Bullpen help needed?
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 09, 2009 
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Joe Girardi indicated the Yankees would consider calling up a reliever for the Anaheim series after using Alfredo Aceves for 3.1 innings today. He will not be available until after the break.
Mark Melancon would seem like a possibility, or perhaps Edwar Ramirez,
The Angels may not have Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter as both are nursing injuries.
More on the bullpen situation when (or if) the news becomes available.
id like to see melancon get another shot soon…not sure if that is now though…the guy has been chastised far too much for his 3.1 innings in the bigs
Mark Melancon, come on down…. No Edwar please unless he has learned another pitch, he desperately needs something else to keep hitters off balance
Please not edwar. The majority of his earned runs last season came in two games against the angels last year.
Who gets sent down, Robertson?
I think Hunter is going on the DL while Vlad is a possibility too. The Angels are off today so we’ll find out more tomorrow.
Edwar Ramirez = no thanks
I remain high on Robertson.
he will be fine, in due time
This isn’t related to the post but it’s related to the bullpen – why is it that the same people who vehemently argued against Joba being taken out of the rotation and put into the bullpen don’t even blink an eye that the same thing is happening to Hughes? It’s because Hughes is lights out, this team needs a lights out arm in the 8th, and their bullpen would suffer without him.
The SAME reason why Joba should have been moved into the bullpen before this. I’d rather see Hughes in the rotation than Joba, period. And I don’t get the seemingly hypocritical response to him being slotted into the pen. From all I’ve read on this blog, it would seem Pete has two differing opinions on the same exact subject and I’d like to know why
No Edwar Ramirez under any circumstances. He does not belong in a major league bullpen.
Has Melancon been more consistent in the minors? I know he has been a bit up and down.
Edwar? vs. The Angels? Um. Pass?
Why would you bring up Edwar to face the Angels. They seem to really have his number. Bad choice.
Anaheim owns the Yankees
this is ready to change
side note: hopefully Molina’s arm will be ready to gun down runners
“This isn’t related to the post but it’s related to the bullpen – why is it that the same people who vehemently argued against Joba being taken out of the rotation and put into the bullpen don’t even blink an eye that the same thing is happening to Hughes? It’s because Hughes is lights out, this team needs a lights out arm in the 8th, and their bullpen would suffer without him.
The SAME reason why Joba should have been moved into the bullpen before this. I’d rather see Hughes in the rotation than Joba, period. And I don’t get the seemingly hypocritical response to him being slotted into the pen. From all I’ve read on this blog, it would seem Pete has two differing opinions on the same exact subject and I’d like to know why”
Joba’s stuff and upside as a starter >>>>>>>>>> Hughes.
Hughes is a potential 2 or 3 starter if it works out; Joba’s pure stuff is good enough to be an ace.
If we’re calling up a reliever just for these three games, which seems likely, then please not Edwar who has horrid numbers against the Angels.
Melancon’s last 10 games at Scranton
19.0 ip 10 hits 2! walks 16 k’s= 2.37era….put him in the game coach!
Livian looks fantastic!
They need a starter.
Coney is just hilarious – I love listening to him. Hanging out with him for a day would be incredibly fun – and I’ll bet he’s just a really great guy. I’m glad he had faith in Phil that he could pitch up here, even in the pen. Although I have expressed my concerns (over and over, lol) about the innings issue and the fact that Phil’s change is not being developed, I admit that the confidence Phil is gaining may be worth it. If he carries this mentality over to the rotation (and I expect he would) – wow. His control has been unbelievable – it’s really a sight to behold, painting the corners with 95 MPH fastballs.
Also, having Mo for a mentor is never, ever a bad thing – not just about relieving, but pitching and life in general. Phil can learn from him just by watching how Mo conducts himself on and off the field – Mo doesn’t have to say a word.
One more thing – I love Ken Singleton. Someone used the word “soothing” and I absolutely agree. He’s very knowledgable and I love the stories he tells…..just a very cool guy.
Bring up Melancon. He’s more than earned it.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Montero Fanaticus Primus
Joba’s stuff and upside as a starter >>>>>>>>>> Hughes.
__
I disagree with this. Hughes’s combination of a FB with late life, great command, and a sick curve makes him as good as Joba, and better if Joba doesn’t get his velo back.
Hughes can be like Hallady.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs.....his-weight
very interesting article on gardner…
Betsy-After what happened w/Joba, I’m not getting too excited that this will translate to him as a starter.
It could, but I find it no more likely now that he’ll be a great starter than before.
I think Joba will improve a lot. But he was doing everything Phil is now and it didn’t translate.
Rebecca, I believe that Phil is a stud and an ace in the making. He may be a different kind of ace than Joba, but there are 1000 ways to skin a cat (in other words, you don’t have to throw 98 MPH. I would be shocked if Phil ended up a #3 starter…….for some reason, people insist on putting a cap on his ceiling. I guess we’ll have to wait and see……
pena 1 for 2 with a k
ajax 1 for 2
Keith Law chat transcript from today is anyone is bored. Halladay mania
http://espn.go.com/sportsnatio.....-keith-law
Clayton (St Paul, MN)
So Girardi says Hughes has been a “one inning guy for awhile,” yet he starts Aceves. What’s up with that?
Keith Law(1:55 PM)
Protecting Hughes? He hasn’t shown anything as a starter this year to make you figure he’ll succeed if returned to the rotation.
Wait, I disagree. You make it sound like Phil has never shown any glimpses of huge promise as a starter. He was pitching very well before he got put into the pen. My belief in him goes way back – and it has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with his performance in the pen. I felt this way last year when he was getting torched in April and I felt that way when he came back in August of 2007 and struggled.
LOL Keith Law – he’s never liked Phil, but that comment is absolutely ridiculous.
Its not hypocritical at all. Just as Joba served a function in 2007 to help out the pen, Hughes is doing the same thing this year.
To start the year: Bruney, Marte, Veras, Ramirez, Coke, Albie and Mo made up the bullpen.
Coke and Mo have been outstanding.
Bruney got hurt, has missed most of the season and is still not even close to being what he was last year.
Marte has been a non-factor this year due to injury.
Veras was awful and DFA’ed.
Ramirez bombed and is back in AAA.
Albie bombed his first time around and is just back into the mix.
Try tried Melancon and he was not ready for Prime Time.
They brought up Robertson and he can’t find the strikezone in high leverage situations.
They have tried Brett Tomko with minimal success.
They brought up Aceves and Hughes and that turned the bullpen from a weakness into a strength.
Hughes was tried because 7 other guys bombed or got hurt.
He’s out there becuase he’s needed out there.
After this season, he will be needed in the rotation and that’s where he will go. Just like Joba this year.
Keith law is an idiot.
Betsy: I’m not sure he profiles that high. I’d love it if he was; just not sure he’s got enough plus pitches yet.
Betsy-I always like Hughes. If your opinion is not based on his pen work, then I agree-but as a starter he has, like Joba, shown only flashes of brilliance, then mediocrity.
I think Hughes will be good, but this opinion is not based even remotely on his pen work, which as we’ve seen with Joba, doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
People were high on Joba too,before sll of his rotten starts this season.
He was the darling of NY the new kid on the block.
Now every game is a drain to watch,coupled with the attitude of oh well,next time.
Will HE LAST 4 OR MORE INNINGS is the question.
Ace pitched 3.1 innings and still beat Joba’s 4 innings/100 pitch fiasco.
JOBA HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL,I love his story,but he needs to do his job with less pitches.
He will get better,the YANKEES need him to be EFFECTIVE now
Never liked Keith Law. Always thought he was bias. Still do.
Wake me up when Hughes throws 100 MPH on the 97th pitch in Fenway Park.
Talk about what have you done for me lately.
If Joba finds his missing velocity, then there is no question he is better than Hughes.
Joba is going through some struggles now, doesn’t make his ceiling lower.
oh no…i forgot about cervelli in his first AAA game this year..
0 for 1 with a sac fly
Wait till they come to OUR house AGAIN
I think Hughes will be good, but this opinion is not based even remotely on his pen work, which as we’ve seen with Joba, doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
__
Joba isn’t the same pitcher he was when he was when he was in the pen, so the role doesn’t matter.
Hughes projects as a better starter right now because Joba’s stuff has become only a little better than average and his command is below average.
Dave
If Joba finds his missing velocity, then there is no question he is better than Hughes.
Joba is going through some struggles now, doesn’t make his ceiling lower.
__
Of course it does because there is no guarantee that Joba will ever regain his former velocity or develop better command.
