by Richard Gonyeau Girardi and Cashman have a lot of faith in the newly acquired Javier Vasquez. If they didn't, they would never have brought him on board. Yankee fans however, need a bit more convincing. We find it hard to grant acceptance solely based on his 'projected' performances. We need the cold hard facts before we welcome anyone with open arms.
And what facts do we have? Fact: The last time Javier was on the Yankees, he gave up a grand slam to Johnny Damon in the final game of the 2004 ALCS. Yankee fans find this very difficult to forget (myself included). I apologize for bringing that up. Fact: Vasquez is currently posting a 9.82 era after two starts. That's the highest on the entire pitching staff. Fact: He has yet to give the Yankees 6 innings of work in either of those starts. His pattern of early exits only puts unneeded stress on the bullpen.
I am never one to panic early in the baseball season. I'm not proposing any changes to the rotation, or anything else equally as drastic. But certain warning flags have been raised, so I'm keeping a close eye on his performances during this 9 game road trip. Even Joe Girardi acknowledges that his next start is an important one.
“You want to see him get a win under his belt and start pitching like he’s accustomed to doing,” Girardi said. “So, yes, it is somewhat of a big start.”
You know, I can't seem to shed this nagging opinion I have in the back of my mind. It's a negative sort of feeling, that the National League is somewhat inferior to the American, and that maybe Javier's success last year will not translate. I know I shouldn't feel this way, because baseball is baseball, right? It's way too early to be making such proclamations, so that fear is probably unwarranted. But if Vasquez happens to go 0-2 on this road trip, I might start to freak out a little. That feeling in the back of my mind might turn into a full fledged tyrade about why the National League should be abolished, and the DH rule implemented world-wide.
Come on Javy, prove me wrong.
I am never one to panic early in the baseball season. I'm not proposing any changes to the rotation, or anything else equally as drastic. But certain warning flags have been raised, so I'm keeping a close eye on his performances during this 9 game road trip. Even Joe Girardi acknowledges that his next start is an important one.
“You want to see him get a win under his belt and start pitching like he’s accustomed to doing,” Girardi said. “So, yes, it is somewhat of a big start.”
You know, I can't seem to shed this nagging opinion I have in the back of my mind. It's a negative sort of feeling, that the National League is somewhat inferior to the American, and that maybe Javier's success last year will not translate. I know I shouldn't feel this way, because baseball is baseball, right? It's way too early to be making such proclamations, so that fear is probably unwarranted. But if Vasquez happens to go 0-2 on this road trip, I might start to freak out a little. That feeling in the back of my mind might turn into a full fledged tyrade about why the National League should be abolished, and the DH rule implemented world-wide.
Come on Javy, prove me wrong.
Well now I don't know what to think.
ReplyDeleteJavier gets the win in Oakland. 5 1/3IN, 6H, 3ER, 3BB, 6K.
It's not a disappointment, but it's no great achievement either. So I guess I'll have to go on what I saw visually, which was a slight lack of control, and a few situations where a little bit of luck got him out of a tough jam.
I'm not impressed. He'll get another start on this road trip. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what he does next.
Well I saw some improvement which is a good sign. I haven't looked at the splits and can't remember but I question if he has a history of starting off years slow as some players do that and turn out all right. I think he will be solid this year, not All Star like but he will match-up all right if the pitching match-ups get aligned most of the time.
ReplyDeleteVasquez is just mediocre and we should have known that before we resigned him. Brought to us by the same guys who busted the budget on Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, the year is showing the weakness in the Yankee offseason. Additions of Vasquez, Johnson have been poor. Addition of Park is also weak. Granderson is performing as expected.
But look what we gave up! Damon, Cabrera, Matsui. Ay Caramba!
It's a good thing that the other horses are carrying us right now. I hope it stays that way, but it's time to start looking for a Yankee quality #4 pitcher and designated hitter.
Javier's line in his second start this road trip:
ReplyDeleteLOSS - 3.2IN, 5H, 5ER, 3BB, 3K.
Yikes. Welcome to the American League. His next start will be at home against the White Sox.
It is still very early in the season, but his mechanical issues appear more immediate because everyone around him is pitching so well.