George Steinbrenner’s box at Yankee Stadium and announced he was coming back to pitch for the Yankees.
If the gossip pages are to be believed, he then trolled for teenage country singers and bartenders. But that’s a different story for a different day.
The question today is who will the Yankees get to fill out their rotation this spring?
For now, it looks like Brian Cashman is looking within the organization. Darrell Rasner pitched well on Sunday and will stay in the rotation. Later on today, it’s expected they’ll announce that Kei Igawa will start a weekend game in Detroit.
If they aren’t viable going forward, there are other options.
Steven White is 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA for Scranton. He wasn’t around for long in the major-league camp during spring training but has pitched fairly well since.
Dan McCutchen is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA for Trenton. He has allowed only 28 hits in 38.2 innings while striking out 38 and walking eight. This guy is my pick to help them out of the bullpen in the summer but he could prove more helpful as a starter at the moment.
Chase Wright is 4-1 with a 2.95 for Trenton. He was in the majors last season, flamed out at Fenway Park then had a rough remainder of the season in the minors. He has bounced back this season but probably needs a few starts in Scranton.
Jason Jones is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA for Trenton. He has been with the Yankees since 2004 when he was a fourth round pick. He pitched well for Trenton at the end of last season but got squeezed out of the Scranton rotation.
Jeff Karstens has been down in Tampa rehabbing from a groin strain suffered in spring training. He is throwing off a mound but hasn’t started a rehab assignment yet. Once he’s healthy, he’ll probably get a shot.
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on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 3:06 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Anyone but Igawa!!
I hate to rehash on this, but this is from Buster’s chat log today. I should probably save it as a favorite for anyone who mentions the Santana non trade again.
None of those names give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I can honestly say (any I cant believe it) that I would probably rather see Igawa out there then guys like Chase Wright.
Our options aren’t that great, but you never know what will come about in the next couple weeks. Too early for any trades that will be worth while, but maybe someone can come from within.
What about Alan Horne? Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year… He’s returning from his injury and is throwing again… Should be ready in a month right?
Can someone explain to me why we would choose the right-laden Detroit lineup as Igawa’s first challenge in 2008?
I’m not qualified to make a pick. You’d think that AAA results are far more significant than AA results, but I’ve heard not so much. I do think that Jeff Karstens needs to be put out of his misery. He needs to be freed from the organization much in the way of DeSalvo and Clippard. Hook on with another organization where you have a chance to succeed (if he can stay healthy).
McCutchen sounds good, but it makes sense that the AAA guys would be given an opportunity. We don’t see the Red Sox for 2 months, maybe give Chase a chance?
matthew - I would not think Horne to be ready until August, provided his return goes smoothly. He’ll be coddled throughout May and into June as he rebounds from biceps tendinitis.
Igawa has been in the US for over a year now. It’s time to see how well he’s adjusted.
Probably because Igawa actually has major league wins under his belt–and he has (theoretically) pitched well for Scranton.
Jason Jones seriously should not be on that list. I’ve said it the last 2 days McCutchen and Wright have shown improvement but it is Detroit like CB said. I just hope Igawa can be scouted by someone so we can get rid of him.
“Can someone explain to me why we would choose the right-laden Detroit lineup as Igawa’s first challenge in 2008?”
Sounds like three lefties in a row in Motown. Rasner is up Friday then Pettitte again on Sunday. Curtis Granderson may be bummin’ but that’s about it.
How long is Igawa’s leash this time?
Place your bets, place your bets!
My bet for his first start:
DET: 4 2/3, 6 hits, 5 ER, 4 BB 1K, 2HR
Igawa
Oy vey
Clippard
I think it was a mistake to let him go. He still a young guy (only 23), far from a bust. For awhile he was the #2 pitching prospect the Yankees had (behind Hughes). Obviously he was hyped like crazy by Yankee fans but his ceiling is probably #4 or #5 starter.
Sounds like three lefties in a row in Motown
Rasner is a righty…
Fredo,
Rasner is a righty.
Sounds more like Rotation Roulette.
I was willing to give Igawa all sorts of the benefit of the doubt, but I’m becoming more of the opinion that he’s always going to have inconsistent results. If he can come up and give a decent start - 6 innings, 3 to 4 runs - that might be okay, as long as the offense is on that day. But then he’ll probably earn a second start and you might get 4 innings and 6 runs or more. He’s not as dicey as Dice-K, nor as lucky, to be able to walk the stadium and give up one run. But they might as well take a look-see now, before it’s a real emergency situation for them.
