Secondly, Melancon’s history, record recovery from TJ Surgery and dominating at every level of the minors last year and almost universal agreement on his outstanding work ethic, character, and make suggests he is a very special prospect.

The Yanks have every right to take a “win now” approach. It’s their money, after all. However, once Cashman decided that restocking the farm system and player development was a priority, he surely had to understand that short-term success and long-term development are not mutually exclusive. Patience and the ability to compromise are required.

Melancon’s upside suggests he deserves that patience. He has already proven that career threatening setbacks would only make him stronger. If the Yanks really believe he can’t be trusted even in blow-out games, then they should test his value on the trade market. I think the teams with a keen eye for talent and player development would be lining up for someone like him. In a year or so the Yanks will be looking for that “steely eyed bulldog” who doesn’t shrink under Yankee Stadium lights to replace Rivera. Bruney or Marte are unlikely options. Melancon, if allowed to continue to develop is the likely heir-apparent.

That is 100% wrong. He was “lights out” in his first 2 (out of all of 5) big league outings. So, another grand overstatement. I also think that Albaladejo is the 13th guy on a 12-man pitching staff considering he was the guy most recently added and who has really intesnely been riding the Scranton/NY shuttle this year.

————————————————————

He’s had one game in five that he hasn’t put runners on. In the Angels game in May, he gave up one of his own runs but allowed 3 inherited runners. In the July game, he gave up 3 runs. He hasn’t been lights out. Even in one of the two games that he didn’t allow a run, he gave up a walk and a hit.

Everyone can argue all in one spot

The Yankees are 10-1 since the break, they are not only playing well they are being properly managed. Mitre gave up 9 hits in 5+ innings the other day and he was ‘taken out too early’? He was probably 1 batter away from 10 hits and more runs, Girardi knew exactly what he was doing. He also probably left Pettitte in too long on Saturday but that’s what you do with a veteran pitcher with a long and successful career, not a guy less than 2 years off TJ surgery and pitching in only his second game back.

Instead of criticizing every move made by Girardi and Cashman, criticizing every error and ‘mental mistake’ made by players like Cano, Swisher, Damon, Posada, Matsui, Arod, etc, etc, etc maybe some of you should actually watch a few games without thinking you know more than the pros, you might actually learn something.

No, no he wasn’t. In his first appearance against Boston, he pitched a 1,2,3 inning then in his 2nd inning he loaded the bases with nobody out and wiggled his way out of a jam. That’s not exactly “lights out” So he’s only had success in 1 outing of his major league career.

In the future he will be very good, he has a lot of upside, but using him in an 8 run lead isn’t exactly thinking the door is slammed shut. Tampa just came back from 8 runs down against Accardo, Downs and Camp, guys who are proven major leaguers.

That is 100% wrong. He was “lights out” in his first 2 (out of all of 5) big league outings. So, another grand overstatement. I also think that Albaladejo is the 13th guy on a 12-man pitching staff considering he was the guy most recently added and who has really intesnely been riding the Scranton/NY shuttle this year.

Yep, you’re right. That was my bad