Comments on: That’s a good point there, CB

By: The Captain

The Captain — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:06:58 +0000

I agree 100%. Next year we will have a lethal 5 man rotation.

By: ds

ds — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:01:11 +0000

I don’t think the debate right now, this season, is about who is more important- a reliever or a starter.

The question is with Joba (and possibly Hughes), up against already decided upon innings limits, what do you do with them?

At this point in this season, there is little downside to having them both in the pen, and a large upside. Let them both be starters next year if they can handle it.

By: matcohen

matcohen — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:49:49 +0000

I can see the Yanks going after Lackey hard. The need another true top, reliable starter with Wang questionable.
Pettite is getting on in years.

By: Lohud couch time

Lohud couch time — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:48:57 +0000

i think the focus on the 7th/8th is a little yankees’ universe centric and all stems from recollections of rivera and wettland shutting teams down from the 7th on in 95 and 96.

Hat tip to Pete Abe for the call during spring training that robertson would have an impact by year end. well done.

By: Whatever

Whatever — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:12:01 +0000

Bullcrap post, Pete. Hughes filling the set-up role helped turn the season around. And if you don’t think it matters much, come back to us with the same theory after the postseason, which we will only survive if Hughes continuies to be successful as the primary bridge to Rivera.

By: Pitt

Pitt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:44:56 +0000

The problem with this argument is that almost every good playoff team has a great back end bullpen pitching … Im not saying that Hughes should be in the pen or not. But, if Hughes is going to give you the dominant arm out of the pen then it IS valuable. Name a great team in the last 15 years that did not have dominant arms out of the pen. You can get lucky and go on a run deep in the playoffs, but its way easier if you can throw guys like Hughes out there in the 7th or 8th inning in game 5 of the ALDS with a 3-2 lead.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:29:05 +0000

Sorry guys, but I couldn’t disagree with this post more. Having a lights out set up man combining with the greatest closer in the history of the game is a deadly combination. I don’t think the set up man is as important on other teams as it is on the yankees. However with Phil (or Joba) and Mo combining, the game is shortened to 7 innings every time. As long as the Yankees have a slim lead by the 7th, you can pretty much count on a victory.

That being said, where Hughes becomes even more valuable in the bullpen, is that he has the ability to throw two innings or more. Combine that with the fact that Coke, Aceves, Bruney, and Robertson have been great lately, and you realize the Yankees have what is probably the best bullpen in baseball right now.

Personally, if it wasn’t for the fact that Andy Petite will probably retire after this year, I’d leave Phil in the Penn for another year or two, and then figure out what to do with him.

By: Kgatch

Kgatch — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:27:43 +0000

could someone please forward this to Mike Francesca’s email

By: Drive 4-5

Drive 4-5 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:17:27 +0000

pat
August 19th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
“But what’s most wearisome is the deification of Derek Jeter, as if he’s not merely a great player but rather a perfect, infallible player.”

Drive 4-5

I’ve been a Yankee fan for 40+ years. I love Jeter and I agree with Neyer on the above statement.

Pat, sorry to read that you and I are close to the same age:) Unfortunately, I’ve probably got about 8 years on you. I’m not into idol worshipping of Derek Jeter or anyone else for that matter. I challenge Rob Neyer or anyone else to show me an article that says Jeter is “infallible”. You certainly can find all the writing you want describing his lack of range or power. Show me one article that says he is infallible.

What Derek Jeter is, is consistent. How many players can Neyer name with a career batting average over .300 who’s lifetime batting agerage and obp actually increased at age 35? I’m sure the ones you do find are in Cooperstown. It’s sad that some folks can’t see the forest through the trees and give a HOF caliber player the credit he deserves.

By: Brian M

Brian M — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:15:36 +0000

I am actually less worried about Hughes development as a starter than Joba’s.

Hughes just has a better attitude and seems more wiling to listen to those around him and learn from them.