GOM's Plan for Yankee Dominance Part Ii

[Gom]

Dipre, this was a good thread in my opinion, which is why I re-posted it. Going forward, let's leave the personal attack out an merit the moves themselves and not he details we argued about. Let's be adults about this and go forward. Agreed?

 

Ahh...the thread you've all been waiting for...dreading actually. For I am convinced that Cashman read my column and followed it nearly to a T last year, and the end result is a championship. Two years ago, he ignored me and we missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995. Without further ado...and in no particular order...here we go.

1. Avoid Holliday. As good as his stats may be, he is not worth the money. First of all, his tenure in Oakland was nothing to write home about. An .832 OPS is more indicative of his performance in the AL instead of the insane 1.023 OPS with the Cardinals, in a weaker division and league. Also, he was horribly exposed in the NLDS. Of the 36 pitches he saw, 34 were inside fastballs. He hit one homerun, on you guessed it...a curveball. Considering the money he's going to command, would you rather have Damon AND Matsui short term or Holliday long-term? Let the Cardinals and Mets fight it out. Plus, with Arod, you need a lefty to even it out. Considering he will command a long-term contract, let him go back to the Cardinals or to the Mets, or as a suprise, the Giants. I doubt the Red Sox are dumb enough to take him on.

 

2. Resign Molina. 2 years/$4M. This may be the most important move the Yankees make. Posada was exposed as being an absolutely terrible defensive catcher. Anyone who watched Game Six of the World Series objectively was outright disgusted by how terrible he is behind the plate. Molina ended the season with a CERA that was a run and a half lower than Posada. His lack of framing nearly destroyed Pettitte. He still has a decent arm, but how many times does someone try to steal? It's all about the pitching, stupid. The Yankees beat the Phillies with nearly no production whatsoever from 1/3 of their lineup. Cervelli is decent, but could use another year of seasoning. The Yankees have too much money invested in pitching to NOT sign Molina.

 

3. Resign Damon. Two years/$18M. Abreu set the standard, which is going to be fair. Ideally, I would like to see a one year deal, but it won't get done with Boras. If he balks, let him walk. After playing the first few years in KC, then going to Oakland during their heyday, then the Red Sox and then the Yankees...I can't see him going to a middling team. This is tough because of Boras. A take it or leave it offer. His home/away splits are putrid, he is a by-product of Yankee Stadium...but since we play half of our games in Yankee Stadium, it's beneficial. Offer him arbitration and hope he takes it. One year at $13 million would be a Godsend. Then the Yankees can look to Carl Crawford next season as they are only on the hook for one year. If he rejects it and they can't work out a deal, we got two draft picks.

 

4. Resign Matsui. One year/$7 million. A professional hitter with the ability to hit lefties and righties, his market is limited as there are many DHs on the market. Winning is it's own drug, and the reality is we're starting to see what we saw in the 90's...players WANTING to play in New York. Winning does that for you.

 

5. Resign Pettitte. One year/$12 million. Pettitte will pretty much go year to year at this point. I don't think he will retire, he still has the ability to pitch effectively. He wants to come back, and the Yankees want him back.

 

6. Sign John Lackey. 6 years/$100 million. Throw the kitchen sink at this guy. His numbers are comparable to AJ Burnett, and he should command about the same amount of money. A quartet of CC, Lackey, AJ and Pettitte and we can book another trip to October.

 

7. Non-tender Wang, but bring him back. One year/$5 million. You can never have enough pitching. With four spots wrapped up, you leave a spring training competition between Hughes, Chamberlain, and Wang for number five, with the two losers going to the pen. I am of the belief that the 5th spot should always be a competition in the hope of catching lightning in a bottle. Plus, it will allow Girardi to stretch out the pitchers so they can save their arms for the post-season. This was the reason for going three deep in the playoffs.

 

Where does that leave us salary-wise? Molina is a wash, and so is Pettitte for the most part. Wang saves you a million. You save $6 million on Matsui, $4 million on Damon, and $5 million on Nady. That means breaking even and getting Lackey. Not only that, but Nady projects to be a Type A...so you don't even lose draft picks by signing Lackey.

 

The bullpen is unchanged. Cashman has assembled a bunch of pitchers who are interchangeable that there is no reason to go outside of the organization. Let Giradi figure out what to do with Marte, Coke, Aceves, Gaudin, Chamberlain/Hughes or both, Robertson, Kennedy, Bruney et. al.

