More than a spot start: Yankees could stick with Colon
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Apr 21, 2011 
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Out of spring training, the Yankees settled on a rotation without Bartolo Colon. They weren’t sure he could hold up through a starter’s workload, and they liked the idea of using Colon as a versatile reliever. At this point, though, the rotation has been a weakness, and after last night, the Yankees could be tempted to stick with Colon beyond this fill-in duty.
“Obviously you don’t want to take him out of the rotation if he can continue to do this,” Joe Girardi said. “Our concern was innings, and it’s something we have to be cognizant of, I believe, and watch him closely. If you’re going to throw the ball well, you’re going to get the ball.”
The Yankees don’t know yet whether Phil Hughes has made significant progress with his arm strength, and giving Colon a second start is a no-brainer.
But if Colon pitches like this again, the Yankees might have to consider keeping him beyond Hughes’ DL stint. Even on a limited pitch count, Colon pitched into the seventh inning, giving the Yankees more depth than they’re used to seeing. CC Sabathia has pitched into the seventh twice, A.J. Burnett has done it once, and no other starter has lasted beyond the sixth inning.
It’s one start, so it’s hard to make too much of it, but Colon has pitched well since spring training. As my good friend Mark Feinsand pointed out, Colon has pitched more than twice as many innings as Freddy Garcia, the guy who got a rotation spot because of his durability. Hughes remains on the DL, Ivan Nova has not pitched well, and Colon might be emerging as one of the Yankees five best starters.
“There are some (concerns about durability) and that’s something we’ll watch,” Girardi said. “We’ll continue to watch the movement on his fastball and the location and his velocity, but he’s not showing any signs of fatigue, and he’s worked pretty regular here.”
As for Colon?
“I feel like I can go every five days,” he said.
Associated Press photo
He’ll grab Nova’s spot.
Of course he should have a rotation spot. Who do they have that can take his place?
Colon looked very impressive last night.
Hopefully Colon can hold up….If he can, it’s a no-brainer to use him. He’s got great stuff.
Does anyone think that Weaver’s incredible start makes it less likely he signs an extension or more likely. I personally think he is pricing himself out of Ana
An ode to Bartolo, from the folks at “It is High…”
http://johnsterling.blogspot.c.....rtolo.html
Yea I was in favor of Nova in the rotation and he’ll remain there for now but he does have options.
I think you see how Hughes progresses and if he’s regaining his arm strength and Colon is still pitching well and Nova isn’t then you just option Nova and re-insert Hughes into his spot.
This is a fluid situation……but I think you have to ride this wave with Colon while you can, he’s not doing this with smoke and mirrors or luck….he’s getting hitters out in a legit and hopefully sustainable way……so far kudos to scout Tony Pena.
I really don’t think it is reasonable to think that The Yankees will give up on Nova as a SP at this early date. What has it been 2 starts and 1 relief appearance ?
When is Garcia’s next start?
Triple,
The Moreno hates Boras so much that I just don’t know…..I personally wouldn’t want Weaver long term….his delivery scares me a bit.
You don’t give up on Nova by any stretch….Hughes isn’t ready now anyway. What you do is you see how things go. See how Garcia pitches, see how Nova pitches, see how Colon pitches, and see how Hughes progresses.
When/if Hughes is ready to return to the rotation then you make the appropriate choice at that time. If Garcia and Colon are still pitching well and Nova isn’t….then you option Nova and insert Hughes. It may not play out that way…..too early to know.
tomingeorgia April 21st, 2011 at 9:23 am
When is Garcia?s next start?
************************
I think he goes on Saturday
Thanks, Erin. With all these off days, I’ve gotten even more confused than normal.
blake,
I know Weaver got pissed last year about the million or so they argued about during his arb hearing. I wonder what he would be looking for on the open market? I know he is a flyball guy but he could be the best of a pretty sad lot of 2012 guys since Cash screwed the pooch in not getting Haren last year
I do not agree you should simply throw in the towel on Nova. He has had only three starts.
Right now Colon looks like the second best starter on the team. If he can consistently go 6 or 7 good innings it would be foolish to take him out of the rotation.
You take the 5 best guys. CC’s spot is locked, Hughes gets back into the rotation when his stint on the DL is complete. Nova, Garcia and Colon are back to duking it out for those last two spots. Colon’s got the advantage for #4.
As we all know, you can’t have too much pitching. I am sure everyone will get their opportunity to contribute. Colon was a joy to watch last night, as was D-rob.
I think that Nova has to prove he belongs in the rotation. He has not given length in his last few starts, and still, like last season, has trouble after the 1st time through the line-up.
I have this feeling that Millwood will replace Nova in the rotation shortly. I’m not looking forward to it.
I dont think Millwood is the first option.
Noesi will get a chance, and truthfully i would rather see Silva, but i think Nova has some leeway.
Colon wasn’t going to forget how to pitch. He’s been doing it successfully for quite a while now. He was injured enough to be out of baseball for a while, but seems to have recovered to the point he ca hit 94 mph. If his arm and shoulder hold up, he’s going to be the guy we saw last night. If his arm falls off, it’ll be a shame. But in the meantime, he’s a pleasure to watch.
I think Nova lost some cred Tuesday night. The Yanks have the luxury of skipping a rotation slot – I wonder if they will which would mean almost a week before Nova starts again. Millwood had a good outing the other day and in May the Yanks have to use him or lose him. I’m no Millwood fan but I think we will see him in the Yank rotation before Noesi.
They need to let Millwood go….he’s not any good anymore.
Triple,
Weaver is setting himself up to get a big deal on the open market….I wouldn’t want to give it to him though. Fly ball pitcher, across his body delivery, etc…..I just don’t see him pitching at this level for very long, I could be wrong but I’d pass on him.
Silva is probably a better option than Millwood.
blake, I’m not pushing Millwood, I’m just predicting what the Yanks will do.
Hi Tomingeorgia,
Good point about Colon. Don’t know if he’ll hold up for the season, but he sure is doing a good job so far.
agreed that history will show the Yankees will probably try Millwood out before going to Adam Warren or Hector Noesi, but i wish they wouldn’t.
I believe Wave is right. Millwood will most likely get his chance.
Famous words on WFAN. We will get to the Yankees later. What an absolute disgrace that station is
We will get to the Yankees later.
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lol Yankees aren’t a story right now. Every NY station is going heavy Rangers
Against All Odds,
As they should. What I take issue with is covering the Mets as much as they do. But what do you expect when they only hire Met fans
Strange as it might be, Colon is probably the second best starter on the team right now. That might not last and he might get injured or worn down, but as long as he’s performing you have to keep sending him out there. If he lasts most/all te season, even better. If not, at least he’s helping win games now. If/when Hughes gets his act together, you just remove whichever of Nova or Garcia is pitching worse. That’s just a no brainer. Nova’s been bad after a strong spring. Garcia was very good in his lone start so far but you have to wonder how long the smoke and mirrors act can hold up. Moyer made a career of it. Who knows. As for Nova, even if Hughes isn’t ready, I think you give him 2 more starts, and if he’s still ineffective you give Noesi a shot and send Nova back down. But I’m really pulling for Nova to get straight.
Wave,
I know you’re not and you might be right….
i hope this year’s start will help drive home a point that i think some fans are still slow to pick up on – the baseline talent level the Yankees enjoy.
Yankees have few players clicking on all cylinders. They aren’t hitting for an high average, the bullpen has been great at times but obviously has cost them at least 2 wins, the starting pitching is a work in progress for sure, with Sabathia and Hughes yet to record a win, and some unsightly looking ERAs.
Yet the team is 10-6, and could easily be 11-5, or 12-4, all 100-plus win paces. I believe they’re the only team yet to lose 2 games in a row.
This is NOT luck. This is more than just more home games thus far. The schedule hasn’t been a patsy. This isn’t something that will “catch up” to them. More likely the opposite in fact.
This is simply a product of their unmatched talent level. This is why they’re a easy pick to make the PS every year. They simply have more tools, 1-25, than anyone else, even though they might not be league-leading all areas, and league average in some.
btw – for those who wanted to see the Yankees league-leading offense from a year ago be more “consistent”… well, be careful what you wish for.
Yankees are “on pace” to score 891 runs, a healthy pace above last season’s 859, but they doing is “consistently” by scoring 5 to 6 runs a night, which is going to mean the front-end of your bullpen is going to be used a LOT.
What I suspect is people who wished for more consistency really just wanted the same amount of offensive explosions and less 3 runs or less games, which is a whole other thing.
Millwood is like watching AJ when he is off.
I think the Yanks will go with whomever is pitching best, not the name.
They gave Nova the nod over Colon coming out of ST. Could see them going with somebody else over Millwood if they had to decide. Remember, getting AA batters out is much different than ML batters. It’s how well they’re throwing the ball.
Stuck:
‘I believe they’re the only team yet to lose 2 games in a row’.
================
They have not lost two in a row, nor have they won three in a row. (I posted this yesterday) Yet they still have a decent W – L record.
Warren threw 8 shut out innings last night.
“Famous words on WFAN. We will get to the Yankees later. What an absolute disgrace that station is”
You mean you have a wait a while to hear people with no more insight into the Yankees than you say things that provide no new insight into the Yankees?
# Triple Short of a Cycle April 21st, 2011 at 10:28 am
Against All Odds,
As they should. What I take issue with is covering the Mets as much as they do. But what do you expect when they only hire Met fans
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That’s a good point and I realized the same thing a couple of yrs ago. The Mets would be losing games left and right while the Yankees would be tearing up the league but the topic of discussion is the Mets. I’ve never seen a team this bad get this much coverage.
This is a great problem to have!
Good pitching!
“They have not lost two in a row, nor have they won three in a row. (I posted this yesterday) Yet they still have a decent W – L record.”
They have a GREAT W-L record.
Win 2, lose 1 will get you the best record in the Major Leagues every year.
stuckey99,
Exactly
Triple Short of a Cycle April 21st, 2011 at 9:16 am
Does anyone think that Weaver’s incredible start makes it less likely he signs an extension or more likely. I personally think he is pricing himself out of Anaheim.
*********************
Moreno has been an enigma, you never know what he’s going to do. Money is not an issue for him but he’s a complex guy as is evidenced by his ridiculous feud with Boras which only hurts him and the team. The Angels are drawing about 40,000 at home, (fourth in baseball) are in first place and built around pitching; personally I doubt Weaver is on the block but stranger things have happened.
Against All Odds,
and the funny thing about is they contradict themselves all the time. They say we took about what is on the back page of the paper. That is a lie. They also say they took about teams when they are bad and they cover negative stories more. Then how come when the Giants are free falling every year in the second half they are still covering the Jets.
I wish they would just be honest and say we cover the Mets and Jets because we root for them
Good morning all,
I haven’t returned to NY yet, but when you think about it. The Mutts are the story…how dreadful they are. The Yankees are doing exactly ‘what they are supposed to be doing’. Where’s the story in that. I detest the Mutts, and it would gall me too.
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If Millwood can make the team, what’s the harm. These guys are holding spaces until the young crowd is ready to make the ‘Bigs’. There is no large financial commitment and so far so good. If Colon and Garcia can win games at a good rate, they can lets the AAA guys get even more experience, and it is not so frightening that Hughes is having problems at the moment. He doesn’t have to pitch his way out of them in NY.
So far this plan is working. It is a stop gap measure, but it is entirely possible someone will stick long term.
SAS,
and the Mets are doing exactly what they were supposed to do so where is the story?
He’ll grab Nova’s spot.
——
Lol. Weren’t you saying that Nova has better stuff than Hughes a couple weeks ago?
Funny how fast these things change.
Gossip Break:
YankeesPR RT @CosmoOnline #cosmocrush of the day: @cgrand14: http://tinyurl.com/45xjexw
Millwood’s stuff makes Javy look like Nolan Ryan. Then again, given how these things go, he’ll probably win ten games for us this year.
# Triple Short of a Cycle April 21st, 2011 at 10:50 am
Against All Odds,
and the funny thing about is they contradict themselves all the time. They say we took about what is on the back page of the paper. That is a lie. They also say they took about teams when they are bad and they cover negative stories more. Then how come when the Giants are free falling every year in the second half they are still covering the Jets.
I wish they would just be honest and say we cover the Mets and Jets because we root for them
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They try very hard to hide their true colors lol.
But the way things are going the Mutts won’t be the story for long. They lost again last night in typical Mutt fashion.
Triple,
The Mets have a group of fans that need satisfying. I don’t want to read it….and don’t. Obviously, that news sells papers. However, the Yankees will get their share of space when the Mets get no better.
The Yankees have instilled a philosophy of layered depth. Although I believe they have done this in the past as well it usually didn’t become a reality until August. This year basically culminated a plan to protect against injuries.
Catcher – Martin, Cervelli, Montero, Posada (Molina?)
1B – Tex, Chavez, Vasquez, Swisher, Posada
2B – Cano, , Pena
SS – Jeter, , Pena
3B – ARod, Chavez, Laird
LF – Gardner, A Jones, Dickerson
CF – Granderson, Gardner, Maxwell, Golson
RF – Swisher, A Jones, Golson, Parraz
SP – CC, AJ, Hughes, Garcia, Nova
SP – Colon, Millwood, Silva, Noesi
SP – B’s (3)
CL – Mo & Soriano
SU – Soriano & Joba
7th – Joba & DRob
LH – Logan & Feliciano
Now some injuries have occured already, but I don’t remember having this much depth on a Yankee team since Free Agency began.
# Triple Short of a Cycle April 21st, 2011 at 10:56 am
SAS,
and the Mets are doing exactly what they were supposed to do so where is the story?
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A caller on Mike’s show made that point yesterday.
Caller: I hear these Met fans calling up saying how upset they are about the team. Are they really surprised with how they are playing? We all knew this was going to be a bad yr how can anyone be shocked
I left out Nunez as I forgot his name momentarily! LOL!
Oh and my fav is when a Met fan says well they are the flagship station. I say fair enough but the Giants are also the flagship station. That shuts them up pretty quick
Ray VT
…and Nuñez at 3B, SS.
What I love about Colon is that he throws strikes. He doesn’t burn 100 pitches to barely get through 4 and 1/3 innings. I wish some of our young pitchers could learn something from a guy like this who lives in strike zone and saves the pen from overuse because of his approach.
I don’t know when/if the wheels are going to come off Colon and he’s going to turn into a pumpkin (no fat jokes here please), but I wish the guy good health because for me, this is a fun guy to watch pitch right now.
As for the pen, I actually was thinking last night that Ayala hitting the DL so early has hurt us. I liked him a lot this spring and early in the season and I think you can put him in the game last night after Colon and he probably gets through it without having Soriano being used. I hope he gets back soon. I think he was a stealthy weapon out of the pen.
Hi SAS!
Erin
how could that list overlook Robbie?
Yankees need their own flagship station
any thoughts on the Mets ?
kate-my thoughts exactly.
Mike Ri,
I hear crickets
Triple Short of a Cycle
haha ..
G. Love,
I agree on the strike throwing. Nothing irritates me more than pitchers walking guys…..both starters and especially relievers. Colon and Garcia both pounded the strike zone in their outings…..make the other team beat you if you’re going to be beaten.
Mike Ri April 21st, 2011 at 11:20 am
any thoughts on the Mets ?
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The Mets are embarrassing the City. I’m a Yankee fan and I rooted for them the other day for an inning or two although they lost and got wiped out by Wandy Rodriguez. It’s sad to see that team play. They are terrible.
Hi Kate,
Really good to have you back. You were missed.
So you had a good night last night. I should have had a good night with Halladay the night before…not to be 2 pts. I think. Last night I had 2 pitchers going. Harang did alright, but not the other guy I picked up, but for the first time since we started a have had a lead against my “rival” for 2 days. For me that is exciting.
I Like Inge
—-
Yeah . .i kinda rooted for them myself.. My buddy is a huge Mets fan..
HOWEVER —- I try to tame my rooting to a certain limit because I know if the shoe was on the other foot.. . FORGET about anyone feeling sorry or rooting for the Yanks.
Speaking of the Mets, what’s the over/under on numbers of days before Bret the Hitman or someone else starts beating the Beltran for left field drum?
On a similar note, Reyes for SS in 2012?
I think the issues with Colon are health and stamina. If both continue, I think he can be a big contributor this season. He still has above average velo, his command has been terrific, and he knows how to set hitters up. I’m really impressed.
Also, what’s the over/under on Cashman getting some credit for Colon/Garcia/Martin?
stuckey99-
Reyes is going to have alot of suitors knocking on his door.
# stuckey99 April 21st, 2011 at 11:40 am
Speaking of the Mets, what’s the over/under on numbers of days before Bret the Hitman or someone else starts beating the Beltran for left field drum?
On a similar note, Reyes for SS in 2012?
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Lol Met fans would leave NY if they saw Reyes in pinstripes. I’d rather have Tulo but that’s not going to happen. What I really want to see is Jeter get red hot.
Reyes wants Crawford money.
Mike Ri April 21st, 2011 at 11:38 am
I Like Inge
—-
Yeah . .i kinda rooted for them myself.. My buddy is a huge Mets fan..
HOWEVER —- I try to tame my rooting to a certain limit because I know if the shoe was on the other foot.. . FORGET about anyone feeling sorry or rooting for the Yanks.
—————–
Same here. My mother in law is a big met fan but I stopped busting her chops. They are too pathetic to make fun of nowadays. And yes if the Yankees sucked no one would have any sympathy.
“Reyes is going to have alot of suitors knocking on his door.”
Believe, I’m not advocating it. Just anticipating when a sect of our fellow fans will.
That said, the number of suitors wouldn’t (in theory) be an issue for the Yanks.
Look Jeter will get better. he isn’t going to hit 220 all year but giving him a 4 years deal was just insane. You could have given a 2 year 30 million dollar deal with a mutual option for year 3. If he says no you wave goodbye just like they should have done with Jorge instead of giving the extra year
Stuckey
The over/under would depend on who you ask.
On the Sunday night espn broadcast, Bobby V was giving Cashmand big time credit on his acquisitions…on lo hud, not so much.
SAS
I got 108 points last night..still not enough to go ahead but I am closer!
Cashman has been give credit by many for his risk/reward moves this offseason. Martin, Chavez, Garcia, Colon…..
# stuckey99 April 21st, 2011 at 11:46 am
“Reyes is going to have alot of suitors knocking on his door.”
Believe, I’m not advocating it. Just anticipating when a sect of our fellow fans will.
That said, the number of suitors wouldn’t (in theory) be an issue for the Yanks.
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And Reyes wants to stay in NY or at least that’s what the insiders say. Who knows if that’s true or not.
New Post: So far, the Grandy Man can
If Jose Reyes wants Carl Crawford money, he needs to improve his play.
I watched a TV game Sunday, when Yanks where ESPN night game – dumb, just dumb late-inning baserunning.
# Joe from Long Island April 21st, 2011 at 11:55 am
If Jose Reyes wants Carl Crawford money, he needs to improve his play.
I watched a TV game Sunday, when Yanks where ESPN night game – dumb, just dumb late-inning baserunning.
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last night was bad too getting doubled off first
stuckey99 April 21st, 2011 at 11:42 am
Also, what’s the over/under on Cashman getting some credit for Colon/Garcia/Martin?
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Cashman has received lots of credit for those acquisitions.
“I think the issues with Colon are health and stamina. If both continue, I think he can be a big contributor this season. He still has above average velo, his command has been terrific, and he knows how to set hitters up.”
i’ve been arguing for this kind of veteran for the fifth spot for years. a guy like colon or livan or garcia has spent most of his life on mlb mounds. they really are in their element unlike any rookie ever would be.
when a young guy is chomping at the bit and really ready for the majors and not just fooling guys like jerkface or lgy into thinking he has nothing left to learn at triple a by getting triple a guys out with two pitches, then i think you go with the rookie prospect in that fifth spot.
colon will not make it the whole season though. he is going to get injured. his body hasn’t pitched a full season in a long time and once he starts going out there every fifth start he’s going to tweak something. so the yankees are going to need nova, garcia, hughes, etc to patch up this rotation.
what i would do with colon is pull the plus every 4-5 starts even if he seems healthy for preventative maintenance. this way they may avoid the inevitable hamstring or groin pull that seems to hit this kind of pitcher.
ironically i think cashman does his best work when he screws up the most.
when he painted himself into the corner by arriving at the 2011 season with a sketchy rotation, he went out and filled every hole he could with jones,chavez,garcia, colon, etc. of course he needed a little help from hank and hal with soriano which any yankee fan has to admit has solidified the bullpen.
and how could i forget martin. that was a coup. the red sox blew it on that one.of course pat m nailed that one at the time of the signing by saying yankee fans would love his gamer type approach. i watched martin on one you tube video and said pat m was right.
it really doesn’t take more than a glance to evaluate cacthers if you know what to look for. it’s cacther’s attitude folks, and russel has it.
montero too for you doubters.
Weaver is a Southern CA guy with a very scary (injury wise) delivery. I’d say pass and let him stay out west. Angels, Dodgers, Padres, etc. Boras will have a field day with this one. He’ll say he has offers from 20 teams when in fact the market may be pretty slim.
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