Giants win reinforces what we’ve always known
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 02, 2010 
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Is there a lesson to be learned from the San Francisco Giants?
This year’s World Series winners were barely good enough to win the National League West, and much of the lineup had to be pieced together as the season progressed, but there they were celebrating in Texas, in the same clubhouse where the Yankees season came to an end.
I guess the lesson learned is that the team you see in April can be very different from the team you see in October.
Otherwise, there was no stunning realization from these five games. There was only the reinforcement of one of baseball’s great truths: Young pitching is the highest commodity in the game. Add a terrific young hitter in Buster Posey, throw in a reliable closer with an awesome beard and mix some veteran bats into the bunch, and you’ve got a team that can win a World Series.
I would guess that in four out of five postseasons, the Yankees would advance further than the Giants. But the Giants had a team that was good enough to win, and they played very well at the right time.
“You need a tremendous lineup,” Brian Cashman said just before the World Series started. “We have it. We had variety in that lineup. We had power. We had speed. We had guys that could bunt and run. We had guys that could stick it over the fence. We had high on-base percentage guys. I believe in all that philosophy on the offensive side.
“But the bottom line is that pitching is the key to the kingdom. That’s why you’ve got to collect as much as you possibly can, and we tried to do that. I certainly believe without question, the homegrown stuff you’ve seen is a big part of this organization again… Homegrown, and then astute free-agent signings and astute trades, along with your homegrown players is the way to go. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Doreen,
I agree with you on Lee, and he is the best option, both in terms of performance, and because the cost is money, not Montero.
However, what should that cost be? I am thinking 5/100 to 5/115. I would think that 6 years would be too long for his current age. If they give him 5 years, maybe they have to carry him for a season or so, but giving him 6-8 years could really hamstring a few future moves.
Ultimately, the market will dictate what it takes to get him, and the Yanks will make the right decision on whether he is worth that.
Mark in Tampa -
I don’t really get caught up in the money/contract stuff. They all make crazy money and I can’t identify with it!!!!
I don’t see any team giving a 33-year-old pitcher more than 5 years, but I suppose if the bidding got crazy you could see a 6th year being the tipping point. It makes no sense, but no sports contracts make any sense to me.
You’re correct that the market will ultimately dictate what Lee will sign for. I wish I did know what the Yankees cut-off is, though, just for the heck of it. You know they went to the 5th year with AJ because the Braves were offering 4. If the Braves had said, okay, 5, would the Yankees have gone to 6? Having come off a season where they didn’t get to the post-season, it’s an interesting question.
This year, they got to the post-season, and they did so with a pitching staff that was wobbly down the stretch and ultimately wobbled them out of competing in the WS. So, I don’t think they’re as “desperate” as they may have been after 2008.
Andy Pettitte is the key, though, what he decides to do. (I’m hoping the Yankees are operating under the assumption that Andy is not coming back, but I’m hoping he’s aboard for one more year – though I doubt it personally.)
One thing that signing Lee and bringing Pettitte back is that it could buy the Yankees another half of a season to let David Phelps mature just a bit more. Then, if there is a need for that 6th starter, he’ll be ready. I’m betting that any winter trades will involve Ivan Nova. Perhaps he can get out of the 5th inning with another team. Noesi is a better prospect anyway, though Nova and noesi are very similar pitchers.
I was just going to post that I don’t think the Yankees are as “desperate” as they were after 2008 so hopefully they won’t give Lee extra years, but Doreen, you beat me to it.
But you figure this is Lee’s last chance for a mega-payday so he’s going to go all-in. The key I guess will be the length of the contract. I think that Lee’s stuff means he will age well, but six years makes me a bit queasy.
I am hoping the Yanks can offer 5 but I am sure he will want 6 minimum.
# GreenBeret7 November 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
One thing that signing Lee and bringing Pettitte back is that it could buy the Yankees another half of a season to let David Phelps mature just a bit more. Then, if there is a need for that 6th starter, he’ll be ready. I’m betting that any winter trades will involve Ivan Nova. Perhaps he can get out of the 5th inning with another team. Noesi is a better prospect anyway, though Nova and noesi are very similar pitchers.
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sometimes i think Yankees bring up players to audition for trades. Still other times i feel that could ride some of these guys. til better prospects are ready to come up.
I’m thinking Andy will be back. Didn’t CC say that he would be bugging him all winter to come back? Listen to CC, Andy!
Erin,
I have a feeling Andy will be back, too. I think he wants a shot at another ring before he walks off into the sunset.
I have that feeling about Andy as well…he looked so dejected in the dug out after the final loss
kate,
i think andy was really looking forward to pitching game 7. he was upset it didn’t get that far. he was ready to take cliff lee on again.
Nunez joining Laird with infield/outfield cross training.
“Nunez, who showed promise in 30 big-league games, will play the second half of winter ball in his native Dominican Republic . There, he’ll spend time at third base and in the outfield, with the idea that he’ll be able to fill in for multiple Yankees veterans in 2011.”
Good morning.
Have a good day everyone.
I’ll be taking a different kind of subway ride today.
This one’s at Zion NP.
Congratulations to the World Champion SF Giants.
Job well done.
P.S. Cliff Lee is still great.
Doreen,
The only reason I care about the money is because of any limitations it may put on future moves. If AJ’s contract was for less years/less money, there would be a possibility of moving him now. Or even better, he may never have come to the Yankees in the first place.
If they hadn’t wasted 15-16M this year on NJ and Vazquez, would they have made different moves at the deadline? Maybe so. Berkman was making as much money as anybody they could have picked up, but maybe they would have looked a little harder at some players who were locked up beyond this year.
And I only mention NJ, Vazquez, and also Marte because most here knew they were wasted money when the deals were done, I’m not looking at it in hindsight. Maybe just a little on AJ.
I too think Pettitte comes back. He said last year that he wants to leave nothing in the tank and always wonder if he quit too soon. He also said that the kids still enjoy the fact that their dad still plays baseball. I think the other reason is that he wants that one last year when he, Posada and Rivera all leave it will be like when they came in….together. I think that holds a lure for them. I also think that he didn’t like going out as a losing pitcher. The fact that his injuries were not arm related means something.
pat, it looks like I’m finally getting my wish…cross training the kids. Now, they need to get Romine into it. I think that Montero could play a little first base. can’t see him in the outfield though, unless it’s in a small field like left field in Fenway or right field in Baltimore.
JCPD,
Loved the photos, though don’t love winter.
As for snow, the blizzard we had right before Christmas last year was fine by me; it made the lights, decorations, etc. all look magical.
But all the snow in February and early March was overkill as far as I was concerned.
Before Cashman traded for Marte, he was the left-handed relief pitcher that was clamored for here on the Lohud.
I was surprised when Cashman signed him for, what 3 years? But I can’t pretend that I had any idea that he had injury issues. It just seemed out of character to go longish-term for a relief pitcher, even if he is a lefty.
NJ? Cashman admitted he was a plan C guy. What can you do? I think most people assumed a stint or two on the DL. I would challenge anyone who figured he’d only play 24 games.
Javy? Again, based on what Cashman was looking for, I don’t think Javy was a waste of money at the time of his signing. Based on his history ( and I don’t mean the HR in the 2004 ALCS), he was a good bet to give innings at the end of the rotation, with decent quality – he would keep the team in his games. It didn’t work out.
AJ? AJ is the biggest puzzle in MLB. I remember when he signed with Toronto, XM radio was giving the Blue Jays the pennant based on the strength of that signing. And my question mark with AJ was whether he would stay healthy. I’d assumed his inconsistency as a pitcher centered around his health issues. He has actually been healthy for the entire 2 years he’s been here. Evidently, the inconsistencies he suffers have another origin. He’s made his starts. But I’ll say this – if he could get back to his level of inconsistency from 2009, I’ll take it.
I was just catching up on the thread from last night about. Someone mentioned that the yankees didnt really celebrate last year and acted like they just won another game when they won the WS…what? Where we watching the same team??? I actually thought the Giants were pretty calm last night. Even Jeter and Mo last year could not stop smiling in their interviews whereas I thought Lincecum and Posey were pretty nonchalant. Not to say the Giants werent happy, because they obviously were. I just thought that comment about the yankees was weird. Go back and watch the videos!
And i cant put my finger on it, but there’s just something about Lee that rubs me the wrong way. I wont cry if he stays in Texas.
Glad you enjoyed JM. I’m already trying to convince myself that spring is right around the corner.
GB7 -
You must be a happy camper! What do you think is holding them back from cross-training Romine? Could it be indecision about what’s going to happen with Montero – i.e., would Montero still be available as a trade piece if, for instance, Lee is not signed and they decide they need an “A” starter?
NYY626-I had to roll my eyes when I saw that post about how the Yankees didn’t show emotion last year. All you have to do is look at the pictures and video. I have 2 pictures up in my cubilce-one where they’re holding the WS trophy up and everybody has these huge grins on their faces, and the other is right after the last out was made on the field and they’re jumping all over each other. I guess that’s not showing enough emotion though.
Doreen, not really sure, but, he’s the perfect one to train like the Yankee version of Brandon Inge…catcher, 3rd and 1st base, outfield. Inge was Detroit’s center fielder for a while before Granderson came up to Detroit and when Granderson was hurt. He’s got the hands, arm and speed. Very athletic.
I think if NYYs trade a young catcher, it’s going to be Romine.
Erin – http://www.sportsnet.ca/galler.....n_gallery/ no emotions
Repost:
I see. I say his inspiration for growing that thing is Brian Wilson the Beach Boy and Wooly Willy.
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Erin, I would say Wooly Willy as opposed to his wannbe cousin of the Beach Boys. Wilson does strange things, says strange stuff in his interviews and even overpainted his cleats with too much orange this year which got him fined. Can’t say that I have ever heard of a player getting fined for putting too much paint on his shoes though. Maybe it is that weird RP mentality which makes some of them do strange stuff. Al ‘The Mad Hungarian’ Hrabosky and Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee come to mind
Erin -
How about when they awarded Matsui the MVP and it seemed like the entire team was telling him to speak English????
The joy was infectious last season – I don’t know what some people want. For some people, nothing the Yankees do (fans, manager, players, management) is ever, ever, ever enough. They were not happy enough. They didn’t celebrate enough. The fans are not loud enough. Like there is some pinnacle that they want reached that’s impossible. The Holy Grail – winning 173 games, losing 0, with ERAs below 2 and BAs above .320, with the stadium so loud it actually collapses from the vibration of the sound, and then after they win all that, the celebration has to be “just so.”
I have a WS poster up on my wall at work, which has 6 photos in it. Everyone looks very emotional to me…they are smiling, jumping, hugging etc. Some people just complain for the sake of complaining I guess.
Pat, Mark,
I can’t argue with those numbers and I certainly hope they don’t have to go 6 years to get him. That said, he would be 37 for the majority of the final year of a 6 year contract…pettite has shown that pitchers at that age can stay effective (especially lefties). I would love him on a 4 or 5 year deal but the Yanks can afford the risk and if he helped them win a couple of titles then it would be worth it IMO. I really don’t see any other team going to 6 so im hoping the Yanks can get him with the highest 5 year offer.
NYY626 – Andy in 2011 November 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Erin ? http://www.sportsnet.ca/galler…..n_gallery/ no emotions
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LOL Sad how they couldn’t get excited, isn’t it?
GB7 -
After I submitted my post, I thought to myself – wait, maybe it’s Romine that’s going somewhere.
Vineyard Yankee-
Doreen November 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 am
Erin -
How about when they awarded Matsui the MVP and it seemed like the entire team was telling him to speak English????
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Doreen-I forgot about that. That was great!
I’m willing to bet Jeter was the ringleader in that one.
My head is still spinning over the idea that Gil Patterson will actually interview for the pitching coach position.
After the World Series dust has settled, the Yankees still need Cliff Lee, Andy returning or not. Do him a 4-year deal with a mutual option for a 5th year. Pitching is still Cashman’s No. 1 priority. Whatever Texas does, they’ll not match Yankee dollars. Cliff Lee knows where the best chances are to get a ring and it isn’t Texas.
This could be Chamberlain’s last opportunity to show he wants to be a Yankee. If he commits to going to Phoenix and look like a pitcher, it helps his cause. Otherwise, Cashman will dangle him in a deal. Maybe Gil Patterson can be the one to fix him. If Cashman works a deal with Kerry Wood and Andrew Brackman emerges, Chamberlain is gone.
MTU – Enjoy your ride on the subway.
Doreen, from what I’ve seen over the last couple of years, Romine is not a better catcher than Montero (at least not yet) and certainly not the offensive player. My choice is to not give up Montero. I certainly wouldn’t trade him for a Zach Greinke type. Not sure that there’s more than 2 or 3 that I would trade him for.
I was giving some thought to how those pitching coach interviews go.
Do they say something like, here are the pitchers we have – what are your thoughts on how you’d handle them?
Do they get specific – Joba Chamberlain, AJ – what would you do to get the most/best out of them?
Or is it just general? Do they talk about what they would do, what they have done in the past? How their experience applies to the Yankees in particular?
How do they differentiate themselves from each other?
What, ultimately, are the Yankees looking for in a pitching coach?
Cashman loves to “spin” the facts. Truth is Burnett was a questionable signing for much more money and time than a basically .500 pitcher should be worth, bring back Vasquez was a terrible choice, CC is in NY because they bid the most, yes Andy is an older home grown guy and Phil Hughes should be very good for years to come but please don’t try and tell the fans that your a dedicated home grown guy when the numbers say otherwise. Going back over the last 10 years, more of Cashman’s moves were busts than actually worked out.
It helps that Patterson spent a lot of time in the Yankee system and Cashman and his people know him well. Had it not been for his son, Patterson and not Guidry would have been Stottlemyre’s replacement. Cashman spends a lot of time in scranton, so, he probably has more than a passing acquaintence with Aldred and Oppenheimer, Newman and Contreras should know him very well.
It is kind of fun watching the Giants win. Great Pitching, good defense & timely hitting. Congratulations SF Giants as you earned this WS victory!
What I find amazing is the classless wrangling of the Yankee players & team losing for the ALCS. Let us consider a few things:
(SP) Pettite was pitching on fumes after his issues with his back & groin. Probably one aggravated the other.
(SP) CC was pitching on 1 leg the last month or so including the ALDS & ALCS. Amazing guy!
(SP) Phil Hughes pitched on fumes as he had exceeded his innings and was noticeably gassed, but continued to do his best.
(SP) AJ was a quandry his last half of the year. He was one pitch away from using smoke & mirrors to possibly get the Yanks a win in his ALCS start. He pitched with heart.
(CL) Mo had some issues with injuries this year too and he gutted it out too, just like last year.
(LH RP) Marte was basically hurt all year and tried his best to get back for the playoffs, but couldn’t get well fast enough.
(C) Posada was playing on sheer determination for half the year because of injuries.
(1B) Tex got hurt and he played hurt thru the last part of the season and the ALDS, but totally broke down running his butt off to 1B to try and keep the Yankees alive. Most players would have been on the DL long before that game.
(SS) Jeter played hurt most of the year. He continued to play as always while hurt or hurting!
(3B) ARod’s hip was bothering him and he still played. He has become the epitome of a team player right before our eyes!
(LF) Gutty Gardner played with one hand tied behind his back the last month or so of the season. Well, actually it was his thumb!
(RF) Swish played on one knee for more than a month. Never complaining & giving it his all while looking like a one legged bandit out in the outfield and on the bases.
Now, given all this occuring all at basically the same time during the stretch run and the playoffs, the Yankees still almost won the AL Pennant. A healthy Yankee team beats Texas handily, especially with Lee being relegated to just one start due to their ALCS.
Personally, given the facts I think the Yanks overachieved at the end of the year as the walking wounded almost got to the WS in spite of all the obstacles including some questionable Manager decisions too.
YankeesWFAN Mike Harkey being given serious consideration as new pitching coach. Good relationships with Sabathia and Burnett among others.
I agree Ray…I think the Yankees played with a lot of heart, desire, guts, whatever you want to call it. And some of Girardi’s apparently strange decisions and appearing “tight” may have been due to the injuries and other issues we don’t know about.
I am disappointed that the Yankees weren’t in the WS, but at least they were in the final 4!
Talent wins WS. Doesn’t matter if it’s heavily concentrated in pitching or not.
Straight up talent wins.
@longtimefan
Cashman has been one of the better GM’s in the game. Not every move has worked out, but he has taken the franchise in the right direction. That includes the minor league system, which was trash when he got full power from Steinbrenner.
Lets not forget about the Swisher trade, signing Robbie below market value, etc, etc.
YankeesWFAN Gil Patterson is interesting candidate. In Oak organization helped turn Andrew Bailey from starter to All Star closer.
Despite Harkey being a coach on our team, I know nothing about the guy. I think I’d prefer Aldred or Patterson. Both seem like very good choices to me.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this… Bengie Molina will win a World Series ring even though he lost with the Rangers. Who are the other players that won a ring but lost in the World Series. All I can find out is that there were five others. Anyone know names?
I’m not sure what they get points for and why 100 is the line of demarcation but from a comparative standpoint Bill James latest HOF Monitor is quite the group. Are all listed HOFers?
Leading Hall of Fame candidates born since 1968 or still active as of the end of 2010 with more than 100 points under James? new Hall of Fame Monitor are:
Alex Rodriguez (188)
Mariano Rivera (150)
Albert Pujols (146)
Derek Jeter (138)
Manny Ramirez (125)
Frank Thomas (121)
Mike Piazza (120)
Ken Griffey, Jr. (114)
Ichiro Suzuki (110)
Jeff Bagwell (107)
Chipper Jones (107)
Trevor Hoffman (106)
Roberto Alomar (105)
Vladimir Guerrero (105)
Gary Sheffield (101)
Sammy Sosa (100)
Ivan Rodriguez falls one short with 99 points. Todd Helton (92), Billy Wagner (92), and Jim Thome (91) are the only other players active in 2010 with 90 or more points.
That list doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Zack Greinke experiences anxiety in SOCIAL situations, not PROFESSIONAL or job related ones. Although fielding questions from the media is a social situation, it’s one that ends the minute Greinke steps on the mound to do his JOB.
Good morning LOHUD
(Cue the “Greinke said he doesn’t want to pitch in NY” retorts that carry no water because Greinke NEVER literally said those words. People have merely projected their own subjective, interpretations of what Greinke literally said)
So I guess teams can start negociations with all free agents on Saturday…..so do we then expect a Derek Jeter deal sometime this week?
And yet Greinke almost quit baseball. His job.
Blake
I suppose that all depends on when the supposed nuptials are
The whole social anxiety thing is secondary to me regarding Greinke….the main reason I don’t want them to go down that road is the cost to aquire him which will be substantial.
While I try to figure out why GreenBeret wouldn’t trade Jesus Montero for one of the best young pitchers in baseball – a little nugget for you:
This world series was one of only four possible championship combinations where two teams that share a name with a franchise in another professional sport could play eachother:
Rangers (MLB, NHL) vs. Cards (MLB, NFL) in WS
Rangers (MLB, NHL) vs. Kings (NHL, NBA) in Stanley Cup
Rangers (MLB, NHL) vs. Giants (MLB, NFL) in WS
Kings (NHL, NBA) vs. Panthers (NFL, NHL) in Stanley Cup
I’m curious to see what the Nationals offer Cliff Lee. They floated 5 years 125 million. Nobody’s paying more than 25 million per season for him. The only way to top that offer is to go 6 or 7 years.
Jerkface November 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
And yet Greinke almost quit baseball. His job.
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If I played for the Royals I would consider it too
blake November 2nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
The whole social anxiety thing is secondary to me regarding Greinke….the main reason I don’t want them to go down that road is the cost to aquire him which will be substantial.
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Oh, definitely agree. It would cost Montero. But if the Yankees were willing to trade Montero for Lee they should be willing to trade him for Greinke who is much younger and cost controlled (compared to Lee) for 2 more years.
Blake,
Congratulations. You won Trisha’s playoff prediction chart. She will make arrangements to get you the $100 when she comes back on the blog.
I will post the chart tonight when I get back home for anyone who wants to see it.
Roy Halladay almost quit baseball as well…I don’t presume to know if Greinke could handle NY or not but I do know he would probably cost Montero + and I don’t like that.
blake November 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
So I guess teams can start negociations with all free agents on Saturday?..so do we then expect a Derek Jeter deal sometime this week?
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I hope it happens as quickly as possible.
WOW Blake
and Fran, thanks for taking over for Trisha, hope she returns soon.
Fran, wow I can’t believe that. Cool..thanks.
upstate kate November 2nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
Blake
I suppose that all depends on when the supposed nuptials are
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I’m willing to bet there won’t be a wedding.
108 stitches November 2nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
This could be Chamberlain’s last opportunity to show he wants to be a Yankee. If he commits to going to Phoenix and look like a pitcher, it helps his cause. Otherwise, Cashman will dangle him in a deal. Maybe Gil Patterson can be the one to fix him. If Cashman works a deal with Kerry Wood and Andrew Brackman emerges, Chamberlain is gone.
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Do you think he would even want to go to the fall league?
Actually here is the final chart.
http://members.cox.net/lsdorga.....WS2010.pdf
The World Series result just goes to prove what Casey Stengel said many years ago “Good pitching always beats good hitting, and vice versa ”
But seriously, we should be happy that the Yankees once again were in contention and gave their best throughout the year.
“……if the Yankees were willing to trade Montero for Lee they should be willing to trade him for Greinke who is much younger and cost controlled (compared to Lee) for 2 more years.
Greinke has a no-trade so the cost controlled part likely disappears to get him to waive if he would waive it.
Not to mention Greinke is not as good.
Fran
It doesn’t change the winner, but the Giants won in 5, not 6
Hard to envision any budget issues:
- Steinbrenner’s death in July occurred six months after the federal estate tax expired save Hal et al approximately $500 million in federal estate taxes.
- The franchise’s value is estimated to be approaching $2 billion dollars.
- The Yankees had the highest attendance in baseball in 2010.
The Yankees already are vilified for their budget excesses. Last year they were at $213 million, I can’t imagine adding another $20 million or so if need be would make much of a difference financially or public relations-wise.
Pat,
I’d like to see a link detailing that Greinke has a no-trade with the Yankees on it which would be the only way to support your premise.
Kate,
Thanks for that Kate. Sorry for the error. But Blake still wins.I would have felt awful if I had to take back his prize.
I wonder if the Yankees go long term with the Core guys using personal contracts?
Say Jeter 10yrs at $10M/yr.
Say Mo 10yrs at $5M/yr
Say Pettite 10yrs @ $5M/yr
& Jorge next year at 10 yrs @ $5M/yr
This would relieve salary luxury tax concerns and in affect be a defferred payment plan. Not sure if this is an acceptable way to do this or not. Also, if a signing bonus could be used & averaged over the life of the contract as well.
Blake, good job on winning the pool and the $ 100. You nipped me by 2 points, you da man !
Grienke’s contract was for 4 yrs & $38M.
2009 – $3.75M
2010 – $7.25M
2011 – $13.5M
2012 – $13.5M
So as you can see it jumps this year significantly to $13.5M.
Multiple major league sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that Zack Greinke’s contract includes a limited no-trade clause through the 2011 season. Sure to be a subject of trade talk this winter, Greinke was able to block trades to 20 teams during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Next season (2011), that list shrinks to 15. According to Morosi, this season the clause would have allowed the Royals to trade Greinke to mostly smaller market clubs, including the Rays. Interestingly, last year’s Cy Young Award winner could have blocked deals to large market teams like the Red Sox and Yankees. Greinke, who turns 27 on Thursday, still has two years and $27 million left on his contract, but the Royals will be able to ship him wherever they want after next season.
New Post: Rule 5 decisions looming for Yankees
I agree that young pitching is the most valuable comodity in the game, which makes it all the more odd that the Yankees have chosen to make Joba Chamberlain a one-inning middle reliever. The value of non-closing reliever is so much lower than the value of a starting pitcher. Why have the Yanks abandoned the plan for Joba to be a starter? Com on, he was, what, 22 or 23 during his one full season as a starter? Give him a chance!
# CCBiggs November 2nd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I agree that young pitching is the most valuable comodity in the game, which makes it all the more odd that the Yankees have chosen to make Joba Chamberlain a one-inning middle reliever. The value of non-closing reliever is so much lower than the value of a starting pitcher. Why have the Yanks abandoned the plan for Joba to be a starter? Com on, he was, what, 22 or 23 during his one full season as a starter? Give him a chance!
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Yea it is weird that they would come out this early and state that he’s a reliever. I guess they are doing what ppl always wanted them to do which is pick a role and stick with it. But it’s clear that not many fans are happy with their decision. You make a good point which is the value of a non closing reliever is so much lower than a starter. That doesn’t mean that you can throw anyone in the 8th inning but you can find those pitchers either through trades or in your system. The one reason why I wanted Joba to start is because I knew that with the Yankees resources they could find a guy to pitch late in games. I never understood the belief that Joba had to pitch the 8th inning because “he’s the only one that could do it/he needs to be Mo’s replacement” As Hughes and Wood have shown over the past couple of seasons you can find the right guy to do it
Yet with that “tremendous lineup” Cashman is so high on, the Yanks scored 3 runs or fewer a whopping 54 times this season. Exactly 1/3 of the season.
Yeah, Cash, you had power. You had speed. You also had guys who couldn’t even put the ball in play with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs. You had way too many strikeouts and most of the lineup had bad years, and they aren’t getting any younger.