Rotation Wars - Episode Four: A New Hope
by Chris McKeown on Jan 18, 2012 1:01 PM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintOvernight on Saturday, the Yankees went from rags to riches in terms of their newly acquired pitching depth. With the additions of young Michael Pineda and the much older Hiroki Kuroda, New York appears to have a formidable rotation in the makings.
As of now, this is what we're looking at:
1) CC Sabathia
2) Michael Pineda
3) Hiroki Kuroda
4) Ivan Nova
And then we get to #5.
Granted, Ivan Nova might not even be a fixture in the rotation at this point, but I'm leaving him because he proved to be extremely valuable for the stretch run of last year. It's widely believed he's a safe bet.
Anyway, there are an abundant amount of options to plug into the #5 gap. Let's take a look at the options...
5a) Freddy Garcia - Resigned in December to a one-year, $4 million deal. He provided incredible durability for $1.5 million in 2011, pitching at least five innings in 22 of his 25 starts and lasting six innings in 17 of those 25 starts. The Yankees are milking every bit of baseball left in Garcia and he will certainly end up as a long reliever if he doesn't win a starting job.
5b) Phil Hughes - Resigned yesterday for one-year, $3.2 million. After experiencing an inflamed right shoulder that sidelined him two months last year, as well as a herniated disk in his back, Hughes should hopefully be prepared to come into camp and win over the fifth spot. Believed by many at one point to be the ace of the Yankees one day, Hughes ironically has found himself in a dog fight for a spot. Please, no meatballs this time around. We saw enough of those last spring.
5c) A.J. Burnett - What list wouldn't be complete without him? This is his fourth year with the Yankees (note the title of this article. I tried to be clever) and he'll earn a whopping $16.5 million yet again this season. Burnett may have the edge over Hughes and Garcia at this point. While he's been Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde since his first appearance in pinstripes back in 2009, he's pitched 584 regular season innings and is yet to have been injured. I guess that's what separates Burnett from Carl Pavano these days. If the Yankees don't try to dump him off and pick up the majority of his bad contract, I think he'll end up starting the season in the rotation.
At the end of the day, Joe Girardi is going to have to play his hot hand at the start of the season. Whoever looks sharpest in spring training will get the fifth spot and he'll play the hot hand until it's no longer such.
My guess is that Burnett starts the season in the fifth spot. And yes, this is wishful, hopeful thinking.
How about you guys?
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Unless they trade someone (Nova/Hughes)
I’d say Garcia and Burnett are the locks for the #4 and #5 spots (number designations meaning nothing, just spots in the rotation).
I sincerely hope that Burnett not only is in the rotation, but pitches with his new mechanics that may make him a much better, more consistent pitcher in 2012.
Then where’s Nova?
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by Brandon C. on Jan 18, 2012 1:39 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
If Nova is traded
my asshole will explode.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 18, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
I think you’re thinking about if you eat Taco Bell
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Definitely cannot eat their grade Z beef there for that very reason.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 18, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think they’d trade him (though I wouldn’t be surprised), but it wouldn’t shock me for them to start him at AAA, unfortunately.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
that is a depressingly possible scenario
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
The sad reality of promising too many people spots in a 5 man rotation.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
Weren't the Yankees trying to trade Burnett?
Bringing in Pineda certainly isn’t going to diminish that, if anything. I suppose teams are still going to hedge at taking on his contract, but with only 2 years left (and maybe the Yankees offer to pay for a year), then maybe it’s palatable
Of course, that’s pretty hard, so I guess if he stays he’s the #5
here's a question
Who do you think the Yankees want in the rotation? I’d assume your top three are correct, and Nova is probably number four. But who do you think the Yankees want to seize that fifth spot? I would suggest that it’s Hughes – they’d love to have him finally establish himself as a starter once and for all. AJ is probably next, with the hope that he could pitch so well that maybe he’ll start to draw interest from other teams (which only matters if Hughes, Garcia, or someone else is ready to take the No. 5 spot). Garcia comes in last since he has no future beyond 2012 and little trade value, though I wonder how much his allegedly promised spot in the rotation factors into this.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions
Most logical scenario
The most logical scenario for us is to hold on to Burnett, let him make his usual “OK” starts at the beginning of the season, and then trade him when another team gets desparate for a starter.
I think Garcia starts in the fifth spot (assuming they stay true to their word about his guaranteed spot), Phil goes to the pen/traded, and A.J. gets DFA’d if there’s no trade partner.
If they’re willing to eat most of his salary in a trade for nothing better than organizational depth, they’re probably willing to just cut the ties and admit the mistake.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 1:39 PM EST reply actions
I think that there is 0% chance that AJ gets outright released.
by Scooby Snacks on Jan 18, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
There’s really no difference between eating all/most of his salary in a trade and DFA’ing him.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
At least in a trade you’ll get something in return. And in theory, the more money you eat, the better the prospect (albeit a fairly low-ceiling one… most likely someone that could be used in the bullpen when cogs break down).
More likely, they put him on waivers and see if they get lucky with someone picking him up outright. But he tends to start the year strong, so I can see them trying to sell high at that point, or dump him at the deadline.
That being said, I think Phil Hughes getting traded is a stronger possibility.
At best the Yankees get org. depth for AJ. A warm body
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Well, you do control who your trade partner is and hopefully it’s to a NL team where he won’t come back to bite you.
by Scooby Snacks on Jan 18, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
I think finding a trade partner, while eating 10-11 mill a season, is more likely and definitely the better decision. That leaves the other team taking on what 5-6 mill a season to take a chance with A.J? Sounds like a good deal for them and a much better one for us than just releasing him. I think right now the Yankees are trying to find a team to take much more of his contract but would obviously budge much more before releasing him. If it came to having to eat the whole thing, wouldn’t they just keep him?
Eating the whole thing is still a wiser outcome
I think realistically they’d have to eat about 13 mil a year. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but the mere act of getting rid of him makes the Yankees better since his continued presence in the rotation is blocking someone who is likely to be better than him.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 18, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
I just don’t want Garcia to win the job. I wonder what will happen if all of the three pitch well in ST.
I’m rooting heavily for Hughes to get the job, but I think Burnett will get t.
Hope Hughes doesn’t end up in the pen
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by Brandon C. on Jan 18, 2012 1:41 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I hope Hughes loses some of the weight
And pitches like he’s capable of. He went from suffering from the increased workload in 2010 to suffering from being a lardass in 2011.
Sounds like they are out on Prince now so Seattle could probably afford to eat most of AJ’s money. Yanks are looking for a DH too so it sounds like a match. Good call.
Montero's not left handed though
Righties can’t be a DH against right handed pitching, thats foolish!
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
This is what Spring Training is for. Three pitchers, all talented, are competing for one spot. They know this is the case so every start is critical in FLA. At the end hopefully there is a clear cut answer and then the Yanks can start dealing. Freddy can be traded, if he approves it. If he isn’t starting I’m sure he will approve it. I want Hughes to step up and grab hold of the spot permanently. If that happens, we know we have years of CC, Pineda, Hughes, and Nova ahead with the killer B’s making their way up eventually to claim a spot. That’s a damn good spot to be in. If Hughes can hold up his end of the bargain that’s what I’m rooting for.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 1:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Freddy can’t be traded until June
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Without his approval, which if he is told he isn’t starting and can be traded to a team that will start him I’m pretty sure he would say yes.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 1:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’ve never heard of that before. I’m pretty sure because he was a free agent, he can’t be traded until June. This is to prevent teams from signing players and then trading them for prospects or such right away.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
No, according to the CBA he can be traded with his permission before June. The rule is to protect the player.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Link?
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
www.frankcampagnolaiswrongabouttheCBA.org/nottheContinentalBasketallAssociation.slippers
I can never resist that joke.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
I’m actually curious about this, because I’ve never heard of such a thing
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I’m mobile right now but a quick search brought this up from Marchand:
“An official thought the Yanks can’t trade Garcia until June unless he gives them permission.
1:51pm – 15 Jan 12”
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
https://mobile.twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/158622332708073473
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The only thing I found was the thing you were saying, but that was three years ago under the old CBA.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
And Marchand’s tweet is from the 15th.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Also, the article said it is generally used on Type A free agents. That’s the “protect the player” part. His old team signs him because no one on the market wants to give up a first round pick for him. His old team then signs and trades him, but again, this is under the old CBA.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think they have published the new CBA but the old one states in section XX part B on page 69 the filling regarding free agents:
“this Section B may not assign his contract until after the next June 15. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, such contract may be assigned for other Player contracts and/or cash consideration of $50,000 or less prior to the next June 16 if the Player gives written consent to such transaction.”
That part hasn’t changed. Freddy’s fate is in his own hands. That’s all the work I can do researching this for you right now.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't know the actual answer
But it sounds right. It seems like that rule would be in place to protect the player, and if getting traded before June benefitted the player I don’t see any reason they wouldn’t allow him to waive the protection.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Put him in a costume
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
Like Valentine wearing that stache on the bench after he was kicked out of the game.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Brandon C.
This is fun
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greatscott723
That’s what you think.
"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth
don't drag me into this
I’m still trying to wrap my head around Clutch Guy from the other thread.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
What thread was this?
What did I miss?
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
the news thread from this morning
It’s jaw-dropping.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
Ohhhhhhh the one with Lt. Clutchy McNarrative
Haha, yeah that was a pill.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
it was grim
But I do respect his commitment. He just kept plugging away.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
Something tells me that's not the last we'll hear of it
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Frank Camangola
The previous one: New York Yankee News 1/18/2012
by Briceratops on Jan 18, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
3460kuri
Yeah, now I remember.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:14 PM EST up reply actions
Lord Duggan
Honestly, this makes even me laugh
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
Spring Training “competitions” work really well for rookies who have minor league options left, but veterans who are making $5 million (or $17 million in Burnett’s case) can’t easily be sent to the minors or stocked away in the bullpen, so to suggest that the Yankees are going to hold a competition between Burnett, Garcia, and Hughes for the fifth rotation slot ignores the practical limitations of the major league roster.
That’s what this comes down to, the practical limitations of the major league roster.
Since everyone needs pitching depth, but it’s impossible to keep 7 starters on the major league roster, I think Ivan Nova has to be sent down to AAA. He doesn’t deserve it, but he’s the only one of this bunch who, for all intents and purposes, can still be sent down, so for the purposes of maximizing the team’s depth, they have to do this. I would give Phil Hughes a rotation spot. He still has upside, and the clock is ticking on his free agency, so I would hate to see the Yankees just give up on him the way they gave up on Ian Kennedy.
That leaves Burnett and Garcia. The more I think about it, I think they should leave Burnett in the rotation and make Garcia the long man.
It was said that Garcia can’t work out of the pen, which was why he started last season in the rotation instead of Colon. Unless something changed, I don’t know why that wouldn’t still be true.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
that’s what was said last spring. I wouldn’t be so quick to trade Garcia. I too would love to see Hughes nail down the fifth spot and finally show the kind of pitching we have been hoping for, but in fact he has had trouble staying healthy. And with AJ, you never know what you are going to get; I would rather have a fifth starter who was consistent and reliable, and Garcia was consistent and reliable last year.
