Wang, Hughes and the Purpose of the Minors

by DefensiveIndifference1 on Jun 24, 2009 9:38 AM EDT Comment 17 comments

First of all, I know the #1 issue for the Yanks over the past few weeks has been the consistency of their offense. That's a problem in and of itself. But once again, after Wang pitched decent/OK last night, and Hughes followed with another two PERFECT innings, I must ask a few questions.

What is the purpose of the Minor Leagues? Is it there for the draft picks to spend 10 years and hopefully get their shot on the big stage? Or is it there so we can follow 1 or 2 prospects each year hoping they'll get called up. According to Minorleaguebaseball.com, the purpose of the minors, in short, "is to develop players available to play in the major leagues on demand." So why isn't Wang in the minors "developing" his game back so he can be back in the rotation and pitch effectively.

Michael Kay and Sterling and ESPN have been drilling it in our heads for months now that Wang has won more games over the past 2 years than any other in baseball, and then they ask "Where did that guy go?"

Well, it's almost July, and he's still not here. Even worse, Girardi sends him out every 5th day hoping he gets just a little bit better. Oh, well his ERA is down to 11.20!!! Babysteps, babysteps. Since when is this an effective strategy in the Major Leagues. This is what the minors are for. Taking babysteps and slowly recovering you're game.

And now I get to the question I posed earlier, ISN'T THAT WHAT THE MINORS ARE FOR. I don't care how good he was, could be, how much he makes, or that he used to be the ace. Here are his stats: 0-6, with an 11.20 ERA and batters are hitting .392 against him. But some of you will say: Well, thats inflated because of the game against the Indians. I don't care. It's still bad.

Why isn't Chien-Ming Wang in Triple AAA, pitching 7 innings of 3 hit ball routinely, at least 5 times, and then decide if he's ready to be called up. Every time he takes the mound it is batting practice.

On the other hand, Hughes has done nothing but produce. He's 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA and when his curve is biting he's got some of the filthiest stuff in the rotation. Why are we throwing away games every 5 days just because it's Wang? Does Girardi feel bad for him? Hughes has been lights out in the bullpen; it just shows the fire and passion this kid has: he pitches great as a starter, gets demoted because he's younger and hasn't "proven" himself, and uses that as fuel to prove Cashman and Girardi wrong.

We have to stop playing games with Wang. It is getting ridiculous. Let him go down to the minors, work on his mechanics and get his mind straight, and if/when that happens, THEN bring him up, and we'll all welcome him with open arms.

It makes me sick when writers and critics make excuses for him, saying his ERA is getting lower and his sinker has more sink. Bottom line: Throwing 62 pitches in 5.0 innings, 3 runs and 6 hits is not an impressive outing nor should it be acceptable for a pitcher of his caliber. He used to be the Taiwanese Roy Halladay. Get him fixed up.

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How many times does this need to be explained?

They CANNOT send Wang down to the minors. He is out of options. The only way to do it under league rules is to DFA him, which would expose him to waivers and ensure that some other team would snap him up. I suppose they could also make up another bullshit injury and put him back on the DL.

Also, Wang was removed after 62 pitches and 5 innings because Girardi wanted to pinch hit for him in an RBI situation with a runner on second base. NOT because he was pitching badly. Had this been an AL game, Wang could easily have gone 7 or 8. He had one dicey inning for which bad defense, not bad pitching, was the primary culprit. Overall, he pitched well last night.

by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Even if Wang had options, it makes no sense. Why send him down to dominate AAA? The Yankees haven’t lost in Wang’s last 2 starts b/c of Wang anyway.

He pitched very well yesterday. Like many of his starts this year, the defense failed him so faulting him is missing the point entirely.

And Hughes is this year’s Joba in the pen. He’ll possibly get moved back in the rotation when Joba nears his innings limit, tho that’s really a limited possibility.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In fairness

Wang put the Yankees behind 3-0 by their 4th turn at bat. I know the offense has been doing nothing, and maybe it’s because they’re facing an early deficit every single night.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 24, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In fairness to Wang...

he can’t give up negative one run- which is what he would had to do. The Yanks had their chances to score, they just didn’t.

by NumberSeven on Jun 24, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that aint far actually

I know the next 2 batters had doubles, but the reason there was a runner on 3rd was cuz of an error.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Irrelevant

Second base was stolen easily, and there were 2 outs, so it’s not like the runner advancing to third really changed the situation.

It was a stupid throw, clearly, but Wang proceeded to give up 2 rockets up the alleys. Those three runs were going to score regardless of Posada’s error.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 24, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WHO IS WRITING THIS??

Last night was by far not Wang’s fault! He pitched 62 pitches in 5 innings! That is a good pitch count with any pitcher! Girardi pulling him out that early only affects his ERA from dropping even further! Remember Wang’s ERA is is about 3.75…so last night is a normal for him. Yanks are losign cause they are not hitting at all!!

Cody Ransom is hitting 2.07…cant wait till Arod returns from rehab!!! Jorge struck out 4 times last night!! Swisher, career 250 hitter is batting 2ndWHY WHY WHY? Why not Gardner lead off and Jeter at 2 spot?? Jeter hits into DP, you say?? well do the hit and run!!

Girardi needs to get his head out of his @$$!!! THATS THE BOTTOM LINE!! HE SUCKS!

by Joe G. Blows on Jun 24, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bingo!

Wang needs to go back to the minors and work on some new pitches or better location or something…Hughes is pitching well and needs to be rewarded for it. I dont know what Girardi is doing, it’s like he’s sabotaging Hughes’ confidence…

by 30yrBroncoFan on Jun 24, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

Hughes pitches two awesome starts in two seasons, one of which he gets injured and he is still the golden boy. He has pitched well in the bullpen for a FEW games and he DESERVES to be in the rotation? Wang pitched two 19 win seasons in a row, gets injured… SERIOUSLY injured and everyone has NO patience for him? Well considering what Wang HAS done, and how he seems to be regaining his form and considering Hughes is 24 and accomplished nothing so far… WANG gets the benefit of the doubt. Newsflash, the pitching ain’t been whats been causing us losses the past two weeks. Look at Capt. DP, Mr. Grumpy behind the plate, Mr. I used to walk alot and work counts, now I swing on the first pitch and tank plays in the outfield, Cano can’t drive in a run don’t ya know.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes has not proven ANYTHING

A couple weeks of no pressure relief work? Sorry, I love the kid and want him to replace Pettite but right now it is more advantageous to the team to get Wang right and have his arm strong, his confidence up and ready to rack wins in the second half of the season. Pitching is not the problem right this second, Hughes is doing fine in the pen and that is where he should be, get the kid some innings. Better there than have him in the rotation right now and have him get busted open, because you THEN have two problems, a nervous kid and a young veteran (Wang) with no confidence and feels his team won’t let him work it out. Wang is proving he is getting better. The situation is PERFECT right now. CC, AJ, Andy, Joba, Wang… Aceves, Bruney, Hughes as the GO TO guys in the pen before the 9th.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you make some fair points

but you cant demote CMW unless you fake an injury (like that the Sox are doing with DiceK). plus it gives the Yanks a way to limit Hughes’ innings. he cant top about 150 this year, and neither can Joba, so at some point Hughes would’ve had to become a reliever. that its happening now allows him to be a starter the whole of the second half.

Hughes has looked awesome, but he wont be as dominant as a starter. that’s the nature of it. it’s also why Joba ‘regressed’ from relieving to starting. it’s ironic but Wang’s best innings have been his first – maybe HE should be the reliever while Joba and Hughes start.

i’m with you that Hughes should be starting over Wang, but look on the bright side: he had to have his innings limited anyway (assuming he’s healthy), so what’s the difference if its now or later?

by Travis G on Jun 24, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why should Hughes be starting over Wang?

Because he has pitched well in relief the past couple weeks? When he was starting he was pedestrian at best. Hell if ANYONE in the pen deserves a shot at starting it’s Aceves. Wang proved last night that he can pitch, pitch well, and is getting BETTER.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok, if you're going to say relief

innings mean nothing, then how can you claim Wang deserved to start again after 8 relief innings of 2 er? Hughes has now gone 9.2 with 2 er (and 13 K, 2 bb, 5 h (.194 BAA). Wang did this: 7k, 2 bb and 8 h (a damn .300 BAA!).

never mind the fact that Hughes was merely mediocre when starting (with occasional brilliance) compared to Wang’s consistent awfulness. ok, he’s gone two games of 5 ip, 3 er, wow! wake me when he pitches 8 shut out innings (as Hughes did against Texas in May).

Hughes has been a better starter, a better reliever and has more upside. what’s not to like?

by Travis G on Jun 25, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Be honest Travis

You heart Hughes over Wang. Wang NEEDS to get back up to speed to help the Yankees win because he is a proven winner, an elite winner, one of the best in the game. All Hughes has proven in 2 seasons is he can pitch a couple games outta the pen and beat the Texas Rangers.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 25, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you be honest

you know Hughes has been better this year but have ‘faith’ Wang will return to form.

by Travis G on Jun 25, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still not sold on Wang

Sorry guys, Wang is a good pitcher, but when you wont admit to having issues you aren’t just holding yourself back, you’re holding the team back…record for the last two years aside, you can’t start the team off in a hole and expect them to dig you out of it, injury or no…if your not ready to pitch, step aside until you are…That’s what you have the bullpen and minors for…

I like Wang, I do, but his location and speed are way down and there is an issue. Giving Hughes a chance to get some innings in to prove that he can get the work done doesnt do any harm and challenges him to prove he should be at this level, otherwise what’s the point of having him at this level in the first place? Sure he’s gonna have some hitches, but he’s gonna have to work his way out of them…something Wang and his considerable ERA is not doing this year.

by 30yrBroncoFan on Jun 25, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m really glad it’s Cashman and Girardi making these decisions instead of the people on this board. You don’t just throw a 2 time 19 game winner on the scrap heap. You get him fixed. Wang’s last few starts have been good, the only thing I can fault him on is he’s giving up more homeruns than he used to, which may be entirely because of the new stadium.

by Wraithpk on Jun 30, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs