Worth keeping: Phelps becoming a bullpen standout
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jul 26, 2012 
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The Yankees liked Alfredo Aceves. They found him pitching in Mexico, moved him quickly through the minor league system and got 10 wins out of him in 2009. He was versatile and effective, a nice piece of the pitching staff. But the Yankees didn’t think he was irreplaceable.
When Aceves couldn’t stay healthy in 2010, then hurt himself in an offseason bicycle accident, the Yankees decided they didn’t want to keep Aceves on their 40-man roster. That’s when the Yankees let him go, starting the chain of events that will bring Aceves to Yankee Stadium this weekend as the Red Sox closer. Plenty of fans are still frustrated that Yankees lost him in the first place.
But surely David Phelps is easing some of that frustration.
“He’s thrown the ball exceptionally well since he’s come back (from the minors),” Joe Girardi said. “Really good location of his fastball. Curveball’s been sharp. Slider has been good.”
Phelps and Aceves are an imperfect comparison for several reasons, but Phelps is essentially filling the role that might have belonged to Aceves had Aceves stayed in the Bronx. And Phelps is doing it better. After last night’s win he’s 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA that’s lower than any other Yankees pitcher with more than 40 innings this season. The only Yankees with lower season ERAs are Mariano Rivera, Dave Robertson and Rafael Soriano (and Dewayne Wise).
“When I started the season I was aggressive,” Phelps said. “Then I went through a stretch when I was a little bit tentative and not as aggressive. Now I’m just really focusing on getting strike one. If you can get strike one, you can control the rest of the at-bat a lot easier.”
Phelps is 25 years old, the same age Aceves was when he came to the big leagues for the first time, but he just might have what Aceves lacked in New York: Staying power. Even with the trade deadline approaching, the Yankees might have found something worth keeping in their rookie long man.
“When I was down there (in the minor leagues) I got back on the attack,” Phelps said, “and really got comfortable with my mechanics (because of) just being able to pitch and throw a couple of bullpens and be on a routine. I just feel like I’m confident in all my pitches, and I’m just trusting what Russ puts down.”
Associated Press photo
Looking forward to the return of Joba.
I assume his role will bump Cody Eppley down a notch.
If Joba were pitching in those Oakland games, the Yankees might not have lost the 2 games
where Eppley pitched.
Wtp me too. Joba to the pen!
Joba to the pen!
——————
Unfortunately
“. . . .and I’m just trusting what Russ puts down.”
The poetics – - – the wax – - – -
The wax poetics of Russel Martin from David Phelps (please note that David Phelps is far more of an expert than anyone on the blog regarding whether a certain player is valuable at the catcher position – David Phelps is a mlb pitcher that does not sit behind the glow of a computer screen while watching games on YES and offering arm chair scouting analysis and offering it as fact regarding Martin – nor does – as I am aware – Phelps believe in the now infamous conspiracy that Joe Girardi wanted Montero out of town).
“The wax poetics of Russel Martin from David Phelps (please note that David Phelps is far more of an expert than anyone on the blog regarding whether a certain player is valuable at the catcher position –”
Is that you Russ?
DKnobler DKnobler
@
White Sox still seem completely focused on trying to get Greinke. 4:22pm – 26 Jul 12
Who do they even have to trade
Is that you Russ?
=================
Nah!! He would be writting in french
blake July 26th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
“The wax poetics of Russel Martin from David Phelps (please note that David Phelps is far more of an expert than anyone on the blog regarding whether a certain player is valuable at the catcher position –”
Is that you Russ?
*******
No, I am not Canadian.
If the White Sox have what it takes to get Greinke, then we should be in on him and try to flip him or Hughes/Garcia to another team in either a 3 way or separate deals.
Are the White Sox going to trade that Beckham kid who busted? That’s about the only thing I can envision they have. They’ve dealt everyone else.
Chad,
First off, my condolences for your friend’s loss.
Secondly, I know you are busy with more important issues today, but I was curious to know what town in Missouri are you from?
I was in Missouri last week to visit a friend and some family in Springfield, Nixa, and Ozark. And damn, it was HOT.
The temp varied between 95 and 105 the entire week and I don’t have air in my truck.
The problem with a guy like Martin and even Stewart is that the quantifiable part of their game stinks so badly that as outsiders we determine they have no value. However it is the part of the game that can’t be quantified (how they work with pitchers, how they call a game) that is why teammates, managers and GMs value them.
Now again it is the age old “intangibles” issue that people had back when we were comparing Jeter, Nomar and Alex and saying that while Nomar and Alex had better numbers Jeter was the better player…no I am not calling Russ Martin Derek Jeter so please put your knives away. What I am saying is that Martin’s best quality is one that can’t be quantified, it is only really appreciated by the people he works with and for.
Does that offset his general suckiness at the plate? No. And if Austin Romine were healthy then I don’t think Martin would stand a chance of coming back to the Yankees next year. But as it stands. I think the Yankees would, at the very least, consider bringing him back on a one year contract because of how much they value his work with the pitching staff.
G. Love July 26th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
If the White Sox have what it takes to get Greinke, then we should be in on him and try to flip him or Hughes/Garcia to another team in either a 3 way or separate deals.
Are the White Sox going to trade that Beckham kid who busted? That’s about the only thing I can envision they have. They’ve dealt everyone else.
——————
Maybe Tyler Flowers and Jose Quintana for Greinke
Oh and G – The Yankees have had several chances to acquire Zack Greinke – I don’t think they want him.
“Is that you Russ?”
blake-
i’m guessing maybe stoneburner is stuckey in an alter ego.
Montero had a great series in KC after the All-Star break [by the way, wasn't that "Don't call it a break -- we play on" commercial kind of silly given the amount of time off that even the participants got after the game was over? But I digress; Montero was no All-Star, so for him it was a very long break], perhaps his best stretch of games this season. It’s very possible that his performance in that series kept him from being sent down to Tacoma.
So the Royals are rolling into SafeCo tonight to start a 4-game series.
How many of these games will Montero catch and how will he do against the team he just raked against last week? Is this where we see Montero break out at home?
Chip July 26th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Oh and G – The Yankees have had several chances to acquire Zack Greinke – I don’t think they want him.
————————-
The thing is he wanted the Yankees lol.
Randy,
Talking about your bet…How does that bet played out, since Pineda never went to the minors?
I still believe phelps has value as a starter and I see him as being more talented than Aceves. Throw me in with those who think phelps should be starting instead of Freddy
Astro,
Welcome to the club
chip – that was actually insightful. and i’m not being sarcastic. they obviously see something that we fans do not. and with the team in first place, by a good margin, with best record in baseball…..that something must be working.
later.
“i’m guessing maybe stoneburner is stuckey in an alter ego.”
Is that guess based on anything besides your mutual dislike for both screen personas?
Their writing/communication style is not remotely alike, and, while stuckey could certainly annoy some of you, he wasn’t a nut. And Stoneburner is reportedly one of the refugees from the Daily News blog (and perhaps one of the people who broke it, but that’s just conjecture).
I wish the actual stuckey would return and pay up his outstanding debt to me.
astrocityfan July 26th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I still believe phelps has value as a starter and I see him as being more talented than Aceves. Throw me in with those who think phelps should be starting instead of Freddy
———————————————————————————————
Freddy as a starter could give the Yankees a chance to trade him in return
for a need on the team.
Phelps as a starter might not do the same.
I say continue to start Freddy as long as he is getting outs and giving the team a chance to win.
With some luck a team out there will bite, request a trade for Freddy and the Yankees can then slot Phelps into the rotation as a starter.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I would prefer to see Freddy traded and not Phelps
right now
i’m guessing maybe stoneburner is stuckey in an alter ego
==================
I don´t think so…Not the same writting
randy l. July 26th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
“Is that you Russ?”
blake-
i’m guessing maybe stoneburner is stuckey in an alter ego.
****
I cannot help but be touched that there is a guessing game regarding whether I am someone else. Very creative imagination – kind of like Joe Girardi having it “in” for Montero. Does anyone have an actual e-mail or Memo to support this wild fantasy?
Now here is another wax poetic for the elitist prospect fan boys – - – -
-
Why do they continue to ignore Nik Turley yet are gaga over every Betances start? Could it be that publications told them long ago that Betances is generational and they are too vested like Montero to pull back now? Interesting – interesting – interesting
Thanks Luis ! Is there a secret handshake? ????
And why am I reminded of that old line ” I wouldn’t want to. be part of any club that would have me as a member” lol
Doubt they’ll go that route – Bringing in Kottaras means dumping Stewart. Stewart has been CC’s catcher all year. Girardi and Cashman aren’t going to mess with the big man’s rhythm.
———
K. Let’s dump Martin then.
Randy whats up man…..we were discussing a Randy vs Randy grudge match in the previous thread …….I think Stoneburner ia either Martin or Stewie.
astrocityfan July 26th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thanks Luis ! Is there a secret handshake? ????
And why am I reminded of that old line ” I wouldn’t want to. be part of any club that would have me as a member” lol
==================
That´s a very good line bro! LOL…No, no especial handshakes!
