Is Brian Cashman Delusional?

From Tyler Kepner (hat-tip to WasWatching):

The Yankees need a starting pitcher. Or do they? Andy Pettitte is on the disabled list with a strained left groin, A. J. Burnett is perpetually erratic and Phil Hughes, who labored in a 10-2 loss to the Angels on Tuesday, is approaching a predetermined innings limit. That leaves C. C. Sabathia, Javier Vazquez and a lot of angst for fans.

“I’m amazed at the overreaction,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m not looking to get a starter, and our insurance policy is Sergio Mitre, who would be in most people’s rotations. We’re lucky we didn’t have to cash that in until late July. People are saying there’s no way we’re going to go with him. Why not?”

A.J. Burnett in his last 13 starts: 3-8, 6.75 ERA.

Phil Hughes in his last 11 starts: 6-3, 5.51 ERA.

Javy Vazquez has been much better lately, but we saw yesterday what can happen when he's on the mound.

And that leaves us with Andy's replacement and Cashman's insurance policy, Sergio Mitre, who has a career 5.42 ERA as a starter.

Yea Cash, everything is just hunky-dory.

Bruney Trade Update

From Ben Goessling:

The Nationals will take Yankees reliever Zach Kroenke first overall in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday and offer him back to New York as the player to be named later in the trade that sent Brian Bruney to Washington, according to a source familiar with discussions.

Good, I they should have protected him in the Rule 5 draft anyway, though, I wouldn't have liked to get a little more back for Bruney.

Bruney Headed To DC (Updated)

(Updated 5:20 p.m.) According to Marc Carig, the player to be named later in the trade will be the Nats' top pick in rule 5 draft.

(Updated 2:23 p.m.) Here's a couple quotes from Bruney about the move via Mark Feinsand:

"It's a fresh start. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to close some games, but no matter what, I’ll try to contribute in any way I can."

"Going from winning the WS with the Yankees to playing for the Nationals, that’s going to be different."

.......................

According to Joel Sherman, Brian Bruney has been traded to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later.

This looks like a salary dump to me. They've now knocked another couple million off the books for next year. And depending on who that player is, it could turn out to be a good move on the field too, so until then I will reserve judgment.

Bruney Headed To Atlanta?

From George A. King III:

According to a team that talked to the Yankees about acquiring Brian Bruney, the right-handed reliever could be headed to Atlanta.

"We asked about him but hear he is going to the Braves," the source said.

King also mentions that the Yankees had asked for prospects in return for Bruney from the first team, so he assumes they're asking for prospects from the Braves too.

As a Yankee Bruney had shown signs that he could be a very effective reliever, but injuries and a lack of command stopped that from happened. If they can get something of value they probably have to make the deal.

Arbitration Decisions Coming For Yanks

Chien-Ming Wang, Melky Cabrera, Brian Bruney, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre are all eligible for arbitration. The Yankees have to make any offer by December 12th.

Melky will get an offer, I'd like to see the same thing happen with Bruney and Gaudin. It makes sense to bring them both back. I wouldn't expect Wang or Mitre to get an offer. Mark Feinsand points out that "The consensus seems to be that the Yankees will non-tender Wang, then try to re-sign him to a smaller deal with some incentives." He doesn't think this will happen because he thinks other teams will make Wang a better offer, which is certainly possible.

For the full list of all 210 eligible players click here.

Yanks To Tender Contract For Bruney

More from Joel Sherman, who reports the Yankees "plan to tender arb-eligible Brian Bruney because his price (about $1.5M) will be reasonable".

I think this is the smart move for the Yanks. Bruney showed signs that he was regaining his command towards the end of the regular season, though he did look awful in the playoffs. Still, he's got electric stuff and could end up being a useful reliever for the Yanks next season.

Bruney In, Cervelli Out

Earlier today the Yankees announced that they would be adding Brian Bruney to the WS roster and dropping third catcher Francisco Cervelli. I like having that extra arm in the pen. Hopefully Bruney can pick up where he left off towards the end of the regular season.

Hinske Added To WS Roster

Jack Curry reported via Twitter, that the Yankees have added Eric Hinske to the World Series roster and drop Freddy Guzman. He also said that they were considering adding Brian Bruney and going with 12 pitchers.

I thought Freddy Guzman's speed would be more valuable than it proved to be. Running when he had the chance would have helped his cause. Adding Hinske's bat, especially with games coming up under NL rules gives the Yankees some pop off the bench, which they haven't had all postseason.

It will be interesting to see who they drop if Bruney is added.

Bruney Likely To Be Left Off Playoff Roster

From Mark Feinsand:

Brian Bruney was encouraged following his outing on Monday night, but after giving up a home run during his inning against the Angels, his case to make the postseason roster may be getting weaker.

Joe Girardi will have to decide whether to take 10 or 11 pitchers on the postseason roster, a number that will depend on how many starters they will need in the first round. Bruney figures to be on the bubble either way.

"He's one of those guys that has to pitch better," Girardi said. "We know he's capable of doing it because we've seen him do it. He had a good month of August, but September has not been the same."

"I really wasn't aggressive with it," Bruney said. "When you try to take a little off and hit a spot, for me, that's probably not the right decision. I'm upset with myself about that a little bit."

...

"When you go through an injury and you come back, you try to compensate and guard yourself," Bruney said. "I feel like I let my mechanics get out of whack doing that. I feel like I'm coming around. I feel like myself out there a lot more than I used to."

...

"I've been pretty bad," Bruney said. "Inconsistent, bad, whatever you want to call it. I'm not happy with the way I've thrown at all this year."

If this is a mechanical problem it will likely take a lot of offseason work to correct. Hopefully he can come back next year throwing the ball like he did early this season.

Cano, Along with Several Relievers Clear Waivers

George King reported this morning that Robinson Cano, Mark Melancon, Brian Bruney. and David Robertson have all cleared waivers.

As King correctly points out "The fact that players clear or are put on trade waivers isn't an indication they will be moved. Most times it's a procedure clubs go through to gauge interest in their players and see if they are able to trade them later should another team have something they want."

Yesterday the Yanks place a second group of players on waivers. That group includes Alfredo Aceves, AJ Burnett, Melky Cabrera, Phil Coke, Shelley Duncan, Sergio Mitre and Edwar Ramirez. They have until Monday to clear.

Yanks Finish Homestand With Comeback Win

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
OAK	2	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0		5	12	0
NYY	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	X		7	12	1

WP - Phil Coke (2-3)
LP - Dallas Braden (7-9)
SV - Mariano Rivera (29)

Any time you can go 9-1 on a homestand, you have to be pretty happy. When you consider the 5 1/2 game swing in the AL East, its even better. The pitching stole the headlines the past ten games but today, the offense bailed out the starter.

It was obvious what type of game it was going to be at the very start. Sergio Mitre ran into immediate trouble and gave up two runs in the first inning on a handful of hits. However, the Yanks bounced right back in the bottom of the inning. Jeter and Damon both got on base to put the Yanks in scoring position. Teixeira and Posada would make easy outs and it looked like Dan Braden and the A's might escape unscathed. The Yanks would finally get some clutch two out hitting though and got their first run of the game on a single from Hideki Matsui. Nick Swisher then walked and Robinson Cano would clear the bases on a big double. Cano got thrown out on the way to third but the damage was done.

Both starters would then settle in for a while to some degree. Mitre got tagged for another run in the fourth but until the sixth that was it for the scoring. In the sixth, Mark Ellis hit a two-run homer off Phil Coke to briefly give Oakland a one-run lead, but the Yankees would have a big inning in their half. Cano wouldn't exactly start things off promisingly with a ground out but Melky walked and a rare Cody Ransom double set up a big hit for the captain. Jeter delivered with a two-run single. He then got picked off but that still wasn't the end of the scoring. Damon hit a double and Teixeira drove him in. At this point the Yanks had a 7-5 lead.

It took some interesting bullpen maneuvers but Joe Girardi got the final nine outs of the game with a combination of Hughes, Rivera, and Bruney. All in all, a very nice homestand for the Yankees. The road trip ahead is going is going to be tough but right now the Yankees are in a pretty good position.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	4	1	2	2	1	0	4	.321
Damon, LF	4	2	1	0	1	0	3	.279
Teixeira, 1B	5	0	2	1	0	1	2	.281
Posada, C	4	0	1	0	1	1	3	.287
Matsui, H, DH	4	1	1	1	1	0	4	.252
Swisher, RF	3	1	1	0	1	1	2	.235
Cano, 2B	4	0	1	3	0	0	1	.309
Cabrera, Me, CF	2	1	1	0	2	0	0	.287
Ransom, 3B	4	1	2	0	0	1	2	.200
Totals	34	7	12	7	7	4	21
BATTING 2B: Cano (26, Braden), Ransom 2 (9, Braden, Braden), Damon (22, Braden), Swisher (21, Breslow), Teixeira (26, Ziegler). TB: Jeter 2; Damon 2; Teixeira 3; Posada; Matsui, H; Swisher 2; Cano 2; Cabrera, Me; Ransom 4. RBI: Matsui, H (44), Cano 3 (52), Jeter 2 (43), Teixeira (72). 2-out RBI: Matsui, H; Cano 3; Teixeira. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon 2; Matsui, H 2; Jeter. Team RISP: 4-for-14. Team LOB: 10. BASERUNNING PO: Jeter (1st base by Braden). FIELDING E: Mitre (2, throw). DP: 3 (Mitre-Jeter-Teixeira, Jeter-Cano-Teixeira 2).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mitre	5.0	9	4	4	0	1	0	5.91
Coke (BS, 4)(W, 2-3)	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	1	3.80
Hughes, P (H, 8)	1.1	1	0	0	1	3	0	3.43
Bruney (H, 8)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	5.30
Rivera, Ma (S, 29)	1.1	0	0	0	0	2	0	2.11

ATHLETICS STATS

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R)

HONORABLE MENTION: Robinson Cano (1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees @ Rays
Game Time: 7:08 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (9-4, 3.74) vs. James Shields (6-6 3.70)

Streaking

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
BAL	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2		4	9	0
NYY	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	X		6	11	1

WP - A.J. Burnett (9-4)
LP - Jason Berken (1-8)
SV - Mariano Rivera (28)
You know, when these Yankees get hot they look like they're unbeatable. Right now things are clicking on all cylinders for Joe Girardi's crew. They're undefeated since the All Star break and the pitching is starting to show why people rated it so highly back in Spring Training. The offense has been lacking of late but they've gotten enough to win.

Today the Yanks broke out of their offensive malaise and staked A. J. Burnett to an early lead. In the bottom of the first the Yanks jumped in front to an early 2-0 lead. Derek Jeter did exactly what leadoff hitters are expected to do and got himself on base and in scoring position right away with a leadoff double. Damon failed to move him over (I know, shocking) with a fly out. Mark Teixeira would follow this up with a single but Jeter failed to score from second. Not to worry though, A-Rod got the run in with a very unclutch single. That wasn't the end of the Yankees scoring that inning though. After Jorge Posada walk and Hideki Matsui out, Cano and Swisher hit back to back bases loaded singles. Brett Gardner would make out and the Yankees would only tack on two more runs in the game, on a Posada home run (3rd inning) and double (8th inning). However, the damage was done and with Burnett pitching, things looked good for the Yankees to remain undefeated in the second half.

The hard throwing righty didn't dissapoint either. He maintained a shutout into the seventh inning while only being threatened once. That was in the third when the meat of the O's order came up and a defensive miscue on Nick Swisher's part turned a lazy fly ball into a leadoff double. Adam Jones then made things scary with a base hit single to put the tying run on deck. A. J. would settle down though. He got Nick Markakis to pop one up into foul territory and struck out Aubrey Huff. Next came the most critical play of the game. Ty Wigginton hit a smash to right field but Nick Swisher made a nice running cach and got the Yankees out of the mess he'd created in the first place. That was pretty much it for threats against A.J. until the seventh when he started to tire. The first batter got things started with a leadoff hit and Adam Jones doubled to put two men in scoring position. Luckily, Burnett would limit the damage by only giving up two runs on a sac fly and a wild pitch.

A lot is going to be made of Brian Bruney giving up back to back homers in 9th with two out but I can't get to worked up over it. Mariano can handle facing one extra batter this year and Bruney's role on the Yankees has been diminished to mop up man. Its not a big deal and I can't complain as a Yankees fan. Joe Girardi has found the right mix in the bullpen, everybody in the rotation is pitching well, and I'm really not worried about the offense at all. Things are looking good right now.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	5	1	1	0	0	2	5	.317
Damon, LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.278
Cabrera, Me, LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.274
Teixeira, 1B	4	1	1	0	0	0	2	.277
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.257
Matsui, H, DH	4	1	0	0	0	2	3	.260
Posada, C	3	2	2	2	1	0	0	.282
Cano, 2B	4	0	2	1	0	1	1	.310
Swisher, RF	2	0	1	2	2	0	1	.235
Gardner, CF	3	0	1	0	0	0	3	.278
Totals	33	6	11	6	3	5	16
BATTING 2B: Jeter (19, Berken), Posada (13, Sherrill). HR: Posada (12, 3rd inning off Berken, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 2; Damon; Teixeira; Rodriguez, A 2; Posada 6; Cano 2; Swisher; Gardner. RBI: Rodriguez, A (55), Cano (49), Swisher 2 (50), Posada 2 (42). 2-out RBI: Cano; Swisher 2; Posada. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Jeter 2. Team RISP: 7-for-15. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez, A (5, 2nd base off Sherrill/Zaun), Gardner (19, 2nd base off Meredith/Zaun). CS: Gardner (5, 2nd base by Berken/Zaun). FIELDING E: Swisher (6, fielding). DP: (Jeter-Teixeira).

IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Burnett, A (W, 9-4) 7.0 6 2 2 3 6 0 3.74 Hughes, P (H, 7) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.63 Bruney 0.2 2 2 2 0 2 2 5.71 Rivera, Ma (S, 28) 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.18

ORIOLES STATS PLAYER OF THE GAME: A.J. Burnett (W, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) HONORABLE MENTION: Adam Jones (4-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI, R)

Tomorrow's Game

Yankees vs. Athletics
(Makeup of 4/20 PPD)
Game Time: 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS

LHP CC Sabathia (9-6, 3.66) vs. RHP Vin Mazzaro (2-6, 4.09)

Grading The Relievers

I will only be grading relievers currently on the roster and Jonathan Albaladejo. The reason I will include him is because I have a feeling he will be back with the team fairly soon.

Alfredo Aceves: 5-1, 1 SV, 2.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 40 IP, 30 H, 9 ER, 8 BB, 34 K - as a reliever.

"Ace" has been leaps and bounds better than anything the Yankees would have expected. He's a long-man, short-man, setup guy, mop up guy, in other words he's been anything the Yankees have needed him to be. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, his versatility has helped solidify the Yankees bullpen.

Grade - A


Jonathan Albaladejo: 4-1, 5.04 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 25 IP, 27 H, 14 ER, 11 BB, 16 K

He hasn't been great, but at this point in their careers he might be a better option than David Robertson, and he's definitely a better option than Brett Tomko who is rarely being used.

Grade - C


Brian Bruney: 3-0, 4.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 16.2 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 10 BB, 18 K

He was supposed to be the team's setup man and after getting off to a hot start it looked like he was a perfect fit. Then the injuries came and have turned him into a disaster. Since coming off the DL the second time he's 1-0 with a 7.04 ERA, and in 7.2 IP has allowed 6 ER on 9 hits, walked 8 and struck out 5.

Between his ineffectiveness and the lies about his injury he has been one of the biggest disappointments in the Yanks pen.

Grade - D


Phil Coke: 1-3, 1 SV, 3.99 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 38.1 IP, 26 H, 17 ER, 14 BB, 31 K

After some rough times in April Coke has turned his season around. He's been one of the more reliable Yankee relievers and has held lefties to just a .192 batting average.

Grade - B


Phil Hughes: 0-0, 0.98 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 18.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 19 K - as a reliever.

The numbers speak for themselves, the guy has been absolutely lights-out as a reliever and has become the teams primary setup man. He's throwing 94-96 with a filthy curveball.

Grade - A+


Mark Melancon: 0-1, 6.35 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

After being thrown into the fire back in May and then sent back down before being recalled this month. His stuff looks like it could be MLB material if he just got more work in. He's only thrown 5.2 innings so I can't really grade that.

Grade - INCOMPLETE


David Roberston: - 1-0, 3.57 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 22.2 IP, 16 H, 9 ER, 16 BB, 34 K

The numbers look pretty good, but don't let them fool you, Robertson has had a lot of trouble with inherited runners, allowing over 50% of them to score, which is awful.

He's struck out 34 in 22.2 innings so the stuff is there, he just walks too many (16) and has been put in far too many high leverage situations.

Grade - C-


Brett Tomko: 1-2, 5.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 20.2 IP, 19 H, 12 ER, 7 BB, 11 K

He's an adequate mop up guy, but that's about it. I can't remember too many big outs he's picked up this year. Can you?

I didn't expect much from him anyway, so that will keep his grade in the C range.

Grade - C-


Mariano Rivera: 1-2, 23 SV, 2.43 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 37 IP, 30 H, 10 ER, 3 BB, 43 K

He's the greatest closer ever, and he's having another fantastic season. He blew the save against Boston in Fenway and the Yanks have never recovered from that loss as they have still not beaten the Sox. That alone will drop his grade a half grade, but besides that he's been exactly what we expected, maybe even more when you consider he's coming off surgery.

Grade - A-


OVERALL: Coming into the year the pen was supposed to be one of the stronger areas of team. The failures of pitchers like Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and others set the pen back a long way. With the additions of Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves they are just now finding themselves as a unit. It is very important that Aceves stays away from the rotation and remains in the pen. Along with that Brian Bruney has to regain his early season form. The first one is almost guaranteed, the second is a much bigger if, but if Brueny can get back into a grove the Yankees pen can be what we expected in coming into the year.

Grade - B-/C+

How do these grades stack up with yours?

Bruney: It Doesn't Matter if I Pitch the 8th

From Mike Puma:

Brian Bruney isn't launching a campaign to keep his eighth-inning job.

The inconsistent Yankee reliever yesterday stopped short of saying he'd welcome a new role, but also made it known he wouldn't lose sleep if manager Joe Girardi were to make Phil Hughes the team's primary eighth-inning option.

"Hughes is throwing extremely well," Bruney told The Post before the Yankees defeated Seattle, 4-2, at the Stadium. "But the rest of our bullpen is [also] throwing extremely well. If they want to throw anybody in the eighth inning, it's fine. I don't care. I'm not here to be the eighth-inning guy and worry about that."

"I can sit here and be 100-percent honest and say I don't care what inning I pitch," Bruney said. "It does not matter to me.

"[Rivera] is throwing the ninth inning -- we know that. Anything else does not concern me."

I don't know if it's Girardi or just the culture of being a Yankee nowadays, but these guys sure really are embracing the team concept.

As for Bruney, I always though he was a little cocky, but in a way a reliever should be, and based on that I didn't think he would handle this situation too well. I remember how much he didn't like Joe Torre because he felt that Torre didn't trust him. Anyway, I'm glad he proved me wrong. And while I'm sure deep down he wants that role, he wouldn't be human if he didn't, but at least he's saying all the right things. That alone makes it easier for Girardi to make whatever decision he thinks is best for the team.

Hughes Getting Very Comfortable in the Pen

Here's a quote from Hughes about his new role, via Peter Abraham:

"I feel like I have more control, my stuff plays up a little bit," Hughes said. "It feels like a good fit for me. Who's to say what the future will be? Maybe this is what I do for the rest of my career."

Still, Hughes sees the big picture. He's only 23, he's still building up innings to the point where he can be a full-time starter, and he is happy to in the majors, regardless of the role:

"I feel the same way they do, I'm still a starter," he said. "But I'm only 23, I still have time. I wouldn't feel that way if I was 26, but I'm not. If I throw 100 innings this year and go into the rotation next season, we'll go from there. I think this is working out pretty well."

Hughes pointed out, quite correctly, that he has proven himself in the minors. He feels he is learning more pitching out of the bullpen in the majors than he would pitching every five days for Scranton.

"It's absolutely good for me. If I stayed in Triple-A, another year goes by without getting that confidence that I can get major-league hitters out," he said. "It's a completely different thing. Not to say they're pushovers there, but I know I can go there and have success and not be challenged as much. Being in those late-inning situations is tough."

And while the Yankees obviously want him back in the rotation at some point down the road, as M.A. Mehta reports they are in no hurry to make that happen.

"We do look at him as a starter," manager Joe Girardi said. "Right now, he's filling a void for us."

Hughes certainly has been impressive in his new role, allowing just two runs in 13 innings of relief (1.38 ERA) with 16 strikeouts and just two walks.

"He's a full-fledged reliever now," Girardi said with a laugh. "(We) won't hesitate to bring him in in any situation at this point."

The truth, of course, is that Hughes' future lies as a starter. The club has balanced their long-term desire to get Hughes' allotted innings with the immediate need to provide bullpen stability.

"It's hard," general manager Brian Cashman said. "The short-term goal is you got to win as many games as you possibly can so you can get into the postseason. The long-term case is that we need Phil to get stretched out and get some innings. So there's a collision there that we're having to deal with."

But don't expect Cashman, who admitted there isn't a sense of "desperation" when it comes to plugging holes in the bullpen now, to take Hughes out of his relief role anytime soon.

"I can't look Mariano Rivera in the face and say we're going to weaken your bullpen right now for the future," Cashman said. "It's a balancing act. It's a tough one. It's not easy. You just got to make the best choices every day. And you revisit it every day."

...

"If I ever decide to pull him (from the bullpen), I got to feel that I have someone ready that can go in that I feel comfortable enough with so I can stretch (Hughes) back out," Cashman said. "And I'm not right there yet."

For the time being, Hughes doesn't have any restrictions on how he'll be used out of the bullpen.

"I think he's very capable of being a two-inning, three-inning reliever for us," Girardi said. "I won't necessarily do that to build up his innings. I'll do it because I believe he can do it. And he'll do it well."

Hughes has been great out of the pen, and his stuff has been what we thought it was going to be when we all heard how great a prospect he was a few years ago. Remember all the talk about Hughes and his 95-96 mph fastball and plus-plus curveball? Well, we're seeing that now. We're also seeing a guy who finally isn't afraid to challenge hitters. That, maybe even more than the velocity, has turned him into a very good reliever.

It kind of reminds me a bit of how Joba pitched out of the pen compared to how he's now pitching as a starter. At times it really looks like he's afraid or can't throw strikes, while that was pretty much all he did coming out of the pen. Wth Joba I also think last year's shoulder tendinitis somehow sapped him of velocity, or maybe just sapped him from trying to throw his hardest. As you can see from this velocity chart from Fangraphs.com his stuff hasn't been the same since that game in Texas last August.


As you can see, his velocity last season as a starter was very good. His fastball averaged 95 mph and topped out at 97-98, even topping out at 100. Then there's the gap - his time on the DL - and he came back with the same kind of stuff as he has now, and that was when he was relieving at the end of the season. I would really love to know what's going through his head and why he can't regain that fastball.

Anyway, sorry for the Joba tangent.... Back to Hughes; I know last night bothered a lot of people, so to those people I ask, should Hughes be moved into the setup man role while Bruney finds himself, or maybe even permanently? If you ask me I say no. I like Hughes in the spot he's in, to me he's more valuable in a role that can change from two-three inning long man to one inning short-reliever.

Hughes Becoming a Weapon Out of the Pen

From Anothony DiComo:

And according to Girardi, he can. For the Yankees, perhaps the brightest spot in this weekend's series loss to the Marlins was Hughes, who so impressed his manager with a perfect inning of relief Saturday that Girardi was prepared to use Hughes out of the 'pen again the following day -- but only if the Yankees had a lead to protect.

Hughes, it seems, has become the eighth-inning setup man of choice for the Yankees, thanks to his success out of the bullpen in recent games. He has graduated to the point where Girardi is not afraid to use him in back-to-back games, and is not afraid to use him against the league's best hitters.

"He's adapted so well," Girardi said. "We've been really pleased with what he's done down there. It's a pat on the back to him, because it's not easy doing what you're not used to doing."

"It's still the same mound," Hughes said. "The preparation is a little different, but once you get out there, it's the same as if you're starting a game."

Which is something Hughes won't be doing for a while. When the Yankees made this decision to put Hughes in the bullpen, they did so under the premise that it would be temporary -- two weeks or so, general manager Brian Cashman said, was likely the limit.

The Yankees didn't want to keep Hughes in the bullpen for too long, because they valued him as a starter. And a prolonged relief assignment would sap Hughes' endurance, to the point that he would no longer be able to last deep into games.

That day, when the Yankees made their announcement, Girardi was asked how he would handle the situation if Hughes showed a bullpen aptitude like that of Joba Chamberlain, whom the Yankees thrust into a similar situation late in 2007.

Girardi responded by saying it would be a nice problem to have. And now, it's a nice problem that he does have.

Realizing how valuable Hughes has become to his bullpen, Girardi said he has ditched all plans to send Hughes back down to Triple-A, preferring success now to endurance later. Though the Yankees still envision Hughes as a starter in the long run, he may not be one again for a while.

Cashman's two-week window has come and gone, with Hughes compiling a 2.08 ERA in 8 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, striking out 12 and walking two. And because the Yankees are treading carefully with former setup man Brian Bruney, easing the previously injured reliever back into action, Hughes has become a valuable bridge to closer Mariano Rivera.

"We haven't talked about it lately," Girardi said of sending Hughes back to Triple-A. "Our starters are all healthy and have been throwing the ball pretty well. Right now, we like having him down there, so we really haven't talked about it lately."

"He's getting really important innings, and learning how to pitch in pressure situations and tight situations," Girardi said, "which is a real good thing."

I still think Hughes will be a good starter, and that's where I think they Yankees should have him once the 2010 season begins. They're going to need someone to replace Andy Pettitte anyway. But for now I really love what I've seen from Hughes coming out of the pen. His fastball is the best we've ever seen it, and his curveball has been excellent as well. Mix in the occasional cutters and changeups and you can see why he's been so nasty.

That said, Brian Bruney would still be my eighth inning guy. And that's not a knock on Hughes, because I'm sure he could handle the role just fine, but eventually he will go back into the rotation, whether it's this year or next, and Bruney will remain in the pen.

With Mariano at the end, Bruney in the 8th, Phil Coke and Hughes sharing the seventh inning duties, and Alfredo Aceves working as a super utility pitcher - basically doing it all, middle relief, long reilef, short relief, whatever - the Yanks should have a very solid bullpen for the remainder of the year. Mix in guys like David Robertson, who despite his rough inning last night has still been very imporessive, and you only add depth to an already strong unit.

It's amazing what getting rid of a little dead weight and replacing it with guys who throw strikes can do for a bullpen.

What do you think, should Phil Hughes remain in the pen for the rest of the season?

Nady Could Be Back Next Week, Bruney Getting Closer Too

Here's an update on Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney from Mark Feinsand of the Daily News. Nady has thrown from 75 and 90 feet and felt no pain, his next step will be throwing from 150 feet before he can return. Feinsand did say that he could rejoin the team next week when they begin play in National League parks.

"We'll just have to send our cutoff guy out a little bit further," Joe Girardi said. "I think there is a chance that could happen."
...

Nady has played in five rehab games since May 27, going 7-for-20 with three home runs.

Brian Bruney is set to throw another bullpen session today, and will throw breaking balls for the first time since going back on the DL on May 26th.

A Couple Rehab Updates

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Here's another quote from Bruney:

When asked how long it would be until he came back he said, "If I was to guess, I'd say a week and a half, maybe less."

Not much going on tonight with the rainout, so here's some rehab updates via Erik Boland of Newsday. Brian Bruney threw a bullpen session today, he threw fastballs and change-ups and said he felt fine. Joe Girardi also said that the bullpen session went well.

"I'm not going all out, but I was letting it go pretty good," Bruney said. "Hopefully, that means [I'm close].''

Xavier Nady played in an extended spring game in Tampa, he also threw the ball from 75 feet without any pain, which is a good sign.

"I think it's a good sign," Girardi said. "We have to get him throwing a little bit more than 75 feet, but it's been encouraging news."

And Damaso Marte threw a 25-pitch bullpen session down in Tampa.

"That went well," Girardi said. "And he spun some sliders from shorter distance."

Bruney Starts Throwing Program

According to Peter Abraham, reliever Brian Bruney will start his throwing program today. If everything goes well I'm assuming that he'll be ready in a couple weeks.

One of the only remaining issues with this team is the 8th inning, and getting Bruney back will obviously be a huge boost. Even with Bruney, I still believe they should go out and look to trade for a reliever.

Yanks Told Wang Not To Do Normal Work On Legs

According to Andrew Marchand on yesterday's Michael Kay Show, Brian Cashman told him that the Yankees told Chien-Ming Wang not to do his normal leg exercises this off season while he rehabbed his injured foot. Cashman also admitted to Marchand that it was probably a mistake and it's probably led to his lack of velocity and slow start.

Cashman also said that they told Brian Bruney to do the same. Unlike Wang, Bruney's velocity was fine when he was healthy, but Cashman did say that the lack of leg strength could be the cause of his elbow problems.

Wang's agent Alan Nero told Marchand that Wang is upset that he was told not to work on his legs, but he'll do whatever the team asks.

This leaves me with one question: What the hell is wrong with the Yankees medical department?

Not only does this team get ravaged by injuries every year, but now they have no idea how to handles those injuries. Cashman blamed the mistake on the team’s lack of experience with that kind of injury, which is absolutely pathetic. For a team that has as much money as they do you'd think they'd invest some of it on competent medical staff.

(hat-tip to River Ave. Blues)