As for eating part of AJ’s salary, if you are talking about him as (maybe) the fifth starter, the Yankees are effectively eating part of his salary even if they keep him, because he is grossly overpaid for what they would expect to get.
Mickey C
So if this is episode four, A.J.’s last season is Empire Strikes Back? Yikes.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:21 PM EST reply actions
Depending on how you look at the situation, that could be a great or terrible thing.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 18, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Solo gets frozen, Leia gets captured, Luke gets his wrist chopped off, and the Empire begins working on a new Death Star.
If A.J.‘s fifth season is anything like that in Yankee terms, we’re pretty much screwed.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Joba was Jobba.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Referring to Empire Strikes Back for 2013 seems like a good thing for the Yankees and A.J. Burnett. I mean, the Empire is riding high at the end of that movie. It’s Return of the Jedi we have to worry about, when we get taken down by a bunch of Ewoks (i.e. any small market team).
Well, other teams may call us the Empire, but to us we’re not the bad guys. So if we’re calling ourselves the Rebellion, then if those things happened to us, we’d be screwed.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
The bad guys never think of themselves as the bad guys
to quote Obi-Wan:
“Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
The Yankees are refered to as the Evil Empire on occasion, though.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 18, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
so Jeter will get frozen, Kim Jones will be captured, Pineda will get his wrist chopped off, and the Red Sox actually remember how to build a team?
On the plus side, Kim Jones in a gold bikini in 2013.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Michael Kay was Han Solo?
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 18, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
can we freeze Kay in carbonite?
Can we can we can we can we?
Pleeeeeease?
No, last year was Revenge of the Sith
An unremarkable movie that was hyped as being “not as shitty as the first two.”
This season is episode four…it’s A.J.’s fourth year.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, so why did you say, “No”?
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Wow. Brain fart
Totally read
A.J.’s last season is Empire Strikes Back? Yikes.…as referring to LAST season.
In my defense, I’ve been up since 4.
No worries, I was just really confused as to how that could be misconstrued.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Go AJ
In all honesty, if AJ’s on this team I don’t see how it’s much of a competition. He’d have to literally shit himself during spring for it to even be considered. The job is his. It’s part of making 16 million dollars- it’s tough to lose your job no matter how poorly you do.
Hopefully if he’s in the rotation, he brings those new mechanics from the end of last year over. If he does, the who knows? He could be the best #5 starter in baseball.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Cash: If you smoke the objectivity pipe, A.J. isn’t that bad.
nyyrocks: YEAH!
Everyone else: ….?
August.
Cash: Shit.
nyyrocks: YEAH!
Everyone else: Oh.
I’m sorry man, but the more you say you’re trying to be objective about A.J., the harder it is to believe how objective you’re being. Forget about this Spring, he’s “literally shit himself” for two seasons now.
Pitchers constantly tweak their mechanics and make adjustments. There’s really nothing new here. He’s still A.J.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I was honestly inspired by the way Burnett pitched towards the end of the year
I know it wasn’t really remarkable in the grand scheme of things, but given how much he had struggled throughout the year, I thought the way he finished, particularly his playoff performance, was fairly decent.
I’ve seen many a pitcher put together a string of decent starts. And it really wasn’t that good. Batters OPS’d over .800 against him in his September starts.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t care. I think he’s going to have a good season and it’s based on nothing more than gut feeling based on a small sample size at the end of last year. I know I may be wrong.
I know that you and almost everyone else thinks AJ sucks. I don’t. I enjoy rooting for the guy. I like rooting for players that everybody else has given up on. Especially as likable a person as AJ is. I want to see him get another opportunity.
I’ve been ripped apart on here and made fun of constantly because I have confidence in the guy. I’m not going to change my stance because everyone else disagrees. It’s actually the opposite. I love having confidence in a player everybody hates. You can throw all these stats at me that I’ve already heard 20,000 times. It’s not going to change my belief that he’s pitching well this year.
If you want to know the reason, it’s this. I’m sorry if it bothers you, but there are some players that I develop a sentimental (best word I can think of) attachment to. Not just baseball, in any sport. I’ve followed AJ Burnett ever since he first entered the league, and I’ve always loved watching him pitch. He was probably my favorite non-Yankee, and I was ecstatic when they signed him. And then he saved their season with that Game 2 start in 2009 and I loved him even more. It’s been really tough for me to watch him pitch these last two years (even though 2011 was more one horrible month than a whole season, but whatever). But after growing up looking on cable for Marlins and Blue Jays games for the sole purpose of watching him pitch to see how many he could strike out or how many he could get by the catcher, it’s difficult for me to not have confidence, even if it’s easy for everybody else.
I know that everyone thinks I’m wrong. If it truly bothers people that I spend so much effort trying to defend him, then I’ll stop. But since you bothered to reply calling me out on it, I figured I’d explain.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
I have no problem with you saying you enjoy watching the guy pitch or that you want to root for him. But to be truly objective and predict a good season for A.J. Burnett after his last ~400 or so innings have gone is impossible. He has an 84 ERA+ over those innings. Objectively speaking, I would never predict success for a pitcher in his mid-30’s after his last two years have been as bad as they were.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
It's not exactly a prediction
It’s more like really hoping. If you want a prediction, I think an ERA somewhere around 4.60-4.70 is reachable if those ridiculous HR averages normalize. It’s not great (and I was never predicting a great season, though I’ve convinced myself he’s capable of it), but I think he’s more than able of having a season good enough to be the fifth starter of this team.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
One question though
What part of my original post isn’t right? I just said that because of his salary it’s highly unlikely he’ll have to compete for a spot if he’s on the team. I think thats more than fair. If you’re talking about the last sentence, well thats just more of me being such a big fan of his.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
It’s not just this post in particular, you’ve predicted a strong season for him all winter. And frankly I think it’s to say he’d have to shit himself in the spring after he’s shit himself over his last ~400 innings.
We’ve talked about his HR rate, and that hasn’t done anything but escalate since he got to the Bronx. Hoping for it to “normalize” seems highly optimistic.
He’s not good enough to be the fifth starter on this team if Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes are on it.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
*should read “I think it’s wrong to say…”
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
He's always going to have high HR rates
Last year was unsustainably high. It’s not going to go up from that and it should regress. Obviously it won’t regress to his career averages, but it’ll go down from 2011. Thats what I meant by normalize.
Hughes was worse than AJ last year, so I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s definitely better. I still have hopes for Hughes, but I don’t think you can say he’s better than anyone on the staff at this point. He needs to prove himself (though I’m not sure the Yanks will give him that chance).
Define strong. I’m hoping for a strong season and I think he’s capable of a strong season, but like I said, I’m predicting an ERA in the mid-high 4s. He’ll eat innings, get a lot of strikeouts, give up a ton of homers, get a ton of balls passed Russell Martin and we’ll see the flashes of brilliance he’s capable of having now and again. I’ve never predicted a strong, 2009-like season for him. But I think he can still have some value.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
His home run rate has been climbing for years and he’s older. Expecting it to improve is asking a lot.
Hughes was better than A.J. last year, even with the April numbers. A.J. had a 4.77 FIP, Phil had a 4.58 over the course of 2011.
I’ve never predicted a strong, 2009-like season for him.
Yes, you have. And an ERA in the mid-high 4’s is pretty bad in this run environment of the last two seasons.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
FIP isn't the tell all stat
AJ had stronger peripherals and he ate innings, and missed many more bats. Hughes had difficulty putting hitters away. I know Hughes was hurt, but I think Burnett had the better year and certainly provided more value.
Again, I think he’s capable of repeating 2009. I’m not predicting it. If I ever did it’s not what I meant. Yes, you’re right. A mid-high 4s isn’t that good. But for a 5th starter who eats innings, it’s more than fine. Certainly better than what you and everyone else thinks he will do.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
FIP tells me exactly what the pitcher did. And Hughes was slightly better at it than A.J. was. FIP combines those peripherals and puts them into one. A.J. may have missed bats, but Phil didn’t walk 4/9 and give up 1.5 HR/9.
I expect A.J. to continue to regress, because that’s what 35 year old starters do.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Okay
Well… I don’t, but I think I’ve made that pretty clear all winter. He’d better not, because thats not good for the team and sooner or later I’ll get kind of embarrassed supporting him…
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
The only reason he was more valuable than Phil was because he threw more innings. He was worse doing it, but he threw more than double, and that accounts for something, of course.
Health is an attribute, and A.J. has been healthy. He just hasn’t been good.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
you sir
need to take of those rose colored AJ glasses. if anything picking up Kuroda and Pineda have made either AJ Burnett or Phil Hughes trade bait. AJ more so than Hughes for the following reasons.
1. AJ makes 16mil and has under performed in the real world you don’t pay anybody to under perform especially when there’s is some one available who can put up just as good numbers for cheaper.
2. AJ has shown not be injury prone which makes it more likely a team would want him.
3. Age- if Hughes comes to spring training healthy with velocity in the arm and putting up good numbers the Yankees can long term him 5-6 next year for still under 10mil. Which means especially if Nova, Pineda, Hughes and to an extent Garcia have good springs the Yankees can eat Burnett’s contract because for the production they’ll likely get from those 4. Yeah they’re eating 10mil tops (AJ’s worth is roughly 7mil) but you have 4 guys who combined even with incentives won’t make 10mil. And so they save by not paying 2013 Burnett salary.
4. Flexibility- Hughes has at least excelled in the pen.
5. Ian Kennedy- I don’t think Yankee brass want to make the same mistake twice with one of the Big Three so soon.
So over all Hughes is worth more to the Yankees staying a Yankee than being traded to another team. I’d be shocked if Hughes were traded before AJ. In fact I’d ask for a refund on my season tickets.
However, if Betances, ManBan or Phelps make great leaps and bounds then ALL BETS ARE OFF. Because at that point Garcia, Hughes and Burnett become expendable.
by bleedsyankeeblue on Jan 19, 2012 3:09 AM EST up reply actions
If you think I'm illogical feel free
I just explained why I have a liking for AJ and this is just more information that I already know.
I don’t care what the stats say. I think he will have a good season. But on a website with a lot of people who feel little to no sentimental attachment to players and use only advanced stats as their thinking, that’s not going to be popular and I realize that. Especially with someone as hated as AJ.
But quite honestly, I’m sick of defending him and getting called out for it every time, so I’m going to stop with it. It’s not like I’m changing anyone’s mind. But you aren’t changing my mind either.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
by nyyrocks29 on Jan 19, 2012 9:40 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Posada was paid $13mm to be a part time DH last season. Once the season starts the Yanks field their best team, not their highest paid contracted players. The Yanks are not going to have AJ going out there every fifth day if he is performing horribly and other pitchers can offer a marked improvement to his slot in the rotation. They will figure out something. Of course we all hope that AJ performs like he did in his last season in Toronto, that just seams highly unlikely.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 2:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wasn't disagreeing that they shouldn't make a change if he struggles
I just believe that it’s likely he’ll start the year in the rotation because of the name and contract.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
We will see. If Hughes comes in and has a crackling fastball along with his hammer curve and AJ is bouncing balls all around the plate, unable to find strike zone I can see them leaving him off the starting rotation to start the year. They can’t have AJ going out there every fifth day giving up five runs before the third inning is over. It taxes the bullpen and puts more pressure on CC to go late in innings, which is fine as we get close to the end of the year but can be a problem if we start the year like that. It’s important to protect CC, more important than getting AJ in the rotation when he’s not capable of pitching up to the major-league level when others on the roster are.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Okay thats fair
Hughes really doesn’t have a hammer curve, but not your point. I know. I’m just saying what I think the Yankees would do. I think it’s unlikely they put someone making 16 million in the bullpen or DFA him but I could be wrong (trying to be objective like people want).
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
I agree. It would take AJ being really terrible in spring training and Hughes being really spectacular for them to make that move. I just think that if the difference is that wide they are not going to sacrifice what’s best for the team just because of the contract. I would love to see the AJ from his last year in Toronto, nothing would make you happier.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That should read nothing would make me happier.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Trust me, nothing would make me happier either
I don’t think there’s a single player I’m rooting for more in 2012 than AJ. Maybe A-Rod, because he gets a ton of hate too from Yankee fans.
Oh, and I’m also rooting hard for Russell Martin, because if he has a great year it’ll make losing Montero a lot easier on me.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Yeah, I really want to see Teix bounce back as well. If they can get him and Alex going along with the rest of the roster the offense won’t miss what Jesus was going to bring to the team. And as a nice caveat I would love to see Gary Sanchez mash his way through Tampa and finish the year in Trenton while Pineda delivers a solid number two starter performance all year. That would make the sting of the Jesus trade go away.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think the real issue with AJ is not that he can't be good or is so unpredictable
But rather the fact that he’s possibly costing better pitchers a spot in the rotation, a spot some of them have earned. Like mentioned earlier, because AJ makes so much and has no other place on the team, unless they can pay someone else to take him he’ll most likely be in the rotation. So then the real challenge for the #5 spot isn’t between AJ, Hughes, and Garcia but rather Nova, Hughes, and Garcia and Nova should NOT be on that list. He should not have to pitch for an MLB job after his stellar performance last year. It’s essentially the same reasoning behind why you hate the fact that they resigned Garcia. The difference is that Garcia makes less and is much more dumpable & movable. Should he be in the bullpen? Probably not. Can he be? Yes. There’s the difference. AJ cannot nor should not be put in the pen. Hughes is another matter. For those of us who are hoping/banking on him coming back, AJ is technically in the way of that as well. Hughes might not even have that chance. The difference is that Hughes is at least tradable or penable for the time being. AJ is not tradable unless we literally continue to pay him, which we are fortunate enough to be able to do as an organization if we actually need to do it.
It’s not that people are rooting for him to fail. Hell, I actually think he can indeed have a comeback year as well. But if he’s a hinderance to Nova being in the rotation when it shouldn’t even be a question to begin with, then yeah people are not going to be happy with him.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you about Nova
After the Pineda trade maybe it would have been better of them not to sign Kuroda because of their surplus of pitchers. The extra cash may have allowed them to get a better DH than Damon or Matsui (which seem to be the best options right now). But it is what it is.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
The trade & Kuroda are neither here nor there at this point
The main point right now is that AJ and mainly AJ’s contract are possibly costing better pitchers their place in the rotation. So logically, if they can get rid of AJ and only pay 2/3rd of his contract to a team we trade him to, then either we might get a bat back in said trade or have the extra cash to sign someone better than Damon or Matsui as well as address our issue of too many pitchers.
And holy shit do I find it hilariously and ironically, or hironically sad that our two main problems right now going into the 2012 season are that we have too many starting pitchers & we need a DH. Ah to be a Yankees fan.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
In a perfect world, Sergio Mitre could swing a bat.
by Scooby Snacks on Jan 18, 2012 5:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No
I don’t want Sergio on the roster period.
by bleedsyankeeblue on Jan 19, 2012 3:19 AM EST up reply actions
Nova is the one I am expecting to be traded
Doesn’t mean I want it to happen, because I don’t. But I suspect there will be no takers for AJ, and Hughes’ value is too low at the moment.
They may decide to sell high on Nova, a guy they may think will regress. I base this on the perception people had of Nova, prior to last season at least, as a back end of the rotation starter. Now that he has one really good season, I am concerned they will try to sell high, to reduce the logjam of pitchers while acquiring another bat.
Not the optimal solution, and not something I’d like to see, but I would not be at all surprised.
I highly doubt Nova is traded. He has five years of team control left and if the Yankees are serious about getting under $189M, they’ll need his cheap production.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
The only way I would be happy if Nova was traded is if we got back a highly touted positional player with a good bat. If we just make some random trade for an average player in order to keep AJ around I would be very upset, as I’m sure most of the fan base would.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 3:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don’t get the Nova trade talks. He’s the only one of these back end starters of ours that has progressed. Everyone else has regressed….and he’s the youngest. I guessed Garcia technically progressed last season but why deal Nova to make room for any of them? Makes no sense. We’d have to get much more than I see us being able to get. He’s our #4 this season. I don’t think he’s in that 5th starter/not in the rotation discussion unless he gets completely rocked in ST.
CC, Pineda, and Kuroda are locks for this rotation. Burnett and Garcia were also promised spots. That leaves Nova as the odd man out unfairly. They sent him down for no real reason because they needed to make room for Hughes. He doesn’t deserve it, but I could easily see them starting him at AAA because there is no room for him.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
I think we're making too much of this "promised spots" stuff...
After they did what they did to Nova last year, he came back and pitched incredibly well down the stretch. I may be wrong but I think he earned not having that done to him again.
When the Yankees signed Freddy Garcia (foolishly), Michael Pineda wasn’t available and Hiroki Kuroda was rumored to be going back to Japan. Things change. I am 95% certain that Cashman wouldn’t damage the team in order to keep his word.
AJ’s a different story, because if he’s still here, the Yankees will feel pressured to “get something out of him” due to his immense salary. I think he will be gone, but if he’s here he’ll probably push Garcia out. This logic makes little sense because hurting the team by forcing AJ in isn’t going to save any money, but it’s been employed before.
Unfortunately for Hughes it looks like AJ and Garcia will both have to be gone for him to make the rotation. My hope is that Hughes shows up to spring training in great shape, pitches great and forces his way in. But it looks like a long shot.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 18, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
I’d prefer this, obviously. I’m certainly not advocating for Nova to not have a spot in the rotation. I’m just not going to be shocked either way unfortunately, that’s all. I wouldn’t put it past them to go the path of least resistance, at least at the beginning of the season.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
Why?
Why would we pay $10 Million for Kuroda and then turn around and trade Nova? Give Cashman more credit than that. The Kuroda deal was done after the Pineda deal. They already know what they’re going to do with Burnett/Garcia/Hughes. Otherwise they never would have bought Kuroda.
AJ for fifth spot!
i’m going to make a super pac to advocate this position. who’s with me?
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
I don't expect a 'competition' for pitching spots. If one is announced, it will be as rigged as the Hughes/Joba competition 2 years ago.
Burnett is in the rotation, Garcia long man, Hughes set- up, until someone breaks down or spits the bit.
I honestly cannot imagine any benefit to anyone of sending Nova back to the minors. “Ivan, last year was nice, but you need a fourth pitch.” I don’t think so.
by designatedquitter on Jan 18, 2012 3:36 PM EST reply actions
Why is Garcia suddenly capable of relief when he wasn’t last season? Why would Hughes be the set up guy before D-Rob or Soriano?
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
Hughes to teh sixth inning!
Move him to teh fifth inning when teh Jobaz comez back!!!
Hughes to another team!
for a decent position player prospect!
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
God no. They’d be selling so low on Hughes.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 3:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You have more faith in him to bounce back than I do.
Boone Logan is a good boy. So is David Robertson. Team A.J.
I do. Because we have seen him be a very good pitcher in the past. Last season he came in a little out of shape and had to overcompensate during spring training, that led to him getting hurt leading to a poor year This off-season he has developed a strength and conditioning program to keep him in shape. If he has added muscle, as reports have told us, and his fastball is back up and 94 to 95 mph range then I think it’s hard to let Hughes go, let alone leave him out of the rotation. But, we have to at least wait and see what you got in spring training because right now his stock is worthless compared to what it can be.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't like to trade him now
But if he ends up being a reliever, how much more stock is he going to get?
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
If he ends up being a lights out reliever, like he was in 2009, the stock goes up considerably. If he ends up being the kind of starter we know he can be and has been in the past his stock goes thru the roof. Either way, trading him now doesn’t make sense.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
I’d hang onto him anyways because I still have some hopes for him as a starter, even if it’s not this year. Whatever his role is, I think Hughes will contribute this year.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Hughes topped out at 97
A few weeks ago in a 60 pitch session hitting 95 15 times and the curve ball well it was hammer time. Damn thing looked like a Bert Blyleven was throwing it. Had good control throwing it about 20 times. 17 in the strike zone. Overall 60 pitches 54 in the strike zone. The arm is good.
by bleedsyankeeblue on Jan 19, 2012 3:38 AM EST up reply actions
The fact that there's a chance Nova might start the season in AAA is upsetting
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 4:40 PM EST reply actions
no kidding
If he’s in AAA, I may drive down to Fla. just to slap Joe!
I don't think that's even Joe's call at that point
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
A cop!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Um, IGYAR...
Could you bail me out? Please???
No deal!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 19, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Awww...
There’s a fat guy named “Bubba” here who’s looking at me funny…
Slap him too!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 19, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
I think that's what he wants me to do!
…but I’m scared…
MLB Trade Rumors @mlbtraderumors 7m
Rangers To Sign Yu Darvish bit.ly/zv7Jp9 #mlb
And there we go!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 4:41 PM EST reply actions
It was inevitable. Now Texas just has to hope that he at least matches what CJ Wilson does over the next six years.
It's that the world is basically a forced labor camp from which the workers, perfectly innocent, are led forth by lottery, a few each day, to be executed.
I don't think that's just the way I see it. I think that's the way it is. Are there alternative views? Yes. Will any of them stand close scrutiny? No.
by memitim on Jan 18, 2012 4:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wonder if they keep Feliz in the rotation now
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Are the numbers of the deal released yet?
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Cheaper than I thought it would be
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
David Cameron
$100M pitchers, baseball history: Sabathia, Santana, Zito (snicker), Hampton, Lee, Brown, Dice-K. And now Darvish.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:16 PM EST reply actions
LOL Zito
I hope Darvish does well, if for no other reason than to stick it to the Angels.
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
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Mike Axisa @mikeaxisa
If Darvish hits his incentives, Texas will have invested more money in him than any team has ever invested in a RHP as part of one contract.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
All I can say is wow. Texas better be right on him or they’ll cripple themselves… again.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 18, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
Is it too early to talk about
zito > Dice-k?
by JerseyGuy77 on Jan 18, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
apparently Darvish can opt out of the 6th year
Why would Texas give him that when Darvish only wanted 5? Now the only reason he’ll stay is if he’s hurt. Good call.
It might have been the only way they could get him to agree to a deal? I’m not sure.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
that's pretty odd
I guess maybe Darvish wanted 5 and then the option so they just gave them what he wanted.
He has to earn the opt out
Supposedly its not a flat opt out he has to hit “certain high end award levels” in order to be able to opt out.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 18, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
right now maybe one of those deals has worked for the team
And we’re not even really halfway through CC’s deal, so the jury’s still out. Jury’s still out on Lee, too, though that one looks pretty good so far.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
The Jury is spending a lot of time out
Why doesn’t it want to stay at home more?
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
sometimes a jury just needs time alone
Somet time to think. Is that so wrong?
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
It is when they're ignoring us!
We have needs too, you know!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
A.J. is my first choice for sure.
Keep Phil as long relief, and if history is any indication, issues can occur within the rotation, in which case we can throw in Garcia or have Hughes take a spot.
OT but has to be shared: I just banned a dude who was spamming sites all across SBN with links to Asian mail-order brides.
Did you at least save the link?
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 18, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds like something that would appeal to all of us
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 18, 2012 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
why would you do that?
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jan 18, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
keep the best one for himself
The man’s a genius.
by long time listener on Jan 18, 2012 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Mariners signed LHP Oliver Perez to a minor league contract.
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jan 18, 2012 6:53 PM EST reply actions
Lol.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 19, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
So is this too much pitching?
1. J. De La Rosa
2. J. Chacin
3. J. Hammel
4. D. Pomeranz
5. A. White
6. T. Chatwood
7. K. Slowey
8. G. Moscoso
they also just signed Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal. Juan Nicasio is also in the equation somewhere.
My input?
AJ Burnett is pretty awful.
"You fucking loser!" - Sean Avery
"Just reload my weapon, you know?" - Artem Anisimov
The future is looking bright boys.
Very well written article.
Thoughts on the rotation are well defended and organized. It helps that I agree with everything you said.
rotation
I’m thinking one of the " killer" bees may hold the key to the Yankees pitching success this year.I have no confidence in Burnett.Hughe’s is still an unknown,esp with all of last yrs. physical issues,and Nova is not going to be the success he was,hitters will have his # this yr.Garcia is a half a season option,if he stays healthy.Kuroda will have to deal with Dh’s.I don’t think he will be as effective as he was in NL.Still think we need to get Fielder and trade Tex for another starter.
they cannot trade Tex
He has a no-trade clause, and his contract is too expensive. If they did manage to trade him, they wouldn’t get a starter who would be an improvement over what we’ve got.
by long time listener on Jan 19, 2012 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
And they said Billy Mumphrey was a cockeyed optimist.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 19, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions
When Nova has another good season and Pineda delivers. Then there will be this huge sigh of relief and a very audible “aaaaaahhhhhh” coming from New York and around the globe.
Romine!
No
They’d still have to win the World Series in order for the “aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh”
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 19, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
it'll be AJ if he is still on roster
That being said, Yankees should ship him out no matter how much $ they have to eat. Hughes deserves one more shot, as opposed to AJ who deserves nothing more than a bus ticket out of town
by Arkansas Yankee on Jan 19, 2012 9:48 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
my take ???
Some people may freak out over what I will opinie on all this.
If AJ is still with the team he HAS to be in the rotation,,,,and actually put back in where he was signed for,,,the #2. Do not forget,though he has lost some velocity,his stuff is still electric when he hits his spots,,,,IF being the operative word. When AJ is dead on,,,,he can be an unhittable pitcher,,,CC is NOT an unhittable pitcher. However AJ is a head case and also has no control over where he spots his ball unlike CC who has excellent command.
Unless a deal is struck that sounds reasonable,,,Cash does not let AJ go too far.
Kuroda has NOT proven he can pitch in the AL East,so he is still a unproven commodity. Pitching in the AL east is like jumping from AAA to the Big show,,,,life is different there.
Nova and Hughes are both young enough that innings are an issue. We seen Hughes break down after having to pick up AJ’s slack the year before in the late season when he should have been in the pen or even shut down. He came back with shoulder inflammation. Shoulder issues are 100 times severe long term then elbow issues. Hughes will be WATCHED and his shoulder PAMPERED.
Nova,again because AJ suxxed and Hughes was hurting,had to step up like Hughes did the year prior and fill the gap,,,and just like Hughes,strained his arm,,,the elbow. Not as near the scare as a shoulder,but yet Tommy John aint nothing to sneeze at.
Basically AJ because he has not performed to his ability has caused both Hughes,and Nova to be placed in harms way with too many innings and outings and pressure situational pitches then their young arms could or would be prepared for. You might say the innings on Nova and Hughes were not so big. However we are talking about making MAXIMUM effort pitches in huge spots against all star hitters. This means more EFFORT,this is why I think Nova’s elbow barked. Trying to really snap off that slider with extra rotation. So no one talks about those pressure innings as much as total pitches and total innings.
So if Hughes and Nova don’t last long term it’s primarily because AJ shrunk during the times he was called to step up and left it to the next set of guys to handle which was Nova one year and Hughes the other year.
So here is what I would do with the current situation.
- Charleston Charles
- AJ (with an eagle eye on him)
- Kuroda
- Hughes
- 5 Nova
Long relief in waiting to sieze a spot upon AJ blowing up,Hughes or Nova or Kuroda not performing as a swing man.
Innings will have to be watched on Hughes and Nova and you could flip flop them in order so that their innings are managed. We need to preserve them as much as possible for the late season when it counts and when they pitch with maximum effort in big games.