Why is Stoneburner posting under a different name? Did Chad ban him?
And Stoneburner is reportedly one of the refugees from the Daily News blog (and perhaps one of the people who broke it, but that’s just conjecture).
*******
This is funny – now I have my own “conjecture.” Only at lohud. Oh Nick from SF – please tell us about your trips to Oakland Collisieum – please do again.
First, never knew there was a Daily News blog (I posted a few times in December 2008 on Joel Sherman’s NY Post blog right around the Teixeira signing and made some Boston run away b/c he guaranteed Teixeira would sign with Boston – that is neither here nor there and in the past).
Second, I post on Pinestripes Plus and YES occassionally – so nice try – and stay classy with the conjecture and your Oakland trips – - – -
The poetics – the wax – the wax poetics of – hey – the Yanks are in near my town for the weekend – look at me – - – -
Joe from Long Island July 26th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
chip – that was actually insightful. and i’m not being sarcastic. they obviously see something that we fans do not. and with the team in first place, by a good margin, with best record in baseball…..that something must be working.
later.
———————
Yeah, I mean they do this professionally so you would think that they have a better idea of what works than we do.
Wtp, that is a very valid arguement. I certainly agree I’d rather see Freddy traded than phelps. If you are right and that is the yanks plan, I am all for it. In fact it’s the only way starting Freddy makes sense to me.
…….I think Stoneburner ia either Martin or Stewie.
******
So sad – Yanks are in first place and these characters are trying to see if I am another poster – - – - oh stay classy lohud and continue focus your misdirected scorn to Russell Martin, Joe Girardi and the rest of the Yankees organization over something that happened in January 2012 – - – -
The poetics and wax of blogs – the community – the wax of trying to identify screen names and say it is someone else – the actual feeling that some even waste their time on such trivial speculation and conjecture – the poetics of WILL hit – - – the wax poetics of arm chair scouts taking themselves way to seriously – - – -
Again the difference is I KNOW I am talking like this – but “you” elitist know it all fan boys really believe the stuff you say – - – -
I hope Greinke doesnt make the Yanks eat their words about how he cant handle NY and all that nonsense…..
Luis
Credit Groucho Marx for the line (80% sure that’s right)
And I want to state unequivocally I am not now posting, nor have I ever posted on this blog under another name nor do I associate with those who do. That is my sworn testimony
So you know youre crazy…ok……that explains a lot.
crazy is relative.
This gimmick has run its course.
Got to go….Some very good posts…Unfortunately the conversation got sidetracked…Anyway. have a good one
You have my limited apologies, Stoneburner. We had a number of crazy people who had been Daily News blog regulars start posting here and you were identified as being one of them. I you say that’s incorrect then I have no reason to doubt you and will henceforth think of you solely in terms of your own craziness.
Best wishes,
Nick from New York
Unfortunately the conversation got sidetracked
=================
matter of opinion
“I don´t think so…Not the same writting”
luis-
if he was really good he could pull it off.
it’s just a matter of staying in character.
What would stuckey’s motive be? Or is slandering stuckey the motive in making the suggestion?
astrocityfan July 26th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Wtp, that is a very valid arguement. I certainly agree I’d rather see Freddy traded than phelps. If you are right and that is the yanks plan, I am all for it. In fact it’s the only way starting Freddy makes sense to me.
___________________________________________________________________
I think the practice is called, “showcasing”.
“What would stuckey’s motive be?”
a way to get back on the blog without losing face
you have to admit.
losing a de facto baseball bet to me is pretty embarrassing.
“crazy is relative.”
at least from your relatives’ points of views.
That’s pretty flimsy reasoning, randy, and it flies in the face of stuckey’s past behavior.
First of all, he has a history of disappearing from the blog with no warning and for many months at a time. This had happened more than once.
Second, he was on the verge of losing the bet to you but he didn’t lose it. At the moment, you’re much closer to losing the bet than he is. Montero’s performance in Kansas City last week might have saved you, in fact.
Third, stuckey lost an actual bet to me, which puts him in good company, but he still hasn’t paid up over 15 months after the fact. He had no problem posting here over and over again while still not paying his obligation, so I don’t think “losing face” in that regard had much influence on him.
Finally, like him or hate him, stuckey wasn’t crazy. It makes no sense to suggest that he would fabricate some crazy persona just to post on the blog.
“@jnorris427: Tony Franklin on why David Adams was taking grounders at third: “Draw your own conclusions.” #Yankees”
Intetesting….
I should slightly amend that, since I have no idea if the person behind the stuckey screen name is crazy or not.
So I’ll just say that I don’t think the stuckey persona was crazy, even if some of the things he posted might have been somewhat convoluted.
Please come back, stuckey. I’d like my money.
“@jnorris427: Tony Franklin on why David Adams was taking grounders at third: “Draw your own conclusions.” #Yankees”
Jack Z needs a 3rd baseman?
Maybe it’s “The Return of St….”
If you close one eye and squint you can kind of see it.
I first misread that as David Aardsma was taking grounders at 3rd, so my conclusion was that maybe I’m the one that’s crazy, but my second conclusion was that we have another trade with Seattle in the works, but blake beat me to that one.
David Kaplan thekapman
@
Cubs moving closer to sending Dempster to Dodgers. Sources tell me various trades being discussed including a multi team deal. Blog shortly.
“Jack Z needs a 3rd baseman?”
David Adams, Montero and Noesi for Felix….oh wait
if adam’s ankle is fully healed, he’s a good candidate to come to the show. if anything, just to see what he can do. also there will be zero pressure on him since there’s no chance he keeps that job once alex gets back
“First of all, he has a history of disappearing from the blog with no warning and for many months at a time. This had happened more than once.”
nick in sf-
shhhh
i’m attempting to taunt him into coming back by hinting that i made him look so bad he had to leave.
the blog needs extreme characters to be entertaining.
“if adam’s ankle is fully healed, he’s a good candidate to come to the show. if anything, just to see what he can do. also there will be zero pressure on him since there’s no chance he keeps that job once alex gets back”
Yea why not….
Randy,
What does one do to be an extreme character? Are there auditions?
What are Adams stats this year? I would look but that’s why I come here. You guys know stuff
http://www.baseball-reference......ams-002dav
astrocityfan,
Here is Adams slash line:
.320/.388/.438
Thanks jack! I guess he would be the right side of the platoon with Chavez ? Bring him up and lets see what the kid can do
I would look but that’s why I come here. You guys know stuff
———————————————————
How “extreme” of you.
“i’m attempting to taunt him into coming back by hinting that i made him look so bad he had to leave.”
I see. Good luck with that.
Bronx I’m just kissing up cause I’m the new guy. I’m really very annoying and opinionated. I know this cause my wife tells me all the time.
Stuckey may be guilty of arrogance and not paying back wagers he lost but he wasn’t dumb nor crazy.
Whether you agreed with him or not, his arguments were generally logical and well reasoned.
No chance this douchebag Stoneburner is Stuckey in disguise.
“What does one do to be an extreme character? Are there auditions?”
if you have to ask you aren’t one.
but don’t worry, the blog un-extreme characters too.
BloggingBombers
Dewayne Wise has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the outfielder has yet to accept the assignment.
needs un- extreme characters too
“No chance this douchebag Stoneburner is Stuckey in disguise.”
Yes, but now we see that it was just randy’s master plan to lure stuckey into the open.
And he might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for those meddling kids.
Love the scooby doo ending nick. Funny and appropriate way to wrap up these shenanigans
Hello everyone again,
Randy,
LOL, still Stuckey as GF and Nick points out he wasn’t a loon and although i find his post in some cases long, I think he was a reasonable person. He should pay his bets though.
A question about David Adams…At some point he was highly regarded offensively, is he any good with the glove?
Deadspin
Barry Bonds is skinny again. http://deadsp.in/NIZ9
“And he might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for those meddling kids.”
precisely
but at least now people will know how to play along next time.
the blog needs extreme characters to be entertaining.
==============================
very entertaining…
Viene la tormenta!
Uncle,
que tormenta?
Aqui En Nueva york.
Tom Haudricourt
@
Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he is working on trade involving C George Kottaras, who was DFA’d. Hopes to complete it in day or two.
Probably better than Stewie
Mucho cuidado Jeers y Uncle
Tonight severe storms all over east. tomorrow a storm in thr bronx! But its also a line from a movie: anyone?
LOL – you guys take it way too seriously and give too much credit – I am flattered though by the wax poetics of the guessing though – stay classy lohud
Thanks luis.
I know Joba has been clobbered within these walls on many occasions the last few seasons but the guy deserves credit for his conditioning these days.
If the reports are accurate, throwing some serious gas in the high 90s at this point is quite impressive considering how long it’s been since he threw to live hitters in real games (not to mention the ankle injury that delayed his progress).
Command is the last skill to return after a long layoff so we’ll see soon enough where he is on that front.
I think it’s very unlikely Kottaras could maintain that obp and walk rate.
We need Phelps in the bullpen at least until Joba comes back…..he makes our bullpen so much better……..
Go David!