From Fangraphs:
For the Yankees, he’s a nice addition, though. Don’t be swayed by his ERA in the National League, which is driven by a high BABIP and a low LOB%, neither of which are particularly good predictors of future performance. Gaudin has a solid fastball/slider combination and is extremely tough on right-handed hitters. Unfortunately, his change-up kind of sucks, so lefties give him serious problems, which is why he’s never been able to hold down a job as a starting pitcher…..
Whatever role he ends up filling over the last two months, he’s certainly going to be a reliever in October if he makes the playoff roster, and he could be a pretty good one if the Yankees use right. As a right-handed specialist, he could be a real asset out of the pen. Look at him as Jeff Nelson 2.0, and use him accordingly, and New York will have added a nice piece. If they continue to force him to face lefties, though, it won’t be as pretty.
I think there is a decent chance that he ends up as the 5th starter in short order, but he sounds like a nice piece to have out of the bullpen in the postseason. I could see him being used to face a tough right-handed hitter like Youkilis or Miguel Cabrera in the latter innings of a playoff game. This would allow Joe Girardi to use Phil Coke more judiciously, possibly paring Gaudin and Coke to get through innings that have two lefties and a righty.
Assuming that Sergio Mitre does not make the postseason roster, the Yankees would have a rotation of CC, AJ, Joba, and Pettitte, and a bullpen of Gaudin, Melancon, Robertson, Bruney, Coke, Aceves, Hughes, and Rivera. That bullpen could probably use another lefty, so Damaso Marte may steal a spot should he prove himself ready to contribute over the next few weeks. Otherwise, it is a versatile pen, with Gaudin, Hughes, and Aceves able to give some length, Coke to match up with tough lefties, and Robertson/Melancon/Bruney able to notch some strikeouts with runners on earlier in the game.
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7 Responses to Fangraphs On Gaudin
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TIQ IQ
Moshe that is exactly how a see Gaudin and why I think there is a good chance Bruney is gone. Also don’t forget about Dunn. He could be a very nice loogy as his BB rate against left handed batters is more then acceptable.
Why don’t they Yankees try to fix his changeup. I know that it is very hard to do so, but he is still relatively young at only 26. It sounds like he has a very good fastball-slider combo, so if the Yankees could change his changeup to a relatively good one, he could be a solid starter in the majors.
I think Gaudin has a good chance to be the Yankees 5th starter… On another note, seeing Smoltx was FDA, I would sign him to a minor league deal ASAP in hopes that he can be a bullpen are for Yanks. It would be a low cost move in 10 days, so why not take a chance on the future HOF? your thoughts?
Doing what you suggest with Smoltz is a total waste of time imo.
Gaudin has the ability to be a match up reliever coming out of the pen especially in Pettitte and Sabathia starts.
I still don’t see how Joba becomes a starter in the playoffs… I’d love it, but I don’t see it. They’d basically have to shut him down real soon and then start him back up in the playoffs.
If he was any good, would Red SUX, RAys and EVERYBODY ELSE HAVE LET HIM PASS THROUGH WAIVERS?
hE’S MEDIOCRE AT BEST.
A 5’10 fireballer.
Cashman LIKES THIS TYPE, HE drafts 5’11- 6′ PITCHERS all of the time, while Red Sux draft 6’3 and up pitchers who throw 97.
Not only pass through waivers, but traded every year. Does he rub coaches/players the wrong way, or does he just suck.
And Moshe, this team is in trouble if he is used in big spots late in playoff games against the stars of the game. Frankly, I think the 2-3 month stretch that Mitre had in 2007 with the Marlins inspires more hope than this guy’s track record. And that is not saying much.