Joba, Hughes and the Yankees Fifth Starter

The question of who will be the Yankees fifth starting pitcher is sure to be a hot topic until a decision is reached later this Spring. The leading candidates are the obvious suspects, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, followed by Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin (in no specific order).

Early spring training starts aside, who is better suited to be the Yankees fifth starter? I don’t think I’m going out on the limb by saying that the spot will be given to either Joba or Hughes. The Yankees have visions of one of them being a starter this season, although, could you imagine how good their bullpen would be all season if they had both guys in there? They’d lock down the 7th and 8th innings before handing it off to Mariano Rivera. This was the case in the 2009 postseason and although Hughes didn’t pitch well then, I’d still be extremely content with having them both in the bullpen this coming October. 

The NY Daily News wrote a good article about Alfredo Aceves winning the starting spot and having Joba and Hughes in the bullpen. Although I can’t see it happening, the Yankees would turn their baseball games into six inning games. With Joba and Hughes working out of the bullpen, the Yankees may rarely lose games when having a lead after six innings. It would similar to 1996 when the Yankees were almost unbeatable when they had a lead after six innings. Mariano pitched the 7th and 8th innings and John Wetteland closed the door in the 9th. 

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No “Joba Rules” in 2010

If Joba Chamberlain wins the fifth starting spot in the Yankees’ rotation he won’t have any inning restrictions. “Joba Rules” have been called off and the young pitcher will be able to let it fly in 2010.

Yankees pitching coach, Dave Eiland, told the NY Daily News, “He’s just going to go out and pitch and he’ll be the one who’ll dictate when he comes out as far as getting hit or getting tired or losing his stuff. He’s not going to have any restrictions, so Joe (Girardi) and I are not going to have to go into the game thinking, ‘Oh, he’s got 85 pitches or six innings or whatever comes first.’ We don’t have to game plan it out. The kid gloves are off, and he’s just going to go out and pitch and he knows that and he’s going to come in and be all geared up to win that job, as are the other guys. Competition should bring out the best in everyone.”

Joba will be competing with Phil Hughes, Chad Gaudin, and Sergio Mitre for the fifth starting spot, but Hughes poses the biggest threat for Joba. If Hughes wins the spot expect him to be on an inning limits. Joba will pitch out of the bullpen in that case.

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Red Sox Want Roy Halladay; Yankees Should Drive Up Price But Not Pull Trigger Themselves

Reports coming out of the New York Daily News today suggest the Red Sox are getting ready to throw the house at the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. An unidentified source told the Daily News the Red Sox are “putting on a full-court press” to acquire Halladay.

Where the Red Sox sniff the Yankees follow. Brian Cashman, Yankees’ GM, will do his due diligence on Halladay if nothing more than to drive up the price for the Red Sox. The price for Halladay will be steep, but as of right now it looks like the Red Sox are willing to go there.

Driving up the price for the Red Sox should be the only reason the Yankees get involved in talks with the Blue Jays. They should not pull the trigger on a trade for Halladay just because the Red Sox want him. Let him go to the Red Sox. The Yankees have been discussing their payroll and adding Halladay would end the discussion of cutting it. Acquiring Halladay would also cost a package of top prospects including at least Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.

Halladay doesn’t fit into the plans the Yankees “say” they want to follow, but what the Yankees say and do don’t always agree. If the Yankees hadn’t won in 2009, it would be very likely they’d complete a deal for Halladay this winter. I’ve said it before; the team won in ‘09 without Halladay. What makes people think the Yankees need him to do it again?

Instead of trading for Halladay, the Yankees should sign free agent pitcher John Lackey. The Yankees rotation would be CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, John Lackey, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes. That is some rotation. They are going to have to pay Halladay after this season anyway so why not just pay Lackey now and not lose the prospects.

The argument for acquire Halladay is that prospects don’t always pan out and Halladay is a proven big league pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner. Jackson and Montero haven’t seen time in the bigs and Joba and Hughes’ roles are uncertain. While this is completely understood, there is an upside to these players that will pose the question, “What if?” These prospects can have great careers in other cities (the Yankees could always buy them back in the future).

If John Lackey was not available in free agency then the Yankees would be more apt to acquiring Halladay. Since Lackey is available, there’s a better chance the Yanks throw money at him to bring him to the Bronx.

Halladay may go to Boston and so be it. Yes, he’s a Yankee killer and he’ll shine in Boston, but the Yankees will do fine without him. I know I’m in the minority on this one.

Yankees’ Interest in Roy Halladay

According to Jon Heyman of SI, the Yankees have contacted the Blue Jays about Roy Halladay. The Yankees have tested the waters in the past, but the price was too high for Halladay. The Blue Jays were asking for Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in a package of prospects back in July and the Yankees didn’t budge. Turns out the 2009 World Series champs didn’t need Halladay. Hughes and Joba pitched well for them throughout the season, most notably Hughes as the setup man in the regular season and Joba in the late innings of the postseason.

The longer the Blue Jays wait, the less they’ll acquire in return for Halladay. Current Blue Jays general manager, Alex Anthopoulos, would like to get at least something for him before he jets into free agency and they are only compensated by a draft pick.

Just like the Yankees didn’t budge in July, they shouldn’t budge this winter. The main reason is they won without the guy! Why would they want to give up their better prospects and young arms for a him when they already know they can do it without him? It makes less sense now than it did over the summer for the Yankees not to pursue Halladay. Their two young arms, Hughes and Joba, have more postseason experience than Halladay. Don’t get me wrong, Halladay is a great pitcher. Top of the line. I’d rather see the Yankees sign free agent pitcher John Lackey than trade for Halladay. It’s better they only lose dollars, not players, to acquire a pitcher.

Here are two articles I wrote last July against the Yankees’ pursuit of Roy Halladay: The Yankees and Roy Halladay, Yankees Shouldn’t Celebrate the “Halladay”. I stand by my words and there is absolutely no reason the Yankees should acquire Roy Halladay, even if the Red Sox are on the verge of signing him. There should be no “swooping in” by the Yankees like they did with Teixeira. Brian Cashman will remain in the talks for Halladay to either drive up the price for the Red Sox and other bidders, or because the Yankees are genuinely interested in bringing Halladay to the Bronx.

Yankees Trade and Free Agent Rumors

Here are some rumors going around about the Yankees as of November 12, 2009.

The New York Post reports Scott Boras, agent of Johnny Damon, is making a case that his client deserves a contract similar to Jeter. Boras is looking to get Damon a deal for three or four years while the Yankees would like to bring him back for one or two years tops. Read the article

If Boras sticks to his guns then Damon’s days in pinstripes are over. Cashman isn’t going to dish out big bucks to Damon until he’s 40 years old. The Yankees have prospect Austin Jackson waiting in the wings and he should better ready in the next year or two. The Yankees can find a cheaper, younger alternative for left field.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has also reported that the Tigers will be taking offers for Curtis Granderson and believes the Yankees will be interested. Read the article

I’m probably in the minority but I’m not so sure I like this. Granderson started hitting for power in ‘09 and his average plummeted. In ‘09 he hit 30 home runs and batted .249 with a .327 OBP. His OBP was over .360 in ‘07 and ‘08 and he hit 23 and 22 home runs those seasons. He hit .302 in ‘07 and .280 in ‘08. If he stole more bases I think it would be a no-brainer (20 SB in ‘09, 12 SB in ‘08, 25 SB in ‘07).

Brian Cashman on Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes: “I look at them as starters that can relieve.” Read the article

This could change if the Yankees add a starting pitcher or two.

SI reports that Andy Pettitte is leaning on coming back to the Yankees for one more year.

Pettitte has supposedly told some Yankees he wants to play one more year.

The Yankees, looking for another starting pitcher, have been linked to having interest in free agent John Lackey, the Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay and SI thinks Derek Lowe of the Braves.

Some teams are concerned with Lackey’s durability. If the Blue Jays put Halladay out there, expect the Yankees to be bidders along with the Red Sox, Mets, and some other teams. I’d rather see the Yankees go with a young pitcher, like Hughes, Kennedy or maybe Brackman, rather than trade for Derek Lowe.

Girardi Makes All the Right Moves in Game Three

Joe Girardi has been criticized for some of his decisions during the playoffs this year but in game three of the World Series he made all the right moves. It starts with making the decision to go with Sabathia in game four. That put some pressure on the Phillies in game three, knowing it would be Blanton against Sabathia in the next game. Then Girardi went ahead and started Nick Swisher in right field. Girardi benched Swisher in game two. How did Swisher thank Girardi? A 2-4 game with a double, solo home run, and two runs scored. Girardi used his bullpen well too. Joba gave him a solid 7th inning. Damaso Marte shut down the Phillies in the 8th and Girardi chose to take out Phil Hughes after giving up a solo home run in the 9th with one out. Mariano Rivera came in the got the final two outs. Girardi will also get credit for putting Matsui in to pinch hit. It was an obvious move but Matsui made it look great with a tack on solo home run.

Girardi made all the right moves in game three and the Yankees are up 2-1 in the World Series over the Phillies. With Sabathia ready to go in game four, the Yankees have a great shot at going up 3-1.

Yankee Bullpen Issues: Who Can Be Trusted in Yankees Bullpen?

Who do the Yankees trust coming out of the bullpen? The first and most obvious answer; Mariano Rivera. After Mariano the level of trust drops substantially. Here are the various confidence levels the Yankees have in their bullpen.

Most Confidence: Mariano Rivera
Mr. Reliable has a 0.71 ERA this postseason. Girardi has called on Mo to get six out saves in game six of the ALCS and game two of the World Series. Girardi won’t have the luxury of using Mo for two inning saves in Philadelphia since there are no days off between any of the three games. Mo is one of the best, if not the best, postseason pitchers of all-time.

Gaining Confidence: Damaso Marte, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson
Damaso Marte made 21 appearances and gave up 14 earned runs during an injury plagued 2009 regular season (9.45 ERA). The lefty specialist has gotten some big outs against left-handed hitters for the Yankees in the postseason. He hasn’t given up a run in five appearances although his last three appearances have come in Yankee losses.
Joba Chamberlain looks to have taken over as setup man. Joba has given up seven hits in 3.1 innings but has given up only one earned run. He’s been hit hard in a couple of outings against the Angels but the Yankees remain confident in Joba. Look for Girardi to go to Joba instead of Phil Hughes in the 8th inning.
David Robertson is 2-0 and hasn’t given up a run so far this postseason. Girardi’s not afraid to hand the ball to Robertson in a big spot. Robertson has put together strong efforts in tough spots this postseason including getting out of a bases loaded jam in extra innings against Minnesota that set up a Mark Teixeira walk-off  home run.

In the Middle: Phil Coke, Chad Gaudin
Phil Coke was once Girardi’s go-to-guy but has now become the second lefty Girardi calls upon. He hasn’t done anything to cause the demotion so it’s hard to understand. Some situations have called for a lefty pitcher but Girardi decided to stick with a right hander. Coke hasn’t given up any runs in two innings of work this postseason. 
Chad Gaudin is in limbo. He’s pitched one inning this postseason and it was the 9th inning of a 10-1 blowout win over the Angels. Gaudin awaits word of whether he’ll start a game in the World Series.

Losing Confidence: Phil Hughes, Brian Bruney, Alfredo Aceves
Phil Hughes had an unbelievable regular season as the Yankees setup man and bridge to Mariano. Hughes has been rocked this postseason. An inflamed 9.64 ERA and his inability to record an out in game one of the World Series doesn’t show Girardi he can be that 8th inning guy.
Brian Bruney won’t touch the mound unless there is a blowout. Not after he gave up two runs on three hits and recorded just one out in game one of the World Series. Bruney was left off the Yankees ALDS and ALCS rosters and for good reason. 
Alfredo Aceves hasn’t pitched since game three of the ALDS. Tied at 4-4, Aceves gave up the game winning run the 11th inning. In game two of the ALDS he gave up a run in the 11th inning but was saved by A-Rod’s game tying home run. Aceves has dropped in the pecking order.

Lee Dominates Yankees in Game One

Cliff Lee mastered the Yankees in game one of the World Series. CC Sabathia got touched up by two Chase Utley solo home runs and the Phillies poured it on against the Yankees’ bullpen for two in the 8th and two in the 9th to win game one 6-1.

Those tack on runs late in the game are costly. It takes away hope. Down by two runs, a bloop and a blast ties the game. Down by six runs, it takes a major rally to come back.

Phil Hughes couldn’t retire a batter in the 8th and left after walking the only two batters he faced. Both of those runners came around to score. If the Yankees have any confidence left in Hughes, it’s miniscule. The Yankees also won’t have much confidence in Brian Bruney after he was charged with two runs in the 9th. After game one, the Yankees may have the most confidence in lefty specialist Damaso Marte, who recorded two big outs in the 8th before being relieved by Dave Robertson. Robertson gave up a hit to the next batter that drove in two runs.

Derek Jeter was the only offensive bright spot for the Yankees with three hits. The rest of the Yankees had a total three hits combined. The Yankees broke the shutout with an unearned run in the bottom of the 9th.

The Yankees face a familiar foe in game two; Pedro Martinez. The Yanks will have a chance to put up some runs and will hope AJ Burnett can shutdown the Phillies offense.

Yankees’ Bullpen and Girardi

The Yankees would like to avoid a game seven by all means and close out the ALCS in game six behind their southpaw Andy Pettitte. That’s because, if the series goes to a game seven, and the Yankees win, CC Sabathia would not be available to start game one of the World Series. AJ Burnett would be the game one starter.

An argument can be made that Yankees manager Joe Girardi shouldn’t have let Burnett go out to the mound to start the 7th inning. The top of the 7th was long and Burnett didn’t have his best stuff, although he hadn’t given up a run since the first inning. With a two run lead and nine outs to go, Girardi should have mixed and matched pitchers in the 7th, went to Hughes in the 8th and Mariano in the 9th. Mariano could have even came in during the 8th inning.

Girardi went with Burnett to start the 7th and Burnett put the first two batters on base before Girardi pulled him for Damaso Marte. Marte was able to get two outs without giving up a run and Phil Hughes came on to get the last out. Hughes couldn’t hold the lead. He gave up two hits and three runs. Two of the runs were charged to Burnett and the other run was charged to Hughes. The Angels took a 7-6 lead and Hughes ended up getting the loss. Burnett put those first two runners on base but Hughes needed just one out and the Yankees would have preserved the 6-4 lead.

Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain have been getting hit hard this postseason. Hughes has given up nine hits in 4.2 innings with a 5.79 ERA. Joba has given up seven hits in 2.2 innings with a 3.38 ERA. These guys haven’t pitched up to their ability lately, especially Hughes. He was lights out during the regular season but has had his struggles here in October.

Mariano Rivera is always lights out. Mo got some big outs in the ninth inning after two men were able to get aboard off of Joba with only one out. Mo got the final two outs and kept the Yankees within one run of the Angels. After seeing the way Hughes and Joba have been getting hit, Girardi might think about bringing Rivera in for two inning saves.

I can’t fault Girardi for the way the game turned out. If Hughes gets that last out this discussion doesn’t happen. Hughes has been reliabl,e but his reliability is diminishing with the way he’s been pitching this postseason.

The series heads back to the Bronx and the Yankees need to win game six to preserve Sabathia for game one of the World Series. A small lead late by the Yankees may force Girardi to put in Rivera for the final six outs.

Yankees Lose ALCS Game 3 in 11 Innings

The ALCS may have shifted coasts but that didn’t stop the Yankees and Angels from going into extra innings for the second straight game. The Yankees hit four home runs, all solo shots, and lost the game 5-4 on a Jeff Mathis RBI double in the 11th.

The Angels were able to avoid a 3-0 deficit and make it a doable 2-1 series. The Yankees just couldn’t get things going on offense other than their four solo home runs. They weren’t able to string hits together and it cost them. Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, A-Rod, and Jorge Posada each went deep for the Yankees. Posada’s home run came after pinch runner Brett Gardner was caught stealing on a pitchout. The Angels offense came from a solo home run by Howie Kendrick, a two-run homer by Vlad Guerrero, a sac fly, and the eventual game winning double by Mathis.

Alfredo Aceves, who gave up a run to the Angels in the 11th inning in game two, gave up the game winning run in the 11th inning of this one. With two outs in the 11th, Joe Girardi pulled David Robertson, who got the first two outs of the inning, for Aceves. Aceves gave up a single to Howie Kendrick and a game winning RBI double to Jeff Mathis. Just like that, the series is 2-1 in favor of the Yankees.

This should make Girardi think twice before bringing in Aceves again in this series. Joba Chamberlain also didn’t have a good outing, giving up a go-ahead run in the seventh inning on a sac-fly by Maicer Izturis. Girardi went to the ‘pen often again and this time, unlike most times this year, it backfired on him.

In 6.1 innings of work, Andy Pettitte gave up three runs on seven hits including a two-run homer to Vlad that tied the game at three in the 6th inning. Girardi didn’t handle his pitching staff too well in this game other than bringing in Mariano in the 10th after Phil Hughes gave up a leadoff double. Mo got out of the inning after he had runners on the corners with no outs. For the second straight game, Girardi used up his entire bullpen except for Chad Gaudin.

The Yankees go to Sabathia on short rest in game four. Scott Kazmir is slated to start for the Angels.