Monday, July 19, 2010

It Looks Like Mitre Will Replace Andy

So I was already to post my "Who Should Replace Andy?" post when I saw this on LoHud. Apparently the Yankees already have their answer and it's Sergio Mitre.
Sergio Mitre will make a rehab start tonight for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. According to general manager Brian Cashman, Mitre will throw 75 pitches. He’ll be working on short rest — he just pitched Thursday — but this should help him get a little more stretched out.

Cashman said Andy Pettitte’s injury has not changed the way he’s approaching the trade deadline.

“That’s what Mitre is here for,” Cashman said. “He’d be in most teams’ rotations.”

Before Mitre is activated, the Yankees will call-up someone from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of this move. We all have a pretty good idea of what we're gonna get from Mitre and that will most likely be mediocre result. I think their are better arms in the minors, but I'm not the one making these decisions.

Also, if you actually believe that this won't change Cashman's approach at the trade deadline than I have a bridge to sell you.

In the meantime, here's a breakdown of three much more interesting replacements for Andy from Domenic. Three names the Yankees might have to think about in Mitre doesn't do the job.

Zach McAllister (18 games, 7-6, 4.82 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 97 IP, 117 H, 52 ER, 23 BB, 58 K):

In terms of potential, McAllister may have the lowest ceiling of any true prospect in the Yankees system - that being said, his progression through the minors suggests that he has a strong likelihood of meeting that ceiling. McAllister has spent full seasons at each level (splitting one between both levels of Single-A, but that's nitpicking) having a fair bit of success every step of the way. His numbers with SWB are less than enthusing, but his ability to limit his walks and keep the ball on the ground is quite enticing, as well as being part of a skillset that usually translate well to the majors. He's the safest bet of any prospect, in my mind, and I don't think there's much left for him to prove.

Ivan Nova (17 games, 7-2, 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 103.2 IP, 101 H, 37 ER, 40 BB, 78 K):

While I was against Nova being used in relief, I'd love to see him get a few starts under his belt with the Yankees. Nova's tossed 170-plus IP at Triple-A and has improved his command, control, and groundball rate in 2010. Many view him as having a higher-ceiling than McAllister, but I'm not so sure - he may have more swing-and-miss type stuff, but that hasn't translated into many strikeouts (particularly considering the level of competition). That being said, I do think that Nova's a solid option, and a fairly valuable commodity to be
showcased.

David Phelps (3 games, 1-1, 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 17.2 IP, 21 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 19 K):

Phelps has been nothing short of dominant at every single level since being drafted in 2008. Since being promoted to Triple-A he has not allowed a walk or a home run in three starts (17.2 IP). He keeps the ball on the ground, limits home runs, limits walks, and garners a solid number of strikeouts - a great recipe for success in the majors. Some have questioned his stuff a la Ian Kennedy, but Kennedy allowed more flyballs (and has actually been fairly successful in Arizona). I'd prefer to see Phelps stay in Triple-A to finish out the season, but it'd be interesting to see him get a few starts.

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