The fat man singeth
Looking at the respective spring training stats of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, you’d think Colon was running away with the 5th starter’s role. He looked terrific his last start, so much so that our own Matt Imbrogno was singing his praises and the general consensus after both player’s recent performances was that Colon was the man. Yankee manager Joe Girardi said earlier this spring that more weight (ahem) would be placed on the late March starts for both pitchers, since the low level minor league spring training invitees are largely weeded out by then, and the MLB hitters are up to speed. By that measure it’s clear who gets the nod. Bartolo’s been consistent all spring, while Garcia was good early in camp and then gave up 5 runs in 6 innings his last start, and 4 runs in 2.2 IP the start before. Sure, he’s a notoriously bad Spring Training pitcher (make that horrendous) but all signs pointed toward Colon.
But this week, the Yanks started changing their tune. You started hearing concerns about his ability to make 20-30 starts. You started hearing concerns that he hadn’t pitched in MLB since 2009. His conditioning may be a factor as well. All of these issues on Colon were known going in when they signed him. Why did they all of a sudden become decisive? This was supposed to be a competition, right? The numbers, even Spring Training numbers, don’t lie do they? Of course they don’t, but as often happens they also don’t tell the whole story. Jon Heyman got the scoop yesterday, which he relayed via Twitter:
SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
#yankess more comfortable w/ colon than garcia in pen. so garcia likely starts as no. 5 starter
#yankess colon better suited for pen as he’s throwing 93-94 in 1st but just 88-89 by 3rd, scout says. garcia velo low but consistent
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Poorly phrased (or perhaps comprehended) at the end there by Heyman, but this explains the hesitancy on the part of the Yanks. Garcia doesn’t rely on velocity the way Colon does. Bartolo has morphed himself from the power pitcher he was in his heyday into a sinkerballer, one who relies on challenging hitters with his 2 seam fastball to generate ground balls. If he can’t maintain his velocity throughout a game, he’s better suited for bullpen work. Hitters have an advantage the second time through a lineup with all pitchers, so if one is throwing the same stuff at a more hittable speed, its begging for trouble. Toss in to the mix that sinkerballers tend to elevate their pitches as they tire, which makes them even more hittable. So even if they maintain their velocity (which Bartolo doesn’t) conditioning is a big factor. Out of the bullpen, that 93-94 MPH fatsball (sic) could add a few ticks, so Colon could be a force out of what is already a formidable Yankee pen. While I still have my doubts about Garcia’s ability to compete in the AL East, but I think we all view him as a placeholder until something better comes among. On the heels of the Sergio Mitre deal both Garcia and Colon will clearly make the team, but as was the case going into Spring Training it appears Garcia will be the #5 starer come Opening Day.
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6 Responses to Why Colon won’t land the #5
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TIQ IQ
I had accidentally typed “fatsball” initially, but I love it so much for Colon I’m going to refer to his #1 that way for the rest of his Yankee career, however short that may be.
With Colon’s inability to go deep into the games, do you think he’s just holding the spot warm until Millwood is ready?
Millwood is a minor league depth deal. I don’t think he’s being counted on at all.
Keeping Nova from the starting rotation would ostensibly mean that 2 re-treads would be the Yanks 4th & 5th starters. A little embarrassing… don’t you think? Nova’s selection saves some face in the end.
Doubt Yankees care about saving face or what others find embarassing. If so, they would have signed Jeter on day 1 of FA, wouldn’t have signed a set up arm for 30m, etc.
I guess the title can now read ” why Colon didn’t win the 5th starters role”