What To Do With Javy Vazquez?

[yankees228]

When it comes to Yankees' fans, I'm one of the biggest Javy Vazquez supporters there is. Unfortunately, this isn't working out so far, and he's showing no signs of improvement. The obvious move would be to pull him from the rotation, and while I'm close to that point, I'm not quite there yet.

 

His next scheduled start is 5/7 at Boston. That would be an enormous mistake. Fortunately, the previous day is an off day, giving the Yankees the option to skip him. Move everyone up a slot in the rotation (Hughes - 5/7, Sabathia - 5/8, Burnett - 5/9, and Pettitte - 5/10). Skipping Javy the next turn through the rotation would prevent him from facing Boston, and the extra rest might allow him to figure things out.

 

Then, start him on 5/7 at Detroit. If he still struggles, then the Yankees might have to consider other alternatives.

[a700hitter]

When it comes to Yankees' fans, I'm one of the biggest Javy Vazquez supporters there is. Unfortunately, this isn't working out so far, and he's showing no signs of improvement. The obvious move would be to pull him from the rotation, and while I'm close to that point, I'm not quite there yet.

 

His next scheduled start is 5/7 at Boston. That would be an enormous mistake. Fortunately, the previous day is an off day, giving the Yankees the option to skip him. Move everyone up a slot in the rotation (Hughes - 5/7, Sabathia - 5/8, Burnett - 5/9, and Pettitte - 5/10). Skipping Javy the next turn through the rotation would prevent him from facing Boston, and the extra rest might allow him to figure things out.

 

Then, start him on 5/7 at Detroit. If he still struggles, then the Yankees might have to consider other alternatives.

Send him to dinner with Beltre and tell both of them that the game has been canceled.

[italstallianion]

Let him keep starting as scheduled so even the dumba** commissioner in one of my fantasy leagues(not the Talksox league) will admit that his offer of Javier Vasquez and Octavio Dotel for Pablo Sandoval was pure garbage.

[Dipre]

I'm this close to start handing out "I told you so" posts. But April's not even fully gone. He's not this bad, he has to improve.

[msubulldogs21]

I'm this close to start handing out "I told you so" posts. But April's not even fully gone. He's not this bad' date=' he has to improve.[/quote']

 

It's May 1st, sir.

 

I was pleased when New York got him in the off-season, and I continue to be pleased by his performances. I don't know what you do though, but I'd definitely skip his start @ Boston which I expect them to do.

 

I think I would be a fan of continuing to jack with Joba and throw him back into the rotation, but obviously they aren't going to go that route again.

[Lester82]

Normally, when a pitcher goes bad, or a horse... you know what needs to be done.

 

Uh huh.

 

http://www.framaree.com/Rivendell_2007/My_Little_Pony_Glue_Factory.jpg

[Gom]

There is little choice but to keep throwing him out there at this point. I'm not really sold on Mitre.

[Lester82]

I'm not really sold on Mitre.

 

You shouldn't be.

[yankees228]

I'm not saying I'm sold on Mitre either, but if Vazquez puts together a couple more poor starts in a row, Mitre could do no worse. Either way, I think they have to skip him the next turn through the rotation. That way he'll miss Boston, and the extra rest could only help.

[jacksonianmarch]

This isnt like he is pitching below average. He went from being one of the best pitchers in the game last yr to a guy whose ERA is over 9. Something is wrong. DL him with a phantom injury and see if he can work it out in a rehab assignment. He is like Wang last yr. Pitching like this, he is no use to us

[yankees228]

Vazquez has been pushed back, and will start next Monday.

[redsoxrules]

He cant handle the pressure of the AL east

[riverside sluggers]

This isnt like he is pitching below average. He went from being one of the best pitchers in the game last yr to a guy whose ERA is over 9. Something is wrong. DL him with a phantom injury and see if he can work it out in a rehab assignment. He is like Wang last yr. Pitching like this' date=' he is no use to us[/quote']

 

Or maybe he's just showing what all us Sox fans have been talking about in the offseason... Him back in the AL East, Yankee Stadium as his home, is just a bad combination. He needs to be in the NL

[jacksonianmarch]

RS, I'd believe you if he wasnt THIS bad. If his ERA was hovering around 5, then I'd tend to agree. Being this bad is not a factor of the league. Something is wrong

[Chamomile]

Well, at 34 he's past his prime, he's been lit up most of his career in the American League, he's always given up lots of home runs and he's pitching in the toughest division in baseball. Is he a 9+ ERA pitcher? No. But he's really struggled in most of his seasons in the American League, so it's not like this is anything new.

[jacksonianmarch]

He isnt a 9ERA guy. Hence, his current performance isnt attributable to his history. Something is wrong. Did he age in one yr, possible but not likely. Vazquez and his coaches say that it is all mechanical. He is said to be a guy who needs to be reminded of his mechanics a lot, ie he is kinda stupid. And he does have a pretty difficult motion. My guess is that he's either hurt or completely messed up mechanically. We'll find out soon

[Chamomile]

He isnt a 9ERA guy. Hence' date=' his current performance isnt attributable to his history. Something is wrong. Did he age in one yr, possible but not likely. Vazquez and his coaches say that it is all mechanical. He is said to be a guy who needs to be reminded of his mechanics a lot, ie he is kinda stupid. And he does have a pretty difficult motion. My guess is that he's either hurt or completely messed up mechanically. We'll find out soon[/quote']

 

I agreed that he isn't a 9+ ERA guy but most pitchers tend to decline around age 33-34 and he's really struggled in the American League.

[riverside sluggers]

RS' date=' I'd believe you if he wasnt THIS bad. If his ERA was hovering around 5, then I'd tend to agree. Being this bad is not a factor of the league. Something is wrong[/quote']

 

Ah no I dont think he's a 9 ERA guy. Eventually he'll rebound some, who knows he might be hurt by your assumption. I just think its a telltale sign that they are keeping him out of the Red Sox series

[Palodios]

ERA's don't quadruple over a season. Something has to be wrong with him.

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

I hope Vasquez takes a poop during a game and it goes all over pitchers mound, that would be hilarious

[Lester82]

I hope Vasquez takes a poop during a game and it goes all over pitchers mound' date=' that would be hilarious[/quote']

 

To you, yes.

[Divinity]

I think they should give him a few more starts and see how things turn out, if he's not showing progress by June I'd trade him to a NL Team

[BoSox21]

He isnt a 9ERA guy. Hence' date=' his current performance isnt attributable to his history. Something is wrong. Did he age in one yr, possible but not likely. Vazquez and his coaches say that it is all mechanical. He is said to be a guy who needs to be reminded of his mechanics a lot, ie he is kinda stupid. And he does have a pretty difficult motion. My guess is that he's either hurt or completely messed up mechanically. We'll find out soon[/quote']

 

Is it at all possible that he's just one of those guys who can't play in a market like New York?

[yankees228]

Is it at all possible that he's just one of those guys who can't play in a market like New York?

 

Anything is possible, but even if he is overwhelmed by the pressure, I don't think he is this bad. Even in 2004 he was so much better than this.

 

More than anything, his decreased velocity tells me that something is probably off, and, by everything i've heard and read, my guess would be that it's a mechanical issue.

[Spudboy]

Anything is possible, but even if he is overwhelmed by the pressure, I don't think he is this bad. Even in 2004 he was so much better than this.

 

More than anything, his decreased velocity tells me that something is probably off, and, by everything i've heard and read, my guess would be that it's a mechanical issue.

 

@Y228 - Your guess would seem to be the logical one.

 

However, In the worst case scenario, a shoulder injury or something else that would sideline him for a while or be lost for the season, what do you see as the Yankee's best options to replace him? Internally and through trade.

 

Oh, have there been any other updates on Pettit's elbow? That would seem to be a big concern.

[diony]

I agreed that he isn't a 9+ ERA guy but most pitchers tend to decline around age 33-34 and he's really struggled in the American League.

 

Three mediocre starts out of five and he's declining? At age 33

[Dipre]

Seems mechanical to me. You don't lose 4 MPH off your fastball overnight.

[yankees228]

@Y228 - Your guess would seem to be the logical one.

 

However, In the worst case scenario, a shoulder injury or something else that would sideline him for a while or be lost for the season, what do you see as the Yankee's best options to replace him? Internally and through trade.

 

Oh, have there been any other updates on Pettit's elbow? That would seem to be a big concern.

 

It all depends on Pettitte's elbow. Considering the state of the bullpen (Robertson's ineffectiveness and Park's injury), I think they'd be very reluctant to put Aceves into the starting rotation. So, on the MLB team right now, all they have is Mitre.

 

As for guys coming up from the minors, to the best of my knowledge, they're pretty thin when it comes to high level pitching. The best options would probably be someone like Hirsch or Mosley.

 

With Pettitte's start almost certainly being pushed back, they're probably going to slot Mitre into Tuesday's start, and unless Pettitte's injury is serious, Mitre will probably start in his place until Pettitte is good to go.

 

Once Pettitte is healthy, if Vazquez can't go, I'd suspect Mitre would then take his place. However, if both Pettitte and Vazquez can't go, I'd imagine they'd be tempted to go outside the organization for help.

[jacksonianmarch]

Mitre is their only MLB option.

 

As for the AAA options

 

In the AAA ranks, Hirsch is pitching like a man on fire. Remember, he once was a big prospect who flamed out in the elevation in Colorado Springs and Colorado. He still throws well with good stuff, so he is probably first in line. He has a WHIP under 1 and an ERA right around 3.

 

The next option would be Ivan Nova, but they would probably want to hold off until later in the yr. Nova is a guy with great stuff who is finally starting to pitch to his ability. Setting him back with a poor MLB showing could be career killing.

 

The final option, and probably the best long term option is Zach McAllister. He's a sinkerballer with impeccable control, the only problem is that he has been hit quite hard in his first taste of AAA

 

So, if Vazquez is out for an extended period of time, Mitre would step in. If Pettitte needs to hit the DL, my bet is that Hirsh takes the hill

[Chamomile]

In the AAA ranks' date=' Hirsch is pitching like a man on fire. Remember, he once was a big prospect who flamed out in the elevation in Colorado Springs and Colorado. He still throws well with good stuff, so he is probably first in line. He has a WHIP under 1 and an ERA right around 3.[/quote']

 

ON FIRE!