Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by jimimou:

i'm not sure i see joba as the next greatest thing anymore. i think his head's all messed up or something. they guy has been a shell of himself for the past year - very inconsistent to say the least. and, with his pouting and shaking off pitch calls like he's nolan ryan or something, has got me thinking this guy is me first rather than team. just the impression i get.....he should stop shaking off every pitch posada (or molina) call and just do what he is told at this point. at 23, he dont know jack ****, but his ego is getting in his own way. IMHO that is.

here's what I think happened: he started to like getting the big strikeout in the 7th and 8th inning at Yankee Stadium. He pitches much better on the road, but at home his WHIP sucks. But when there's two on, bottom of the eighth, the Yanks are up by a run, it doesn't matter if you walk one because you can always strikeout the next... I think he still pit hes like that during innings 1-6 and personally I want him back in the pen and I want Hughes to be a starter. Hughes has better stuff and more great pitches... he's got a large enough array that he can work a lineup over four times and be unhittable

Posted by djsunyc:

hughes was always considered a much higher prospect by the yankees.

joba was regarded well but his quick success surprised them.

imho, the real difference is joba's speed on the fastball. he doesn't dial it up anymore which is the main reason he hasn't looked great. those 3 games where he went 3-0 after the break, his fastball was between 94-96. but when he has those mediocre to bad outings, he's at 91/92. i think it's easy to forget he's 23 and has been somewhat jerked around by yankee brass.

i think he's doing fine and will continue to get better. especially next year when his limit will be in the 180-190 range.

but it's not a choice of hughes or joba, we need both in the rotation next year.

wang may be done. and we need to bring andy back. so that leaves 2 spots open.
yankee payroll will come down next year and they will not be spending big bucks on starting pitching or other every day players. that's why joba + hughes as starters are important for the future of the franchise. same as melky + gardner as everyday guys. i also expect to see ramiro pena up next year as well as cervelli and possible even jesus montero.

damon may get re-signed for 1 year but matsui will be gone. they will drop payroll from $200 to $180 or less.

Posted by djsunyc:

interest in penny is a non factor if it's true at all.

yanks just need 5-6 starts used up before the end of the year so they don't kill their bullpen heading into the playoffs. nothing more.

Posted by djsunyc:

hughes was always considered a much higher prospect by the yankees.

joba was regarded well but his quick success surprised them.

imho, the real difference is joba's speed on the fastball. he doesn't dial it up anymore which is the main reason he hasn't looked great. those 3 games where he went 3-0 after the break, his fastball was between 94-96. but when he has those mediocre to bad outings, he's at 91/92. i think it's easy to forget he's 23 and has been somewhat jerked around by yankee brass.

i think he's doing fine and will continue to get better. especially next year when his limit will be in the 180-190 range.

but it's not a choice of hughes or joba, we need both in the rotation next year.

wang may be done. and we need to bring andy back. so that leaves 2 spots open.

yankee payroll will come down next year and they will not be spending big bucks on starting pitching or other every day players. that's why joba + hughes as starters are important for the future of the franchise. same as melky + gardner as everyday guys. i also expect to see ramiro pena up next year as well as cervelli and possible even jesus montero.

damon may get re-signed for 1 year but matsui will be gone. they will drop payroll from $200 to $180 or less.

Posted by jimimou:

i still think joba can be successful, and its true he's been jerked around a bit, but still, he needs to drop the attitude a bit to be successful.

Posted by Bonn1997:

So is AJ still our #2 pitcher or has Andy overtaken that ranking?

The Yankees promoted catcher Francisco Cervelli, infielder Ramiro Pena and pitchers Mike Dunn, Mark Melancon and Edwar Ramirez from SWB yesterday when the rosters expanded from 25. Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo was a candidate to be recalled but he was hit in the face playing catch Monday. When he is ready to pitch he will be promoted. Top prospect Austin Jackson likely will be promoted when the SWB season is complete. Ditto for outfielder Shelley Duncan, who was named IL MVP, and first baseman Juan Miranda.