New York Yankees News And Notes: Hughes vs. Vazquez/Wang

by 3460kuri on Apr 12, 2011 6:01 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

How soon is too soon to bring up the ghosts of Chien-Ming Wang and Javier Vazquez? One bad start? Two bad starts?

So for now the Yankees plan is for T and T — Trust in (Phil) Hughes’ ability and Time to enable him to regain the arm potency to again miss bats... (which) sounds a lot like what Yankees officials were saying about Chien-Ming Wang after two starts in 2009 and Javier Vazquez after two starts last year.

Spectacular. So after two rough starts early in the season, the Phil Hughes Death Watch has begun.

Lohud gives a nice rundown of why it's basically silly to put much credence in early-season numbers, regardless of how good (or bad, in this case) they are
Then again, RAB didn't get that memo.
It's never too soon for trade deadline rumors, and this one is spot-on.

Check back at 11:00 when I reveal the secret to Joe Girardi's bullpen management.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

why wait

Every game counts in the AL east. Let Phil build his arm strenght in Tampa or AAA. If its purely an arm strenght issue. Isn’t this why we have 10 arms ready to chuck it.

by ABMANTLE on Apr 12, 2011 7:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Wait more than two starts. The latest from Larry Rothschild says that he noticed a big mechanical flaw in Hughes’s delivery, so they’ll work on correcting it. Hopefully it’s fixed by next start but it might take another. Either way, it’s way too early to give up and send Hughes down or pull him from the rotation.

Did you know Joe Morgan thinks Cano will win a batting title one day?

by Andrew GM on Apr 12, 2011 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Larry Rothschild says that he noticed a big mechanical flaw? What was he watching all spring training? I know he is new to the team but if he noticed it know why not then? Im a huge Hughes fan and want him to be great. However he will lose his spot sooner than later if he doesn’t turn it around fast. There are way to many (over rated, over weight, past prime) pitchers waiting to take a spot. I am not in favor of this but thats how I feel it will play out.

I Bleed Yankee Blue...

by donniebaseball23 on Apr 12, 2011 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

The majors are not the place to experiment.

Arms have been stockpiled for exactly this reason. If a pitcher can’t get the job done, bring in someone who can.

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 12, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

It's comforting to know...

that some people are concerned with winning games as opposed to giving Phil a chance to “grow into his responsibilities.” Every game we give up that we could have won is a lost opportunity to create a buffer between the team and a pitching staff that has not inspired confidence in anyone but their mothers.

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 12, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Big Game Jame? No. Thank. You.

Not when we’d have to trade with a division rival and I’d rather not give the Rays anymore young talent. Also it’s James Shields, so no.

by jetanumba2 on Apr 12, 2011 7:50 AM EDT reply actions

RAB doesn't get a lot of memos

Hughes’ velocity did show some marginal improvement last start. Think you have to give him a few more starts at least to see if he can pull it together.

"Game's the same, just got more fierce." ~ Slim Charles

by Captain_Mick on Apr 12, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

a .05 mph isn't exactly something to go giddy for

by lololol on Apr 12, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Seemed bigger than .05

Where’s that data from? I did say it was “marginal.”

"Game's the same, just got more fierce." ~ Slim Charles

by Captain_Mick on Apr 12, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

i was joking about the .05 but...

Vs Detroit avg. Velocity 89.25
Vs. Sox avg. Velocity 89.84

so he had a half mile increase in velocity…but that is still very insignificant if you consider the fact he only threw 9 4seamers in the game

by lololol on Apr 12, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Thankfully at this point Hughes has two things the others didn't

He’s still young and has no apparent injury. Wang was never the same after breaking his foot in Houston, and Javy was old. I think this is just the after effect of Hughes throwing a career high in innings last year, and thanks to the playoffs, going well over his inning limit.

by upstateNYYFan1984 on Apr 12, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

RAB wonders whether it may be time to move Jeter to left field.

With those offensive numbers, you can’t move him to any other position. Gardner will probably straighten out, but if doesn’t, I would want Andruw Jones in left, not Jeter.

I have no idea about Hughes, and neither does anyone else. You can’t go through the rotation with one guaranteed bullpen- burning ‘L’ every time for long.

by designatedquitter on Apr 12, 2011 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Hughes and Jeter

Hughes isn’t injured or old. He will work out his kinks. Does anyone really want to make a decision on him after 2 starts????

If Jeter is going to be a terrible hitter, then leave him at SS (welcome to the old NL) and move him down the lineup. It really shouldn’t be that hard. We batted Arod 7th for a playoff game and he’s 10x the hitter Jeter is or was. And he’s a headcase which couldn’t have helped…..

GGBG needs to be sat if he doesn’t perform. HE’s a AAAA player at best and that’s the truth. Did anyone really think the other teams wouldn’t catch on to the fact that he took EVERY close pitch last year and has no power with which to scare you???? His left field dunker is not going to work when people realize you have no opposite field power… THe yankees need to make a play for someone to help them out when players become available. Bottom line. Give them BG if he still has some value at that point. I doubt he will….

by JerseyGuy77 on Apr 12, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

RAB

Jeter’s .233 mark probably is unsustainable as well, since ground balls go for hits more often than any other kind of ball in play other than line drives.

More than any other kind besides line drives. Well isn’t there only one other kind that goes for hits? Are there other BIP options besides ground ball, liner, fly ball?

We don't play for the wild card around here kid

by Jaybat on Apr 12, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

No, that’s the point though. Grounders have a higher babip than flyballs, so his average should rise.

I saw a guy in the subway holding a pamphlet that said Jesus was coming on May 12, 2011. I don't think it will be that early, he would still qualify as a super two, so they need to wait until June to delay his arbitration clock.

by Wraithpk on Apr 12, 2011 9:17 PM EDT reply actions