Darn Kennedy and Hughes!!!! It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
4 1/3, 8H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
I’m no pitching coach, but is it that difficult to teach Igawa how to throw a sinker? All I remember was straight fastballs, and hanging curves.
Some wag over at the comment section for the Houston Chronicle suggested that Roger Clemens may not be getting a lot of love from Houston Astros fans (because most of them believe the “tabloid” news about him — but if he wanted to make another late-spring appearance for the Astros and replace Chris Sampson in their rotation, he’d be welcomed back in an Astros uniform.
Would that happen — be welcomed back in a Yankees uniform for the third go-around — if he showed up with an announcement in George Steinbrenner’s box a second time?
“You’d think that AAA results are far more significant than AA results”
Not sure either count for much. Think the better position prospects tend to be AA while AAA feautures a lot of fringe MLB guys and has beens. EL and IL are both very favorable pitcher’s league.
“If the gossip pages are to be believed, he then trolled for teenage country singers and bartenders.”
Come on Pete - teenagers are not allowed to be bartenders…
KarenJ -
In my opinion, no. He did not do nearly as well for the Yankees last season as hoped, and he didn’t have a good game in the playoffs. Not only that, I would think the Yankees would want to keep Pettitte as far away from Clemens as they can control.
Igawa=Sacrifical lamb for the Tigers start. If he can survive 5 innings, regardless of the result, I’d consider it a plus. At worst, I hope he can save the main bullpen guys from not getting exhausted picking up his innings.
I still think McCutcheon is going to get a shot sooner than later. He’s pitching better than anybody in the minors right now. He’s also 25. Being older, I think he will be able to handle the pressure better than someone younger at this time.
They only need a 5th starter for 3 starts in May. Perhaps their thinking is the following:
1. If they can have a 5th starter give them a chance to win 2 of those 3 games, they are happy. Regardless of who it is.
2. For right now, Igawa is the only logical choice for the first start because McCutcheon is not yet on the 40 man roster and they do need to find out if this guy can give them something for the money they have invested in him.
3. Another couple of weeks and perhaps Kennedy rights himself. If he does, he’s back in the rotation in June.
4. If Igawa bombs, White is next. If White bombs, they have a few more weeks to decide who goes on the 40 man roster to give McCutcheon his shot. Provided of course, that McCutcheon continues to pitch well in AA.
I’m less worried about the 5th starter than I am the 4th starter. Few teams have 5th starters worth much these days.
You do need a solid 4th starter though. Hopefully, Rasner can channel his inner Aaron Small and give them a lift for the next month or so.
“Fredo,
Rasner is a righty.”
Caught that. Didn’t see him pitch Sunday. Could have sworn he was a lefty last year. Must have confused him with Wright. My bad.
Patrick,
There’s always some that are going to get away (or get given away), but sometimes it’s a curse to be a pitching prospect in the Yankee system.
In the past you were traded or languished on the farm as older vets were acquired.
Now, there’s so much pitching that if you’ll only see daylight if you have tremendous upside.
While it’s nice to be a Yankee, some of these kids need at least a chance to succeed. That’s why it’s sometimes best to let them go find other opportunities.
I’d rather have Albadelejo than Clippard.
Clippard is just ok. Kennedy is a better prospect and I think Albie can be a guy who can help them in the ‘pen for the next few years.
Used properly of course. Can’t use him as a de facto long man.
KarenJ: I think it would be pretty ugly.
Most Yankees fans I know think he did ‘roids and are ticked that he won’t admit it, and the whole hullabaloo of the MR over the winter…and besides, he can’t really pitch any more.
Doreen,
lol from the last post. Secret codename is *Hoover* you know for those _______ being_______ moments.
what about Alan Horne? I know he’s injured right now …
And Marquez?
Bring back IPK and please send Key Igawa back to Japan until he gets some braces.
Do you guys think it is improper for Torre to call up Posada and Andy during the season?
I really don’t care and don’t think it’s that big a deal and Michael Kay has his panties all twisted about it.
It sounds like the decision is made to go with Igawa. He had better throw a quality start or Yankee fans will be on the warpath and want him gone. Patience has worn thin.
Karstens has been given enough chances and seems too brittle. Time to cut the cord.
Chase Wright worked hard with Nardi Contreras and Dave Eiland in the spring and may have found himself. Too soon to be called up but a later date is possible.
Alan Horne and Daniel McCutchen are the best arms but another month is needed to see their progress.
SA: It’d be an issue if Torre was managing the Sox or the Tigers or a team the Yankees were competing against; but the Dodgers would only face the Yankees in the World Series, so I don’t really think it should be an issue.
