Steve took a look at scheduling a Wang return to the rotation yesterday. He concludes that we may be waiting a little bit until Wang gets a chance to start again. With Joe Girardi backing up Joba Chamberlain as a starting pitcher, the demotion to replace Wang looks to target Phil Hughes.
While we can debate whether or not Hughes should remain in the rotationv versus Wang, we also need to add a bit of honestly. Phil Hughes is eventually going to be replaced by Wang in the starting rotation barring a DL stint from someone else. It is going to happen. But what should we do with Hughes?
The Yankees could keep Hughes in the major leagues as a long reliever, or they could send him to Triple-A. I think that it would be a huge mistake to limit his workload by making him a long reliever.
Phil Hughes spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons severely limited by health problems. He needs to top 150+ innings in a season in order to prepare himself for a full time major league workload. If he waffles between starting and long relieving for the rest of the season, he’ll barely clear 100 innings.
Hughes should be allowed to near his innings limit in the minors, and then if necessary can be temporarily converted to the bullpen in preparation for the playoffs. Just like Joba Chamberlain did. For now, the Yankees should enjoy some rare good health for their young starter. He’s throwing at his old velocity, and flashing some good control too. It has been years since Hughes has pitched this well. Hughes was the #1 pitching prospect in baseball the last time that he was throwing 93 consistently.
Bottom line: Whatever happens with Wang, Hughes needs to pitch every 5th day. They can find another long reliever somewhere else.
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10 Responses to Bullpen or Minors?
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TIQ IQ
EJ,
I agree with you if it comes to that. But is there any logic to a six man rotation when things are this good. Thoughts?
The Yankees don’t really gain anything from making it a 6-man rotation. That would mean fewer starts for C.C. Sabathia. I’d rather use the extra roster spot for a relief pitcher.
Here is what they gain. Sabathia pitched a ridiculous number of innings last year and can use a break. Petite is old and can use a break. Burnett is fragile and can use a break. Joba and Hughes are on an innings limit and can use a break. Wang is coming back from injury and … Isnt it obvious to go with a six man rotation for a month or so.
I agree about the 6-man. It could be done either as a straight 6-man or by skipping the occasional turn for each pitcher (as JD points out, all 6 could be skipped once in a while.)
Hughes is doing too well to just send him down to get innings. Let’s see if the Yankees can come up with a plan that takes advantage of having 6 good starters.
How is Hughes doing too well? I mean I think he looks great out there and everything but he’s not exactly Halladay out there yet. If he were 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA and a 1.2 WHIP then this would be a discussion. Right now Joba, CC, Burnett and Wang are better MLB caliber pitchers than he is. This is Joba’s year to take his lumps in the starting rotation and to learn major league hitters. The Yankees won’t jeopardize their bullpen depth for next season by keeping Hughes around as a long reliever.
Let’s put it this way, would you want Hughes to start in the place of Joba, CC, Burnett or Wang (who appears to be back and as good as ever)? I wouldn’t, let him get some more time down in AAA and we’ll be seeing him either when Joba hits his inning cap or when the inevitable injury comes along.
I noticed that you did not say Petite. The point is that starting in place of these guys once in a while may help all in the long run. It is a very long season folks.
Yankees would be idiots not to return Wang to the rotation eventually.Guy was one of the best pitchers in baseball before the Lisfranc and you do not diminish his value by sending him to the pen long term.Hughes doesn’t lose value by going to the pen or the minors, Wang does.
No brainer if you understand VALUE and how to run a franchise and keep yuor chips valuable.
I would favor keeping Hughes on the MLB roster and moving him to the bullpen. I liked (RAB) Joe P’s post yesterday that suggested we do an old school bullpen using our best arms for multiple inning stints. Bring Hughes/Aceves in for the 6th or 7th and have them finish the game, backed up by Mo of course. 2-3 innings by Hughes>matching up with lesser arms.
I always put the needs of the club before the needs of any one player. Plus, I’m not so sure that Hughes wouldn’t be helped by getting some MLB experience pitching out of the bullpen.
Good points for both options but, going to AAA is the better move. I don’t say this lightly, if all things were equal…keep him in the bigs but, they are not equal. He needs the innings badly (see Joba), but I worry about him slipping into old bad habits, down on the farm.
Next year we need him to have NO inning limits, ergo AAA.
I agree wholeheartedly. He’s been bouncing around for the last three years, rarely getting more than a handful of starts at one level before he’s being promoted, demoted or sent to the DL. He started excelling here when he was given consistent starts and a consistent routine. If they can’t give him that at the major league level, give him that at AAA. Better that than 2-3 innings a couple times a week.