Jays make a pitching change
-
-
- July
- 4
-
Toronto has bumped Scott Richmond for tomorrow’s start because of a sore shoulder. Lefty Brett Cecil (2-1, 5.09) gets the start.
Because a few of you e-mailed, Robinson Cano missed a sign in the bottom of the 12th when he bunted a 3-0 pitch. Nobody was exactly sure what he was thinking and Cano did not make himself available to talk about it.
Jorge Posada also didn’t mind the pie-in-the-face treatment from A.J. Burnett. Joba deked him out, allowing A.J. to make his move. Funny stuff.
Eight walk-off wins for the Yankees this season and 24 comeback wins.
That’s it for today. Enjoy the rest of the holiday and thanks for reading. I’m headed to Scranton tomorrow for our second-annual LHYB Outing, but we’ll have a lineup posted here in the morning at some point.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
and we get freebaseball in Scranton tomorrow it seems astodays game was called because of field conditions so double header tomorrow. I had hoped to avoid seeing Kei Igawa who was meant to pitch today but with a double header need to check new pitching schedule
Jennings just posted Nova for the first game and Igawa in the nightcap
I hope Nova continues to pitch well because the Yankees might need him later this season.
They really need to get Cano out of the 5th spot. He is a disaster there. And not making himself available to talk to the media after the game is a joke. Perhaps Mo should talk to him about that. Good or bad, Mo is always there to talk about it…
Happy Birthday, America!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTt4GGqBcc0
Phew…I read the title and thought for a second that they were going to send Halladay out there again, heh. And of course he would have thrown a CG shutout despite today!
(I guess that monkey isnt entirely off my back yet, but todaystill felt great!
Sorry, my native language is not English.
“Joba deked him out.” What does “deked” mean?
“Nobody was exactly sure what he was thinking and Cano did not make himself available to talk about it.”
Hopefully, the Captain will have a talk with Cano about this. If Castillo can stand at his locker and discuss his bonehead play, which was much worse than bunting with a 3-0 count, Cano most certainly can explain himself as well.
@Gary, “deked” means decoyed, faked out.
Gary,
“Deked” is sort of like, “Joba came up to posada, and ACTED or FAKED like he was going to throw something at him, but AJ Burnett came behind him and ACTUALLY pied him
So Deke means to fake or to act, or in basketball terms, to break ones ankles.
It’s funny because CB was saying last night that the Jays wreck pitchers arms. Resident Jays fan JB got a little riled up about it but here’s more evidence that something’s wrong north of the border.
BBB,
I thought the same thing, too. Gaston hates the Yankees, even admitted it. He threw AJ at us as many times as he could last season. I think he’s trying to do the same thing with Roy Halladay this season. Don’t be surprised to see him on monday. haha.
Pat M.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
GB, Young Master Hughes was hitting 94-95 on a regular basis during his last starts before Wang returned….However he has to stay in the pen as it’s as good as any in baseball right now..It’s part of the club’s strength and is stable…I still thought they needed another arm out there…Funny thing is just last night SJ & I were mentioning this very same concern………..By the way GB 7,,,,Happy 4th ol’e boy…..
————————————————————
Thanks for the kind wishes, PAT M, and the same sentaments to you and your’s.
I loved hughes last few starts and the uptick in velocity. I’m just tired of hearing/reading about Chamberlain not throwing 99-100 MPH in the 7th inning. It would be the same tired act with Hughes, because it will be a repeat performance. Gotta say one thing….it’s been about 48 years since I’d seen a pitcher mentally age 4 years in 4 months. He grew up fast, didn’t he?
Joe(Living in Texas) your name just reminded me of an awesome restaurant that anyone who’s ever been to the Woodbridge mall knows about, Jose Tejas. Now I want a margarita and some of those hot tortilla chips.
Rob NY,
How was Hawaii? The weather was nice, no?
m — My girlfriend and I are contemplating moving out there when I graduate, it was that amazing. Anytime I can go swimming in the ocean and look up at mountains, I’m set. I don’t think we slept with the doors closed or the AC on once the entire time we were there. It was also pretty cool that most of the time the Yanks started at 1pm Hi. time.
“Joba deked him out.” What does “deked” mean?”
gary-
on this blog it would be like when nick in sf asks you an innocent sounding question and when you answer him he slams you with a pie in the face answer when you least expect it
Rob NY,
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Gary,
The most common “deke” in baseball is one of Jeter’s specialty. He swipes at the runner sliding into 2nd, when the ball is sailing into the outfield.
Randy ,
Good to hear from you. I missed you posts the last few days
For the fans that get to go Trenton games, while Vasquez and Montero will knock your socks off with the power, keep an eye on Austin Krum. He can and will hit, but, watch him run. If Gardner is faster, it’s by less than half a step in a 100 yard dash.
GB,
a question for you. I live near the Kannapolis Intimidators. been looking at the schedule and no Charleston there at all this year. Seems odd. Is this normal?
I shy away from
innocent sounding questions
mine all sound guilty
If it were up to me Cano sits tomorrow. There is no excuse for getting a sign wrong in that situation because bunting with a 3-0 count is so stupid you have to question it. The guy’s mind just comes and goes and this time he should pay for it.
I’m assuming Jorge takes the day as well after catching 12 innings, but he might need to DH because the Yanks are a little iffy against sloppy lefties.
Tough day in some ways, but a helluva win and being one game out at this stage is pretty damn good as far as I’m concerned.
“If it were up to me Cano sits tomorrow. There is no excuse for getting a sign wrong in that situation because bunting with a 3-0 count is so stupid you have to question it. The guy’s mind just comes and goes and this time he should pay for it”
+ 100
Hey guys!
Just back from a 4th party, so I missed the end of the game. Did AJ really pie Jorge and was it during his interview with Kim? I really want to catch that during the replay of the game,lol
This was a great win for the team – really, all around. The pen was fantastic – but they are burned for tomorrow. If Joba doesn’t give them length, it has to be Aceves and Tomko again.
I feel so sorry for Wang- for any player that gets hurt. This is their career at stake – and I’m crossing my finger that he’ll be ok.
As much as I want Phil to get innings and start, I think that the Yankees need to first find out if Wang’s injury is a long-term problem. If he’s just going to miss a few starts, let Phil stay in the pen. He’s just a real weapon there. However, if it’s a matter of a month or two, I think Phil has to be put back in the rotation – it’s just not ideal. As I think Pat M said before, this is where having Ian Kennedy would have helped. We don’t have anyone outside of Phil to take Wang’s place as it were. Then, you take Phil out of the pen and you weaken it. Bad situation.
1 game back, how sweet it is!
Not normal at all, Ton Tresh. They’re in seperate divisions, but, I was sure they’d be playing each other. Kannopolis plays four games in Charleston starting 17 July.
and that rumor was getting HOT!!! Wang & Gardner for Vic
Thanks GB, Usually every year I go for at least the Yankee club games. I looked several times and they only play in Charleston according to the schedule
“So, on his radio show today, Kay felt the need to announce (truthfully) that we — the two of us — are not dating and never have dated. Uh, thanks, Michael. But what in the world prompted this? Seems his radio show receives text questions from listeners and four of them – four! – asked about some rumor that we were a couple. So Michael cleared it up for all to hear. And now he’s very, very proud of himself” Kim Jones on her blog
dang was she taking a shot a Michael Kay ??
So……apparently Jorge is not some mean old ogre who bites the hands of anyone who comes within 10 feet of him.
Also, appears to be decent news on Wang. Now this will give him a chance to get the proper amt of rehab he should have gotten before.
I am not familiar with Sergio Mitre except that he tested positive for steroids. What’s his upside? Thanks!
Oh, boy. Diet Coke and Kay sure going be fire and brimstone come monday.
tom tresh 15-
this time of the year i have to work a lot to pay for gb 7’s retirement which cuts into my commenting.
joeman
July 4th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
and that rumor was getting HOT!!! Wang & Gardner for Vic
————————————————————
What Fantasy Land resident decided that was a HOT!!!! rumor? You?
For the Hughes fans–he has not done well when starting for the Yankees, except his last 3 starts. Combined, he is about a 7 ERA.
Leave him in the pen; where’s he has been very productive.
Joba is performing under an “injury prevention program” AND still has the 2nd lowest ERA of ALL Yankee Starters…Regardless of M. Kay and his whining about length.
He is not allowed to hit. Right?
Thank God someone sat Swisher–who does NOT replace Abreu. Can u say DH or PH?
With Wang out, NY should get Clemens–not Mitre (who failed his drug test). Hypocrisy on the line here…
As a 5th starter, we should all want Clemens over Mitre–or anyone other lesser player.
2 reasons: he scares hitters (the “missing “edge”) and he mentors joba and Hughes.
Also–it would be nice to see a sold out stadium again. Rocket would sell the house.
He is on twitter saying that he “is about ready to go, running in 102 heat and pitching to minors”
Re Media: he can “do his talking on the field.” Sound right?
His last season, why one would say he is done, he was a 4.5 while injured. That’s about 3 runs less than Phil in 2 yrs. The last time Clemens had a 4.5, he followed it with a Cy.
Let’s let him prove himself–everyone deserves that much.
And–he is not injured anymore.
……
Get Chapman now!
“I am not familiar with Sergio Mitre except that he tested positive for steroids. What’s his upside?”
a lot of ground ball outs
Randy,
I was poor once. I know how it feels to work. LOL
As for Cano…
He is 1 of 2 Yankees hitting above 300!
Thank God some here are not Managers.
Although, Posie should hit 5th.
Switcher hitters would surround A-Rod.
Vinny-b, thanks. Ideally, it would still be Phil – but I just love how the pen is (though I’m not sure Robertson should be up here if Albie is doing so well in AAA) and I hesitate for it to crumble like a house of cards if Phil is removed.
tom tresh 15
July 4th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Thanks GB, Usually every year I go for at least the Yankee club games. I looked several times and they only play in Charleston according to the schedule
————————————————————
I’d have to check the schedules but, it may be that they only play four games each each team in the other division and split the teams to where half the teams go to Charleston and Charleston goes to the other half. Probably to cut travel expenses. Hope that explains what I think is the reason. Of course I’ve been wrong before…..at least 2 times a day.
Paddy,
Are you seriously talking about Roger Clemens?
NY shouldn’t “piece meal” a start from the pen either.
It would throw it in the tank for a week.
And the pen is why NY is winning…thyre finally doing their job right.
tom tresh 15
July 4th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Randy,
I was poor once. I know how it feels to work. LOL
————————————————————
T. Tresh, just ignore Randy. He’s just jealous because I’m independently poor. It also hurts that he has to support me. I’ve got the best of both worlds. Randy has to use his taxes to support me and I get to antagonize him.
Hughes was excellent in the rotation this season for the exception of his start in Baltimore.
He was a completely different pitcher after he got hammered that night. Changed his entire season.
So Paddy is dead wrong. Hughes has been very very good. The numbers are skewed because of one start.
Wang. Whats the story with him? Reminds of Carl Pavano. He broke his foot last June right? It took him more than a year to recover. Why? Then he comes back, and is winded, out of shape and now hurt again?
LOL @ Cano bunting on 3-0 god he really does hate to walk. I was with Girardi and thought Cano could be the team’s 5 hitter. But he cleary is not ready to hit behind A-Rod. He seems to thrive hitting in the bottom of the lineup.
more Roger Clemens?
why not just go all the way
Barry Lamar Bonds
I know you didn’t compare Wang with Carl Pavano
Paddy July 4th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
And the pen is why NY is winning…thyre finally doing their job right.
————-
LOL. You can’t be serious.
The starting pitching has been the reason they’ve been winning. You’ve got it backwards.
The pen was crap earlier this season when the starters weren’t doing the job and giving this team innings.
Now the pen has turned around in large part because the starters are doing very well and not overexposing them.
Paddy what do you know about Roger Clemens pounding his fist? Will it happen this year?
why would anyone who’s played baseball their entire life, have to look for a bunt sign at 3-0 and runners on first & second with no outs ???
I see that ignorance and trolling doesn’t take holidays off judging be those two posts.
…Finally, the word “deke.”
“Deke” means “head-fake”, it was originally a hockey term.
Gretzky deked the goalie and backhanded one into the net…again! “Let’s go Rangers!”
GF, what do you think the Yanks should do with Hughes? On NYYFans, they are all up in arms about the fact that Phil may remain in the pen. I have been and will continue to be concerned with his innings count – he’s most certainly a starter and this is sort of an ideal opportunity for him and the team. Ideal except for the fact that it would kill the pen. NYYFans folks worship at the feet of Melancon – they think the Yankees can just call him up and he’ll be lights out (though he has not pitched well in AAA). This is not an easy decision for the Yankees……Thoughts?
GreenBeret7 July 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I see that ignorance and trolling doesn’t take holidays off judging be those two posts.
———————————–
you know it all
” He broke his foot last June right? It took him more than a year to recover. Why? Then he comes back, and is winded, out of shape and now hurt again?”
could that be because brian cashman mismanaged wang’s recovery ?
he pitched with a weak lower half and out of the wrong arm slot for months. why wouldn’t he get a sore shoulder?
they should put cashman through an mri and see if if one of his cerebral lobes is missing.
Wo, Go away for a few minutes to swim some laps and things get bizzare……Randy I, ( The Original Tin Cup ) …Great reference to GB our mentor gb…I heard whe I was playing American Legion ball right about the time The Beatles broke up, that someone named GB was it’s founding Father…He and Jimmy Cagney…Yankee Doodle Dandy….Now it all makes sense….
GB, I ask that question of you, too – what would you do?
i think the yanks should call up the strike throwing machien zach mcallister.
He has dominated AA and lets see what he can do
he is 22
Betsy,
I think Hughes should go back to the rotation if this is going to be a long absence from Wang.
I can understand why they wouldn’t want to move Hughes now if it was just another temporary fix for a couple of starts.
But if Wang is going to be out for over a month, I think they need him more in the rotation.
Others have said it, but now is when losing Kennedy really hurts. Hughes and Kennedy were supposed to be their sixth and seventh starters and now neither of them are options (at least in the short term with Hughes) when the Yanks need another starter.
And Randy, what would you do?
Also guys – did you agree with Phil not coming out for another inning? I thought it was the right move simply because he’s not a reliever – not in the sense he’s been trained as one. I think his arm has to be protected. Thoughts?
With Toby Gardenhire batting, Yancarlos Ortiz caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jesus Montero to shortstop Eduardo Nunez.
Betsy,
I’m hurt.
Joeman is the same guy who said the Yanks would be 8-9 games out by Memorial Day.
So forgive me if I roll my eyes at his continued nonsense.
I agree, GF – over a month, meaning long-term, Phil has to be put back. I think even if it’s not a month, though, Wang is going to miss more than 2 starts. I assume they will now let him get the proper rehab that he should have had before. Either way, Phil’s arm has to be protected; the Yankees need to have a plan and can not jerk this kid around.
Montero has thrown out a base stealer and since joining Trenton. That’s 8 of 26 for about a 34% success rate.
You and me both, m.
Keep Hughes in the bullpen until the ASB and give Mitre the TR start.
They can’t yo yo him like they did Joba.
He’s already got 70 innings in, counting his Scranton innings. He will get his 100-110 innings in from the pen.
Melancon hasn’t pitched well enough to be used in high leverage situations in NY yet.
Try Mitre and reassess at the ASB.
We are talking about filling a back end of the rotation role.
That can be done without moving Hughes at this time.
M….my gosh, I’m hurt that you’re hurt. You’re my cohort in the AJ fan club and I forgot you? Oy vey -seriously.
What do you think, seriously?
Early indications are that Mitre is going to be the guy starting next Thursday.
We’ll have to see what happens after that. The ASB couldn’t come at a better time for this team not only with Wang but guys like A-Rod and Teixeira as well.
SJ, Is 100-110 innings really good enough? That means Phil at best can get 130/140 innings next year – not good because that means he’ll have major innings limitations.
I definitely agree that they can’t jerk Phil around – I hope they have a plan (or that they will have one).
Nick in SF – oh wow, you and I are thisclose and I couldn’t respect you enough to ask YOUR opinion? This is not a good day for me – I need to go to temple and repent my sins. I guess I can wait for Yom Kippur to roll around, though. In the meantime, Nick in SF, what is your opinion about the Great Hughes Debate?
Betsy
July 4th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
GB, I ask that question of you, too – what would you do?
————————————————————
Betsy, why didn’t you ask an easy question or at least before I had a few Coor’s Lights? I’d have to leave Hughes where he is. As to who takes over Wang’s spot, it would have to be Mitre. My first and immediate response today was Hughes in the rotation and bringing in Dunn. Wiser heads (or smart alecks) convinced me of the error of my ways.
If anybody needs comedy relief go to SOSH game thread. The last couple of pages have me rolling.
“Jason “Giving Theo bargaining leverage!” Bay and Dustin “hitting under my weight since May” Pedroia have killed the offense.And Ellsbury, cleverly doesn’t give the walk prone pitcher any chance to do so. Brilliant!”
“Ellsbury’s never seen a pitch he didn’t want to ground out to 2B on.”
“I hope saito commits seppuku after this game.”
” I’m gonna commit seppuku myself when BBrdsma retires us in order”
M-yes, I am.
..
Guisspe–
Hughes lasted less than 2 inngs that game; it was his worst. But not his only “bad start.” Go to MLB, Yankees, Game-by-Game. He had 2 great starts, a decent one and about 4 moderate bad starts. The ERA doesn’t lie–we could go to last years if you wish?
As I said–the Bull Pen is finally doing their Job! I didn’t say starters weren’t. Gimme a break dude–and then you went on to even say “they stunk earlier in the year, which is why we were losing.” Hello? And now they’re lights out and NY is…what?
….
Rob–I’d rather see him pound the inside on Manny again. Or Yuke. Maybe even plunk a guy or 2.
But mostly “teach”
Twitter; @rogerclemens
Ask him if he would pitch for the Yankees, right now…as a 5th (!?!) Or in the pen.
L8r guys
Go Yanks. Shelly needs a shortere swing–its true. But is hitting 290. Hinske? Really?
Is it a one-admission DH tomorrow in Scranton? Anyone know?
If so, when’s the first game, and are our tickts good?
If Wang’s injury was season ending, I’d transition him back to the rotation.
If he’s only out 2-4 weeks, I’d try Mitre and see if you can buy time and keep Hughes where he is.
I’d feel better about the pen if Marte and Bruney were available and effective.
Since that’s not the case, I’d be leery about moving Hughes right now.
Betsy,
lol. I took no offense as you were asking the elders.
But don’t listen to anyone who wants to keep Phil in the bullpen.
I think Wang’s out longer than we’d like. Why rush him back, when you have a chance to do it correctly this time? And rushing him back may lead to Pavanoitis.
I am not advocating putting Phil in for 6 innings on Thursday, but if I were Cashman I would work towards re-inserting Hughes into the rotation. I want to see how much of his bullpen experience he takes back into the rotation.
I love Wang, and it looks like he had it going early on today. But we need to march on. That’s cold, I know, but I don’t think Wang slides back in just like that. As Jorge said, the shoulder is scary.
Betsy,
He will be able to pitch 150-160 innings as a starter next year. More than enough.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._july.html
Here’s a pic of AJ pieing Jorge, lol. If YES missed it, how’d everyone know Jorge got pied?
Joe from Long Island
July 4th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Is it a one-admission DH tomorrow in Scranton? Anyone know?
If so, when’s the first game, and are our tickts good?
————————————————————
Joe, I suppose I could give you a smart aleck answer that they will charge double the price and only get to watch one game. NYY has to salt some extra cash away to pay for Chapman.
Or, I could just admit that I don’t have a clue.
Texas not so hospitable to David Price. 28 pitches and Andruw Jones goes yard. Tejas leads 2-0, top of the 2nd.
For all the problems Wang had to endure this season, remember Cashman will be replacing a 1-6 pitcher….Yes each and every start showed signs of promise however at this point I think it’d be easier for the club to find a back of the end starter rather than upsetting a strength that the pen has become…..
“And Randy, what would you do?”
if i were cashman( resisting the urge to shoot myself) i’d take one for the team and resign.
what was that that saying george has on his desk,”lead , follow , or get the hell out of the way “?
just how he handled wang, cashman needs to get the hell out of the way.
Can’t move Hughes back until you have a replacement as good as he in the pen.
It’s not Bruney, Tomko, Robertson or Albie. They can’t just blow up Coke and Aceves every night to cover the hole left by Hughes.
We are talking about replacing a guy for a month. You don’t move Hughes out of the pen for that and it looks like they aren’t at this time.
..And “M”
–about a month ago I wrote that NY should get El Duke or Pedro for their bull pen. It stunk.
Then El Duke signed with the Stros 2 days later, and Pedro “was”talking to the Cubs (don’t know if he still is).
A hybrid vet-starter in the pen OR hughes is what I’ve been writing about for over a year. So yeah–I’m serious.
pogey bait
Pat M,
Exactly. That’s what I’m trying to say and you said better than I can.
Betsy, I forgive you. But I would caution against listening to anyone who would dare compete with you for the role of Phil’s blog mommy.
Plus I don’t know the answer. It really depends on how long they think Wang will be out. If he can realistically be back by the start of August, leave Hughes in the pen, I guess. He can’t be a starter, then a reliever, then a starter again, and then a reliever again. Or maybe he can, but he shouldn’t. And how many starts are we talking about, given that Phil probably couldn’t stretch back out in time for the Thursday start? I don’t know.
If they think that Wang is likely not back by early August, stretch Phil out give him the spot in the rotation. Maybe?
Also, don’t trust anyone who tells you today how long Wang is going to be out!
Remember the Royals will be shopping Gil Menche…Not certain if this is his walk year or not…..Several teams will be searching for a starter, Phillies, Angels, Mets, Boston…..It’s a sellers market…..
Starting the bottom of the second, Texas leads Tampa and Price 3-1. Price walked two and gave up a 3 run homer to andruw Jones.
Jones will get a lot of playing time with Nelson Cruz on the DL.
Somebody needs to check and see if Jason Bartlett has injected his bat with anything. His 8th homer. his career his was 5. He had 11 in 5 years.
GB, I went straight to Final Jeopardy, didn’t I? Just trying to keep you on your toes – now you can go back to your regularly scheduled drinking.
SJ, I think I agree – as long as you think Phil’s innings will not be severely curtailed next year. I just think the pen is a fragile thing. Now, I don’t know anything about Mitre – all we would ask of him is to go 5, maybe 6 innings of 4 run ball (anything to keep us in the game), but is he capable of doing that?
M, while I would keep Phil in the pen for now, there is certainly an excellent argument to make for putting him back in the rotation now. No matter what, Wang should not be rushed. Heck, forget rushed – give him extra time that he didn’t get when he really was rushed back up here. Of course if he does get extra time, that’s going to push his DL stint past a month – which is then Phil time.
And I am going to disagree a bit with SJ44 and Pat M, for whom I have much respect. The Yankees did find a replacement for the distaster that was Chien-ming Wang: the improved Chien-ming Wang.
They didn’t lose the 30+-ERA Wang today, they lost the one who had worked his ERA below 10 and still falling.
Replacing Wang with either Hughes or some other pitcher still bumps everyone else up a slot. Not ideal at all.
Randy, that’s not quite what I meant, lol…….
Paddy,
BTW there’s another poster named “M”.
Okay, you’re serious. No thank you to Roger Clemens. Been there, done that. And he’s toxic. Prima donna. Attention whore. And clueless in regards to reality.
Let’s put it this way, I’d rather see Livan Hernandez than Roger Clemens.
SJ, It’s sad irony that we were just last night discussing the fragile situation in the pen and how vital it was for Wang to continue on his slow but steady course of improvement…..The weight now shifts to Joba and it’s not only tomorrow’s start, as he must get deeper into his starts….Yanks will be fine, although there’s a load of rainouts to be made up & that’s a concern….
Meche could get pricey, so I’d think it will depend on the length of Wang’s DL stay as to the quality of starter the yanks look at. Maybe take on another of their contracts…maybe Mahay. Under no circumstances do I take on Jose Guiilen. I still think that NYY picks up Grabow well before the end of the month, though.
Put Jobber back in the pen.
Kidding!
Poor Wang. Who knows how long he will really be out for.
LOL Nick – thanks to my loving concern for Phil these last couple of years, he’s gained a few ticks on his fastball. Every player should have a blog mommy.
I agree about not trusting anyone as to how long Wang is going to be out. He’s got to recover from this first, then rehab the arm…..and also rehab from the lis franc injury. It definitely could have been worse, but I would guess he’s out over a month.
How can Price give up a 2-run Hr and be trailing? I thought is was only the Yankees who hyped their prospects?
“Randy, that’s not quite what I meant,”
never let a question get in the way of an answer you want to give
vet SP or stretch Hughes out & go get a 8th inning RP
Betsy
July 4th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
GB, I went straight to Final Jeopardy, didn’t I? Just trying to keep you on your toes – now you can go back to your regularly scheduled drinking.
————————————————————
Thanks, Betsy. I was dying of thirst because I had to put my pleasure on hold in case you got tough with more questions. I was hoping that you weren’t sadistic and just left me waiting. You’re a real good samaritan.
6-1 Texas. Price looks horrible
Nick in SF ( Happy 4TH )…..I was certainly not ragging on The Wang-man, however if someone was to break down, I rather it be him…He also was coming along, but the Yanks are a game out of first witout any contribution from him other than 6 losses…..All I was saying is that as bad as it is, and his progress will be missed but on the surface he’s replaceable to a degree…..He was a 5 inning starter….Significant loss, but he was still suspect….
here are some of the latest demolition photos of yankee stadium courtesy of Zell
http://nyyankeesrumors.com/dem.....date-7409/
Bad job by cano he should have made himself available for questions.
Nick–
Do I have to remind you of who else is already on this team? Or of who their talking about bringing up?
Clemens is a bull dog and “can do his talking on the field”…and with clean pee
…..
Its not that Cano (1 of 2 hitting over 300) bunted on 3 and 0.
Its that he bunted down 3rd–the wrong side of the field–with a guy on 3rd trying to score.
just to cheer everyone up, what happens if another starter goes down ?
seriously.
a good gm has back up plans on the back up plans.
Price just went 1 2/3 innings and is done for today
Price just got hit with another 3 run inning in the 2nd. Down 6-1. One out in the 2nd inning, 3 hits (all extra base hits) and 5 walks, 3 strikeouts. Ouch. Price is out of the game after 61 pitches.
1 1/3 innings***
just to cheer everyone up, what happens if another starter goes down ?
==========================
Say hello to Kei Igawa?
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth
cano would’ve GIDP if he didn’t bunt, so it’s all good. But 10 men LOB is too much.
what about giving mcallister a shot??
if that fails try the other guy,forgot his name.mitre.
then igawa.
i do think the yankees should try to trade for an 8th inning bullpen pitcher & stretch hughes out & leave him in the rotation.
he is going to end up there next year anyways & the innings there will be priceless.
S.A.–The sun will come out tomorrow; I’m down with the OPPC
July 4th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
just to cheer everyone up, what happens if another starter goes down ?
==========================
Say hello to Kei Igawa?
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth
————————————————————
and it splashed onto my keyboard.
m
Sorry about the cap, dang b’berry.
That was all emotion on ur part. None of that was substantiated “in reality” or stats.
I recall this convo from last year, maybe with you.
Livan doesn’t have the stats;but you want him? Clemens has the Stats, and you’d say”no”?
His reputation was impeccable before that dramatic sales job–but now its the opposite?
He’s a pit bull. Period.
Isn’t livan signed?
“Its that he bunted down 3rd–the wrong side of the field–with a guy on 3rd trying to score.”
i’m not getting on cano for that because this morning i went to open a stuck window and the top section came down like a guillotine and jammed my ring finger between the two sections. have you ever tried to call for someone to come unstuck you while in intense pain?
it’s not easy.
though i bet i could bunt better one handed with my other painfully hand stuck in a window than cano did today.
