Reflections on a lost year

by jpoppejr on Sep 28, 2008 11:59 PM EDT

It's a sad day. But I leave this season with hope. Considering the Yanks went into this season with a youth movement and the team got a whopping 73 mediocre innings from Hughes and Kennedy and lost their #1 starter to win 89 games in a tough league and division is pretty incredible.

Couple this with an offense that under achieved all year and I'm going into 2009 with optimism. I just hope the Yankees do not rip the team apart.

I have posted here prior that the Yankees should try and get Matt Cain from SF for Cano. Many other bloggers ripped me for it, saying it is too one side to the benefit of the Yankees. I disagree but would concede Kennedy with the trade. I also wanted Rowand mainly because of his grit and I figured SF would like to get out from under the contract.

Besides the above trade, the Yankees should definitely get CC. What a competitor, but I'm a little worried about the innings. It is up to the doctors to clear him.

Then the Yankees go into battle next year with the following:

Starting Pitchers: CC, Wang, Cain, Hughes, (Pettitte or Mussina)

Relief Pitchers: Mo, Chamberlin, Marte, Coke, Veras, Ramirez, Bruney

Spot Starters: Rasner, Aceves, Giese

Lineup: Damon (LF), Jeter (SS), Abreu (RF), A-Rod (3B), Matsui (DH), Nady (1B), Posada (C), Rowand (CF), Ransom (2B)

Bench: Gardner (OF), Cabrera (OF), Betemit (IF), Molina (C),

If the Yankees cannot get Cain and / or Rowand then move Melky into the #8 slot and try and get Lowe (FA).

Overall, the Yankees do not need to dismantle this team. If the offense played the way they should the team is in the post season.

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Comments

But wait

We have a guy tested in the AL East capable of being every inch the pitcher Matt Cain is in the NL West: Joba Chamberlain. Why waste his arm in the bullpen? He’s a starter- let him start.

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

by jscape2000 on Sep 29, 2008 6:16 AM EDT reply actions

Yes

Joba Chamberlain must start next year. He has potential to be a dominant, shut-down type pitcher. There is no reason to put him in the bullpen at this point.

I think it would be foolish to trade Cano this offseason because his trade value has never been lower. Same for Kennedy. Plus, there’s talk that the Brewers or the Phillies may be willing to part with their current first basemen for Matt Cain – you think the Giants would rather have Cano, Prince Fielder, or Ryan Howard?

Cody Ransom put up a nice season, but he’s not going to slug .703 next year. I think the best you could hope for from him is the type of season that Cano posted this year – mediocre. I’d rather gamble my hopes on Cano rebounding.

I know we’ve had this conversation before, but I would be against trading for Aaron Rowand.

by 3460kuri on Sep 29, 2008 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

Hughes and Kennedy were mediocre?

It’s amazing how you can sugar coat their seasons. Take off the rose colored glasses.

Hughes 0-4, 6.62 ERA, .314 BAA, 1.71 WHIP
Kennedy 0-4, 8.17 ERA, .309 BAA, 1.92 WHIP

This is mediocre or awful? Anybody else want to chime in?

by TheTruth08 on Sep 29, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

his point

was that they were mediocre considering their age and experience.

i would admit that kennedy was terrible for the most part. did have a few good games, but no great ones.

and despite Hughes’ stats, he had 3 very good starts intermixed. his ERA was killed by just 3 games, so it’s not like he got hammered all year.

by Travis G on Sep 29, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Patience is a virtue

Plenty of good pitchers have had lousy seasons to start their careers. It’s quite common, actually…..

Randy Johnson – 4.28 ERA, 1.51 WHIP (in 1989, when offense was much less)
Johan Santana – 6.49 ERA, 1.81 WHIP
Roy Halladay – 10.64 ERA, 2.20 WHIP!!!
Greg Maddux – 5.61 ERA, 1.63 WHIP
John Lester – 4.76 ERA, 1.64 WHIP
Mariano Rivera – 5.51 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

Not saying that Hughes or Kennedy will turn out to be as good as any of these guys were, but you can’t deny that there is some talent there. Hughes has 106 innings and Kennedy has 57, let’s just give it a little more time before we throw them off the bus.

by 3460kuri on Sep 30, 2008 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

I agree - patience

We are so spoiled with the 13 straight years. When this season started and the youth movement accepted I truly was indifferent if we made the playoffs. Of course, I wanted them in, but to me it was more important to get back to what established the dynasty.

Since so many bloggers think there is no way the Yankees get Cain for Cano, Melky and Kennedy, I’m happy going into next year with:

Starting Pitchers: CC (I think we need this horse), Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Moose or Pettitte.

If we cannot get CC then Lowe and if not Lowe then Joba as SP.

I prefer Joba as a RP for one more year. Increase his innings by another 35 – 50. Allows Kennedy or Hughes one more year to prove themselves. Hopefully, they do and then if the Yankees want they could slide Joba into the Moose or Pettitte spot.

by jpoppejr on Oct 2, 2008 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

the only way to increase Joba's workload

is to have him start. he pitched 100.1 ip this year. no (properly used) reliever in MLB tops 100 ip. he should start the year just as any normal starter, then if/when he nears his innings limit, he should either be put into the pen, skipped now and then, or limit his innings each game.

i actually would not be totally against signing Lowe (if it’s no more than 2-3 years). he’s gone at least 180 ip each of the last 7 years, and has had a better than average ERA all but one of those seasons. i dont have an affinity for him personally (but who am i to talk, when we’ve had Clemens, Wells, Pavano, etc. and am a big proponent of signing Manny?)

by Travis G on Oct 2, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions