Kennedy will probably be a reliever in the playoffs:

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1190263391307460.xml&coll=1

Question is now what to do they do with Hughes. B/C he was hurt he's actually behind in his development this year. I suppose he's still a contender with Moose for the rotation and that he'll finish out the year in the rotation. Will they feel comfortable enough to use him in the pen?

Would you use Hughes in a short relief role, perhaps for a key 5th or 6th inning spot?

He can get a strikeout if needed but he's had problems recently with the start of games. So he might need time to get a feel for his pitches which doesn't bode well for a reliever.

Kennedy can strike people out but he pitches more to contact. I'd leave him as the emergency starter with Hughes the long man.

I think Hughes is getting punished in the court of public opinion for getting hurt and missing a lot of time.

He's just now getting back into rhythm. He's had some bad starts to games but then he continues to be lights out afterwards.

Posted by TMS:

agree w.u Bonn... Kennedy's been a lot better than Hughes so far in his limited starts... Hughes is still so damn young, i don't have a problem if he doesn't get any playing time this postseason... he'll have plenty more opportunities over his career i'm sure... it'll do him good just to be in the stadium to experience the atmosphere, much like Jeter & Jorge did when they were just coming up through the ranks.

Over the last 3 starts, the same amount of starts for Kennedy, Hughes hasn't been much worse. 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA.

I think it would be a mistake to just ignore what he has to offer come playoff time.

Posted by TMS:

i didn't say ignore him, only that i don't think it's a must that we get him involved in a playoff game so early in his development... he's still a 21 yo kid afterall... i'd use Kennedy before i used Hughes, that's the only point i was trying to make.

I think it depends on the situation.

Kennedy scratched from Saturday start
Posted by Ed Price September 21, 2007 4:00PM

Rookie Ian Kennedy, who is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA after three starts in the majors, has been scratched from tomorrow's start against Toronto with what the team is calling a muscle strain in his upper back.

Since the team has been using six starters, the others will move up a day: Roger Clemens vs. Shaun Marcum tomorrow, Phil Hughes vs. Dustin McGowan on Sunday and Mike Mussina vs. A.J. Burnett on Monday.

let's say Kennedy were to go out & pitch a gem in his next start, that woulda made Torre's decision that much more complicated... i'm not so sure this is really a legitimate injury as much as it is a move to ensure that Moose gets into the starting rotation & saving Kennedy's arm from extended innings so he's available in October... obviously this is just speculation on my part.

Posted by djsunyc:

i'm a little nervous about this toronto series - they have an awesome staff.

Is there any Toronto team you don't like?!

JK. I agree with you. They have a good team that got decimated by injuries. Even with their injuries, I think they'd be about 10 games above .500 if they were in the NL.

Would you try to sign Barry Bonds this off-season to be our DH? Reports are that he won't be back in SF. I know we have a nice youth movement and this would be starphucking, but he's still an amazing hitter. And the idea of the Red Sox picking him up and him hitting between Ortiz and Manny is really scary.