Saying he is a #3 is almost as dumb as saying he will be a #1.
Let him decide his ceiling. Using 2006 outdated scouting reports to try and define his ceiling is fruitless.
Richie-I think Joba’s ceiling is higher because we’ve seen what he CAN do.
The question is, will he?
Rebecca, he needs a change I guess (though he has the cutter), but he has terrific stuff and impeccable control. He’s still a baby – he’s got time to develop his other pitches (fans had better expect growing pains next year – because of his stint in the pen, his change will be underdeveloped). I look at it like this – only these guys can determine the course of their careers. We can all say what we think they will become, but no one knows. I think the raw material is there with Phil, but he’s still a work in progress.
hughes and joba both are around 23…they have a lot of growing to do…both can become aces or both can become nothings….chances are both become atleast slighty average starting pitchers with the chance to be better
Farnsworth threw a 98mph smokin fasrball,except it was straigt at the batter always gave up a run,and,and.
So Joba throws hard,but he’s not getting the win,the pen does.
AJ has two plus pitches.
Joba throws harder than Hughes and has much better secondary pitches than Hughes does thats why his ceiling is higher.
And please do not call up Edwar Rameriez.
SJ44-
I don’t think I’d go so far to say Coke has been outstanding. Rivera and Hughes have been outstanding. I’m not even sure Joba, whose been too erratic would succeed again in the bullpen.
Still feel uneasy about our bullpen, especially if we need relief help from the 5th or 6th inning on. As currently constructed do not feel they would be playoff lights out.
Will Marte ever pan out?
If Toronto picks up BJ Ryans contract, I think, as awful as he’s been, he’d be worth sending to the minors, to see if he would help the team in 2010
Would like Cashman, to find a reliable bullpen arm.
RS get to play an under 500 team,Yankees play a division contender.Selig really favored the RS with his schedule this year.
We can all think whatever we want about Youuse and Jobber, but in reality we just don’t know how they will pan out.
I tend to think they *both* can be very successful starters and I hope to see them do that with the NY Yankees.
We will see.
Don’t get hung up on how hard they throw.Get hung up on how effective they are at winning.
Wakefield(throwing waffle balls) throws in high 80′s to top 90′s,he just won, before the All Star Break # 11,one more
than the Ace Beckett.Wins is what count,wins….
Count me in as favorable toward Mark Melancon getting another chance. The best choice of a bullpen arm until a decision is made about a No. 5 starter after the All Star break.
Oh Kansas scored 3 runs,clap clap…RS 4.to the mound
Boys and Grrrls we have a game now,Brad has already had a coaching visit.
SJ – you proved my point exactly. An arm WAS needed in the 8th inning. And the arm that the Yankees got to do the job was Hughes. But when Joba’s name was brought up to fulfill that “need” you mention, people went off about it, and people like Pete would have none of it. But now that Hughes is simply filling a need it’s excusable? It’s a double standard. By embracing Hughes you are conceding the argument. Joba should have been in the bullpen when Bruney went down because he would have filled a “need” that the team had to win. I’m fine with Hughes in the pen this year just as I’d be fine with Joba. I just don’t get why it’s all of a sudden ok to certain people when it wasn’t before
If they need HELP, then EDWAR is the last person they should be calling!
What a coincidence, Keith Law hasn’t shown you anything as a baseball analyst to make you figure he’ll succeed in forming coherent projections on talented young pitchers.
Keith Law also called Raul Ibanez the absolute WORST signing of the offseason – positively ripped Amaro Jr. for it whilst lauding the DRays for their excellent, shrewd Pat Burrell pickup.
When is the last time this guy had an accurate opinion or projection? I could name 10 people on this blog who could do his job better than him. I’m unfollowing his azz on Twitter! His updates were lame anyway. Phil Hughes Mafia in the house!
And yeah…Edwar against the Angels? He failed at that even back when he was actually getting other teams out, so a reprise doesnt rly sound too promising.
What’s up with Mike Dunn? Is he not a possibility?
I don’t think we can say Joba throws harder than Hughes since his shoulder issues last year. Joba has rarely hit 95. He sits at 92 it seems to me. It would be nice to find that velocity again. Is it physical, mental or mechanical? I just hope it is repairable.
Edwar? Edwar?
NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melancon called up: http://community.thetimes-trib.....-york.aspx