Kennedy demoted; Gardner promoted
by anaconda
on Jun 30, 2008 12:36 AM EDT
in Minors
It appears the Yankees have taken a tough-love approach in regards to Ian Kennedy after he was demoted to Tampa upon being activated from the DL.
You didn't know Kennedy was activated from the DL?
Neither did anyone else. Girardi's comments regarding Kennedy today just about says it all:
"Right now we’re not really thinking of him," he said. "We like the way our other (starters) are throwing the ball. I mean, you have to earn your call-up. … You have to earn your spot back. You have to pitch well to earn your spot back. He has to pitch well. He was optioned out, this is him getting right. This is like the other 175 players in the minor leagues, or however many there are."
Now I'm still a believer in Kennedy because I think the kid does have the talent to get major league hitters out. But it sounds like the plan is to leave him in Scranton for awhile until he gets his mojo back and that's probably a wise decision.
In other news, The Times and Democrat reports that speedy outfielder Brett Gardner has been promoted to the Bronx:
Just talk to Brett Gardner. Because, Sunday afternoon, Gardner’s big-league dream came true when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley called him into his office and informed him that he had been called up to the team’s parent club, the New York Yankees.
"It really hasn’t set in yet," Gardner said as his team traveled back from it’s game against Buffalo. "Absolutely, it’s a dream come true. Growing up as a little kid, you get older, and you realize how far away it is. It really hasn’t set in yet, but I think (Monday) when I get there it will definitely happen."
Due to Melky Cabrera's struggles and overall ineptness at the plate, I've been a big advocate for Gardner's promotion for the last couple of months.
But with Hideki Matsui sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks with a bum knee, it appears Gardner is going to be playing some left field and giving Johnny Damon some time off his legs and into the DH role.
No word yet on the corresponding roster move, but there's a pretty good chance that Justin Christian will be headed back to Scranton.
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Random thoughts ...
I’m a big fan of IPK’s, but I’ll admit he’s flopped this season. I don’t know if it’s injury related, or head related, but something’s amiss. I’m also a big fan of Melky’s, and thought this would be his breakout season for a number of reasons. To date, that hasn’t happened.
That said, what about this: Trading Melky and IPK to the Phillies for Victorino and a prospect?
Victorino is a young 27, and reminds me of Damon. He’s a good defender, has alittle pop, and can steal some bases.
"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will
by Ronster22 on Jun 30, 2008 11:04 AM EDT 0 recs
Victorino...
Looking at Victorino’s stats, him for Melky would practically be a one-for-one trade. Victorino doesn’t have the power or on-base percentage of Damon, and is pretty much just a faster Melky Cabrera with less power and more stolen bases. They would need to offer a pitching prospect better than IPK for me to personally consider that deal. Not sure if the Phillies have a pitching prospect that good in their system now that Hamels is on the big league team.
Wouldn’t mind getting Hamels, but they would be nuts to trade him for anything less than our entire rotation.
I still think IPK will find a spot on the Yanks eventually, but with Gardner already nipping at his heels, I think Melky will soon be delegated to 4th outfielder duties or trade bait. As much as I like him, it’s pretty much who he is.
by DeathSquire36 on
Jun 30, 2008 11:44 AM EDT
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I think its important when assessing IPK
that he really jumped through the minor league system faster than anyone could have expected. Coming into this year I was worried about peoples expectations for Joba because of his small sample size, we were judging IPK on an even smaller one. What did he have? 3 starts in triple A?
Crowds are won and lost and won again, but our hearts beat for the diehards.
by Edwantsacracker on
Jun 30, 2008 12:49 PM EDT
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I thought of a better way to say the same thing.
If this season ended June 7th. Darrell Rasner would have 3-3 record with a 2.58 ERA. He would have had 1 outing that was a a shutout, one game where he allowed one run, three games where he allowed two runs, and only once would he have given up 4 runs.
But we still probably wouldn’t base our rotation around him because we know his long track record and expect him to only be stop gap for us or a 4th or 5th starter on a non playoff team.
We don’t have that long track record with IPK.
Crowds are won and lost and won again, but our hearts beat for the diehards.
by Edwantsacracker on
Jun 30, 2008 1:12 PM EDT
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i don't know about...
“faster than anyone could have expected” ... I mean college guys should be ML ready faster than some of the young guys. All the same, I understand what you mean. That’s why I say keep him in Triple A until he gains his confidence back… if he didn’t have the stuff he would never have been considered a top prospect to begin with. let him get his head straight, then bring him back up.
The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants
by NumberSeven on
Jun 30, 2008 1:21 PM EDT
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and i am looking forward
to seeing what gardner brings to the table..
The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants
by NumberSeven on
Jun 30, 2008 1:21 PM EDT
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Agreed
I signed after a year in college, and I can tell you first hand, depending on the college, pitchers are far more polished after attending college than coming straight from high school. IPK came from a solid program, and was poised and polished by the time he reached the MLs.
For whatever reason, he’s gotten sidetracked this season. I too think it’s confidence. I like what Joe said about him “earning his call up.” Last year we were desperate, and probably would have thrown Hideki Irabu if we could. But this season is different. I think sending him to A ball to work his way back is a smart move that will eventually pay off in spades.
"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will
by Ronster22 on
Jun 30, 2008 4:54 PM EDT
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