 

This leaves a LOT of roster flexibility. Let's face it...this is an older team. Their core players are all on the wrong side of 35. Sooner or later, these players will start to decline. Jeter quieted his critics by turning back the clock defensively. Arod rebounded. Posada will continue his decline into oblivion. I fully expect Posada to catch a pitch next year, throw his glove down, and stomp on it. His contract the next two years will hamstring the Yankees. Mariano defies the odds, and is quite possibly the most amazing pitcher I've ever seen.

 

Most fans will see things as continuing. Father Time has a say in this. The Yankee players under 30 are nothing to write home about. Cashman has to manage the money until some of his players, the Jacksons and Monteros are ready. The Yankees cannot afford any more long-term deals. Short term deals at a higher AAV is a better risk.

 

A lesson to be learned from the Red Sox this year. They went into the season looking like they had a pitching surplus. It was a deficit by the end of the year.

 

Burnett, Joba, Wang, Hughes, and Pettitte have had injury issues. I wouldn't be surprised if all of them played an important role. I also wouldn't be surprised if all of them got injured. Let's face it...when it came to injuries to their staff, the Yankees were INCREDIBLY lucky this year.

 

Next year is the key. With the probably emergence of Austin Jackson, and the free agency of Carl Crawford, we could see two if not three changes in the OF.

 

I am a huge Crawford fan. With the excess in the pen, look to the Yankees to possibly package Melky with some of their surplus pitching to Tampa for Crawford and throwing him in CF. Gardner is not a major league hitter, and Melky is a weak stick as it is. Putting Gardner in there as well makes them a very weak team at the end of the lineup.

 

Cashman has done a good job in accumulating assets. This would allow him to use some of these chips in a deadline deal or to replace those that need replacing, and at a very low cost.

 

End result: Salary wash. Lackey replaces Gaudin.

 

Next...I will try my hand at Fixing the Red Sox.

[yankees228]

Wait, Gom, in this post you're advocating that they offer him arbitration and that it would be a great thing if he accepted.

 

Yet, in another post, you said the problem with offering Damon arbitration is that he might accept it.

 

I would have no problem with Damon being offered arbitration, and subsequently accepting, but how do you actually feel about it?

[yankees228]

A few more things...

 

I really don't think it's only going to take seven million dollars to retain Matsui. I could be wrong, but I just don't see him going for that little money. Granted, the only people that think he can play the field are himself and Arn Tellem, but his offensive production was really good this year.

 

I agree that they should add another pitcher, but that leads to another question. What do you want for Hughes and Joba next year? Personally, I want Joba in the rotation next year from day one, without any rules to worry about. But then there would be no room for Hughes. I understand that you can never have enough starters, but, Gom, how do you look at Joba and Hughes long term?

 

Lastly, I would prefer to leave the DH spot open. A-Rod, who has been injured the last two years, is signed for the next eight years. They have to do everything they can to preserve him through as much of that time as possible, and next year would be a good time to start. I would be opposed to A-Rod DHing around forty games next year. I think it would also be wise to give Posada some significant time at DH next year. If they want to keep his bat productive through 2011, they should consider having him catch fewer and fewer games. I wouldn't mind seeing a rotation in the DH spot between A-Rod, Posada, and somebody like Hinske (when A-Rod and Posada both play the field).

 

EDIT: By the way, nice work Gom.

[Gom]

I'm kind of up in the air about arbitration for Damon. On one hand, I think they should offer it to him. On the other hand, I kind of hope he rejects it.

[yankees228]

I'm kind of up in the air about arbitration for Damon. On one hand' date=' I think they should offer it to him. On the other hand, I kind of hope he rejects it.[/quote']

 

Personally, I would like the Yankees to bring back Damon and Nady, while letting Matsui walk.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing them go into next year with Damon, Cabrera, Swisher, Nady, and Gardner as the team's outfielders, with no permanent DH (for the reasons I mentioned earlier). What do you think of that?

[Gom]

A few more things...

 

I really don't think it's only going to take seven million dollars to retain Matsui. I could be wrong, but I just don't see him going for that little money. Granted, the only people that think he can play the field are himself and Arn Tellem, but his offensive production was really good this year.

 

I agree that they should add another pitcher, but that leads to another question. What do you want for Hughes and Joba next year? Personally, I want Joba in the rotation next year from day one, without any rules to worry about. But then there would be no room for Hughes. I understand that you can never have enough starters, but, Gom, how do you look at Joba and Hughes long term?

 

Lastly, I would prefer to leave the DH spot open. A-Rod, who has been injured the last two years, is signed for the next eight years. They have to do everything they can to preserve him through as much of that time as possible, and next year would be a good time to start. I would be opposed to A-Rod DHing around forty games next year. I think it would also be wise to give Posada some significant time at DH next year. If they want to keep his bat productive through 2011, they should consider having him catch fewer and fewer games. I wouldn't mind seeing a rotation in the DH spot between A-Rod, Posada, and somebody like Hinske (when A-Rod and Posada both play the field).

 

EDIT: By the way, nice work Gom.

 

I'm not sure on Joba and Hughes. Joba's decreased velocity is a major concern to me. He ramped it up to 96 in the playoffs, but that's still 2-3 MPH down from last year. I think all these rules screwed with his head. I know I'm guessing here, but I would swear I could see this guy thinking during a game "Ok, I got two strikes with my fastball...let me try my curveball...oh wait, my changeup, or maybe the slider...I mean, I do have four pitches...etc". I think with the Yankees depth in the pen, he should just go out and throw. Go as hard as you can, as long as you can....attack the hitters. He'd probably go farther in games if he just went after the hitters instead of pussyfooting around [how do you like that reference?].

 

As for Hughes, I think the Yankees should start him out in the pen. Wait to see how the pitchers do...and if need be, start lengthening him in June/July, so that by August he's in the rotation. I am worried about his meltdown in the playoffs.

 

Plus, and I know some here will believe me...he wasn't anywhere near as good as his numbers indicate. What I mean to say, from what I saw of him, he had probably the most amount of luck of any pitcher who pitched for the Yankees in recent years IMO. I would see every at bat, he would miss his spot by a foot or more, and the batters would just miss. In the post-season, those misses were getting hammered.

 

I'm not sold on either one, but I'm not down on them either. I think the jury's still out on them.

 

As for the DH spot, a rotating DH won't work. This is why I like Matsui. If Matsui DH's 6 days a week, once a week you can give Arod, Jeter, or Posada a day off. However, Matsui is one of the rare lefty hitters who can hit lefty pitching, and he is murder on righties. He is a much better hitter than Posada in that he can hit good pitching.

 

Another thing the Yankees could do is that they could go after a centerfielder, and then shift over Melky/Gardner over to left. In my opinion, Damon is such a liability in the outfield that his ability to play left field is pretty much insignificant compared to Matsui's inability to play out there at all.

[26 to 6]

Personally, I would like the Yankees to bring back Damon and Nady, while letting Matsui walk.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing them go into next year with Damon, Cabrera, Swisher, Nady, and Gardner as the team's outfielders, with no permanent DH (for the reasons I mentioned earlier). What do you think of that?

I agree 100% Although I wouldn't be opposed to Damon leaving, getting that draft pick, and retaining Matsui. Either way though I'm on board with bringing back Nady and one of Matsui or Damon.

 

As for Joba and Hughes, I think ideally Joba should go to the pen and Hughes should be starting, whether he start the season in Scranton or in New York, I think he should go into the season as a starter. I also wouldn't be opposed to both of them starting, as long as there are no restrictions on Joba. But if they do that who would you guys propose they go out and get to set up for Mo? I don't think you can rely 100% on Coke and Robertson and would definitely need some sort of insurance down there.

[yankees228]

I agree 100% Although I wouldn't be opposed to Damon leaving, getting that draft pick, and retaining Matsui. Either way though I'm on board with bringing back Nady and one of Matsui or Damon.

 

As for Joba and Hughes, I think ideally Joba should go to the pen and Hughes should be starting, whether he start the season in Scranton or in New York, I think he should go into the season as a starter. I also wouldn't be opposed to both of them starting, as long as there are no restrictions on Joba. But if they do that who would you guys propose they go out and get to set up for Mo? I don't think you can rely 100% on Coke and Robertson and would definitely need some sort of insurance down there.

 

Well, yeah, the bullpen is an issue. For arguments sake, lets say Joba and Hughes are both starters next year. That leaves them with...

 

Rivera RHP

Robertson RHP

Marte RHP

Coke RHP

Aceves RHP

 

Overall, that's pretty good, but one solid setup man would really make it an enormous strength, like it was towards the end of last year.

 

I would love to get Fernando Rodney, but he might want to close. Same with Rafael Soriano. In my opinion, those are the two best relievers on the market. They could consider going after Rafael Betancourt, but he might not be good enough to sacrifice the required draft picks. All three of those guys are type A free agents.

[yeszir]

Any person making any semblance of an attack here earns a permanent ban from talksox. Anyone responding to an attack earns a permanent ban. This goes for attacks disguised as jokes and sarcastic comments as well.

[Gom]

Easy, killer. Dipre and I can play nice when we want to. We just choose not to most of the time.

[Gom]

I agree 100% Although I wouldn't be opposed to Damon leaving, getting that draft pick, and retaining Matsui. Either way though I'm on board with bringing back Nady and one of Matsui or Damon.

 

As for Joba and Hughes, I think ideally Joba should go to the pen and Hughes should be starting, whether he start the season in Scranton or in New York, I think he should go into the season as a starter. I also wouldn't be opposed to both of them starting, as long as there are no restrictions on Joba. But if they do that who would you guys propose they go out and get to set up for Mo? I don't think you can rely 100% on Coke and Robertson and would definitely need some sort of insurance down there.

The problem with Hughes starting is the whole innings limit thing. Personally, I agree with you if I had to pick one in the rotation. Next year we have the Hughes Rules.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am okay with Hughes' rules as long as nobody else is on any innings limit. And, Hughes needs to be the #5 by default due to the innings limits.

 

The strength of our rotation will be the top 3 IMO. CC, AJ and either Pettitte or Lackey.

 

And we need to make a decision for good on Chamberlain. I think he ends up as our #4 starter with no innings limits. People seem to think he was a complete and total bust as a starter in NY. But look at the numbers from Joba prior to when they started monkeying with him.

 

Before: 126.2IP 123H 56ER 62BB 109K 3.97ERA 1.46WHIP

After: 30.2IP 44H 27ER 14BB 24K 7.92ERA 1.89WHIP

 

The before numbers actually look a lot like Burnett. ERA around 4, WHIP in the 1.4 range, and K/9 close to 8 or higher. Now, Burnett was a lot more durable, but Joba was also in his first full yr of starting in the AL East. I did notice the stuff difference, but at the same time, he never "lost" the heat. He just seemed to save it for a little later.

 

So NY has to make their decision. Joba has a good start and a terrible finish. Was he just tired? Maybe. Is he better as a reliever? Well, all young players fare better in shorter stints, so that isnt really a good barometer since we probably expect to see Joba around in pinstripes for awhile.

[Gom]

Meh...I'm not sold on anyone unless they can do it for a full season. Like I said, Joba's arm strength and Hughes's blowup in the playoffs worry me. Plus, IMO Hughes was incredibly lucky last year. His control will take some time, but I am not sold on Hughes being a solid pitcher yet.

[jacksonianmarch]

In terms of who we get for the bullpen, I am okay with who we already have.

 

Mariano closing

Aceves in the swing role.

Robertson slides to setup.

Marte, if he is healthy can be a setup man. He was lights out in the post season

Bruney will be an option

Mark Melancon will end up having an important role with the team by the end of the yr, IMO.

Phil Coke will be an option, but I dont know if he makes the team if his stuff doesnt come back

Then there's the standard retreads of Ramirez, Albaladejo, etc.

Then there are the other young bucks who could be an option in Duff, Dunn, Kennedy, McAllister, etc.

 

There are going to be options. I dont have a problem with an improvement here or there. But I do think we have enough talent internally to have a good pen. The question is, how long will it take to secure a good pen. Last yr, it took a month to find the right combo. Will it be the same this yr?

[yankees228]

Meh...I'm not sold on anyone unless they can do it for a full season. Like I said' date=' Joba's arm strength and Hughes's blowup in the playoffs worry me. Plus, IMO Hughes was incredibly lucky last year. His control will take some time, but I am not sold on Hughes being a solid pitcher yet.[/quote']

 

I'm not sold on either, by any means. However, at some point, you have to see what these guys have. In my opinion, one or both of them should be in the rotation.

 

However, and I mentioned this earlier in thread, if they both start, what do you do about the bullpen. Overall, I think it's pretty good, but it would be in need of someone to fill Hughes role.

[yankees228]

In terms of who we get for the bullpen, I am okay with who we already have.

 

Mariano closing

Aceves in the swing role.

Robertson slides to setup.

Marte, if he is healthy can be a setup man. He was lights out in the post season

Bruney will be an option

Mark Melancon will end up having an important role with the team by the end of the yr, IMO.

Phil Coke will be an option, but I dont know if he makes the team if his stuff doesnt come back

Then there's the standard retreads of Ramirez, Albaladejo, etc.

Then there are the other young bucks who could be an option in Duff, Dunn, Kennedy, McAllister, etc.

 

There are going to be options. I dont have a problem with an improvement here or there. But I do think we have enough talent internally to have a good pen. The question is, how long will it take to secure a good pen. Last yr, it took a month to find the right combo. Will it be the same this yr?

 

Haha, that's funny.

 

Anyway, if you look at 2009, one of the things that really turned the season around was Hughes settling into that 8th role. I think they need to find someone to do his job next year, and I'm not confident he is currently on the roster.

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh...I'm not sold on anyone unless they can do it for a full season. Like I said' date=' Joba's arm strength and Hughes's blowup in the playoffs worry me. Plus, IMO Hughes was incredibly lucky last year. His control will take some time, but I am not sold on Hughes being a solid pitcher yet.[/quote']

 

I understand your criteria, but it really isnt rocket science to see Joba's problems. He started slipping right around the 120IP mark. That marked 20IP over his previous season high. Then he fell off the cliff while being toyed with. I think he shows arm strength this yr and carries his performance through the yr now.

 

In terms of Hughes, I am much less worried about him in the rotation. I actually think his pen stint helped him immensely. First of all, it proved that he had a great fastball. Hell, he went 2/3 of the season throwing something like 85% fastballs. And he started locating it. I am not worried about his playoff record, since his command seemed to betray him and he is still a young buck in the playoff and WS atmosphere. But I think he has a better yr than Joba simply because I like Hughes' depth of pitches. He throws the 4 seamer, the 2 seamer, the cutter, the curve and he will need to re-incorporate the changeup and the slider into his repertoire. I think he has a good yr.

 

Regardless, my only big concern for a rotation of CC, AJ, Pettitte/Lackey, Joba, or Hughes would be health. If Joba is truly healthy, then I think he has a big yr. If he isnt, then we better find out soon.

[jacksonianmarch]

Haha, that's funny.

 

Anyway, if you look at 2009, one of the things that really turned the season around was Hughes settling into that 8th role. I think they need to find someone to do his job next year, and I'm not confident he is currently on the roster.

 

He may or may not be. I bet you that Robertson gets the chance IMO. He looked really good this yr. Really frickin good.

[yankees228]

He may or may not be. I bet you that Robertson gets the chance IMO. He looked really good this yr. Really frickin good.

 

He did, and I like Robertson in the long run, but I just wouldn't really feel comfortable going into next year with him as the primary setup man, after seeing the difference Hughes made this year.

[Gom]

I am much more sold on Robertson. The guy is good.

 

The thing is, I didn't see Joba dial it up to 98 or 99 all season..anywhere, anytime. Eh...we shall see.

[jacksonianmarch]

Robertson is sneaky. He throws a FB in the 91-94 range but guys swing like its 100 and his curve is filthy. I liked seeing a change from him this yr. I think he can do it. He doesnt need to be Hughes good. He just needs to provide enough of a bridge to get the ball to Mo with any sort of lead

[BoSox21]

Robertson is sneaky. He throws a FB in the 91-94 range but guys swing like its 100 and his curve is filthy. I liked seeing a change from him this yr. I think he can do it. He doesnt need to be Hughes good. He just needs to provide enough of a bridge to get the ball to Mo with any sort of lead

 

[table]Topic|Team|Content

Prospect|Yankees|The player in question is made of 150% pure awesomeness. Fear us.

Prospect|Sox|He could be good, but this is why he won't be.

Signing|Yankees|This is the missing piece. We'll win 160 games, and the umps will screw us out of 2.

Signing|Sox|Risky move, overpaid here, they'll regret this.

Injury|Yankees|They don't get hurt. Hypothetically, if they did, the recovery will be speedy with no impact to ability.

Injury|Sox|Everyone is a ticking time bomb. Once hurt, they'll never heal right.[/table]

[jacksonianmarch]

[table]Topic|Team|Content

Prospect|Yankees|The player in question is made of 150% pure awesomeness. Fear us.

Prospect|Sox|He could be good, but this is why he won't be.

Signing|Yankees|This is the missing piece. We'll win 160 games, and the umps will screw us out of 2.

Signing|Sox|Risky move, overpaid here, they'll regret this.

Injury|Yankees|They don't get hurt. Hypothetically, if they did, the recovery will be speedy with no impact to ability.

Injury|Sox|Everyone is a ticking time bomb. Once hurt, they'll never heal right.[/table]

 

Any person making any semblance of an attack here earns a permanent ban from talksox. Anyone responding to an attack earns a permanent ban. This goes for attacks disguised as jokes and sarcastic comments as well.

[BoSox21]

It's not a joke or sarcasm. It's pointing out bias. If that means a ban, so be it.

[yankees228]

I am much more sold on Robertson. The guy is good.

 

The thing is, I didn't see Joba dial it up to 98 or 99 all season..anywhere, anytime. Eh...we shall see.

 

You're this high on Robertson, yet you pass off what Hughes did this year as luck? To me, that makes no sense.

 

Both threw with similar velocity, and both lacked pin-point control. I'd be willing to bet that Hughes also missed a lot more bats with his fastball than Robertson did. Both had decent curve balls, with Hughes' probably a bit better. Also, Hughes featured a decent cutter.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am just messing with you bosox

[Gom]

You're this high on Robertson, yet you pass off what Hughes did this year as luck? To me, that makes no sense.

 

Both threw with similar velocity, and both lacked pin-point control. I'd be willing to bet that Hughes also missed a lot more bats with his fastball than Robertson did. Both had decent curve balls, with Hughes' probably a bit better. Also, Hughes featured a decent cutter.

 

When Robertson missed, he usually missed low. When Hughes missed, he usually missed high.

 

Please don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say I was high on him, I'm just more sold on Robertson.

 

Plus, the guy was lights out in the playoffs, and Hughes was a little bitch.

[26 to 6]

I'm certainly high on Robertson, and was so when he was called up last season. He's got great stuff and good movement on his fastball. If he develops properly he has a chance to be a great setup man in this league for a long time.

 

And if the postseason has taught us anything, it's that Phil Hughes needs to be starting next year, no matter what. Whether they wanna send him back to Scranton or flip/flop roles between him and Joba, he needs to be starting. Lets not forget what he's supposed be. It's time for him to start living up to all the hype he's gotten since being drafted and justify not being traded for Santana.

[jacksonianmarch]

When Robertson missed, he usually missed low. When Hughes missed, he usually missed high.

 

Please don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say I was high on him, I'm just more sold on Robertson.

 

Plus, the guy was lights out in the playoffs, and Hughes was a little bitch.

 

First of all, Hughes had much better control than Robertson, lets just get that straight. Since Hughes was converted to the pen, he walked 13 batters in 51.1IP. Robertson walked 23 batter in 43IP. Hughes control was MUCH better. Also, Hughes had about 3-4 mph more on the heater so a lot of his pitches were designed to be high. 97mph at the letters is a very difficult pitch to hit. He was effective throwing basically one pitch all season until he got the playoffs when he looked like he started to tire. 94mph instead of 97mph and the ball wasnt staying on the corners or up at the letters. It was drifting to the middle and was dropping to the belt. Anyone can hit that. Cmon Gom, you are better than that. I know you "watch the game" but you obviously werent watching it with the intent of sounding knowledgable about it.

[yankees228]

When Robertson missed, he usually missed low. When Hughes missed, he usually missed high.

 

Please don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say I was high on him, I'm just more sold on Robertson.

 

Plus, the guy was lights out in the playoffs, and Hughes was a little bitch.

 

I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, but it basically amounts to the same thing. I just don't understand how you can be more sold on Robertson than Hughes. I think, with Hughes' fastball, a lot of times the design was to miss up. When he was at his best, he was almost going exclusively to his fastball up in the zone, and having a ton of success with it. I don't see how you can call his success lucky, considering all the swings and misses he was getting, and the lack of hard hit balls off him.

 

As for the playoff argument, you want to talk about luck? Lets take a look at what Robertson did in game two of the ALDS. He gave up a hard single, but the third base coach foolishly held Mauer against Gardner's arm. And then he made a bad pitch to Delmon Young, but he lined it right at Teixeira. That outing, his signature outing of the postseason, very easily could have turned out much differently.

 

Granted, Hughes was bad in the postseason, but 6 1/3 innings is hardly significant in the grand scheme of things. And it's not like he can't pitch in the postseason, because lets not forget how effective he was in 2007.