I called in to “New York Baseball Today” this afternoon to talk about what should become of Phil Hughes upon Chien-Ming Wang’s return to the rotation, which could happen by Monday . . .
As I say at the top there, today’s start is very important for Hughes. Since dominating the Tigers in his first major league start this season (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K), he’s gone 0-2 with an 11.81 ERA and in his last three. The narrative there is that Hughes, particularly in the opinion of his manager, was squeezed horribly by home plate umpire Jerry Meals in his second start (4 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 94 pitches against Boston), was unable to escape a second-inning jam in his third start (1 2/3 IP, 8 R, 0 K in Baltimore), but proved he could work out of jams in his fourth start (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 2 K in a no-decision against the Twins). If Hughes can atone for that one truly awful start in his rematch against the Orioles tonight and build on his ability to work out of jams (or avoid them altogether), he’ll have gone a long way toward affirming his once-again strong standing in the eyes of the organization, regardless of the outcome of the game.
Hughes would also do well to invert his K/BB ratio from those last three games (4:10), and to keep the oposition in the park after allowing four homers in those three starts. Though I do like the idea of putting Hughes in the bullpen for the short term as a possible shadow for Wang, should the returning groundballer continue to struggle, as an occasional spot-starter for Joba Chamberlain, and simply to increase his exposure to major league hitting (and umpiring), Hughes would have to earn such a move by showing progress tonight. Otherwise, the seemingly inevitable option back to Triple-A will be as appropriate as it is obvoius.
Hughes also has the pressure of keeping the Yankees’ seven-game winning streak alive. I was watching something on Game 6 of the 1986 World Series recently (perhaps the MLB Network’s “Seasons” show on 1986). The show told of how every hitter that got to first base in the bottom of the tenth inning of that game told first-base coach Bill Robinson, “I wasn’t going to be the guy to make the last out of the World Series.” I feel as though the Yankee starters are doing something similar, each taking the mound thinking “I’m not going to be the guy who stops this winning-streak.”
Hughes will throw to Kevin Cash for the second straight start. Opposing starter Jeremy Guthrie has twice allowed three runs in six innings to the Yankees this year, doing so in a winning effort on Opening Day and a losing effort in Alex Rodriguez’s first game back from the DL, both starts coming against CC Sabathia.
As I mentioned earlier this morning, I would rather the Yankees keep Hughes in the majors, even as a long man if ever Joba, Pettitte (or Wang), need four or five innings of relief should they struggle in their starts. If he could be used as a long man in the event of a poor Chamberlain or Pettitte start, he would still get his innings in by relieving them during his two throwing days per week, at least until there is another injury to a starter. There is nothing at all the matter with having six starters on the roster with Hughes serving as a long man to two or three of them exclusively. The only further development I see Hughes needing is between his ears in terms of confidence he lacks that he belongs with the big club and his ability to handle adversity from start to start. He's not going to get that in SWB.
Meanwhile, I hope they keep Cervelli (third catcher) and Pena (utility infielder) on the big club as well. They have earned it, and deserve to stay.
: )
If they keep Hughes in the pen, they would have essentially 2 long relievers, with Aceves. I'm not opposed to the concept but they should define their roles and communicate them to the pitchers. I think a big mistake in handling bullpens is not defining roles for the pitchers.
This is what I don't understand, Aceves has been solid out of the pen and as a starter, I know Hughes is younger and has shown flashes of potential, but right know Aceves should be ahead of him. Why is Hughes getting these starts ahead of Aceves?
I think Hughes should stay no matter what.
Cervelli should become Jorge's backup, and they should trade Molina when he returns.
[2] Maybe Aceves can "cover" starts by CC, A.J., and CMW, if any of those three struggle early, while Hughes can do the same for Joba and Andy, when they have a rough beginning to their outings. Aceves can certainly take pressure off CC and A.J. feeling they have to go seven or more innings every time they take the ball.
I think Aceves should be used in shorter stints if Hughes sticks around as a long reliever, but tocho, Hughes is starting in place of Aceves because Aceves is all he'll ever be (a good replacement part) and Hughes has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation stalwart.
Pena's not going anywhere, but I think Cervelli could stand to bat four times a day in Triple-A rather than ride pine in the majors. If he produces, next year he could sharing the catching duties with Posada with Jorge spending half of his time at DH with Matsui having moved on.
[5] Cliff,
Any word on whether or not Posada is going to play catcher in a rehab start or two in SWB, or is he going to be placed right back with the big club right away?
Same with Molina?
Thanks Cliff, I agree that Hughes has more stuff and potential than Aceves and I understand the logic in giving these starts to Hughes, but what I have seen so far in these games is that he gets rattled fairly easy and maybe with a couple of more months at AAA he can get some swagger back. I think his problem at this point is more mental than physical; for the first time he has been healthy and I believe he would build more confidence at AAA rather than sitting in the pen and going in as a long-reliever.
As for Aceves, I agree that he is probably fulfilling his potential right now and the wise thing would be to use him as a long-reliever/spot starter.
In summary, I think Hughes should go to AAA for a couple of months and Aceves should fill the long-man/spot-starter role you were suggesting for Hughes.
I also wish Hughes proves me wrong tonight...
Wow!
Great first inning by Hughes!
eight is great!
Hughes is starting in place of Aceves because Aceves is all he’ll ever be (a good replacement part) and Hughes has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation stalwart.
Hughes got the starts because he was pitching well at the time Wang went down and Aceves wasn't.
I think a little more of Aceves and a little less of Hughes than Cliff does, but given the circumstances involved at the time, bringing up Hughes and giving him these starts was the right thing to do.
That being said, I'd *MUCH* rather have Hughes back in AAA working on his a) cutter, b) changeup, c) command AND getting the necessary innings to move his cap forward by next year, than pitching an inning or two every couple of days in NY.
man, 8 more years of that Bum.
Woohoo Tex!
nice!
way to elevate there, Phil
Hughes looks fast tonight
Cano has GOT to tackle Swish on those plays
This looks more like the Hughes we saw in Detroit I think.
Stick not sick!
let's hope we are headed for another swish streak (the good kind)
[17] this looks more like the Stick we saw in April ...
Yay Swish!
that was a GREAT swing in slo-mo ... beautiful hitting.
[20] It's gotta be the socks...
: )
Effin' love it. : D
and robbie too!
[16] You mean, copy Swish on those plays.
Woohoo Cano!
Late word from the Mitchell Report .... they've detected PEDs in the Stadium's right field jetstream ...
BACK-TO-BACK JIMMY JACKS!!!
WHooo-Daddy. Fuck yeah.
Back-to-back-to-back Jacks. And that's a fact!
Yay Melky!
I like back to back!!
I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but this series could easily be a sweep.
(Sit on a tack Hoss!)
ok, i know i'm behind real time now for sure haha
Whacky McHomerrunswing!
did melky just start dipping this year, or did i just miss it before?
[30] F#$% yeah. I yell at kids on the bus for swearing all the time. We miss you George Carlin. : )
that was maybe the most awkward thing michael kay has ever said
Now let's see if "Hughesey" can put up a zero after that...
i can't believe interleague is starting already
i don't really trust him to throw strikes. his motion is too loose.
Awesome curve. Dope.
did the runner even try to score?
Great work by Phil... and against the best the O's got, too...
Wow!
: )
Gasp @ that cannon Jones has!
Yay Robbie!
Atta boy, Robbie. I hate the O's.
oh man
They sure don't prepare you for those "foul balls"...
: )
i thought we were gonna see a home plate vomit
jumped up in da junk!
ugh. dammit, hughes, that was ty wigginton.
blech.
Ouch!
Bleh... looks like Phil's overthrowing a bit in this frame...
He recovered nicely though.
: )
career high K's for Ughes!
nice way to go out.
goddamit blue.
corner.
knees.
that's ANOTHER squeeze.
thanks, blue.
when do our robot home plate umpire overlords arrive, again?
Bleh! Hughes needs to loose the "cutter"...
It's like a "cement mixer" slider when he fails to execute it.
Jones is the best thing to happen to the O's since Prince Ripken. He's a keeper.
A-Rod is like a step above immobile. Good thing he's hitting so well that he usually only has to jog around the bases
Wow, back2back2back..Hughes going to be able to hold it though for the W?? How's he looking tonight overall? (havn't read this threads posts yet, sorry..)
Tex appears to have a bit more of the red-ass than I expected.
Only 89 pitches for Hughes tonight?
Screw you Mora. Go sit down.
when you get thrown out by damon ther'es a problem
[62] good thing he's been doing a LOT of jogging around the bases, 'cause his D is even worse than his baserunning ...
all the while, we do it Gangsta style ...
I feel like I'm on Press Your Luck waiting to see who comes out of the bullpen for the next two innings..
NoVerasNoVerasNoVerasNoVeras STOP!
Big Fatty hit a HR.
And I think we're starting to see the end of the Blue Jays
[70] The Whammy??
[71] Really? Damn..was hoping he's be on zero at the all-star break..
[72] Yep.
the Yankees bullpen is nicer than my apartment
[71] too bad they couldn't have kept it going through the red sox though
In more serious, terrible news, Scott Schoeneweis' wife was found dead today. Terrible.
[74] Transcendentally (sp?) random and wonderful non-sequitir, thank you very much!
yeah, Al Aceves is what Ian Kennedy dreams he grows up to be ... sorry, Cliff.
#91 in your program, #1 in your hearts. Go, Al!
It's official! YES = FOX thanks to their "bald head cam"...
Pathetic!
[75] I never expected them to. I think they'll be back in fourth place by the Allstar break.
I saw the Papi HR. Sucks to be Cecil right about now.
RSN (Orsillo too) acted like they just won the World Series...
Jeter's not moving either
NoVerasNoVerasNoVeras
MO!
What does Mora have 15 ab's tonight? He's bound to make an out. grrrrrr......
[76] really? that's awful..unusual number of deaths in the baseball world so far this year
really? bringing on his Moliness here?
a 4 out save for the likes of Melvin Mora?
on a 7 game winning streak?
hmmm ...
not sure about this one.
[87] And from what I've read on Baseball musings, it was their 14 y.o. son who found her. Shudder. Poor kids and Scott.
[88] Well, its Joe Giardi, so we needed to make A MOVE. I'd rather Mo than Veras or Alby or Tomko.
[89] Just awful all the way around.
Tomorrow's game recap pic best contain a picture of Adam Rich. : )
[89] [91] 39 is far too young... tragic...
Robbie Cano, dontcha know!
Woohoo Robbie again!
Robbie's got nowhere to go but up with his bases loaded #'s. Hey, Melky.
hey melky just may actually be a switch hitter
These guys really love the late innings.
I thought Swisher was out, to be honest
Eight is GREAT! Straight wins I mean...
: )
[99] Elbow nudges don't count...
: )
I'm not sure the non Mo bullpenners can hold a seven run lead. Thats sad.
I'm a big fan of this. : )
[101] When I saw the replay it became more obvious.
Still a save situation for Mo.
man, gotta love this team when they're hitting like this ...
[105] I know, but Alby is warming up, and Kenny thinks he's coming in
Andino kind of sucks.
I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but this series could easily be a sweep.
Can we now dispense with the character critiques of this team. They've been beating up on bullpens all year, and now when they get some quality (or sometimes quality-ish) starts they win in bunches. That's what we call a BOO YA!
shaddap, Moeller.
[109] As a general rule, unless we're playing the absolute dregs of the league at home (and this might apply, come to think of it) I don't expect sweeps. But when you win the first two or three, I think losing the last game is a letdown.
Mo is still in. Probably for the best.
Why on earth is Mariano still in there?
Mo should not be in there
It's stupid that Mo is in there. IMO.
If there is a game this weekend that the Yankees lose because Mariano is not available, this will be the reason why.
wait, WHAT?!?!?
Mo came out for the FUCKING 9th!?!?!?!?
die in a fire from garveycancerlupushitleraids, Joey Joe Joe!!!
Mo gives up a dinger to someone named Nolan Reimold?? I love how the team is playing now but..that's a little worrying for the rest of the season..
First ML homer vs. Mo? That's something to tell the grandkids.
Nice win. Nice winning streak.
Good night all.
[119] He threw an 0-2 cutter down the middle because he was up by 8 runs...no reason to worry...except about Girardi's ridiculous decision to jeopardize a future game.
If Mo gave up one run, I totally think Veras, Alby and Tomko would have blown the game.
I would argue that NYS is not a friendly place for opposing teams at this pernt...
[123] you picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue ...
[125] I believe when Jose Veras is involved, any level of suck is possible.
Seriously though, I'm also not sure I want to see Mo come in on Saturday having only thrown three pitches all week either.
If Mo throwing 14 pitches adversely effects any of his appearances in the near future, as he had already warmed up and the appearance was logged, truly he's infinitely more fragile than dipshit Michael Kay, who brought that crap up in the first place!
I'm glad for Phil! Even though he only lasted five innings, he more closely resembled the Detroit version of production than his other starts. The pen did a great job relieving him. I thought he outpitched the O's young Ace too, and that is an accomplishment in and of itself.
Have a great rest to your evenings everyone!
: )
Hmmm ... I wonder what the record is for HR allowed by a pitcher with 30+ saves in a season?
(scoots to b-r.com) ..... Dave Veres gave up 14 dingers in 77 IP in 1999 while saving 31, but he was pitching in Colorado.
Next, we have Jeff Reardon, who gave up 14 in 80.1 IP in 1987 for the Twins, while saving 31.
Rivera now has 8 saves, and 5 dingers allowed.
I was going to log in to pass around the Talisker, and indeed this is a fine night to be a Yankee fan ... BUT, I'm glad to see the Banter Bar has intelligent life climbing all OVER Girardi for pitching Mo in the 9th.
This is managing to stats and it is just f-ing dreadful. So WHAT if he collars a save? It isn't like there's a record going here. I actually find it disrespectful of the game that he came back out.
But on the more cheerful side ... anyone happy this guy Alex Rodriguez is around to change the dynamic of the team a little? Think Teixeira is, maybe?
I don't think Hughes pushed away Wang's return, though. There's a decision to be made there, though it feels pretty easy for me: you have to see if Wang has it together again.
[129] Mo should not have been in there, but I don't believe Joe's motivation was 'the Save' for Mo. Maybe we will learn Joe's thoughts later on.
I see very little downside to Mo pitching the 9th. The wear and tear was only marginally more than it already was.
[131] yeah, he just threw 14 pitches. no harm, no foul.
Guys, missing the point ... it is the warming up and cooling down not the pure number of pitches thrown. And a manager can't assume only 11 pitches in that 9th. What does he do, pull him at 20 pitches? Then not use him tomorrow?
OYF, I do think this was shaped by stats ... it was a save when he went out in the 8th, so Joe kept it going in the 9th. If Girardi offers another explanation to the press and it makes sense, I'll reverse my ground on his REASON, but I find it an amazingly dumb thing to have done.
I think that Swisher should have started the 9th ... :-)
[134] In that event, Nick would be "unavailable tomorrow"...
: )