Unless Torre starts calling them up during the WS, but both teams would have to get there first.
“Do you guys think it is improper for Torre to call up Posada and Andy during the season?
I really don’t care and don’t think it’s that big a deal and Michael Kay has his panties all twisted about it.”
I agree with you. Longtime co-workers and friends. Why shouldn’t they speak with each other from time to time???
Rob L,
I’ve mentioned this before. Igawa’s problems (dental, not pitching) are more the norm than the exception. Many Japanese people have crowded teeth. For whatever reason, it’s just doesn’t bother people in Japan like it bothers us.
Doreen,
Dice K may have walked the stadium but he only gave up only two hits in 5 innings. He is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA. Igawa should be so lucky.
Pitcher A come on down its your turn on Yankees starter for a day.
Like I said a few days ago if we can survive the Chase Wright, Tyler Clippard, Matt Desalvo fiasco of last year with a few wins before they implode that is all we can ask I think at this point.
Mel
Didnt know he had Dental problems I assume you meant mental lol
Yeah I’m not too bummed about losing Clippard I just think he got a short leash as a Yankee. I’m not sure yet whether Alba will be more valuable than Clippard but usually starters are more valuable than relievers. I agree Kennedy is probably more valuable than Clipp but their ceilings are actually pretty similar. Kennedy just has a better chance of reaching his ceiling.
Hopefully Kennedy takes the demotion better than Clippard did.. yikes he really bombed after he was sent down. No doubt about it Clippard was expendable but I can’t he’s a bust yet.
Virgin Islands -
That’s what I meant by saying Dice-K is dicey enough to do it (or lucky enough) and Igawa doesn’t have that same ability it would seem.
Mel -
As in “He’s such a Hoover?”
Hey, what is the status with Humberto Sanchez?? Is he pitching yet?
Is he a starter, could he be a starter? I have heard good things about him.
I don’t think its a big deal for Torre to talk to his former players or Girardi.
It does tell me a few things though:
1. Michael Kay must have a problem with Joe Torre. They were never close in Torre’s time here. They had a few run ins and Kay is VERY close to Buck Showalter. Like with Moose, Kay doesn’t let it go when he has a problem with somebody.
2. I don’t think Torre should have taken another job right away. IMO, he wasn’t emotionally finished with the Yankees. I don’t think the Dodger gig is going to end nicely for Torre. I hope I am wrong.
IMO, it would have been better for him to take a year off and seperate himself emotionally from the Yankees.
When you read stuff about him calling players, and not talking about certain parts of the Yankee job (things he liked, whether he will return for a Joe Torre Day, etc), it makes you wonder if he has emotionally distanced himself enough to put all he has into his new job.
Rebecca and Fredo-agreed.
I just don’t understand why Michael Kay thinks this is even an issue.
Then again..it is Michael Kay…
Oh, my goodness gracious!
Michael Kay has to fill the air with something, I guess. It’s not an issue for me; it’s clear that Torre maintains his relationships, and that’s a good thing. He also calls Joe Girardi and Willie Randolph. Not a big deal. Actually, kinda nice.
mel,
Igawa has summer teeth. Sum ‘er here, sum ‘er there.
I’m not sure if that joke translates well to text…
Has anyone got the JOhn Feinstein book yet? I am a big fan of his writing, Season in the Brink one of my all time fav sports books so wondering if there are any thoughts on thisone. Ihad heard that Moose stopped talking with him during the season but not sure if he started up again or not.
“3. Another couple of weeks and perhaps Kennedy rights himself. If he does, he’s back in the rotation in June”
Exactly. I’m expecting to see IPK back in less than a month. No reason to, except for the fact that we already know he has the ability and stuff to pitch well at this level. He just needs to get his confidence back, so hopefully a couple starts in AAA will do the job.
Rasner has shown *going back to last year) he can be a viable #4 or 5 starter, if at least only to fill in till Hughes gets back from injury (provided when he does he also fixes his command issues and gets the movement back on his fastball).
SJ44 -
Torre’s a professional, so I don’t doubt that he’s able to put all his energy into his new job. But, that being said, I don’t think it could have hurt him to take a year off - I’m sure he would have been fielding offers.
“Dice K may have walked the stadium but he only gave up only two hits in 5 innings. He is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA. Igawa should be so lucky.”
Watched a good chunk of that game last night. Umpire’s strike zone was the size of a toaster, though he was consistent in that. I’ll say this for Matsuzaka, it’d drive me crazy to play behind him in a game like that, but he made some pitches when he had to. Boston needs another reliable arm in the pen or they could be in trouble down the road.
Ugh! Don’t bring up the pitcher with a 1000 lives. I’m still waiting for Dice-K to come up snake eyes.
gayle, that was mean!
Doreen, Yes! The Boston Hoover is going to start throwing today.
What did michael kay say about the Torre thing?
Patrick,
Yes, that translated well and it was funny. At least he has teeth.
Hockey players, crack addicts, and hillbillies not so lucky.
“2. I don’t think Torre should have taken another job right away. IMO, he wasn’t emotionally finished with the Yankees. I don’t think the Dodger gig is going to end nicely for Torre. I hope I am wrong.”
Hope you are too, but I think he did the right thing if for no other reason than one of the few jobs Torre would consider accepting was there for the taking. I don’t think Torre is working if the offer was from Pittsburgh or KC. I don’t think he goes from the Yankees to anything other than a somewhat high profile gig (Cubs, Cards, Red Sox, Dodgers level).
On the “hunt for the 5th starter” watch tonight, Kennedy starts for Scranton and McCutcheon starts for Trenton.
Its going to be fun to see who steps up. You have to feel these guys know they have an opportunity to put themselves in a position to be in the mix for the 5th starter slot.
May the best arm win.
SJ they lined them up on the same day ?
Chris-Kay was saying that he thought it was improper for Torre..being a manager from another team…to call up yankee players during the season.
Torre is calling his former players ?
Too many pitchers are judged by fans for what their rate of success or lack of it happens to be with Boston. Why ?
- No one Yankee pitcher will face Boston all 19 games their schedule calls for.
- Of the remaining 143 games on the schedule, the Yankees play 11 different teams and those wins count just as much.
- If the Yankees win and Boston gets beat by any other team, the standings change by the same amount, one game.
- In head to head competition, the Yankees take the season series more often than not.
Brandon,
Yes. Lined up for the same day. May be a coincidence though.
Do the Yankees now have the best bullpen in the AL?
brandon, i think he called jorge and andy. no biggie. but Kay, as always, needs to blow things out of proportion. and i’m certain he’ll bring this trash-journalism to the game calling tonight.
I put Boston a very close second.
With Farnsworth pitching the way he has recently, our 7,8 & 9 should be tops in our league.
Joba and Mo best any combination of Timlin, Delcarmen, Okinawa and Paps.
Patrick ….
Can you imagine if Igawa had the teeth of Gammoms and vice versa ?
Igawa is 3-3, 3.86. That should come with an asterisk. His first start was against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. 6 perfect innings. The Iron Pigs are terrible. They are 4-28. Take away that outing, and he is 2-3, 4.45.
Horne is rehabbing well at Tampa. He should get back to Scranton soon, but it’s like starting the season over for him.
Surprisingly, Dan Giese has done well in Horne’s spot. Obviously he is more suited to a long-man role, but he has a record of 2-1, 1.38. 8 appearances, 5 starts. He only averages about 5 1/3 or 5 2/3 per start (to be expected from someone not considered a starter) but in those 5 starts, 27 1/3 IP, 19 H, only 4 ER, 6 walks, 20 Strikeouts. Serviceable. Hey, he’s done all they could ask for, and done it well.
I like McCutchen. I’ve seen him and liked his stuff and makeup. I hope he is at AAA soon (Jeff Marquez has a 7.47 at AAA), but as far as bullpen help, I’d like to see what David Robertson does. Robertson gave up 2 runs in his first AAA game last night after getting promoted from Trenton, but he was
0 0 0.96, 9 games, 2 saves 18.2 IP 8H 6w 26K at AA before the callup. Last year he was a combined 8-3, 0.96. In about 104.2 minor league innings, he has 141 K, 40 walks.
See what he does at AAA. If he continues on the numbers he’s put up in the past, he may be a help later.
Sanchez was just cleared to begin throwing at the end of March. His first appearance is still a little ways off as he works his way into game shape. I haven’t heard a time table, but hopefully end of May or in June he can get into a game? Just guessing.
I don’t like Igawa but I positively hate Karstens and would even rather even see bad IPK pitch then him
Maybe Torre asked Joe G if it would be ok to call Jorge while he was suggesting that Joe G mend fences with the reporters. (my theories)
Kay is a vermicious knid - talk about too big for you britches……
When will people realize that a pitcher allowing a low number of hits is generally a BAD thing (for his future value)?
“Dan McCutchen is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA for Trenton. He has allowed only 28 hits in 38.2 innings while striking out 38 and walking eight.”
38 strikeouts in 38.2 innings is good. 28 hits is bad, because he should have allowed 31 or 32, and hence his ERA should be higher.
Not a huge deal in this example, but I just cringe when I hear people quoting the low number of hits that a pitcher has given up (i.e. luck) as some indication of his skill.
Say he has a 38/8 K/BB rate in 38 IP and leave it at that.
How is giving up less hits luck? If a pitcher has good command and good stuff he will give up less hits than a pitcher with bad command and mediocre stuff.
Jon Heyman thinks he could see the Yankees trading for Joe Blanton. His opinion he thinks the Yankees could maybe deal Kennedy.
Called Jackson, McCutchen and Tabata nice prospects.
Why would the Yankees deal for Blanton when Hughes is coming back and Joba is going to end up in the rotation?
If all we hope for from Igawa now is for him to eat innings, he’s not the best Japanese import for the job:
http://tinyurl.com/2fqgzt
I would deal Kennedy for Blanton straight up but I doubt Oakland would take that trade.
I like the sacrificial lamb idea with Igawa…. why risk ruining some kid’s confidence playing him against detroit?
Patrick,
Agreed. I would so far as to add a bullpen arm (Patterson, Britten, Ramirez) along with Kennedy and see if that stirs the pot.
Blanton isn’t great. But, he is an innings eater and you accumulate prospects to help your parent club and also to package to find help on the trade market. As a 4th or 5th starter, he could help this team. Not only this year but, in the future.
If McCutcheon is viewed by the organization as a guy who could be a future starter, that makes Kennedy expendable.
Knowing Billy Beane though, he’s probably holding out for Austin Jackson or Jose Tabata.
I wouldn’t trade those guys for somebody like Blanton.
Humberto Sanchez…The great phantom prospect! That remains a questionable choice by Cashman, IMHO. Of course, no one but Cashman knows exactly who else Detroit might have been offering at the time, but to take a quy who was obviously headed for TJ surgery as a centerpiece of a deal? I still don’t quite understand the logic there…
The logic was to take Detroit’s best pitching prospect, despite needing TJ Surgery, while ridding himself of Sheffield and his contract.
So far, Sheffield has done nothing in Detroit.
Sanchez? We won’t know until we see how he pitches coming off the surgery.
He is in extending ST and throwing off the mound. Early reports are enouraging. If he can come back and be what he was prior to the surgery (he was throwing 96 in the Futures Game with a shredded elbow), he could be something special.
At worse, he could be an 8th inning shutdown guy with his stuff. At best, he’s a starter.
I have a feeling he’s going to be in the bullpen when he is 100%.
Just because nobody’s heard of Jason Jones doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be on the list. He certainly isn’t the popular choice, and is highly unlikely to see the Bronx this season, but he is as solid of a pitcher as there is on the Trenton staff.
Not a strikeout pitcher, but he pitches to contact and almost always gives you six or seven strong innings and gives his team a chance to win.
“Patrick May 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
How is giving up less hits luck? If a pitcher has good command and good stuff he will give up less hits than a pitcher with bad command and mediocre stuff.”
Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. Well, what you said is true, but only because the guy with better command strikes out more batters. The amount of hits a guy gives on balls in play is fairly contant, and not due to a pitcher’s skill.
Thus, quoting hits allowed by a pitcher at all is nearly meaningless - you get all you need to know by listing his walks, strikeouts, and home runs allowed.
And thus, allowing a low number of hits is a bad thing when forecasting a pitcher’s future performance - because if he’s allowed less than normal, he’s likely to regress and allow more in the future. Thus he’ll allow more runs as well.
As long as Kennedy gets his act together down in the minor leagues, I don’t see the need to start filling up spots just yet… Let whoever pitch this weekend and then take it from there… Best case scenario is that Kennedy is back by the end of the month and then all this talk will be laid to rest… If Rasner stays consistent, he’ll be up until Hughes gets healthy.
Clemens should join the yankees again. A classy guy for a classy organization.
Sanchez will be in the mix to replace Mo when he retires in a few years. He’s got nasty stuff, with mid 90’s heat, and probably can’t handle being a starter physically. Local kid too. Well, local to the Yankees. Melancon in the 8th, Sanchez in the 9th. Eventually anyway.
FYI…Jones is 4-0 in Trenton.
No more Karstens. Seen enough of that train wreck.
So when a pitcher gives up 3 or 4 hits in 7 innings in the minors, that’s bad? You realize anyone who works in baseball would essentially laugh you of the stadium for that comment, yes?