"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Whaddya Got Kid?

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.

135 comments

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1 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 6:16 pm

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.

: )

2 tocho   ~  May 20, 2009 6:25 pm

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?

3 a.O   ~  May 20, 2009 6:37 pm

I think Hughes should stay no matter what.

Cervelli should become Jorge's backup, and they should trade Molina when he returns.

4 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 6:42 pm

[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.

5 Cliff Corcoran   ~  May 20, 2009 6:45 pm

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.

6 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 6:55 pm

[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?

7 tocho   ~  May 20, 2009 7:08 pm

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.

8 tocho   ~  May 20, 2009 7:11 pm

I also wish Hughes proves me wrong tonight...

9 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:14 pm

Wow!

Great first inning by Hughes!

10 unmoderated   ~  May 20, 2009 7:15 pm

eight is great!

11 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:16 pm

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.

12 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:21 pm

man, 8 more years of that Bum.

13 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:25 pm

Woohoo Tex!

14 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:28 pm

nice!

way to elevate there, Phil

15 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 7:33 pm

Hughes looks fast tonight

16 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 7:34 pm

Cano has GOT to tackle Swish on those plays

17 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:39 pm

This looks more like the Hughes we saw in Detroit I think.

18 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:42 pm

Stick not sick!

19 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 7:43 pm

let's hope we are headed for another swish streak (the good kind)

20 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:43 pm

[17] this looks more like the Stick we saw in April ...

21 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:43 pm

Yay Swish!

22 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:43 pm

that was a GREAT swing in slo-mo ... beautiful hitting.

23 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:44 pm

[20] It's gotta be the socks...

: )

24 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 7:44 pm

Effin' love it. : D

25 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 7:45 pm

and robbie too!

26 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 7:45 pm

[16] You mean, copy Swish on those plays.

27 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:45 pm

Woohoo Cano!

28 Diane Firstman   ~  May 20, 2009 7:46 pm

Late word from the Mitchell Report .... they've detected PEDs in the Stadium's right field jetstream ...

29 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:46 pm

BACK-TO-BACK JIMMY JACKS!!!

30 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 7:46 pm

WHooo-Daddy. Fuck yeah.

31 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 7:47 pm

Back-to-back-to-back Jacks. And that's a fact!

32 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:47 pm

Yay Melky!

33 seamus   ~  May 20, 2009 7:47 pm

I like back to back!!

34 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 7:47 pm

I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but this series could easily be a sweep.
(Sit on a tack Hoss!)

35 seamus   ~  May 20, 2009 7:48 pm

ok, i know i'm behind real time now for sure haha

36 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 7:49 pm

Whacky McHomerrunswing!

37 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 7:49 pm

did melky just start dipping this year, or did i just miss it before?

38 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 7:49 pm

[30] F#$% yeah. I yell at kids on the bus for swearing all the time. We miss you George Carlin. : )

39 51cq24   ~  May 20, 2009 7:51 pm

that was maybe the most awkward thing michael kay has ever said

40 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 7:52 pm

Now let's see if "Hughesey" can put up a zero after that...

41 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 7:52 pm

i can't believe interleague is starting already

42 51cq24   ~  May 20, 2009 7:57 pm

i don't really trust him to throw strikes. his motion is too loose.

43 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 8:02 pm

Awesome curve. Dope.

44 51cq24   ~  May 20, 2009 8:02 pm

did the runner even try to score?

45 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:03 pm

Great work by Phil... and against the best the O's got, too...

Wow!

: )

46 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:08 pm

Gasp @ that cannon Jones has!

47 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:10 pm

Yay Robbie!

48 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 8:10 pm

Atta boy, Robbie. I hate the O's.

49 51cq24   ~  May 20, 2009 8:11 pm

oh man

50 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:12 pm

They sure don't prepare you for those "foul balls"...

: )

51 51cq24   ~  May 20, 2009 8:13 pm

i thought we were gonna see a home plate vomit

52 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:13 pm

jumped up in da junk!

53 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:20 pm

ugh. dammit, hughes, that was ty wigginton.

blech.

54 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 8:20 pm

Ouch!

55 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:20 pm

Bleh... looks like Phil's overthrowing a bit in this frame...

56 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:22 pm

He recovered nicely though.

: )

57 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:31 pm

career high K's for Ughes!

nice way to go out.

58 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:31 pm

goddamit blue.

corner.

knees.

59 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:33 pm

that's ANOTHER squeeze.

thanks, blue.

when do our robot home plate umpire overlords arrive, again?

60 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 8:34 pm

Bleh! Hughes needs to loose the "cutter"...

It's like a "cement mixer" slider when he fails to execute it.

61 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 8:37 pm

Jones is the best thing to happen to the O's since Prince Ripken. He's a keeper.

62 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:40 pm

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

63 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 20, 2009 8:41 pm

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..)

64 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 8:41 pm

Tex appears to have a bit more of the red-ass than I expected.

65 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:45 pm

Only 89 pitches for Hughes tonight?

66 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 8:45 pm

Screw you Mora. Go sit down.

67 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 8:45 pm

when you get thrown out by damon ther'es a problem

68 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:45 pm

[62] good thing he's been doing a LOT of jogging around the bases, 'cause his D is even worse than his baserunning ...

69 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 8:49 pm

all the while, we do it Gangsta style ...

70 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:51 pm

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!

71 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:53 pm

Big Fatty hit a HR.

And I think we're starting to see the end of the Blue Jays

72 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 20, 2009 8:55 pm

[70] The Whammy??

[71] Really? Damn..was hoping he's be on zero at the all-star break..

73 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:57 pm

[72] Yep.

74 RagingTartabull   ~  May 20, 2009 8:57 pm

the Yankees bullpen is nicer than my apartment

75 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 8:58 pm

[71] too bad they couldn't have kept it going through the red sox though

76 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 8:59 pm

In more serious, terrible news, Scott Schoeneweis' wife was found dead today. Terrible.

77 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 20, 2009 8:59 pm

[74] Transcendentally (sp?) random and wonderful non-sequitir, thank you very much!

78 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:00 pm

yeah, Al Aceves is what Ian Kennedy dreams he grows up to be ... sorry, Cliff.

79 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:00 pm

#91 in your program, #1 in your hearts. Go, Al!

80 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:00 pm

It's official! YES = FOX thanks to their "bald head cam"...

Pathetic!

81 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:01 pm

[75] I never expected them to. I think they'll be back in fourth place by the Allstar break.

82 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:02 pm

I saw the Papi HR. Sucks to be Cecil right about now.

RSN (Orsillo too) acted like they just won the World Series...

83 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:06 pm

Jeter's not moving either

84 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:14 pm

NoVerasNoVerasNoVeras

85 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:14 pm

MO!

86 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:15 pm

What does Mora have 15 ab's tonight? He's bound to make an out. grrrrrr......

87 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 20, 2009 9:15 pm

[76] really? that's awful..unusual number of deaths in the baseball world so far this year

88 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:17 pm

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.

89 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 9:18 pm

[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.

90 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:20 pm

[88] Well, its Joe Giardi, so we needed to make A MOVE. I'd rather Mo than Veras or Alby or Tomko.

91 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:21 pm

[89] Just awful all the way around.

92 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:21 pm

Tomorrow's game recap pic best contain a picture of Adam Rich. : )

93 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:27 pm

[89] [91] 39 is far too young... tragic...

94 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 9:29 pm

Robbie Cano, dontcha know!

95 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:29 pm

Woohoo Robbie again!

96 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:32 pm

Robbie's got nowhere to go but up with his bases loaded #'s. Hey, Melky.

97 ms october   ~  May 20, 2009 9:33 pm

hey melky just may actually be a switch hitter

98 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 9:34 pm

These guys really love the late innings.

99 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:35 pm

I thought Swisher was out, to be honest

100 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:35 pm

Eight is GREAT! Straight wins I mean...

: )

Show/Hide Comments 101-135
101 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:36 pm

[99] Elbow nudges don't count...

: )

102 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:37 pm

I'm not sure the non Mo bullpenners can hold a seven run lead. Thats sad.

103 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:37 pm

I'm a big fan of this. : )

104 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:38 pm

[101] When I saw the replay it became more obvious.

105 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 9:38 pm

Still a save situation for Mo.

106 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

man, gotta love this team when they're hitting like this ...

107 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

[105] I know, but Alby is warming up, and Kenny thinks he's coming in

108 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

Andino kind of sucks.

109 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but this series could easily be a sweep.

110 ny2ca2dc   ~  May 20, 2009 9:39 pm

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!

111 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:41 pm

shaddap, Moeller.

112 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:41 pm

[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.

113 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:43 pm

Mo is still in. Probably for the best.

114 williamnyy23   ~  May 20, 2009 9:44 pm

Why on earth is Mariano still in there?

115 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 9:44 pm

Mo should not be in there

116 Just Fair   ~  May 20, 2009 9:44 pm

It's stupid that Mo is in there. IMO.

117 williamnyy23   ~  May 20, 2009 9:45 pm

If there is a game this weekend that the Yankees lose because Mariano is not available, this will be the reason why.

118 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:46 pm

wait, WHAT?!?!?

Mo came out for the FUCKING 9th!?!?!?!?

die in a fire from garveycancerlupushitleraids, Joey Joe Joe!!!

119 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 20, 2009 9:46 pm

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..

120 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 9:46 pm

First ML homer vs. Mo? That's something to tell the grandkids.

121 rbj   ~  May 20, 2009 9:47 pm

Nice win. Nice winning streak.

Good night all.

122 williamnyy23   ~  May 20, 2009 9:47 pm

[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.

123 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:48 pm

If Mo gave up one run, I totally think Veras, Alby and Tomko would have blown the game.

124 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:50 pm

I would argue that NYS is not a friendly place for opposing teams at this pernt...

125 cult of basebaal   ~  May 20, 2009 9:50 pm

[123] you picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue ...

126 Mattpat11   ~  May 20, 2009 9:54 pm

[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.

127 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 9:57 pm

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!

: )

128 Diane Firstman   ~  May 20, 2009 10:06 pm

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.

129 Horace Clarke Era   ~  May 20, 2009 10:11 pm

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.

130 OldYanksFan   ~  May 20, 2009 10:25 pm

[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.

131 seamus   ~  May 20, 2009 10:30 pm

I see very little downside to Mo pitching the 9th. The wear and tear was only marginally more than it already was.

132 thelarmis   ~  May 20, 2009 10:38 pm

[131] yeah, he just threw 14 pitches. no harm, no foul.

133 Horace Clarke Era   ~  May 20, 2009 11:08 pm

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.

134 Diane Firstman   ~  May 20, 2009 11:32 pm

I think that Swisher should have started the 9th ... :-)

135 PJ   ~  May 20, 2009 11:40 pm

[134] In that event, Nick would be "unavailable tomorrow"...

: )

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver