BREAKING NEWS: Yankees Nab Zambrano

by Ronster22 on Aug 1, 2008 11:43 AM EDT

According to the Associated Press, the Yankees in their never-ending quest to find a quality arm, signed Zambrano... Ah, no, not THAT Zambrano. Sadly, this is the other Zambrano. The one who pitched in 13 games for Toronto and Baltimore. The one who is 45-44 with a 4.64 era.

For the full story (c'mon you know you do).

Actually, this isn't a terrible move. Remember, Zambrano was traded in the Kazmir deal. He was highly thought of, and simply never fully panned out. Why not take a flier on the guy. He's still relatively young, healthy and who knows, he might be a late bloomer.

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He can't be worse than Ponson

So I have to support the move.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 1, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Actually I think he'll be much better

I’ve seen Zambrano pitch before, and he can be very impressive. The Mets made a clossal blunder when they dealt Kazmir for him, but I can certainly see what they liked in him. He’s got dynamic stuff, strong frame and good repeatable mechanics (for the most part). I think the issue with him was injuries and what’s between his ears.

If what I suspect is true, that he is indeed a late bloomer, we might actually have a innings eating jewel on our hands. If not, we can all become bitter—

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 1, 2008 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He's been working out

in the minor league complex, but I suspect he’s a ways away from game shape. This could very well be a move for 2009.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 1, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I suppose

He might be a cheap option for 2009. Maybe the Yanks, who seem to be in the business of pitching reclamation projects more than they are winning baseball games, can rehabilitate him into a marketable trade chip in 2009. They can sell high as they did with Kyle Farnsworth, who is surprisingly missed by quite a few Yankee fans (not this one). I see Zambrano as probably being one of those Ponson like guys who hurts the Yankees more and more with added exposure to major league lineups, so the less ML action he sees, the better.

by Four Train on Aug 1, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Zambrano's oooold.

Zambrano is 32. That’s pretty old for a ne’er do well. It’s hard to imagine him as any kind of trade chip unless he suddenly becomes dominant. I think they’re just stockpiling because of the spate of injury problems. I can’t imagine they plan to bring him to the big club any time soon, though maybe at some point they’ll promote Kennedy. Guy seems to be kicking but in the minors.

by ericwolf on Aug 1, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

how much butt?

I keep hearing that Kennedy has been doing well, but I haven’t seen any specifics. I know he had a near no-hitter a couple of weeks ago against a weak-hitting club. What has he done since then? Because if he’s turned in 3-4 excellent starts against better competition, let’s plug him in. Even if he doesn’t get it done, at some point, if we’re going to go down the tubes with ineffective 4th and 5th starters, we might as well use guys who can learn something from the experience and possibly contribute next year, rather than re-treads or fill-ins who aren’t in our long-term plans.

by long time listener on Aug 1, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Kennedy in July

31 ip, 21 h, 12 bb, 24 k, 2.61 era

i think if he has another good start and Ponson and Rasner each have another poor start, Kennedy will take over one of their spots next time through.

by Travis G on Aug 1, 2008 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I was kind of thinking that too

I was going to make that same point after Ponson and Rasner gets hammered this weekend – especially Ponson. Unfortunately, I think Rasner is going to be the first one bumped even though I trust him more than his Aruban drunken teammate.

But the thing that makes me hesitate though is that Kennedy’s next start is on Sunday – coincidentally, the same day Rasner starts for the big club.

But if they were to promote Kennedy after his next start in Scranton – his return to the big club would then fall in line against the Angels on the road. I’m not sure Cashman and Girardi is going to want to throw Kennedy into the fire again right away.

It would be an awful lot to ask a rookie to try to beat the best team in baseball in their backyard in his first game back. My guess is that we may see two turns in the rotation before Kennedy is recalled and he’ll probably make his way back the following weekend at the Stadium against KC – a much more doable task.

by anaconda on Aug 1, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I think there’s some logic in the idea of not throwing him into the fire, but we can’t afford to give away games. If Kennedy gives us the best chance to win in Anaheim, I think he’s got to be the starter.

by long time listener on Aug 1, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

There's some truth to that as well

But Kennedy’s had some confidence/mental issues on the mound this season at the big league level. I’m thinking that they are going to want to put him in a much better situation to win in his first game back.

I don’t think Cashman or Girardi believes that starting him in that environment would be the best thing for Kennedy going forward.

by anaconda on Aug 1, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions