Via Joel Sherman of the NY Post:
David Robertson has not thrown the ball well from late in spring training right through this early season. Now keep in mind that it is both early and that the Yankees like Robertson a lot. They not only love his stuff, but think that he is tough-minded and can handle big situations even in the AL East and The Bronx.
But he is young and he does have options, and the Yanks have alternatives they like. Both Boone Logan and Mark Melancon left positive impressions in spring training, and both have gotten off very well in small samples early this season at Triple A: Logan has allowed no runs in 4 1-3 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts while Melancon has permitted one run in six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. In addition, after a horrible spring, Jonathan Albaladejo has righted at Triple-A with one run and seven strikeouts in five innings.
So if Robertson does not begin performing better the Yankees are going to at least consider those alternatives.
Robertson has not really had a blemish-free appearance since camp ended, however, I do not think that the Yankees are ready to ship him down to Scranton anytime soon. His worst appearance on the young season came in the ninth inning of yesterday’s game, when he gave up 4 earned runs and allowed 4 hits (the big blow came from Bobby Abreu’s grand slam). Prior to that, he had given up hits in each of his outings, yet he had not allowed an earned run. In addition, his velocity is strong, so, with regards to that, he is “throwing the ball well.” Thus, at this point, I doubt the Yankees are overly concerned with his 2.1 inning performance – a small sample – in 2010 (there’s not much to worry about).
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8 Responses to Demoting Robertson?
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TIQ IQ
Bringing up Albaladejo’s name as a possible replacement for Robertson shows that entire paragraph is just paint on the wall speculation.
K-Rob is here to stay. Every pitcher goes through adjustments in their game. The other teams have a book on him now, so he will adjust or ride into the sunset, as many have before him.
No No No on Jonathan Albaladejo ! The guy is horrible and all he does is start OK, and for some reason OK works for the Yankees, and then he’s crap!!
Sherman sucks!
I have to agree that sherman sucks. I mean demote the kid after what 4 appearances c’mon now
More evidence of Joel Sherman being a hack. Robertson had one bad outing and had been pretty darn good otherwise. Just stop with this nonsense. No thinking Yankees fan should read Sherman.
Robertson to the minors would be stupidity.
Trading him when he looks good again, that’s a different story.He has a straight low 90′s fastball and a very good curve.He’s right-handed.
He’s often been just great but somehow I’ve never truly been convinced.
I’d gamble he became a solid ML reliever if we could get something special for him in a package which maybe included some other young pitcher we have for a CLiff Lee type.
Andy and Vasquez both leave next season..That gives us 27 million to fool aorund with on the staff.
I’ll eagerly be awaiting Joel Sherman’s retraction after tonight.