For What It's Worth

by jscape2000 on Mar 16, 2009 8:50 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

	IP	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	GO/AO
Joba	7.0	1.29	7.7	1.29	1.17
Phranchise	8.0	1.00	9.0	6.75	0.60

I've read a few "Should Phil be 5th starter?" posts.

Plenty of spring left, but today I take the guy pounding the strike zone and getting more groundballs, even if he is giving up more hits.

Taking an idea Jim Kaat posted on his blog, we have to break Spring Training in half for pitchers.

Until March 15th, it's just about building up arm strength.

After March 15th, it's about sharpening pitches.

So starting today I'll be tracking the battle for the fifth spot, keeping track of innings pitched, WHIP, K/9, BB/9 and GO/AO.

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Battle for the 5th spot?

C’mon, jscape, you know as well as I do there is no battle for the 5th spot. Joba’s in and Phil is at Scranton — where he should start the season — unless one of the 5 starters gets hurt between now and Opening Day.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

I will concede

that battle is too strong a word.
Joba is the prohibitive favorite. I wonder if that should be the case.
I’m going to keep track to see if we shouldn’t be arguing about it more.

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

by jscape2000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I want some

Sorry bud, but there ain’t no battle for the fifth spot, and if you really think there is, then whatever you’re smoking must be really good and I want some.

by YankInBeantown on Mar 17, 2009 2:29 AM EDT reply actions

it might be legalized in Cali soon...

but that’s beside the point.

jscape has a point. if we’ve learned anything from previous years, it’s that rotation spots should be earned, not handed out (ala 2008). Joba IS the prohibitive favorite, it’s his spot to lose. but if he sucks the rest of the way and Hughes dominates, it SHOULD be Hughes at #5. (but hopefully both dominate.)

by Travis G on Mar 17, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions