What did we learn from Nova's start?

by Cbeck3 on Apr 9, 2011 11:05 PM EDT

Today Ivan Nova wasn't very good. What he was, however, is good enough for the Yankees to win in Fenway today.

This gives us two things to think about. First, the offense and bullpen can cover over some pretty weak starting pitching. Second, the way the pitching has gone, how long before we see Bartolo Colon get the ball as a starter?

I really saw the Nova I expected today. I can still hope for more, but right now I think it is optimistic to count on more. But i also saw a truely dominant performance by the bullpen and the offense. There will be days when some pitcher is dealing and shuts us down. but more often we will score enough to win with pretty ordinary pitching.

Now I'd like to see a solid outing from CC. With Hughes and Nova being vulnerable, and AJ still being a question mark in my eyes, we are leaning on CC Sabatha very hard. If he's solid, we have time to straighten out another starter or two. If CC has problems the year could turn into a struggle.

All the stockpiling of vetran retreads might not be overconservative. Right now the signings of Garcia and
Colon look pretty smart.

I believe in Hughes and AJ, but expect bumps in the road. Big game Sunday night. Go Yanks, win series, build a solid year.

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We’ll see how Garcia pitches first before we call his signing smart. I don’t think it’s ever going to be viewed as utterly stupid because it cost nothing and he was an innings-eater last year. It might take a few starts to really gauge a judgment on him though since by the time he pitches on Friday (i think) it will have been quite a while since his last start.

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

by Andrew GM on Apr 9, 2011 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

Depends on how Garcia does

but I wouldn’t expect Colon to be taking anybody’s starting spot. Hughes is locked in, and I wouldn’t expect them to give up on Nova. Cano botching the DP cost him a lot today, and he was solid in his first outing and limited the damage today so I don’t think he’s in any sort of jeopardy in losing in job.

Yes, the Yankees are leaning heavily on Sabathia. We’ve known that since Lee decided to go to Philly. I believe that Burnett and Hughes will step up this year and that Nova and Garcia only need to pitch like back end starters, eat up innings and keep the Yankees in games. With this bullpen and lineup, thats sufficient. Anything else is a bonus.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant

Thanks for the memories Andy

by nyyrocks29 on Apr 9, 2011 11:50 PM EDT reply actions

As we knew going in...

None of the options are particularly good. Nova looks solid the first time through the order, but he doesn’t seem to have enough of a repertoire to fool hitters the 2nd time they see him. That’s something that’s going to have to improve for him to be a major league starter.

That being said, I’d rather see him start every 5th day over Colon, Millwood, Silva, and whatever other aging scrubs we’re planning on bringing in. Colon threw 4.1 innings and allowed 2 runs on Friday and people were acting like he tossed a shutout. If anything that’s a testament to how thoroughly awful he is and how low the bar is set.

The Yankees don’t have enough starting pitching to win the world series. They’re going to slug their way to a lot of wins,and possibly the division, but the ultimate success of the season is going to come down to which legitimate pitcher they’re able to get before the trade deadline and how much they have to give up to get him.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Apr 10, 2011 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

In fairness to Colon

It was one earned run, that reached base on a surprise bunt by A-Gon, and crossed the plate due to Boone Logan’s utter suckitude. Colon deserved to feel good about his performance. The rest of the pitching staff, not so much.

Agreed on Nova, though. He always struggles the second time through. But he’s young, and he can and should improve.

by waw on Apr 10, 2011 12:48 AM EDT reply actions

It was the Red Sox. I don’t think Nova should be expected to be lights out against them.

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

by david d on Apr 10, 2011 1:44 AM EDT reply actions

Even for the Red Sox

I think Nova did a great job and a lot hinged on not only Cano’s non-double play, but that hit to left with Ellsbury on first and Jeter moving to cover instead of being in place to catch that ball (if possible).

Even McCarver or Buck said that, one of the few things they got right, that Cano’s non-double play and Jeter’s moving to cover 2nd on that Gonzalez hit both prolonged the inning and somewhat unduly made Nova’s inning worse.

All things considered, Nova did very well for his first time facing the Red Sox this season, I thought. They have a very potent offense that punishes pitchers who make mistakes (as well as that dwarf who sure knows how to hit doubles).

Nova left the game with the lead, that’s the best you can ask for. Granted, it would have been nice for him to get through five innings, but short of that (and due to number of pitches he threw), he did a great job in my opinion. Much better than even Hughes has been so far.

by phonty on Apr 10, 2011 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions

After seeing Hughes and Nova pitch in Fenway...

I have a great deal more confidence in Nova going forward than in Hughes. Listen to Nova’s interviews. There is a toughness/stubbornness/confidence in him that has caught me by surprise. I am beginning to see why the Yankees are so high on him. Nova will be fine and, before the end of the season, will be one of the few pitchers – barring injuries, of course – on whom the Yankees will be able to rely. The only question will be what happens in the playoffs and if he has pitched too many innings. If a trade becomes possible for Hernandez (though highly unlikely) Nova will be kept out of any discussions by the Yankees. As a previous poster mentioned, Hughes would be traded instead.

By the way, Nova’s theme song should be Earth Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star.” Gettin’ funky in here!

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 10, 2011 7:12 AM EDT reply actions

I think the Yanks view Garcia, Colon, and possibly Nova

As place holders. They are waiting for Brckman, or anyone in the AAA rotation to show themselves ML ready. These guys only keep jobs by being good.

"I’m never really surprised, but I am thrilled sometimes." Joe G. 2010

by Cbeck3 on Apr 10, 2011 8:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree with you about Garcia and Colon.

But Nova is going to turn out to be something special. I think the Yankees saw what we are now getting a chance to see: a tough, confident guy who has good stuff and a solid foundation on which to build a good major league career. The Killer Bs (Banuelos, Betances and Brackman) are just as much trade bait for Hernandez as they are future Yankees, at this point.

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 10, 2011 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you really think the M's will trade Hernandez?

There is really not much reason to do that is there? I mean he’s signed through 2014! 10:$6.5M, 11:$10M, 12:$18.5M, 13:$19.5M, 14:$20M
(Cot’s)

It’s not like, trade him now or he’ll walk. A Hernandez trade thhis year is a pure pipe dream. It’s hard to argue now he’s not worth the money, so to get him you’d have to pay a big price. I do not think there is a reason to do that. And he has a limited no trade, so in addition to prying him loose the Yanks would probably need to extend him to get him. That’s like paying twice.

Not going to happen.

"I’m never really surprised, but I am thrilled sometimes." Joe G. 2010

by Cbeck3 on Apr 10, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I would say the odds are with your argument,

especially because he just re-signed last year. However, Cashman was willing to give up Montero and other pieces for Cliff Lee last year. I find it hard to believe he would not make a deal for Hernandez. He would love to have a top notch pitcher like Felix to pair with CC. If extending Hernandez was part of the deal – it would be during the perceived peak years of Hernandez’s career – Brian would happily sign on. The Yankees are not constrained by dollars as much as everyone else. They would gladly take the King and give up whatever they needed to, so long as it wasn’t CC.

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 10, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

why would the mariners trade for CC?

It will be Cano they want, this makes no sense. a package of Montero ManBan, Betances and Cano would wreck our team more than Felix would help us. Just because a team is bad does not mean they have to service the Yankees. The Mariners are rebuilding around him not looking to get prospects for him. The probability of a Felix trade happening is so low it’s probably in the negatives. This. Will. Not. Happen.

by jetanumba2 on Apr 11, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not proposing Robbie be part of the deal.

If they do give up Hernandez, they will want to have someone who is major league ready to pitch. That means Hughes would have to be part of the deal, or Nova, which I don’t think the Yankees will go for. The problem with the idea of the Mariners’ “rebuilding” around Hernandez is the last couple of years they thought they were in a competitive mode and have been trying to surround him with competitive pieces. That hasn’t worked out so well for them. They need to totally rebuild that team and they need a lot of young, inexpensive talent. The Yankees have plenty of that to offer and I feel optimistic that the Yankees will have a shot at acquiring him, ast some point. If not this year, then next year.

T O' NY

by T of NY on Apr 12, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions