Why isn't...

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 16, 2009 1:37 PM EDT

Why isn't Phil Hughes throwing 50-60 pitches in a minor league game today so that he can start for the Yankees on Tuesday? I can't understand the logic being used here, that we are going to have to suffer through Sergio Mitre with Hughes sitting in the bullpen. It's not an impossibility that Mitre would pitch well on Tuesday, but there will be starts beyond that before Wang comes back. In 52 major league starts, Mitre is 10-20 with a 5.20 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP...in the National League. This is Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner all over again. Solid, but unspectacular AAA numbers at age 28 don't change that.

When the opportunity's there for Hughes to start I don't see why the Yankees wouldn't take it. He gives them a better chance to win and the more times he starts in the majors, the better in terms of his development.

Another bad roster decision.

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My guess is

Hughes has thrived in the role. Bruney was supposed to be that 8th inning guy. If he’s right,maybe they send down Phil to get stretched out.

by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 17, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

i have to agree

RIGHT now… who else do you want in the 8th inning role?? Bruney? No way. Coke? uh-uh… They need a long guy, seeing as though the bottom of the rotation has been hit or miss- especially as far as length goes- and that guy is Aceves. That leaves Phil. Eventually, yes I still think he’s a starter- but right now he is really doing well out of the bullpen- leave him there.

by NumberSeven on Jul 17, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll take the starter

This is essentially stating that the 8th inning role is more important than a rotation spot. I just don’t buy that argument. Aceves, Coke and Robertson can hold down the fort in the pen even without an effective Bruney. Is that a dominant pen? No, but I’d definitely rather have than than trot a National League reject like Sergio Mitre out every 5th day. Who pitches the 8th inning is not going to decide whether or not the Yankees make the playoffs. The starting rotation probably will.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 17, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

i repeat

RIGHT now- who do want in the eighth inning in a tight game??

If you want to get into semantics- yes he’s more important in the 8th to the Yanks right now, because nobody else is stepping up in that role- Hughes is. If somebody else proves their mettle- Bruney, Robertson, Melancon maybe… then put Hughes back the rotation. But I don’t trust any of those guys in the 8th in a tight game at this point.

Over all, no I do not think the 8th inning guy is more important than a starter- but in a tight game- you gotta get the ball to Mo. Hughes has been electric out of the pen. Tonight— 6 K’s in two innings. Don’t tell me that’s not important.

by NumberSeven on Jul 17, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

My guess

I think that when Joba nears his max innings for the year you will see a shift between him and Hughes. Of course that will be another bad decision in my mind because at that point in the season Hughes mind set is going to be that of a late game reliever. He may have the maturity to switch at the end of the season like that, but at best I think he will have a 50/50 chance at success in the rotation after being in the pen for most of the season.

by syllk on Jul 17, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

Aceves and Coke

I’d be comfortable with Aceves and Coke handling the 8th with Robertson and hopefully Melancon or Bruney showing some improvement in the 7th. Obviously these guys aren’t as good as Hughes but that’s why they’re projected as middle relievers instead of starters. Still to me the trade-off of a weaker but still effective 8th inning would be worth not having a scrub in the starting rotation.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 18, 2009 3:14 AM EDT reply actions