Wang called back
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on May 22, 2009 
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Although Chien-Ming Wang was slated to pitch a minor league game in Pawtucket, R.I., tonight, word is that the righthander was called back to New York last night after Joba Chamberlain was injured. It’s possible that the Yankees simply wanted Wang on hand in case they ended up having to use too many relievers, and it’s certainly still possible that he’ll just turn around and go back to Triple-A anyway. All the same, it’s interesting that the plan was (at least temporarily) aborted.
I’ve got an email into Brian Cashman for more info. At the very least, we’ll have an update from the Stadium later this afternoon.
UPDATE: Always-excellent Mark Feinsand of the Daily News is reporting Wang will be in the bullpen tonight as a long reliever. What his schedule will be after that hasn’t been determined yet.
Interesting. I wonder how the off day plays into this.
Wow looks like the Taiwan media was ahead of everyone on this.
SAM,
Repost:
Before you disappear, I’ve been wondering—are you related to that other, older Borden who works at that other, older paper?
So who goes bye bye? My money is on Alby or Veras.
Wang can’t wait to lower his disgusting ERA.
A groundball pitcher in the pen with the Phillies coming in is a good thing.
jennifer,
Sadly, Alby didn’t help his cause last night. He’d be unavailable for days anyway.
I love Wang, but I hope we don’t see him tonight. Because that’ll mean something went very wrong.
I knew it ! and it’s the right decision, he’s a 2 pitch pitcher and can harness it better out of the BP. If he outperforms Hughes as a LR and Hughes slips up as a SP you flip flop them, compete for your job.
hey, Brandon – look…Wang’s in the bullpen:)
Well, they have reporters focused on covering Wang, so it’s no surprise.
hmm shouldnt the Yanks bring up another lefty reliever due to the fact that the Phillies have a hefty lefty lineup?
see…
How ironic is it that Wang’s being activated for a NL series?
So Wang stays with NY for the next ?? days? This is a very curious move. Tomko is more than capable of pitching as the long man.
Yanks thinking outside the box, I like it. They can still have Hughes go on monday and if he or chamberlain falters, throw Wang right in there.
My guess is they send Albie down, he has options and still can’t find the plate consistently. Not to mention pitched 2 (or 3?) innings yesterday.
m: why did you say that the 11:31 post by Brandon was an imposter?
I’m not so excited about this move, though.
I’ve always thought Wang is not effective out of the pen.
They should have called up Robertson or Melancon.
Once he is activated, that’s it. You can’t send him down unless you claim he is hurt again, which would never work.
Excellent move, especially after yesterday’s debacle. Now AJ and company will have a little insurance behind them incase they dont bring their A game
“hmm shouldnt the Yanks bring up another lefty reliever due to the fact that the Phillies have a hefty lefty lineup?”
There is no real option right now, we can’t rush WDR, Dunn is atleast late July, I guess Arias, and no one wants to see Igawa. MArte is a few weeks away anyway.
Nick,
Oh, I don’t know. maybe because the real Brandon said all kinds of mean, nasty things about Tex during free agency.
Does anyone know if the new Yankee Stadium still has the same old strict bag policy? Today will be my first game at the new stadium, but i’m coming from work and I have my messenger bag.
Just because Wang will be in the bullpen tonight doesn’t mean Wang is competing for his spot or that he’s in the bullpen.
He’s in the bullpen ‘tonight’, they’ll likely send Hughes back down to AAA after Tuesday’s start regardless of how well Hughes pitches on Tuesday.
Or Wang can pitch a couple of innings today and then take a turn in Joba’s spot on Tuesday, if they feel as though Joba is not healthy enough to make his scheduled start.
Give Joba a few more days off and have him pitch after the off day.
“and no one wants to see Igawa”
The mere though that he makes FOUR MILLION DOLLARS to be mediocre in the minor leagues makes me want to jump off a bridge.
“hey, Brandon – look…Wang’s in the bullpen:)”
I know, the BP just got stronger, Wang LR, Aceves gets the 6th or 7th inning
“yesterday’s debacle”
huh? What debacle was that? They won.