Randy I, Do you mean like a Brad Penny or a John Smoltz just in the event ???? So much for Price being the boy wonder that everyone was proclaiming a few weeks ago…He’s a project just like all young pitchers are….He’s just wild though, as home plate levitates when he hits the mound…..
Happy 4th to you as well, Pat M. I agree that Wang the struggling 5th starter is not so hard to replace, in theory, but Wang the 2B (to Burnett’s 2A) is a different story. Oh well, hopefully it’s for less than a month.
And if it comes out that Wang strained his shoulder changing diapers, he should be deported. Or worse, traded to Pittsburgh.
if another starter goes down is why cashman should get another pen arm,put hughes in the rotation.
then we are back to 5 pitchers with wang making it 6 when he gets back plus a few in the minors.
hughes in the pen depletes our starting pitching debth
GreenBeret7 July 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
S.A.–The sun will come out tomorrow; I’m down with the OPPC
July 4th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
just to cheer everyone up, what happens if another starter goes down ?
==========================
Say hello to Kei Igawa?
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth
————————————————————
and it splashed onto my keyboard.
===========================
*quickly hands GB7 some Bounty, The Quicker Picker-upper
Cano should have met the media, but I’m guessing he was really down on himself and probably very upset. I think he needs a day off …..and I think that if Joe is having to bunt his 5th place hitter, that the 5th place hitter shouldn’t be a 5th place hitter. In other words – Cano is out of place in that spot.
Who at the YES Network got fired for showing Minka Kelly on camera today?
m …and Mitre’s use is okay?
Mine as well just say it…
I hope I’m wrong about this, however it’s going to be at least 4-5 weeks before he picks up a ball ( August )..Then we start the whole process all over again….Maybe 3-4 starts at least in AA / AAA ball, so now we’re into late August…If this is anything of significance he could be shut down for the season and just write 09 off and get him rehabbed and ready ofr Feb 10…..
the qb steve mcnair was killed??
bru
yep check http://www.espn.com
pat m-
the starting five was so good this year that the 6th through 8th starter wasn’t thought out that well.
if wang is the only one to go down they’ll survive, but now that he has, a back up plan is needed if another starter goes down.
you know things happen in an eye blink. i just don’t see anyone looking very promising in house if another starter goes down.
i don’t have a solution. i’m more pointing out the problem.
maybe it won’t happen and everyone will stay healthy.
that just seems a big gamble to take.
i think i’d bite the bullet and get hughes stretched out at triple a for not just wang but also for insurance if another starter goes down.
i agree.
hughes should be stretched out.cash needs to trade for a pen arm.
we need our sp debth back.
if another starter goes down it is going to happen anyways.
Randy,
Now that was funny. And my fiance yelled at me when I laughed, “for not watching the fireworks. And bein on that dammed thing again!”
She could probably do the same. My granny could!
pat m -
it crossed my mind that wang might be done for the year too.
i’d rather see hughes in there if that’s the case.
Randy I, I fthat is indeed the case, Cashamn will need to spend heavily for a pen replacement for Phil…I was worried that they needed another to go with what they already have out there….Losing Kennedy is the killer right now…In the offseason the Yanks were deep 1 thru 7 in the depth chart, still 1 arm short I thought…Maybe not as concerned as you were preaching back in early March when Wang didn’t look good and was hustled out to minor league games on field b…..My concern with moving Phil is that the bullpen has become a strength and is very reliable during the past 2-3 weeks…..Hate to go through the audtion process all over again…Tomorrow is the 1/2 way pole…..
Huge game for Pirela, Joseph and Banuelos so far through 5 innings for Charleston.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_ashafx_1
GB, with the way you drink, I guess your keyboard is used to that, lol
A few years ago I was in New Orleans and I was hanging out at this really cool, old bar, talking to this guy. We were waiting for some fireworks to start and I was having a Pimm’s Cup (famous N.O. cocktail). I don’t drink and I just came off a delicious, very rich dinner. We decided to go outside and as soon as we got outside the bar, I threw up in the street, lol. That’s my big drinking story -
Why not pitch Aceves in Wang’s spot and call up Melancon?
If Hughes has to start, then put Clemens in the pen.
I said it for El Duke and for Pedro already this year. Clemens is no different.
And obv pitchers throw even harder in relief…
Du’Oh-got yelled at again.
Gotta go.
Great stuff Peter.
GB, with the way you drink, I’ll bet your keyboard is used to that
i am confident we will gain another good pitcher after the auditions from the minor leagues.
just have a gut feeling.
Montero is having a rough night on offense. 0-3 with two groundouts and a strikeout. Write him off as a flop and over-hyped.
I trust Aceves in a start more than McAllister or Nova. Aceves can be effective through the order multiple times and he doesn’t need to be stretched out because he’s a finesse pitcher. His arm is elastic.
Besides, if McAllister or Nova are needed in an emergency trade then the Yankees run the risk of exposing them in a callup.
list of 2010 FA’s one might help for the rest of the year,lot of injured players on this list
Brandon Backe (32)
Miguel Batista (39)
Erik Bedard (31)
Kris Benson (34)
Daniel Cabrera (29)
Chris Capuano (31)
Bartolo Colon (37)
Jose Contreras (38)
Doug Davis (34)
Justin Duchscherer (32)
Adam Eaton (32)
Shawn Estes (37)
Josh Fogg (33)
Freddy Garcia
Tom Glavine (44)
Mike Hampton (37)
Rich Harden (28)
Mark Hendrickson (36)
Livan Hernandez (35)
Jason Jennings (31)
Jason Johnson (36)
Randy Johnson (46)
John Lackey (31)
Cliff Lee 31
Braden Looper (35)
Rodrigo Lopez (34)
Jason Marquis (31)
Kevin Millwood (35)
Brian Moehler (38)
Brett Myers (29)
Vicente Padilla (32)
Chan Ho Park (37)
John Parrish (32)
Carl Pavano (34)
Brad Penny (32)
Odalis Perez (33)
Andy Pettitte (38)
Joel Pineiro (31)
Sidney Ponson (33)
Mark Prior (28)
Horacio Ramirez (30)
Jason Schmidt (37)
John Smoltz (43)
Tim Wakefield (43)
Jarrod Washburn (35)
Brandon Webb (31)
Todd Wellemeyer (31)
Kip Wells (33)
Randy Wolf (33)
Betsy
July 4th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
GB, with the way you drink, I’ll bet your keyboard is used to that
————————————————————
Nah. I learned a long time ago to have a garbage can and a port-o-let next to the computer.
You can’t take Aceves out of the pen – that would be a killer….
if mcallister or nova pitch well we find another starter & might not need to trade or get more back in return.
I like Aceves.
He reminds me of a young, cool El Duke He makes good pitches and doesn’t overthrow.
Cool-hand Aceves…
I like Aceves.
He reminds me of a young, cool El Duke He makes good pitches and doesn’t overthrow.
Cool-hand Aceves…
True if McAllister or Nova pitch well in a spot start it ups their value but their value is escalating in the minors regardless of a callup.
Would replacing Aceves with Melancon really lead to an implosion?
I’d think Aceves can pitch as competitively as the Wang of recent and replacing Wang in the rotation is far more crucial to the team’s success than one bullpen slot even if that slot is held by a guy who throws strikes and is used in high leverage situations.
I just don’t know when the pen was this good at this stage of the season…Last year they jelled however it was in the tail end of the 08 campaign….This is a pennant race….Need to find someone who can be a .500 type starter….Or go out and get Street / Bell …
Price just got hit with another 3 run inning in the 2nd. Down 6-1. One out in the 2nd inning, 3 hits (all extra base hits) and 5 walks, 3 strikeouts. Ouch. Price is out of the game after 61 pitches.
__________
Put him in the bullpen!
We can always try to buy back Rasner from Japan.
randy,
I agree with you, the Yanks need better rotation depth.
That’s why I argued (and continue to argue) the choice of putting Hughes in the pen. He was the 6th starter, and a damn good one too. Losing Ian Kennedy also hurt the depth of the rotation.
I think a rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Chamberlain and Pettitte backed up with Hughes, Kennedy and possibly some of the guys like Nova, Kontos, McAllister is great. Great starting 5, great depth.
Unfortunately the Yanks got hit with an injury to Wang and injures to the depth – Kontos and Kennedy. Then Cashman decides to make Hughes a reliever for the rest of the year. That’s another hit to the depth.
I’m a Cashman supporter (as you know) but this is one area where I think he has done a bad job.
I hate to say “I told you so” to those that wanted to keep Hughes in the bullpen but I think it will be a problem this year.
Would replacing Aceves with Melancon really lead to an implosion?
it might & might result in using hughes more.
i would trade for an 8th inning pitcher,move hughes back.
he is starting next year anyways & he will be better for it.
we can also audition some of our kids & that will eventually work.
someone has too stick.
my only concern is another injured starter.
what now?
if you think they won’t pull hughes after another injury we are all crazy.
we won’t pull him for one injured starter but will for two????
We’ll find out what they do with Hughes if they make a deal for RP this week.
How quickly Cashman and the Yankees went from dealing from a position of strength to a position of need. In the blink of an eye, literally. Now, the price for whatever it is they go after (starter or relief arm) will certainly be higher. Unless they take a shot on some minor league arm and get lightning in a bottle for just long enough.
hughes has to be put back.
it is easier & cheaper to trade for a pen arm.
we now have 4 starters.
I really think Aceves can give us good innings out of the rotation. The more quality innings we get from the starters, the more pressure it takes off a bullpen without Aceves in it.
Nevertheless, I’m all for getting Heath Bell to replace Aceves in the bullpen. Heath Bell throws strikes and has enough experience in the late innings that I would trust him in the AL East. He’s having a monster year and playing on a non-contender. The Pads will very likely be one of the few sellers in an otherwise tight market.
Doreen
July 4th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
How quickly Cashman and the Yankees went from dealing from a position of strength to a position of need. In the blink of an eye, literally. Now, the price for whatever it is they go after (starter or relief arm) will certainly be higher. Unless they take a shot on some minor league arm and get lightning in a bottle for just long enough.
————————————————————
The Yanks need to put an APB out on Aaron Small.
i think cashman trades for a starter & leaves ace & hughes in the pen.
how about halladay? lol
bru at this point it’s too premature to say Hughes needs to go to the rotation.
He is at a 45-50 pitch limit right now. Wang is predicted to be back in a month. If Hughes starts working in the rotation how long would it take to get back to full strength? 3-5 starts? That’s almost a month right there.
So you weaken your bullpen and throw a guy out there on a 50 pitch count which also weakens your starting rotation. They have to go with Mitre/Igawa/Nova.
I wouldn’t make a move for a starter either, any move they make won’t be worth it. You either pay a little for a crappy fifth starter who won’t be any better than Mitre/Igawa/Nova or you pay a ton for a big time starter that won’t be needed in a month.
The market for starters will be ridiculously pricey, bru. Even a quality late-innings reliever like Bell will put a dent in our roster. But like they say, you have to give to get.
More than anything, I’m anxious to see Aceves in the rotation. He could be mowing down lineups with even greater success than Chin Ming Wang circa 2009.
If we are stuck for a month with say Mitre as the fifth starter it is manageable.
First of all we only need one start out of him before the all-star break. So really how many starts will he throw? 4-5?
Just keep him on a short leash and make sure your bullpen is well rested. I’m fine with Mitre going 4-5 or whatever he can give you and finishing out with Hughes, Aceves, Coke, etc. All 3 of those guys can go ~50 pitches.
Cashman just better hope that nobody else in the rotation goes down. If that happens we are really in trouble.
I’d also like to add that I always thought they need to add a bullpen arm regardless, especially with Hughes being an experiment and Bruney being so fragile.
Jeter’s girl is a chubby chick. She’s got real beefy legs.
http://www.hipsterwave.com/wp-.....-kelly.jpg
I don’t know BC I think she looks pretty good in that photo
getting a pen arm might not cost as much as you think.
look at what the mets gave up for santanna.
absolutely nothing.
15 pitch increase each start hughes is at 90 pitches in 3 starts.
i only would do it if we trade for a pen arm though.
patrick-
as i said before, the yankees are thin now , but could get by if no one else gets hurt. they should have had hughes going two innings more often as pete suggested a few days ago and i think sometimes three innings just in case they needed him as a starter.
they can’t afford a month to stretch him out from one inning to six.from three innings to six is a whole lot easier.
to me, it’d be smart to think ahead and start the stretching out process before someone else goes down and not after.
BC July 4th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Jeter’s girl is a chubby chick. She’s got real beefy legs.
Thats chubby to you?
I’ve never pitched before. But I would like to give it a go.
I think I top out at 50mph.
Cashman just better hope that nobody else in the rotation goes down. If that happens we are really in trouble.
————————————————————
this is why i say hughes should be put back.
he will be stretched out if we get another injury.
trade for a pen arm & the bullpen is as good or better,we have 5 starters & then if we get another injury we can use the minor leaguers & or ace.
Ponsanity 3.0?
He’s got more street cred now, too.
“15 pitch increase each start hughes is at 90 pitches in 3 starts.”
no way jose.
that’s what joba did and didn’t last 8-9 starts before going down.
i say take a month to stretch him out.,and then he’s ready for august and september.
Yeah I think that’s a beefy chick. Nice head, fat legs.
not do we only have 4 starters if we get another injury we are down to 3.
big trouble.
hughes makes 5 again & when wang comes back we are back to 6.
too much too risk.
look how a few minor in house adjustments turned our pen around.
we need to trade for a solid 8th inning arm & put hughes back in the rotation where he belongs.
randy,
You are right, that would have been smart of Girardi/Cashman.
I think it’s too late to stretch out Hughes and put him into the rotation. I’d keep him in the pen for the rest of this season.
The Yanks better hope Wang returns in a month ready to go. They also are banking on Mitre, Nova and Igawa as effective major league starters. Finally they are dependent on Sabathia, Burnett, Chamberlain and Pettitte staying healthy for the rest of the season.
That’s a lot of hopes and wishes… I don’t like it.
BC, Did you pass the eye exam at the DMV ???? Whatever they decide to do, I suspect it’s going to happen before the break…..I hate to mess with the bullpen at this stage being it’s finally has come together….I think Wang maybe done for the season….Best case scenero would have him back by late August…..After tomorrow there’s just 81 games left….
Patrick
if another starter get hurt do you think they put hughes back in the rotation??
“BC, Did you pass the eye exam at the DMV ????”
lol.
Late August? I can think of better best-case scenarios than that.
“I think Wang is maybe done for the season”
it would be smart to assume that, and then if he does come back it’d be a bonus.
i like hughes in the pen but starting pitching is more important than the pen.
we can just as easily pull a minor leaguer & put him in the pen & not skip a beat imo.
I remember people saying David Price was better than Hughes. But he hasn’t been lately. Hughes was never this bad.
why not try dunn or mcallister in the pen or trade for an arm?
igotid88
July 4th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I remember people saying David Price was better than Hughes. But he hasn’t been lately. Hughes was never this bad.
———————————————————–
i would not say that.
hughes had some very bad starts
I feel bad for Wang. It looks like won’t get a huge payday those two 19 win seasons would get most pitchers. But he’s had problems with his shoulder before. Or some part of his arm.
“if another starter get hurt do you think they put hughes back in the rotation??”
Probably. Right now though you can get by with Mitre for a month.
If you want Hughes in the rotation you basically lose him for a month so he can get stretched out. You don’t want to let him do it in the big leagues. We saw how that worked out for Joba last year – not well.
So are you willing to weaken your bullpen on the off chance that another starter gets injured? Either way you are stuck with Mitre for a month.
Cashman and Girardi made this bed now they have to sleep in it. It’s too risky to move Hughes again.
———————————————————–
i would not say that.
hughes had some very bad starts
______________________________________
Not in terms of walks and not lasting past the 3rd. I know Hughes had his share. But most of those you can blame on the injuries. But Price throws 98mph. And supposedly has better makeup pitches. Hughes was doing it with a fb and curve.
If you want Hughes in the rotation you basically lose him for a month so he can get stretched out. You don’t want to let him do it in the big leagues. We saw how that worked out for Joba last year – not well.
——————————————
They could stretch him out in the bullpen. Just give 2 inning or 3 inning outings. Pitch during Joba’s starts.
Can someone please tell me when the Futures game is?
Thanks, & happy 4th!
igotid88,
No they can’t. Maybe he can throw 2-3 innings out of the pen but what happens when he needs to throw 4-5?
We saw what happened when they tried to stretch out Joba last year. He hurt his shoulder. I don’t want that to happen again. The smart move is to let him get stretched out in Scranton where he isn’t throwing important innings and they can take it slow.
This team can’t afford to lose Hughes for a month, it’s not worth it.
i am advocating trading for a pen arm tonight,sending hughes down to get stretched out in anticipation of another injury.
the trade replaces hughes so the pen does not suffer.
the huge mistake was putting hughes there in the first place.
i remember thinking so when they did it.
we had debth that we didn’t have for years.
Paddy,
Hello? Clemens is old. I was joking about Livan. He’s an inside LoHud joke.
And people who say we’re replacing a 5th starter, and one that wasn’t even doing well. That’s a ridiculous stance. That’s what we did with Razz & Pontoon. They won’t do it 2 years in a row, and risk missing the playoffs again. There are 4 playoff teams in our division alone. They’re not going to roll the dice on this one.
the bullpen always fixes itself,the rotation doesn’t.usually.
we should of kept hughes in the rotation & auditioned minor leaguers like dunn,mcallister & or traded for a pen arm.
Who do you make a trade with?
very bad move putting hughes in the pen.
IrishCarBomb
July 4th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Who do you make a trade with?
————————————————————
cash needs too get on the phone & find out or just plug the hole with our kids.
my only concern is if we get another injured starter we are in trouble.
Cashman has a hole in the rotation….Now it will take at least 3-4 weeks before Hughes would be ready to join the staff…In the meantime, Cashman still has that hole in the rotation, plus no he has a HUGE whole in the 8th inning slot….2 holes for the price of one…..Hughes stays, get a starter from somewhere and hope he can be a decent # 5 and give you as close to a even ( .500 ) record as possible…
Nick in SF-
Are you on still???
Did I call this win last night or what??
I am also telling you all… my pretend boyfriend Johnny Damon is going to go on such a spree he will make it difficult not to be resigned
I thought Joba got injured last year because of the throw by Posada. Where Joba extended his arm. Getting his innings up here won’t hurt Hughes.
Erica – newly OPPC
He redeemed himself from last night
now hughes is being cloned into 2 players??
j/k
PatM – I agree with you. Why create a second problem? I can see using Hughes for 2-3 inning stretches, as a bit of inusrance, but for what it’s worth, I think we looking at Sergio Mitre. Heck, I don’t think they signed the guy to back up Kei Igawa. Plus, from what I’ve read, Joe really liked him with the Marlins.
I can see Wang to the DL now, bring up another BP arm, and then send down either that guy or Robertson, whomever is doing less well, and bringing up Mitre for that start.
Carl-
Haha. He needed no redemption. They won last night so all is automatically forgiven. And I told you, I didn’t see the play so it didn’t happen.
He is going to play so well the rest of the season because he knows it will break my heart if he’s not back next season
mitre had a 1.48 whip & the league batted 3.03 against him in 07 in the nl.
this could get ugly.
try mcallister.
m
July 4th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Paddy,
Hello? Clemens is old. I was joking about Livan. He’s an inside LoHud joke.
And people who say we’re replacing a 5th starter, and one that wasn’t even doing well. That’s a ridiculous stance. That’s what we did with Razz & Pontoon. They won’t do it 2 years in a row, and risk missing the playoffs again. There are 4 playoff teams in our division alone. They’re not going to roll the dice on this one.
————————————————————
You realize that you just broke a certain little fella’s heart don’t you?
Erica: if you’re referring to how *I* called this win because of song “Heroes” appearing on a live Yo La Tengo cd I got in the mail yesterday, then yes you did.
Nick in SF-
Remember how I said, we will prevail over Halladay. I believe in baseball miracles
You guys hear about Steve McNair?
Count on Wang being done for the year. Even if he’s healthy in a month, figure on him having to prove himself sound (mentally and physically) with multiple starts at Scranton. Even Cashman won’t be dumb enough to rush him back a second time.
The only way Huge comes out of the pen now is if Joba replaces him. That’s probably not happening. But I think we’ve all seen over the last two weeks the value in having a quality guy in front of Mo. With the team finally firing on all cylinders, gambling that Phil can jump seemlessly into the rotation, while Bruney or some rook can duplicate what he’s done in the pen, would be insanity.
And anyone who whines, “What about Hughes’ innings quota?” can, respectfully, go crap in their hat.
I’d go with Aceves in the rotation and believe he’ll pitch better going forward than Wang has, even lately. He’s been big in the pen, sure, but I feel better replacing his innings with the Robertsons and Melancons than I do Phil’s.
When Burnett and/or Joba go down? (Andy’s not leaving his innings bonus on the table.) Cross that bridge when you come to it.
I think the sequence was something like this:
Nick in SF: Due to an omen related to the song “Heroes”, the Yankees will win tomorrow.
Erica: I don’t know, Halladay is pretty good….
Nick in SF: Trust me, I know about these things. Just say that you believe in baseball miracles and this one can some true.
Erica: well…
Nick in SF: seriously, just say it.
Erica: ok, I believe in baseball miracles.
“Jeter’s girl is a chubby chick. She’s got real beefy legs.”
Are you kidding me?! Thats chubby to you? Thats why people wonder why little girls starve themselves, and purge.
I’m not sure you make Aceves a starter. He’s Mr. Versatility in the ‘pen. One person, many different uses. Not so easy to replace him.
And if you’re talking about messing with the bullpen after it’s finally gotten it together, Aceves has been as much a reason as Hughes, so, maybe not.
Pope and Jesus:
http://thunderbaseball.files.w.....&h=338
I hear you, Doreen, but I feel either Hughes or Aceves can be a solid starter, while only Hughes has the stuff to pitch the 8th inning down the stretch.
For my money, Mitre = Tomko = Rasner = Ponson.
Don’t know if this was posted today.
You guys are funny. We had a camera malfunction yesterday and couldn’t do a postgame interview on the field because of it. I was explaining that to Zillo. That’s it. Hopefully, the camera works today.
http://kimberlyjones.mlblogs.com/
wes Yeah, I just read murder suicide hasn’t been ruled out.
randyhater -
There’s not going to be a perfect solution, I guess. I don’t disagree with you; but who will be the bridge to Phil?
It just really stinks – finally seemed like things were falling into place. Now it’s kind of back to the drawing board.
Bc
you seem to be one of those people who like women shaped like a man straight up and down,no curves.
A wise person shared with me once that,Nobody wants a bone but a dog,and even he likes a little meat on it!!
Nick in SF-
That is quite a bedtime story. Hahaha
Next you are going to tell me everytime Cano successfully bunts an angel gets its wings.
It’s okay. We both know the truth
Please, Wang is now done for the year? Is the sky falling, too?
Paddy,
El Duque signed with the Rangers, not the Astros.
I am off to bed everyone! I won’t be on again tomorrow because I will be very busy at the beach. Happy Yankee viewing to all!! And to everyone attending the annual LHYB outing, I hope you have a wonderful time!
Good night Yankee people!
Awesome. Now we can definitely take the series! Bravo Yankees! You surprised me today!
Sorry, didn’t mean that to come off as snippy, but I don’t get why now we should assume Wang is done for the season when the Yankees think he could be back in a month. Even if it’s a month and a half, there’s still time for Wang to come back and make an impact. Of course by then, Phil will have been in the rotation – if he’s doing well, it’s going to be hard to take him out. I guess we’ll cross the bridge when we get to it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4305635
Im sure this is old news but I just heard about it…YAY!! Idk if that means he was clean his whole career, or just that year, but thank god!
Kepner also thinks it will be Mitre on Thursday.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....n-bullpen/
You guys think Jorge will get the day off tomorrow after catching 12 innings today?
According to brass, Hughes to stay in bullpen, because he’s been in there TOO long.
jennifer,
Yes…
So happy the Yankees beat Halladay.The look on his face when the Yankees scored on him,was the best.He didn’t bring it yesterday
“http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4305635
Im sure this is old news but I just heard about it…YAY!! Idk if that means he was clean his whole career, or just that year, but thank god!”
__________________________________________________________
I wish they could just reveal that whole list already. Get it over with. They’re all going to get caught eventually.
I wish Wang didn’t get injured. He was looking pretty good for a decent stretch. His pitch count was amazing. I hope they don’t rush him and let him do a Rehab decent rehab stint.
Betsy –
I hope Wang comes back,but bursitis can be tricky.
Look at Brandon Webb from Arizona. He’s been on the DL almost the entire year with shoulder bursitis.
The Yanks should hope for the best but plan for the worst.
DT – no doubt, but I don’t think we should assume anything at this point. If Wang is going to miss more than a month (3/4 starts), then Phil goes back in the rotation…the only problem with that is, there will be a huge hole in the pen unless an arm is acquired now. I’m for keeping Phil in the pen now, but I admit I expect Want to require more than month…..
Mitre sounds perfect. He’s already had his TJ surgery, he’s already had his PED suspension, he’s already pitched to Jose Molina… all he needs is a DUI and he’ll be ready for his pinstripes.
The Yankee players taking part in the Gehrig tribute… (along with Cash and Girardi)
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....id=5412463
Nick SF funny stuff man!!
From Kim Jones’ blog:
Michael Kay: He’s not happy with some of your comments about him. (He’s a very dedicated reader of this blog.) Can’t we all get along and be nice and be the one blog in the world where people aren’t unnecessarily nasty to each other? Please?
————————————————
Do we have to watch what we say about Kay?
m
Read that the other day. Michael Kay sounds like a big baby. If he only read this blog.
I guess they’ll have to dl Wang tonight and get someone up here for Sunday’s game. They went through a lot of relievers and the team will be shorthanded otherwise.
I guess Alex’s day off will have to wait until Monday, with Jorge likely needing a day off. I also would like to see Joe bench Cano for not knowing what a bunt sign looks like.
jennifer,
Can’t bench Cano with Jorge out.
Any reason why Swisher sat out today? I know Gardner had a good game against Halladay last season, but that’s pretty flimsy.
Gardy played some nice defense today.
And what’s with matsui?
I wonder if Halladay said anything about the new stadium…
I read somewhere it was just a day off for Swish. I just got home and skimmed the game, saw the nice plays by Gardy.
Too bad they can’t bench Cano. Right now he deserves to sit a game. Also saw how they got Jorge with the pie. TOO funny. He was ready to slap Joba when he saw the towel. Than AJ came from nowhere and got him.
AJ made sure to hug him after.
“I wonder if Halladay said anything about the new stadium…”
here ya go m –
Halladay raised his right arm in an “what kind of park is this anyway?” shrug and said something. Whatever it was he wasn’t repeating the opening of Lou Gehrig’s speech “today … I am the luckiest man alive …”
Hours later, or five innings later, Halladay was brusque spitting out answers on Damon’s homer.
“I thought I got the ball in enough,” Halladay said.
Was the park a factor?
“It’s hard for me to judge that right now, there are some other things I have to look at,” Halladay said.
Asked again about new Yankee Stadium and how small it plays, Halladay spat out: “I thought I got the ball in on him enough, but obviously, I didn’t.”
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Base.....1-sun.html
jennifer,
I was shocked at how good a sport Jorge was about it. He knew it was coming. I guess he’s not such a stick in the mud after all. Who got the belt? I kinda think Johnny deserved it for his clutch homerun.
DT,
Ooohh. Doc sounds pissed. I hope they throw him out in NYS again this season. That pitch to Jorge was as in as Rick Astley is.
Everybody wants to bench Cano for missing a sign but i didn’t hear anyone asking for Swisher to be benched when he was playing with his head up his rear running the bases like a drunken sailor.
Oops. Reread Doc’s quote. Apparently he’s not happy with Damon’s cheapie.
Tidrow,
We all called for it. Each of the 4 or 5 times he messed up. One thing, though. Shisher is fielding better nowadays.
Any reason why Swisher sat out today? I know Gardner had a good game against Halladay last season, but that’s pretty flimsy. I’m curious; what does Swisher bring to this team other than shoddy fielding, bad base running and tons of strikeouts? Add to that a putrid average with men in scoring position and i could see why he would be missed…..by the opposition!
Didn’t expect Roy Halladay to act like a baby.
question:
why are relievers being used one inning at a time?
in yesterday’s game against Toronto, tie score, eighth inning. phil hughes comes in to pitch. i say to myself: “smart move, he is good for three innings in relief if the yankees fail to score in the bottom eighth and ninth and this game goes to extra innings.”
i completely didn’t understand girardi’s use of hughes for one inning and then bringing on mariano in the ninth with a tie game.
this led to the situation where tomko is on the mound, the pitcher you least like to see in a sudden death overtime game. ok, he lucked out with a scoreless inning…
but still, i would have left hughes in for the ninth and tenth. he is at least this stretched out…
would i be a bad manager?
Good morning, Pete Abe & Co… what’s better than waking up with Derek Jeter? Not that I would know, but this is close enough. Have a great day!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....amp;page=0
survey says – YES
actually, while girardi is a superior bullpen juggler to burn them out joe, he is still very conventional in his thinking. i.e. mo is the 9th inning guy, so he pitches the 9th inning even in tie games. and btw, i hope cashman gets some props for signing mitre, despite the suspension!
Here is a great article on Slade Heathcock, the Yankees first round draft choice. I hope they signed him in time to see him get some action in the GCL.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....amp;page=1
Here is a great article on Slade Heathcock, the Yankees first round draft choice.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....amp;page=1
The Yankees won’t make a final decision on Wang’s replacement until the all-star break so I expect Mitre to get the first crack this Thursday.
Here is a great article about the Yankees first round draft choice.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....amp;page=1
Gotta assume they are going to call up a bullpen arm today to take Wang’s place on the roster.
They’ll have to send him back down in exchange for Mitre if he is indeed the guy called upon to take Wang’s spot in the rotation.
The pen is spent right now.
Aceves is available today and probably Robertson. Maybe Bruney, too. But you’d have to assume Hughes, Coke, and perhaps even Mo might not be available.
Today would be a fantastic day to get 7 IP out of Joba.
How many days in a row has Hughes thrown? He only threw 8 pitches yesterday. I thought Girardi should have left Hughes in to pitch the 9th after an easy inning. Robertson made 29 pitches yesterday, he may be out for today.
On another topic, what is going on with the Chapman guy? I haven’t heard a thing since it was reported he was flying to Miami last Thurs or Fri.
Rewatched the video of yesterdays game:
1. Wang pitched better, with movement, even though his velocity was down 2-3mph, and could have gotten out of the 2nd inning unscathed except for a ground rule double that hit the chalk line and a single just over Wang’s outstretched arm. Too bad he’s injured. Mitre, IMO should be called up and Hughes,Aceves need to stay in bullpen
2. Posada is still an excellent all around catcher, and other than Joe Mauer, we should be happy he still plays with the Yankees. Would like to stop the talk about how Cervelli should be catching more.
3. Robertson is too inconsistent, and IMO his fastball lacks enough movement and at 90mph is hittable. Doesn’t earn my trust and was the reason that game went into extra innings, as much as the lack of hitting by Cano with RISP.
4. Cano needs to be in the 8 hole, and probably needs a day or two of rest. In certain situations would bat Swisher 2nd and Damon 5th, especially at home, where Damon’s home run totals have excelled.
5. Need another established arm in the bullpen. IMO there are only these teams that are probably out of the race, as we are at the halfway point in the season:
Washington, San Diego,Arizona,Oakland, Kansas City and Baltimore. Pittsburgh still in it in the central division. So if you want another bullpen arm, I’d start looking at those teams.
Thoughts?
Chapman has had the question raised, although possibly incorrectly, about his age and from what I hear would be available after this season.
I see that the Blue Jays will now pitch another lefthander (Brett Cecil) today. Tomorrow they send lefty Rick Romero to the mound. That makes 3 lefthand pitchers and Hallady in this series. That makes it difficult for the Yankes to use Eric Hinske in this series. Considering that he is a former Blue Jay, I wonder if there were any hard feelings between him and that organization before he left. I wouldn’t put it past JP Riccardi and Cito Gaston to go out of their way to keep Hinske from being used.
Another thing: With back to back lefties going against the Yankees today and tomorrow, Girardi ABSOLUTELY MUST move Robinson Cano out of the #5 spot in the lineup.
“Count on Wang being done for the year. Even if he’s healthy in a month, figure on him having to prove himself sound (mentally and physically) with multiple starts at Scranton. Even Cashman won’t be dumb enough to rush him back a second time.”
never underestimate the baseball dumbness of brian cashman. he has that ability to dig down really deep and just when you think he’s pretty smart, WHAMMO !!!! , he gets you with the dumbest of the dumb moves
Robertson’s fastball is fine.
He has a sneaky fastball with some late life on it. Those who say he doesn’t are not paying attention. Cone even pointed out during yesterday’s broadcast how his fastball has cutting lateral movement on it.
And if you watch Robertson pitch, he actually gets more strikeouts on the fastball than he does on the curve ball, which is undoubtedly his best pitch.
So if he’s getting more strikeouts on his second best pitch rather than his best pitch that would suggest it it tougher to hit than people think.
Major league hitters can mash 90-92 MPH fastballs with no movement. Just ask Wang.
Robertson gets in trouble when he doesn’t get a head of the hitters. If he gets strike one – he’s pretty tough to hit.
Robertson has only allowed 13 hits in 19.0 IP which computes to a minuscule .188 BAA.
He has very good stuff. But he obviously needs to pound the zone with a lot more regularity to take his game to the next level.
Some things are constant in life….
The sun rising in the east…
Taxes for the working man…
Derek Jeter dating good looking girls…
Randy hating on Cash first thing in the morning.:)
That’s it for me. Off to Scranton.
Let’s go Yankees!
jpb1973,
I can assure you that Gaston wouldn’t pull one of his starters out of the rotation today just to mess with Erik Hinske.
That suggestion is right up there with the Miami newspaper that suggested Girardi sat A-Rod for two games in Florida just so he could screw the Marlins’ front office on ticket sales.
Not on your life.
Facing the two lefties is probably going to force Girardi to move Cano down in the lineup anyways.
He did that last week when the Yanks faced Washburn.
From RAB
“What the Yanks could do, and I’d prefer this, is to recall Mitre tomorrow as a bullpen arm. Start Hughes on Thursday, knowing he can’t go long; Aceves and Mitre will be around for backup. Then option Hughes the next day so he can get a start in the minors. It would probably have to be Trenton, since Scranton’s All-Star game is the same week as the MLB one. That would probably put him at 80-90 pitches for the start on the 21st against the Orioles.”
I like it.
what are the next round of excuses for wang?
Hey guys
I went to the game yesterday–my recap for anyone interested: http://bit.ly/wmHvM
I have to say, I wasn’t sure I’d see the Yanks beat Halladay, so that was pretty cool.
Headed to Scranton for the big blog meet up, hope to see some of you there!
Another beautiful for a baseball game. I really hope that Cano is not batting in the #5 spot.
Wang’s last 4 starts:
IP: 20.2, Hits: 22, ER: 12, BB: 7, K: 12. The team was 2-2 in his starts.
That’s basically the results of a #5 starter.
I don’t think you take Hughes out of the bullpen, where he is dominant, to replace a #5 starter for a month or so.
You try to first solve it with Mitre. If that doesn’t work, I’d try Aceves before I would move Hughes back in season from the bullpen.
The issue isn’t covering the #5 spot in the rotation. The issue is, who replaces Hughes’ dominance in the bullpen?
The answer is: Nobody. They don’t have anybody who can do what Hughes is doing right now in the pen.
They do have #5 starter candidates.
SI_JonHeyman: 1 thing i noticed today: in his locker @NickSwisher has pic of cancer patient he hugged on field weeks ago. good for him
“The issue isn’t covering the #5 spot in the rotation. The issue is, who replaces Hughes’ dominance in the bullpen?”
This is exactly what my friend and I thought last night.
The way we put it was somewhat different, however.
We said that what you want to do is disrupt the flow of this team as little as possible. Right now calling up Mitre from AAA would disrupt the team much less than removing a key component of the bullpen.
I got called an idiot for this opinion, but…
I keep thinking about last year.
We had one of the best bullpens in the league, and it fell apart with the introduction of Marte and the trading away of Farnsworth. The roles that everyone had sort of fallen into were completely disrupted.
Baseball players are creatures of habit.
You don’t want to break that habit.
Halladay’s a great pitcher – he’s probably just pissed that he gave up 5 runs. He didn’t pitch well even aside from the HR – it’s sort of ridiculous that they are trying to get him to say something nasty about the stadium.
M, I’m not surprised that Jorge was fine with the pie. The way people talk, he’s like a monster who would bit the hand of anyone who came close to him. Loved AJ’s hug, though, lol……..
Any thoughts on who Yankee all-starts might be? I guess Mo, Jeter, Tex – maybe AJ? I doubt AJ, but it would be nice. Has he ever made an All-Star team before?
I don’t understand why so many people are pissed at Joe for using Phil in only one inning yesterday. Have they already forgotten that this kid is a reliever in name only? Yesterday and the day before were his first back to back outings – it doesn’t matter how many pitches Phil threw, you can’t push him. There are some things that Joe does that annoy me and I don’t think he’s used Phil near enough (like he needs to let him throw multiple innings sometimes), but in this case, he was right.
Good morning.
Was doing the 4th thing yesterday so didn’t get a chance to check in.
Have the final votes been tabulated of whether Cano is going to be executed at dawn, have his head removed from his butt or just dropped down in the order? I’m guessing during the game execution was winning but hopefully cooler heads have prevailed since then. Remember the option to him is Ransom before you make your final vote.
Feel bad for Wang. It really has been a tough year for him full of ups (baby Justin) and downs (pretty much everything else).
Good luck to Tex today with the All-Star vote announcement. I’d be just as cool with all Yankees taking a 3 day mini-vacation in a warm place not in Missouri.
Thanks to Seattle and Texas for helping the cause yesterday.
Have fun in SWB today. See if there’s a pitcher in need of a ride to the Bronx before you head home tonight.
ADam July 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
what are the next round of excuses for wang?
———–
I really hope you’re kidding. The Yanks are largely responsible for Wang’s issues this season.
The screwed up his rehab twice (once in the offseason and again in May) and didn’t handle this situation well at all.
It was the Yankees who told Wang not to do his normal offseason workout regimen strengthening his legs and that fouled up exacerbated his velocity issues in April.
Why would anybody advocate sending Hughes to the minors for any time right now? That’s just foolish.
He is one of the 4 best pitchers on the team right now.
They are in a close race to make the playoffs. You don’t send Hughes down to “stretch him out” and lose him for ANY period of time.
People overthink this stuff trying to be creative.
Whatever you think of Wang, his performance to date this year has been that of a #5 starter.
That’s who they are replacing. You don’t lose Hughes to replace a #5 starter.
You keep him where he is at his best at the present time and stop getting caught up with innings count.
A buddy of mine in Boston who knows Junior well was talking to him before the game yesterday.
Junior said Hughes was “filthy” out of the bullpen. A “real weapon”.
He said that if the Yankees make the playoffs, with Hughes and Joba in the bullpen, its almost unfair.
That’s coming from a HOF who HATES, and I mean HATES, the Yankees.
This isn’t brain surgery. You don’t create two holes trying to fill one.
I wouldn’t have an issue with Hughes remaining where he is if Wang isn’t going to miss a lot of time.
But if Wang is going to miss 2 months or more, I think Hughes will need to go back to the rotation.
I just don’t think Sergio Mitre is going to cut it for that long unless they really catch an Aaron Small-esque lightning in a bottle.
Rebecca, I think that was a complete fluke – the pen falling apart had nothing to do with Farnsworth (who’s mediocre) or Marte………IMO.
I think removing Aceves from the pen would be a huge mistake as well – he’s saved the Yankees’ bacon on several occasions and is very versatile. There is no easy solution – every solution brings with it some risk.
Really, how can a Yankee fan hate on Wang. I mean are people actually this dumb or do they do it to get attention on a blog?
Funny, seems like we have three 5 starters. Joba Chamberlain, Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang have all been referred to as our fifth starter when they do poorly.
Hughes should have never been sent to the bullpen and this is one of the reasons why.
Wow, getting a compliment from Junior like that is pretty sweet. I have to agree – and I have had major concerns about Phil’s innings. I definitely put him back in the rotation if this is going to be long-term – actually, I expect that to happen because Wang is probably going to miss a month just not pitching, then there’s the rehab……which they have to give extra time to so he can properly rehab from the lis franc.
Rebecca
Great post! Have fun.
Aceves, Bruney , and Coke bridging to MO is pretty darn good.
Going into the year Wang was our #3 starter not #5. Andy is our #5,Joba #4.
Just because Wang hsn’t pitched up to expectations doesn’t mean he wasn’t our #3 pitcher this year. That is wwhat we need to replace.
Making Hughes a starter hurts the pen no doubt, but it also helps our SP immensly, as he has been much better then Wang. Same argument with Joba to the pen.
Call up an arm and slide him between Tomko and Robertson. Injuries happen, everybody needs to step up.
If it really is only a month then of course you go with an emergency starter. I just don’t have confidence that Wang is going to be back anytime soon.
Betsy: I’m not so sure. It looks like a fluke now, of course, but I don’t believe in flukes and coincidences so easily.
The bullpen is really strong right now with Hughes in there. Why mess with it? If Wang is back in about 1 month as they are saying right now, it is only 3 weeks of baseball since the Yanks have a 4 day All-Star break next week.
It’s probably true that Hughes should have never been sent to the bullpen to begin with, but that’s where he is now.
You can’t play this game in hindsight, you can only play with what is.
ok, its tim to get serious now. enough toying around with phil hughes, it was nice having him in the bp and it was a good idea to try to get wang right, but thats over now. the second half is about to begin and its time to put out the best rotation we can for the second half, and that rotation is cc, aj, andy, joba and phil hughes.
yes he would have to be stretched either at the major or minor league level. and yes that will present problems in the short term. but enough already. phil hughes is going to be in the yankees rotation for the next 5 years or more and the time to start it is now.
when he is healthy again, chien ming wang can fight his way back into the rotation, wait for an injury or double headers or someone needing a spell (like joba b/c of innings limits.) no more carrying wang along so that he can try to regain his sinker. the time is now for phil in the rotation. start whoever you need to start when wang’s spot comes up, but then put hughes in for 3 or 4 innings, then do the same again 5 days later, then start hughes and thats it. no more playing around.
“He said that if the Yankees make the playoffs, with Hughes and Joba in the bullpen, its almost unfair.”
The only thing is, if Wang doesn’t return to form this year, and that is looking very likely, Joba will have to be in the postseason rotation. If Wang does come back strong, and Joba can go to the PS pen, they will be very strong with Hughes, Joba, and Bruney in front of Rivera.
But, first things first, they have to deal with the 5 spot in the rotation to get to the PS. I think either Hughes or Aceves should go to the rotation if Wang is serious. If it is in the 2-3 week range, maybe they can get by with Mitre, Igawa(yikes), and whoever else might be ready to make a ML start. Bad break for Kennedy looking even worse for him now. If he was healthy and doing well in AAA, he would have been the obvious move.
People say you couldn’t have called have seen Wang’s season coming; didn’t a lot of statheads predict Wang would blow up?
“A buddy of mine in Boston who knows Junior well was talking to him before the game yesterday.
Junior said Hughes was “filthy” out of the bullpen. A “real weapon”.
He said that if the Yankees make the playoffs, with Hughes and Joba in the bullpen, its almost unfair.
That’s coming from a HOF who HATES, and I mean HATES, the Yankees.
This isn’t brain surgery. You don’t create two holes trying to fill one.”
I got to hand it to Griffey he’s honest. Yeh hearing that doesn’t make me want to pull Yusssse from the BP. Srsly if Cashman does that we’d have to check his medication.
Patrick July 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hughes should have never been sent to the bullpen and this is one of the reasons why.
————–
I wasn’t a fan of the idea either even though I had no qualms that Hughes could do a good job.
My problem with the move at the time was this very reason. Injuries were inevitable. These guys weren’t all going to make every start, so this very situation was going to arise sooner or later.
I wanted Hughes to remain the sixth starter. I guess we should blame Cone for screwing that formula up. LOL.
If Hughes wasn’t sent to the bullpen, they aren’t where they are in the standings right now.
Results dictate who a 5th starter is. Its the results, not the name, that you are replacing.
They turned a weakness into a strength by putting Hughes in the bullpen.
Right now, there isn’t any reason to weaken the bullpen by taking Hughes out of the rotation.
What if Mitre gives them reasonable production in the that slot? If he does, nothing changes and the team continues to roll along.
the yankees were in a tough spot & did not help themselves.
wang needed to return to the rotation wich left us with 6 starters & hughes would not benefit from going down too AAA because he needs to learn how to get major leaguers out.
the experience he is getting now is priceless & will help him a ton next year not to mention he helps the ml club.
the right thing would of been to leave hughes in the starting rotation until the as break with wang staying on the dl but what is done is done.
the concern i have is if we get another injured starter we are in trouble or could be.that is why i would of kept hughes in the rotation & kept trying different bullpen arms until one stuck.
mitre,mcallister,dunn,etc….
i think it is easier to survive a weaker 8th inning compared to being down a starter or two not to mention we have bruney.
we should of also probably tried to trade for an 8th inning arm before we became desperate.
Bruney is a bridge to nowhere right now. He’s not 100%, hasn’t pitched well, and isn’t even close to what Phil Hughes is out there right now.
Plus, opponents aren’t afraid to face Bruney. They don’t see him as a weapon as they do Hughes.
They can’t even pitch him back to back days because they are fearful of his elbow. That’s a big problem, made bigger if you take Hughes out of the bullpen.
You can’t burn out Coke and Aceves everyday.
If Bruney was healthy and pitching well, and Marte was also healthy, that’s different.
Since that’s not the case, it makes it much tougher to move Hughes out of the pen right now.
Let me just say Yussse being in the BP for this season, is the right decision.
new post – Albie is bbaaaaaaaack
the same people who have argued for a season and a half that joba should be a starter are now saying hughes is more valuable in the pen. what irony