Can a trade happen ??? Ofcourse. I wouldn’t trade any of them myself unless the deal made sense. Having to eat 8 million a year on AJ’s salary is stupid. Ride him out and hide him when you can.
Other thing to do is the 6 man rotation and rotate Hughes and Nova so that they are pitching every 10 days with a simulated game on the 5th day. This will limit early innings but might not be so good on their young arms some might say but a simulated game should act as a real life game and still give them reps without over stressing their arms.
Eventually,, when June rolls around and he is ready,,i’d put Joba down in the farm and stretch him out to be a starter again. I don’t see relief work being so valuable to the Yanks right now. He stretches out well and has some lightning in a bottle,he can be turned into a bat or brought back up to the big show again. If not,back to the banishment that is the pen.
oops !!!
Forgot t o put Pineda #4 and Nova #5 with Hughes @ AAA for the time being.
by archeryjohnbl on Jan 19, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
I wish I’d eaten one of those instead of wasting my time reading a paragraph of that.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 19, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
So nice, it needed to be posted twice.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 19, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Stopped reading after you compared coming to the AL East as going from AAA to MLB
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 19, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
So you order the pitchers based only on salary.
Thats just poor decision making.
by Johnny_Blaze on Jan 19, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Some people may freak out over what I will opinie on all this.
If AJ is still with the team he HAS to be in the rotation,,,,and actually put back in where he was signed for,,,the #2. Do not forget,though he has lost some velocity,his stuff is still electric when he hits his spots,,,,IF being the operative word. When AJ is dead on,,,,he can be an unhittable pitcher,,,CC is NOT an unhittable pitcher. However AJ is a head case and also has no control over where he spots his ball unlike CC who has excellent command.
Unless a deal is struck that sounds reasonable,,,Cash does not let AJ go too far.
Kuroda has NOT proven he can pitch in the AL East,so he is still a unproven commodity. Pitching in the AL east is like jumping from AAA to the Big show,,,,life is different there.
Nova and Hughes are both young enough that innings are an issue. We seen Hughes break down after having to pick up AJ’s slack the year before in the late season when he should have been in the pen or even shut down. He came back with shoulder inflammation. Shoulder issues are 100 times severe long term then elbow issues. Hughes will be WATCHED and his shoulder PAMPERED.
Nova,again because AJ suxxed and Hughes was hurting,had to step up like Hughes did the year prior and fill the gap,,,and just like Hughes,strained his arm,,,the elbow. Not as near the scare as a shoulder,but yet Tommy John aint nothing to sneeze at.
Basically AJ because he has not performed to his ability has caused both Hughes,and Nova to be placed in harms way with too many innings and outings and pressure situational pitches then their young arms could or would be prepared for. You might say the innings on Nova and Hughes were not so big. However we are talking about making MAXIMUM effort pitches in huge spots against all star hitters. This means more EFFORT,this is why I think Nova’s elbow barked. Trying to really snap off that slider with extra rotation. So no one talks about those pressure innings as much as total pitches and total innings.
So if Hughes and Nova don’t last long term it’s primarily because AJ shrunk during the times he was called to step up and left it to the next set of guys to handle which was Nova one year and Hughes the other year.
So here is what I would do with the current situation.
Charleston Charles
AJ (with an eagle eye on him)
Kuroda
Pineda
5 Nova
Long relief in waiting to sieze a spot upon AJ blowing up,Hughes or Nova or Kuroda not performing as a swing man. Hughes or Nova to AAA for now until AJ blows up,Kuroda can’t hang,or anyone gets hurt.
Innings will have to be watched on Hughes and Nova and you could flip flop them in order so that their innings are managed. We need to preserve them as much as possible for the late season when it counts and when they pitch with maximum effort in big games.
Can a trade happen ??? Ofcourse. I wouldn’t trade any of them myself unless the deal made sense. Having to eat 8 million a year on AJ’s salary is stupid. Ride him out and hide him when you can.
Other thing to do is the 6 man rotation and rotate Hughes and Nova so that they are pitching every 10 days with a simulated game on the 5th day. This will limit early innings but might not be so good on their young arms some might say but a simulated game should act as a real life game and still give them reps without over stressing their arms.
Eventually,, when June rolls around and he is ready,,i’d put Joba down in the farm and stretch him out to be a starter again. I don’t see relief work being so valuable to the Yanks right now. He stretches out well and has some lightning in a bottle,he can be turned into a bat or brought back up to the big show again. If not,back to the banishment that is the pen
This is literally what I said aloud as I scrolled down.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby
by Chris McKeown on Jan 19, 2012 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Nonsense
After the first reading I wasn’t so sure, but NOW I can see the light.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 19, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Correct about AJ
With the Yankees, it’s a given that there are two seasons – regular and playoffs. Which is more important? Playoffs. That’s why names like Brosius and Leyritz bring positive memories despite their ordinary regular season careers. Looking just at the 2011 playoffs, who was the Yankees only starter with an ERA under 4.00 and a winning record? That would be AJ Burnett, whose 1.59 ERA speaks for itself compared to Nova’s 4.32, Garcia’s 5.06, and CC’s 6.23. Speaking of CC, his playoff performance was nothing short of awful, giving up 10 hits, 8 BB’s, and 6 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. And by the way, this did not come out of the blue – over his 10 starts in Aug and Sept, opposing batters hit over .320 against him. What CC has over AJ is not unhittable stuff, but the same ability Andy Pettitte had to get out of jams when he didn’t have great stuff.
AJ showed last year that he can be the staff ace under playoff pressure. Dumping him from the rotation would be a big mistake. The Yankees can reach the playoffs by the sheer superiority of their roster, but that means nothing in the short series playoffs. That’s when we need guys who can step up under pressure.
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