Ninja, yeah same policy. I’ll be at the game too, btw
same strict bag policy at the New Yankee Stadium
Ninja, yes, they have the same policy…you know about the bowling alley right? I used them for years and they are trustworthy with your stuff.
“Oh, I don’t know. maybe because the real Brandon said all kinds of mean, nasty things about Tex during free agency. ”
I’ve seen the error of my ways. Marky Mark is a keeper. Him + Arod could be the next Ortiz/Manny.
“I knew it ! and it’s the right decision, he’s a 2 pitch pitcher and can harness it better out of the BP. If he outperforms Hughes as a LR and Hughes slips up as a SP you flip flop them, compete for your job.”
You don’t put a two time 19 game winner and perennial Cy Young candidate in the bullpen because he got bombed in three starts (mainly because of injury/lack of conditioning).
That’s just idiocy.
You let him get his groove back, either here or in Scranton, then use him again the way he was meant to be used, as a front-line starter.
I wonder if Indians fans wanted CC in the bullpen after his horrid start last season.
“huh? What debacle was that? They won.”
I consider 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen a debacle, win or loss.
There is only one reason to call back Wang last night… He’s starting tonight for the NEW YORK Yankees, and everybody else is being pushed back a day.
Well, if Wang works out of the bullpen tonight or tomorrow, I hope it’s for 3 innings. AJ goes 6 strong, Yanks score often early, Wang finishes game. Confidence restored, Wang gets spot back, pitches 8 scoreless in first full outing back from DL…
Wang said to Taiwanese media he will do his best no matter where he pitches and what kind of role he will be put into.
Wang is not effective in pen? you are not right!When Wang first came up 2005 ,Wang served as a long reliever a game or two and was good…like any other unproven starters from minor,sometimes you just do whatever the team want you to do.
Jon Ringland
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
“huh? What debacle was that? They won.”
I consider 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen a debacle, win or loss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I would agree if it’s a pitcher being pulled for a terrible performance, you can’t do anything about Joba getting hit
huh? What debacle was that? They won.
The debacle of having to burn half your bullpen. Mo has pitched 5 out of 6 days of more than one inning also. The only rested options are Bruney
“Wang can’t wait to lower his disgusting ERA.”
Whew its going to take a while for that to happen, but the sooner he begins to the better in my book. Wang can’t possibly return and pitch as bad as he did. I mean 23 runs allowed in 6 innings.
m: ah, I see. You should probably indicate sarcasm vis emoticon or something if you’re going to make the imposter charge, I don’t think most people would read that and think back to mean stuff Brandon may have said about Tex way back when.
I’m more inclined to believe that the person posting as Brandon saying that Wang can harness his talents best out of the bullpen and is going to compete with Phil Hughes for a job is an imposter. I don’t think the real Brandon is that goofy.
Given the situation with Wang’s lack of options, can they even bring him up & send him back to Scranton? I’d think that once he’s back (from the DL) then he’s in NY to stay. He’d need another DL stint to go back wouldn’t he? Of course, since I don’t understand the rules completely, I’m just not sure.
“Just because Wang will be in the bullpen tonight doesn’t mean Wang is competing for his spot or that he’s in the bullpen.”
Totally agree.
“There is no real option right now, we can’t rush WDR, Dunn is atleast late July, I guess Arias, and no one wants to see Igawa. MArte is a few weeks away anyway.”
no choice to bring up Igawa. he’s the “only” ML ready pitcher. ugh….
Thanks everyone. Yes, I remember the bowling alley, Guy Incognito. Thanks for the heads up.
“I would agree if it’s a pitcher being pulled for a terrible performance, you can’t do anything about Joba getting hit”
Correct, an unavoidable debacle, but a debacle nonetheless.
ANSKY (what the heck is ANSKY?)
You are 100% correct
“That’s just idiocy.
You let him get his groove back, either here or in Scranton, then use him again the way he was meant to be used, as a front-line starter.”
He’s at 92 mph and contact prone, in this park he has to work for his job. How after 5 IP/9 K’s do you tell Hughes wait your turn ? You have to allow him to lose his job. Wang needs to earn it back. 19 games or no 19 games, heck even John Smoltz went into the BP before. Earn your spot back, like Melky did in CF and Swish temporarily did in RF and Bruney did w/ the 8th inning.
I would guess the Yanks would send Albaladejo down. He won’t be available to pitch tonight anyway.
This move seems really stupid to me. They don’t think Wang is ready, but now he’s on the roster for good.
btw, that is my all time favorite commercial..this! this!
yanks
Hey do you guys remember the season back in the late 90′s when Mike Stanton started a game? Wang’s possible use in the pen made me think of that. It’s always interesting for me to see when those experiments happen, gives insight into the thought process of the manager and organization.
“Sadly, Alby didn’t help his cause last night. He’d be unavailable for days anyway.
I love Wang, but I hope we don’t see him tonight. Because that’ll mean something went very wrong.”
True about Albaladejo, hey its a game about results, he saw what happened to Edwar. Looking at the pen we will have Tomko, Coke, Bruney available tonight along with Wang when he is activated and i guess Albaladejo is optioned down to make room.
Its pretty ridiculous to call last night a debacle. Joba’s knee is just bruised, and the bullpen pitched 8 2/3 innings to hold onto a lead against a good lineup. Its not ideal by any means, but in no way is it a debacle. The game where Swisher came into pitch and the 22-4 one were debacles. To me, very few wins are debacles, and especially one when Joba isn’t hurt after being hit on the knee by a liner
“How after 5 IP/9 K’s do you tell Hughes wait your turn ?”
What about the other 2 doozies Hughes pitched? If you are choosing selective stats, let’s give Wang the same perk.
I think my favorite Yanks commercial may be this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRMJQvSJyQg
Will Kei Igawa ever make it back to the Bronx? I do believe he’s off the 40 man roster now – and rightfully so. He needs to be traded at some point this season, no?
“Betrayal”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUwJAkVbAHA
You may think so, but debacle is just not the right word to use.
From dictionary.com
de?ba?cle
??/de??b?k?l, -?bæk?l, d?-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [dey-bah-kuhl, -bak-uhl, duh-] Show IPA
–noun
1. a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout: The revolution ended in a debacle.
2. a complete collapse or failure.
3. a breaking up of ice in a river. Compare embacle.
4. a violent rush of waters or ice.
Yesterday was neither a complete collapse or a failure as we won. It was also not a sudden downfall, a general dispersion or a rout.
You COULD say looking at what the injury forced us to do that is was somewhat of a disaster perhaps. But debacle? Not since they won and the bullpen was (other than Albaladejo) actually pretty effective.
m -
I have an American Idol “impression” at the end of the previous thread. It was me who announced Brian Roberts was the winner, btw.
Now, I’ll go back and read about Wang, then off to SI to visit my mom.
See ya later guys.
Random thoughts-
Do you think the Sox will have Bill Buckner throw out the first pitch sometime this weekend?
“He’s at 92 mph and contact prone, in this park he has to work for his job. How after 5 IP/9 K’s do you tell Hughes wait your turn ? You have to allow him to lose his job. Wang needs to earn it back. 19 games or no 19 games, heck even John Smoltz went into the BP before. Earn your spot back, like Melky did in CF and Swish temporarily did in RF and Bruney did w/ the 8th inning.”
This isn’t Wang earning his job back. The Yankees bullpen is empty after pitching over 8 inning yesterday. They need a pitcher and Wang is available and in NY. There is no plan in place to have Wang in the bullpen and he would be starting in AAA if Joba didn’t get hurt last night.
It was never Hughes’ job. He is the 6th starter this season and will come up as needed. He’s had 5 starts and pitched 6 innings once. It’s not like Hughes has been lights out.
The comparisons you are making are way off. 1, John Smoltz became a closer. 2, You can’t compare Wang’s productivity to Melky’s. 3, Bruney pitched the 8th inning in his first game back.
Wow, alot of people take offense to the term debacle. It was in reference to the use of the bullpen, not to the state of Jaba or the game. Relax everyone.
“What about the other 2 doozies Hughes pitched? If you are choosing selective stats, let’s give Wang the same perk.”
He is 22 and making strides as for Wang his stuff isn’t 100 % back to where it should be yet, you saw what happened to Wang they had to send him away from NY to get his mind off of it, you put him in the pen, he earns it through there it’ll only make him stronger. Right now if the Yankees place Wang in the BP think about it.
Mo
Bruney
Marte/Coke
Aceves
Wang
Better BP Yes, No ?
people are acting like wang is going to be in the bullpen the rest of the season, which is not the case.
murphydog:
That was a classic. A CLASSIC.
“Wully! It’s not what you think!”
Given his current ERA, it Wang finishes the season with an ERA under 5 then he’d have had a pretty good year. Well, 2/3 of a pretty good one.
His 23 earned runs in 6 innings so far are about 20 more than he should have given up at the point he wad ‘put on the DL’. He could get about 23-24 starts from here to the end of the season, so his ‘comeback’ ERA would be close to a run lower than his final official ERA for the season.
If he finishes the season under a 5 ERA, that would mean his comeback ERA was close to 4. Not bad. Not great, but not bad. I’d like to see him finish with about a 4.6 ‘official’ ERA (meaning he pitches to about his career ERA from here on in) but he’s really got to bounce back immediately and pitch deep into games to pull that off.
“The comparisons you are making are way off. 1, John Smoltz became a closer. 2, You can’t compare Wang’s productivity to Melky’s. 3, Bruney pitched the 8th inning in his first game back.”
It’s doing what’s best for the team, no one said it’ll be for the whole season, Hughes is 22, if he bombs you send him back to AAA and Wang slots into the rotation, but right now Wang needs to earn his job back, veteran or not Cy Young runner up or not.
“pretty ridiculous to call last night a debacle. Joba’s knee is just bruised, and the bullpen pitched 8 2/3 innings to hold onto a lead against a good lineup. Its not ideal by any means, but in no way is it a debacle. The game where Swisher came into pitch and the 22-4 one were debacles.”
I was just about to say, that Cleveland game was a debacle, the 15-5 game against Tampa was a debacle, the loss of a 6 run lead up in Boston with Burnett on the mound and the Yankees wind up losing 16-11 in Boston was a debacle, just because of the fact that Burnett was on the mound and should be able to hold a 6-0 lead, last night was not a debacle.
Taxing on the pen because of a freak circumstance yes, Imagine if Aceves had pitched like Albaladejo did, that would have been a debacle in that it might have been a rotation of pitchers one after the other out of the pen to get through the game, instead Aceves stabalized that game last night for the Yankees.
Can they send Aceves, who will probably can’t be used for a few days, be sent to SWB, then return when Hughes is sent down?
Vin –
Igawa. Good one!
Maybe the Yanks did not want Wang to start tonight because then the earliest he could pitch again would be Wednesday. Joba’s turn comes up on Tuesday, so maybe they want Wang to be available to start Tuesday just in case.
Atleast Veras isin’t available tonight
“Will Kei Igawa ever make it back to the Bronx?”
Well, the D or the 4 will get you there and there’s a nifty new Metro North station….
No. The short answer is “no.” Absolutely not. Negative. Nah. No way, no how, nope, no sir ee bob, not a snowball’s chance, get the …. out of here, fugheddaboutit…
Brandon, looks pretty damned good to me.
It’s interesting that they give Wang all this time to get back to starting and then completely change their plans because of a tired bullpen. I guess they see a good chance that one of the starters will be out early against the Phillies offense.
This doesn’t make sense
Why not just bring up Claggett if we need a long man to eat some innings in a blowout?
It’s not like Wang is going to be pitching in high leverage situations… he’s only going to be a long man. If we play close games, he isin’t coming in. So there is a chance he doesn’t pitch at all.
It is better if he gets a full start in AAA and then we can decide what to do with him and where to slot him.
“He’s at 92 mph and contact prone, in this park he has to work for his job. How after 5 IP/9 K’s do you tell Hughes wait your turn ? You have to allow him to lose his job. Wang needs to earn it back. 19 games or no 19 games, heck even John Smoltz went into the BP before. Earn your spot back, like Melky did in CF and Swish temporarily did in RF and Bruney did w/ the 8th inning.”
You’re kidding, right? Wang isn’t some old declining codger, he’s just entering the prime of his career. It’s amazing how many people want to throw him out of the rotation because he had three bad starts, disregarding the excellent numbers he put up before he was injured, and two years of borderline ace performance.
He’s ALWAYS been contact-prone. It’s his game. He sure did well his first few years despite being “contact-prone”.
Phil needs to work on length. Wang has already SHOWN length, AND quality. As recently as last year, Wang getting into the 8th inning was almost routine. People talk about saving the bullpen, Wang will do that a lot better than Phil when he’s right.
Phil can (and I believe will be) an excellent pitcher in the future, no doubt, but he’s still 22 and raw. He needs to work on his secondary pitches in AAA, and be able to consistently get into the 6th to 7th inning. He has a lot to learn.
“No. The short answer is “no.” Absolutely not. Negative. Nah. No way, no how, nope, no sir ee bob, not a snowball’s chance, get the …. out of here, fugheddaboutit…’
Exactly, then why is he still in the organization?! Surely a team like the Nationals could use him – or the AAAA affiliate, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cash needs to cut bait with him and try to land someone who may actually crack the roster.
“It’s doing what’s best for the team, no one said it’ll be for the whole season, Hughes is 22, if he bombs you send him back to AAA and Wang slots into the rotation, but right now Wang needs to earn his job back, veteran or not Cy Young runner up or not.”
OK, but do you realize that’s not what they are doing?
The ONLY reason he is in the bullpen tonight is because of Joba’s injury. Otherwise, he would be starting in AAA tonight and then his next appearance would be as a starter in the major leagues.
His sinker better be down… or those Philly lefties are going to hit rockets all over the field.
No way we can use him late in a close game. He can only be used if the starter goes out early or if it is a blowout
I appear to have hit a chord with my use of the word “debacle”. I stand by it
“but right now Wang needs to earn his job back”
Be more true if Hughes’ 5 start audition were actually good enough to seize Wang’s old job. Not saying one can’t lose their job due to injury, but to do so the replacement needs to take it. Phil didn’t take it.
I would not pitch Wang until he is throwing 94-95
Wang at 89-92 is going to get shelled. Do not rush him.
If Wang comes back and pitches a complete-game shutout his current 34+ ERA drops to about 13. A 13 ERA still sucks, but at least it would be an encouraging start to his rebound.
But if he gives up a granny and a 3-run shot in his first two innings back, it could actually go up.
“you put him in the pen, he earns it through there it’ll only make him stronger.”
Wang might lost his length if continually used for only an inning or two.
As for Phil proving himself, that’s not the point. The point is that Phil won’t give you quality length. Wang has shown this capability, and he will bounce back when he’s right (aka healthy).
It’s his spot, not Phil’s, and has been the case since the beginning of the year.
Wang’s not someone you jerk around.
“It’s interesting that they give Wang all this time to get back to starting and then completely change their plans because of a tired bullpen. I guess they see a good chance that one of the starters will be out early against the Phillies offense.”
What it tells me is that Girardi and Cash are recognizing the sense of urgency needed in the AL East. With the “emergence” of the Blue Jays, there is no reason to give away games from here on out.
I’m not some bridge jumper who thinks that you need to use Mo for 5 out saves in April, but this year’s playing field is now better defined and the Yanks are making their move.
Another indication is Girardi using Mo as much as he has. I understand that Mo needs innings to get/stay sharp, but Joe’s use has been pretty aggressive for a 39 year old coming off shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, Berroa continues to clog up the roster.
“but right now Wang needs to earn his job back”
I think it’s still Wang’s job to lose … Hughes is just in the spot until (‘if’) he does, until someone goes on the DL, or until Pettittre retires.
“Do you think the Sox will have Bill Buckner throw out the first pitch sometime this weekend?”
Think that ship may have sailed. Boston brought him back to throw out the 1st pitch in their home opener last year.
jennifer May 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
” Wow looks like the Taiwan media was ahead of everyone on this”
Because our media is too busy looking for scandals……..
“I appear to have hit a chord with my use of the word “debacle”. I stand by it ”
You’ve actually created a debacle by using the word “debacle.”
“I guess they see a good chance that one of the starters will be out early against the Phillies offense.”
Doesn’t have to be a “good” chance, just any chance. The pen is toast. We’re getting serious now and you cant ask Swisher to pitch again. (It was funny the first time, but there can’t be a second time).
This one is great too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
“With the “emergence” of the Blue Jays,”
After seeing them in series against the Yankees and Boston, I’m a lot less concerned about this “emergence”.
Everyone is making great points, particularly appreciate yours vb03, but it’s pretty safe to say that Wang would be in AAA today had it not been for last night’s taxing of the BP.
It’s not a great Plan B but I think it’s just Cashman & Girardi’s only option right now, Wang may not be 100% but maybe they saw enough to believe that at his worst Wang is still better than Claggett or any other AAA option. Just supposing.
Ben (MA): Let’s talk Rays and Jays. The Rays bullpen seems to have been a fluke last year and the Jays are fading fast. Can we assume order has been restored and both the Sox and Yanks will be in the playoffs?
Jerry Crasnick: (12:04 PM ET ) Ben, I’m starting to get that feeling, even though I picked Tampa to win the AL East. I was smitten by Toronto in the early going, but you have to wonder how the rest of that rotation is going to fare against the AL East once you get beyond Roy Halladay. We’ll see.
Greg (Omaha, NE): Better new stadium, Yankee or Citi?
Jerry Crasnick: (12:07 PM ET ) Greg, The new Yankee Stadium looks exactly like the old Yankee Stadium to me, with better concessions and without the smell of stale urine. I kind of liked the quirkiness of Citi Field, although the press accommodations and convenience of the new Yankee Stadium are pretty sweet.
Wang won 19 games 2 years in a row.
Wang’s already a 200+ inning pitcher.
Hughes is a couple years away from 200+ innings.
Joba’s already on an innings limit.
You go with Wang if he’s ready.
Unless Hughes pitches like Joba every time out.
Unless Wang tanks.
You go with Wang.
If someone geoes on the DL or goes Pavano (there’s a difference) then Hughes comes up agan.
Weird.
“Be more true if Hughes’ 5 start audition were actually good enough to seize Wang’s old job. Not saying one can’t lose their job due to injury, but to do so the replacement needs to take it. Phil didn’t take it.”
Phil is closer to taking it then Wang is. No offense but Wang hasn’t been lights out and has yet to do it vs ML players this season. You proceed w/ caution w/ him.
Just want to say I was at New Yankee Stadium and I loved absolutely everything about it, no complaints from me. It helped that I went to see Johnny’s walk off HR.
Wang is better than Hughes when on. He’s better tan most pitchers when on. We’ll just have to see him pitch and learn if he’s all right.
“Surely a team like the Nationals could use him – or the AAAA affiliate, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cash needs to cut bait with him and try to land someone who may actually crack the roster.”
He is an embarassment. Still, taking a chance on somebody else’s bad pitcher is one thing. Taking a chance on somebody else’s really expensive bad pitcher is too dumb even for the Nats and Pirates. (I’m not sure the Toledo Mud Hens would want that guy – - for free).
Cash would be happy to move him, but he’d have to eat the vast majority of the remainder of the contract.
*sigh* How much time is left on that contract?
“Surely a team like the Nationals could use him – or the AAAA affiliate, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cash needs to cut bait with him and try to land someone who may actually crack the roster.”
He is an embarassment. Still, taking a chance on somebody else’s bad pitcher is one thing. Taking a chance on somebody else’s really expensive bad pitcher is too dumb even for the Nats and Pirates. (I’m not sure the Toledo Mud Hens would want that guy – - for free).
Cash would be happy to move him, but he’d have to eat the vast majority of the remainder of the contract.
*sigh* How much time is left on that contract?
“After seeing them in series against the Yankees and Boston, I’m a lot less concerned about this “emergence”.”
Agreed, hence the quotes around emergence. But, they are still a formidable team, just not playoff caliber, IMO. Their lineup is getting the job done – they can thank good health for that. The bullpen is solid, and Halladay is a man among boys.
A team like the Jays could definitely win the AL Central.
So everyone not named Brandon agrees that this move has absolutely nothing to do with Wang having to compete with Master Philip Hughes for his rotation spot and has everything to do with the bullpen pitching 8 2/3 innings last night?
Good, I like consensus.
Yankee-Phillies preview:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
Phil will go down after his next start no matter how good he is. Any other move would be silly IMO
I think the only reason Wang is in the bullpen is because the BP threw 8+ innings last night. Kind of weird though because now they have to make a roster move.
I could see this being a valid discussion if Phil was pitching lights out but he’s not. He clearly needs more time in AAA.
How’s this for a classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUJQQPSZAH8
sorry about the double post. must be the effects of caffeine on the trigger finger.
Ah, Brandon, so amusing.
Wang ain’t being Wally Pipped by Hughes. Drop it. Please.
Billy and George and Miller Lite. Now that’s a classic. (Serve chilled!)
“Cash would be happy to move him, but he’d have to eat the vast majority of the remainder of the contract. ”
Well, the Yanks are paying him anyway – might as well try to get something for him, even if it means eating all his salary. He serves zero purpose in this organization. Awful acquisition.
“No offense but Wang hasn’t been lights out and has yet to do it vs ML players this season.”
So he and Hughes are in the same club then. Maybe they can print t-shirts.
I’d buy into proceeding with caution, but you’re talking about a proven commodity against an unproven commodity. If Wang’s healthy, it’s no contest. It’s his job.
Glen (SD): Am I the only one completely tired of managers managing to a statistic when dealing with closers? I mean common if Rivera wasn’t in line to get the save, do you think they would ever trot him out there with an 8 run lead? Is it that hard for a manager to use their best pitcher when they need him, not when he can get a counting statistic?
Jerry Crasnick: (12:31 PM ET ) Glen, I hear ya. I know the Royals were relieved when the Indians took out Cliff Lee after 8 innings and brought Kerry Wood into the game the other day. If you think you’re outraged about it, you should hear my ESPN colleague, Jim Caple, go off on the topic.
Well, Wang coming off the DL could push Albaladejo to AAA–people were speculating that they would call up Robertson to replace Alby after pitching 2 innings last night, but Wang could be the “fresh arm” instead. I wonder what this move really accomplishes if Burnett has a great start and goes 7-8 innings…doesn’t this throw Wang off his rhythm, as he was scheduled to start tonight, and jeopardize the results of his next outing, which presumably will be in the majors?
“Tomko is more than capable of pitching as the long man.”
Actually, Tomko after spring training was used as a closer in Scranton. Def not a long man. 2 innings max.
“Phil will go down after his next start no matter how good he is. Any other move would be silly IMO”
Before last night’s bullpen workout this was up in the air, seemingly dependent on how Wang’s start went at Scranton. So it’s not certain yet Hughes will go down or Wang will start. “It remains to be seen” would be the most applicable cliche.
“He [Hughes] clearly needs more time in AAA.”
Maybe so, but there’s no guarantee more time in AAA will help him. Pitchers aren’t cakes, it not like they need to be baked. Maybe what Hughes needs is to face more major league hitters. What’s really not clear is if he will get substantial opportunities to do that in the near future.
Brandon Pie “Because it’s the thing to do in this stadium”
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 am
“hmm shouldnt the Yanks bring up another lefty reliever due to the fact that the Phillies have a hefty lefty lineup?”
There is no real option right now, we can’t rush WDR, Dunn is atleast late July, I guess Arias, and no one wants to see Igawa. MArte is a few weeks away anyway.
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What’s up w/Arias? Last time I saw him he couldn’t throw strikes to save his life.
DLR won’t be rushed, but could see him late season. Saw Dunn live yesterday and he looked very sharp. The recent slide more do to inconsistent work and rainy, windy weather. If there’s a need, Dunn could get a look before July. Right now, he blows away some of our current options, and he’s on 40-man and a power lefty.
I am gassed, having gone to Stadium and then to Trenton yesterday morning. Now off to see Yanks-Phils. Hope they’re not as tired as I am. Go Yanks!
“Glen (SD): Am I the only one completely tired of managers managing to a statistic when dealing with closers? I mean common if Rivera wasn’t in line to get the save, do you think they would ever trot him out there with an 8 run lead? Is it that hard for a manager to use their best pitcher when they need him, not when he can get a counting statistic? ”
How many people really think Rivera was sent out to pitch the 9th to record (another) save?! The guy needs work to stay sharp – we go through this every single year. I can’t believe someone would think Mo cares about how many “saves” he ends up with. Now if it was ARod… that’s a different story.
Girardi was not stupid enoguh to put Mo in just for the save.
Vin:
I wonder about the pitching and teams against which the Jays offense has been getting it done. That trip through Boston saw them score only 5 runs in the series. Yankees held them to 2 runs twice.
As the old adage goes, if you want to play in the yard with the big dogs, don’t come dressed as a bone. Toronto came dressed as a bone.
I like the Wang move, then when he’s ready to go back in the rotation, put Hughes in the pen
WYH,
I read your long post about what the Yankees should do with Hughes and you make good points but I think it’s a pretty cut and dry decision.
The #1 priority for Hughes is to have him pitch every 5 days for a full season; something he hasn’t done since 2006. Putting him in the bullpen guarantees that he won’t pitch on a regular schedule.
It’s obvious that Wang is healthy at this point so it’s time for Hughes to go. Phil will get another shot later in the season.
If I’ve counted right, of Toronto’s 118 remaining games, 53 are against the Yanks, Red Sox and Rays.
If you’re a Toronto fan, the correct response is “Ouch”.
Patrick-
If Wang is effective then IMO he should be in the rotation. But do we know that yet? As to Hughes, as I said I could be argued either way.
Gus (NY): Big Papi is finished no? he’s had over 140 AB’s this year and he is SLG .324….I guess he makes up for it in the field right?
Jerry Crasnick: (12:42 PM ET ) Gus, I think the old Big Papi — the perennial MVP candidate — has left the building. But I’m not sold that the guy still can’t hit 20 homers and knock in 80 runs and not be a drag on the entire offense. We all were writing off Carlos Delgado last year at this time, and he went crazy in the second half for the Mets last season.
mailbag update >>>
“How many people really think Rivera was sent out to pitch the 9th to record (another) save?! The guy needs work to stay sharp – we go through this every single year. I can’t believe someone would think Mo cares about how many “saves” he ends up with.”
Agreed. Amazing how everybody gets stupid when it comes to analyzing the Yankees. Everybody at ESPN, that is.
“If Wang is effective then IMO he should be in the rotation. But do we know that yet? As to Hughes, as I said I could be argued either way.”
We don’t know but due to Wang’s proven track record he should be in the starting rotation if healthy. I think the Yankees are relatively sure that he IS healthy therefore he should get his spot back.
My take on it is that Hughes should be left in AAA to get his innings in, or until we get another injury (which inevitably will happen).
Then next year he can take Andy’s spot, once he can go 180 IP.
What if Wang comes back tonight and they finally designate Berroa instead of someone in the bullpen? It can’t be Veras since he has no options and he would never get through waivers
vin — Why would ARod care how many saves Mo gets?
Or were implying ARod care how many saves HE gets?
Congrats for wining the Pete Abe Trophy for adding an unecessary, unwarranted cheap shot at Alex.
Is Damaso Marte alive? Never seen someone go on the DL and completely disappear.