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Yankees are out of Phil Hughes excuses

Posted by on 15 April 2012, 4:35 am

New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes made his second start yesterday afternoon against Los Angeles Angels, and ex-Ranger CJ Wilson.

And Hughes preformed exactly how I thought he would, terribly.

Phil Hughes in 2007

Phil Hughes in 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have received endless criticism from LLP readers about my harsh stance on Hughes not having the stuff to be a starter; and that his 2010 season was a fluke.

Yes, Hughes went 18-8 in 2010 but in 14 of the wins the Yankees scored six or more runs, which was the most run support in baseball. Hughes pitched 176 innings and gave up 25 home-runs, which is not typical for an 18-game winner who made 31 starts.

Hughes was voted to the All-Star team in 2010 as his wins record turned a decent first-half into something it was not. And ever since Hughes pitched in that All-Star game he has not gotten back to being even close to decent again.

The real Hughes was on display in yesterday’s loss; and he couldn’t complete four innings, allowed six runs to score but managed to strike out five Halos in another pathetic outing.

And I hate to gloat…. but I told you so.

Everyone is so focused on how Hughes looks on the radar gun; and yesterday was no different as there were references to his velocity returning to the low to mid 90’s again, but in the grand scheme of things does it really matter?

No it doesn’t because the fact is Hughes cannot finish off hitters because they figure him out, like they did in the second half of 2010, like the Angels did yesterday and like the Rays did a week ago; and that my friend loses games.

Just watching Albert Pujols down 0-2 in his second at-bat, you could tell that he had figured Hughes out; and third pitch he hit a double.

The reality is Hughes is good for about two innings, as he proved successfully during the regular 2009 season coming out of the bullpen.

The question is how many more chances are Cashman and Girardi going to give Hughes when there are other viable options that would give the Yankees a better chance to win? Continue reading ‘Yankees are out of Phil Hughes excuses’ »

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New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda

Posted by on 1 April 2012, 3:56 pm
Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote this post almost two weeks ago and never published it because when I read it to a friend and my father they both said I was being oversensitive about my theory of what could happen to Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda.

So, I wimped out.

And now look what happened…last time I don’t listen to my gut because I totally regret it now.

So here it is the theory I did NOT publish, just a day late and a dollar short.

Everyone in Yankee Universe remembers the disasters of 2008.

Not making the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons was not exactly the ideal sendoff for the historic old Stadium that the franchise had called home since 1923 but that is not what I am talking about.

I am referring to the Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain fiasco.

In 2008 the ‘Big 3’ was deemed the “future of the franchise” and the New York media had a field day with them, especially Chamberlain after throwing the infamous “bug game” in the 2007 ALDS in Cleveland.

The problem came when dealing with the pressure and relentless attention paid by the New York media vultures. The press hounded these kids and made everything that much harder, as there was no room to fail.

If you don’t think that the media wasn’t one of the major culprits that hindered the trios development you are crazy.

Yes, everyone is well aware of the media that comes with playing in New York but it should have been more controlled by the Yankees front office, or some veteran players could have stepped in.

Regardless, what happened to Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain seems to be getting repeated with the Yankees new young pitcher Michael Pineda.

It is only the second week of Spring Training and Pineda has already stated a few times that he is very uncomfortable with the 20 or more media that surround his locker.

The 23-year old hails from the Dominican Republic; English is his second language and like most who are bi-lingual, it doesn’t flow out as easily. Add that to the fact the Pineda is already shy by nature and you have a recipe for trouble.

I get that the media hounds come out in droves for anything and everything Yankees related, but there has to be a better solution to protect guys like Pineda; at least for Spring Training so they can get adjusted.

There is no fine line drawn between reasonable and merciless regarding young, imports like Pineda. Having five reporters is reasonable, but having 30 is not and considering the detrimental effects that added anxiety can have on someone’s psyche it has to be fixed.  Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda’ »

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Not bad news yet but not music in New York Yankee fans ears either

Posted by on 28 March 2012, 3:02 am

The bad news is that New York Yankees slugger Curtis Grandersonis hurting.

Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reported that Yankees GM Brain Cashman confirmed that the reason Granderson was out of the line-up was due to a sore right elbow.

So, why is this necessarily bad news?

No not necessarily yet, but Cashman did go on to say that Granderson was having, “…a precautionary MRI tomorrow to make sure it’s nothing significant.”

No one gets an MRI unless a doctor is looking for the source of the pain, and needs to dig deeper because the x-rays and physical tests could not determine anything.

So, why does this make a “precautionary” MRI on Granderson’s elbow a serious concern?

Well speaking for myself, yes I am concerned for two reasons.

1) The first being that the Yankees use the word “precautionary” before an MRI a lot and in the past has turned into a serious injury or a lengthy DL stint too many times.

A recent example from last season is when Joba Chamberlain required Tommy John surgery. It was reported everywhere that Joba had a precautionary MRI exam.

Also last season; remember when Rafael Soriano did not appear in the 8th inning on May 11th?

The reason was stated as soreness in his throwing elbow, Soriano took the game off and will have a precautionary MRI exam. And he did not pitch again until end of July.

2) My own personal experience from a recent tennis injury. Continue reading ‘Not bad news yet but not music in New York Yankee fans ears either’ »

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New York Yankees: 3 pitching scenarios maybe 4

Posted by on 25 March 2012, 12:13 am

The New York Yankees have some pitching situations to solve.

I have narrowed it down to three or four possibilities based on what I believe the 2012 Opening Day rotation should be, which in order is Sabathia, Kuroda, Pineda, Nova and Hughes.

My crazy pitching diagram.

First being the plethora of starting pitching.

That leaves Freddy Garcia hanging out to dry, and initially I thought Garcia should go the bullpen but now since he is willing to hear any trade ideas that GM Brian Cashman should send Garcia hiking.

Second up is Andy Pettitte’s return, and what to do when the southpaw decides to grace us with his presence again.

Someone has to go either the bullpen, or more likely Triple-A Scranton as it allows the cast-off to keep his arm fresh by pitching every five days.

This should not be decided until Pettitte and the Yankees set a date. And the odd-man should not be told he is out until the day before Pettitte arrives. Determining ‘who’ should be performance based, so the biggest loser goes.

Thirdly, with the devastating news about Joba Chamberlain’s trampoline injury, which will sideline him indefinitely, the Yankees cannot just keep him on the payroll because they like him. It is not going to be easy but they need to cut Joba. I know it is harsh considering all the crap Joba has been put through but reality is the Yankees owe him $1.6 million for 2012 and reality is players are paid to play. Joba can be resigned next season, which I feel is the Yankees are almost obligated  to do if he can pitch. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 3 pitching scenarios maybe 4’ »

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New York Yankees: Injury updates already

Posted by on 3 March 2012, 1:13 am

From the start to the end of Spring Training, players are warming-up their bodies to get ready for the 162-game grind of the regular season.

Unfortunately injury setbacks are inevitable, and daily reports sometimes seem endless but also remember that if a player feels anything is off, he will rest as a precautionary measure.

You can see the most up-to-date injury reports, team-by-team by visiting ESPN Injury Updates ; that is what I do many times daily.

So, here are the early setbacks that have already hit the New York Yankees, courtesy of ESPN: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Injury updates already’ »

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New York Yankees: You Want Answers I Got 3 Questions

Posted by on 26 January 2012, 4:12 am

In a few days it will be February, which means Spring Training is right around the corner as pitchers and catchers report on the 19th.

English: A-Rod batting in 2007.

Image via Wikipedia

So, while baseball fans are ready to end another long off-season, team’s front offices are scrambling to get everything in order.

As for the New York Yankees, this off-season got started uncomfortably late but in the end trading for Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda were well worth the wait.

Still, the fate of the 2012 Yankees hinders on getting the right answers to some lingering questions.

So, here are 3 substantial subjects to keep your eye on as things get started:

1.     Can Alex Rodriguez stay healthy?

When A-rod is healthy, he is hitting and without question makes the Yankees tougher to beat. It is no secret that A-rod is 36 years old and entering his 19th MLB season, but he is a true competitor with a lot of talent. There is no lack of effort on his part either, as A-rod works harder than most athletes and this off-season was no different. A-rod piggy-backed the 2009 team straight to a World Series, and the Yankees could use 30 homers and 100 RBIs out of him. Solid production from A-rod would be a difference maker; but that entails staying off the DL.

2.     Seven starters for a five-man rotation? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: You Want Answers I Got 3 Questions’ »

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New York Yankees: Robertson + Joba = Hughes

Posted by on 19 January 2012, 12:56 am
David Robertson

David Robertson probably throwing a strike. Image via Wikipedia

No wonder everyone wants to be a New York Yankee, as who wouldn’t want a boss that hands out half-million dollar raises based on poor performance due to laziness?

You can be sure Phil Hughes isn’t complaining.

Last season, Hughes showed up to Spring Training out of shape, and sat on the DL with shoulder and back injuries for the majority of the season. Ironically, Hughes not pitching was far more productive for the Yankees, all while earning $2.5 million in salary.

So, obviously the logical thing to do was for the Yankee brass to give Hughes a raise and agree to pay him $3.5 million, plus $300,000 more in incentives for the 2012 season, right?

Hughes’ raise certainly doesn’t explain why David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain are making $1.6 million and $1.65 million respectively in 2012.

Chamberlain made $1.4 million in 2011, and has been out since last June due to Tommy John surgery. So I am sure any raise was welcomed with open arms. Still prior to his elbow issues, Joba had finally settled in as a reliever and had become extremely effective. He was more vital to the team than Hughes was without a doubt.

Now regarding Robertson, the Yankees tripled the $460,450 he made in 2011. When considering a player’s overvalue to their team, Robertson was the unsung hero. He is a winner, and even coming out of the bullpen he won five games, same as Hughes.

Robertson was easily a top three middle reliever in 2011, as he was hailed to be what a young Mariano Rivera was to closer John Wetland. Just to give you an idea of how good he was, Robertson’s strikeouts per nine-innings average was 13.5 in 2011. He is literally a strikeout machine. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Robertson + Joba = Hughes’ »

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