Decisions, Decisions

by Frank Campagnola on Apr 28, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Will Kevin Millwood ever see time in Pinstripes? The Yankee hierarchy will have to answer that question within the next few days, as he has the ability to opt out of his contract this Sunday, May 1st. Despite the speculation, I'm not so sure he will opt out, if he'll even be given the chance. He did not receive much attention during free agency, and so far, the scouting reports on him are not too favorable. The Yankees also have the option of calling him up and placing him in the rotation or the bullpen, while sending down Lance Pendleton or Buddy Carlyle.

Jayson Stark of the four-letter network had this to say about Millwood. Let's just say his glass isn't half full when it comes to the veteran:

Scouts covering the Yankees system continue to report that Millwood "doesn't look very good," despite a 2-0 record and 1.29 ERA in two minor league starts. His fastball has averaged 85 miles per hour. His strikeout-walk ratio is just 6-to-5 in 14 innings. And it's tough to argue he's an upgrade on either Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon -- for now.

Despite reports that Millwood hasn't looked good, his numbers have been strong. In his first start, he threw a complete game shutout for the Trenton Thunder. In his second start, he threw seven innings of two-run ball for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, and also topped out at 89 mph. His line right now: 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.929 WHIP, 5.1 H/9, 3.9 K/9, and a 1.20 K/BB. Sometimes, it's hard to argue with production.

Ivan Nova turned in a very strong outing on Tuesday night, and his next scheduled start is Sunday, against the Blue Jays. Another strong start will most likely keep him in the rotation. If he gets lit up? Who knows. Anyone else find it a coincidence that his next start is on Millwood's opt out date?

Mike Axisa thinks Nova is on notice, not Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon. With the way those two have pitched, I agree.

Have at it Yankee fans, what should the back end of the rotation look like?

Poll

Who should make up the back end of the rotation?

Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova

501 votes

Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Kevin Millwood

52 votes

Bartolo Colon, Ivan Nova, Kevin Millwood

7 votes

Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Kevin Millwood

2 votes

562 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I'll take Colon, Garcia, and Nova

Funny how before the season we were wondering which ONE was going to be the fifth starter. Anyway, Nova will be fine, in time. If it becomes an issue, I’d give Warren, Noesi, Betances, or ManBan a shot before I’d give any innings to Millwood. Time to break in some youngsters, they need to get their feet wet.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on Apr 28, 2011 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

I prefer Fatty, Freddy and Nova

by Xavier10 on Apr 28, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I think Colon, Garcia, Millwood is bound to be an implosion. These are all guys that we expected would battle for the 5th spot, like david d mentioned above. Keep Nova there and see what he can do. He pitched a solid game two days ago and I like, for the most part, what I’ve seen from these three, collectively.

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on Apr 28, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Gotta let the kid take his lumps

Doesn’t Nova kind of remind you of Garcia from back in the day? Hard sinker, low to mid 90s, good off-speed stuff yet he doesn’t throw it as often as he should? They really have to let Nova learn from the pros how to get pros out.

Live every week like it's shark week.

by Sgurd0187 on Apr 28, 2011 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Where's Carlos Silva?

He could be the second best of all those pitchers, behind Colon.

by PortlandYankee on Apr 28, 2011 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

I say have Millwood be the long man

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 28, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

I think that’s the best option. That way, you don’t lose him to free agency and if anyone gets hurt he’s already on the roster to step in for a spot start.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.

"You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money."
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on Apr 28, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

That scouting report says he will get lit up in the Bigs to me.

If Millwood wants to walk let him. He was absolutely awful last year, no reason to believe he will be any better this year. Lets give Nova more time, but as soon as cellar teams start selling Cashman will be all over any available starters.

by upstateNYYFan1984 on Apr 28, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Teh King Felix!

by Wraithpk on Apr 28, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see how Millwood's upside is any higher than Phelps right now

Better stuff than Millwood, younger and presumably more durable, and his numbers have been just as good as Millwood’s over his last couple starts.

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

by Captain_Mick on Apr 28, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Here’s an idea. How about every time a starter has a bad outing, let’s hope the Yankees trade for another starter or reach into the minor league system for a replacement. One start is more than a fair sample size!

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on Apr 28, 2011 11:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes!

Knee-jerk, panicked reactions always produce the best results!

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on Apr 28, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s how we got the Scranton Wilkes-Barre all time wins leader

by Wraithpk on Apr 28, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

True

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on Apr 28, 2011 1:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Right now the goal is to keep the rotation afloat through whatever hodge-podge of pitchers you have until somebody better becomes available on the trade market or one of the minor leaguers is ready to be called up.

Based on that reasoning, and based on their respective combinations of recent success and health, I say Garcia > Colon > Millwood > Nova.

Garcia is not an unreasonable candidate to be pitching at the back end of anybody’s rotation. He’s no ace, and his ERA will climb over 4.00 as his BABIP comes back to reality, but he’s a serviceable innings eater. He stays for sure.

Colon has the highest upside, by far, of anybody in the group and he’s showing it now. Obviously, he’s also an injury waiting to happen. You’ve at least temporarily hit the jackpot with him, so you allow that to continue for as long as you can. He stays as well.

Both Millwood and Colon may suck or may be serviceable going forward. I don’t think the short-term prospects for either of them are siginficantly different. Since the goal is to throw everything up against the wall to see what sticks, I would have Millwood replace Nova (inadvertantly giving Nova some rest to avoid any innings limits he might have) and see what, if anything, you can get from him.

by 3460kuri on Apr 28, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

What is Nova’s limit, and will we have to worry about him reaching it?

Yes, that is Kyle Kuric

by TheRealSlimShady on Apr 28, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Here is the take from IATMS

http://networkedblogs.com/hd8x5

I’m pretty much in agreement.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Apr 28, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I’m really surprised two people voted against Colon in the rotation right now.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.

"You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money."
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on Apr 28, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Teh wagonz!!!!!1

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on Apr 28, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Teh anti-wagonerz!!

I believe in the Church of Baseball.

"You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money."
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on Apr 28, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Colon, garcia, FELIX

BANK ON ITZ

by lololol on Apr 28, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

Colon is doing great, Garcia can pitch and is good. Nova is young and showing some upside leave him pitch and let him grow.

by Jt Malley on Apr 28, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

you should just become a yankees fan already

;)

by lololol on Apr 28, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Nahhh!

Gotta root for your team!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Apr 28, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Two people voted against Colon

Must be visiting Red Sox fans or something

So I cut his wrist...vertically!! He was on the floor dyin'...makin a sceene!!

by Briceratops on Apr 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

IMO, you gotta keep going with the Bartman, Garcia and let Nova get experience

Garcia is a decent backend of the rotation guy. Millwood seems done. This year in the East seems to be a good time to have new pitchers cut their teeth (NOVA). Baltimore, Toronto and Tampa are doing it and the Yanks have holes to fill – so if they are ready then you stick with them for awhile I would think. On the Bartman- he is a shocker – I really thought he was done as his last several ‘comebacks’ ended up in failure. Will his wheels come off? Probably, just an injury away from ingnominy. BTW, I am a member on this site but I do not vote on your polls – save that only for OTM & Federal Baseball..

"Man that ball got outta here in a hurry, you know anything that travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?" - Crash Davis

by Dave D on Apr 28, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Two Dave D's?

I think this is a textbook definition of a paradox.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Apr 28, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this Dave D a Red Sox fan?

Then we’d have a clear case of “David D” and “Anti-David D”, and we’d have to keep them separated lest this blog explode!

by waw on Apr 28, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, the Sox fan I think the other one is David D?

Threw me the first time I saw it too perhaps in a parallel universe he cheers for the Sox and I cheer for the Yanks (God forbid) – now that is really something to think about…

"Man that ball got outta here in a hurry, you know anything that travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?" - Crash Davis

by Dave D on Apr 28, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Sacrilege

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on Apr 29, 2011 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Nova-licious

The kid turned in a gem and should be given at least another start. With young kids like that the learning curve is often one step forward, one step back. Let him pitch at the MLB level and he’ll open eyes.

Millwood’s minor league success isn’t going to translate at the MLB level. For one Millwood knows how to pitch and can get by on 85mph. MLB hitters won’t bite and he’ll get hammered. Leave him down on the farm as an insurance policy and pray to the Almighty that Colon and Garcia don’t get hurt.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Apr 28, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions