Yankees Thoughts

The non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone. The Yankees pretty much stood pat, which is somewhat unlike them. Jerry Hairston is a nice addition, simply so they can DFA Cody Ransom (hopefully), especially with only giving up a non-prospect catcher. Which is a position the Yanks have plenty of depth at anyway.

The real issue is the starting rotation. Obviously, Sergio Mitre is not the answer. Through 3 starts he has this beauty of a stat line:
13.2 innings
24 hits
13 runs
12 earned runs
3 walks
6 strikeouts

Do not want.

This leads to a bigger problem. There is no one else at Triple-A worthy of a call up.
The number one guy there is Kei Igawa. That's all I need to say about that.
Ivan Nova is the only man in the rotation there with any potential, being only 22 and lighting up Double-A earlier this year. But he's young and unseasoned and likely to get shelled if called up.

The only real option in the farm system at this point seems to be Zach McAllister, a 21 year old right-hander playing for Trenton. So far, through 16 starts:
5-4 record
92.0 innings pitched
2.25 ERA
1.14 WHIP
75 Strikeouts
27 Walks

Not bad. Especially for a 21 year old. The problem here is that he has never thrown a pitch at Triple-A.

This leads us to a second problem: Joba's so called "Innings Limit". No one knows what it is, but my guess is somewhere around 170. So far, he's at 110.2. While I understand the concept here, not wanting to tire out his still young arm and risk injury, I have to say that this is the biggest load of shit in recent memory. There are already more than enough questions in the rotation. Why add another by needing someone to step into his spot? I can understand moving him to the pen if he was doing poorly, or even just average possibly. But his last 3 starts look something like this:
3-0 record
21.2 innings pitched
0.85 ERA (read that again)
0.75 WHIP (read that again too)
19 strikeouts
7 Walks

If this trend is any indication, Joba seems to be getting stronger has he goes. Admittedly, if Joba were to come out of the rotation, it would have to be Hughes to come in and take his place. I thought Hughes was really starting to pitch well as a starter before getting put in the bullpen, so I wouldn't be too adverse to this, if it occurred. However, with the way both have been pitching since Hughes has gone to the 'pen, I can't really complain.

The thing is, I don't really trust the bullpen either. Hughes and Rivera have been lights out. But beyond that, there isn't anything special. Aceves has pitched well throughout the year, but has been suffering from some shoulder soreness and got lit up yesterday. Phil Coke has quietly put together a pretty nice season. But that's where it ends. Bruney has decided to suck recently. None of the other guys that have bounced around in there have made a strong case of why they should be in the 'pen and not Triple-A.


I guess all I can hope is this whole situation sorts it self out. I still think the Yankees need to get another solid bullpen arm or decent starter to for some depth.