Cashman Answers Bloggers Calls...

[TonyStarks]

In a NYT Article Brian Cashman was asked about Chris Britton and his being used sparingly by the Yankees since he was aquired from Baltimore.

The Yankees’ reluctance to use Britton has been confounding to many Yankees bloggers, and Brian Cashman sounded similarly baffled when asked about Britton on Wednesday. Cashman said he would never tell his manager how to run a game, but he seemed hopeful that Joe Girardi would give Britton more of a chance.

“It’s about opportunity,” Cashman said. “He has not failed in any capacity at any level. Every chance he’s gotten, he’s had success, period. That’s what defines Chris Britton. I can’t tell you any more than that.”

Britton was 2-1 with a 2.08 E.R.A. in 10 games at Scranton, after posting similar numbers there last season. He pitched 11 times for the Yankees in 2007, with a 3.55 E.R.A., after a good first season in Baltimore the season before. With LaTroy Hawkins and Ross Ohlendorf struggling, it would seem that the Yankees may give Britton a longer look this time.

“The bottom line is, we’re going to need him,” Girardi said. “He’ll get his opportunity when we call upon him.”

Britton gives the Yankees eight right-handers in their bullpen, with no left-handers. Cashman acknowledged the team could use a left-handed reliever, but Billy Traber has not pitched well in Scranton and there seems to be nothing appealing in trades.

Tell me 'why' the Yankees need lefty again? Have the Mike Myers, Sean Henn experiments gone on long enough?

I'd like to take to this time to point out Edwar Ramirez's numbers Vs LH.

Ramirez vs Lefty: .138 AVG : .167 BAbip : .242 OBP : 5K/0BB
2 Outs RISP: .091 AVG : .125 BAbip

[mikesty]

Thanks a lot for digging this up. It's not a surprise to me, officials seem to be filled with this kind of clod and a very unappealing and unscientific mentality towards baseball. I'm no sabermetrician nor do I aspire to be one, but you need to have some foundational logic. If it's evident, as you've demonstrated, you don't need a left-handed pitcher to get outs against left-handed batters (I think that whole lefty-righty thing is way overblown), then put THE BEST ALL-AROUND PITCHERS IN THE GAME.

Unfortunately, me expressing anger in all-caps on a forum does us no good.

There's a chance Cashman is just lying - high contract guys like Hawkins and Farnsworth and what have you are given preference since they were more of an investment. Either way, it's nonsensical.

*puts on U2*

[DoubleX]

Wow, I'm surprised Cashman was so assertive about Britton. One thing though, Cashman is the GM, so if he wanted Britton to get more of a chance, why wouldn't he keep him on the roster and force Girardi's hand, rather than incessantly shuttling Britton back and forth to Scranton?

I was a little surprised that Patterson was the one to go for Giese. I thought Sunday's game revealed the team's intentions to keep Patterson over Britton, in that Patterson got into a game right away, over Britton who had been sitting idle in the bullpen for several days. Just seemed like another guy who had passed Britton on the depth chart.

With guys like Farnsworth and Hawkins making millions and consistently struggling, it doesn't make sense for the team to not at least see what it's got in Britton given his track record with the Orioles, his brief time with the Yankees, and in the minors.

[TonyStarks]

Wow, I'm surprised Cashman was so assertive about Britton. One thing though, Cashman is the GM, so if he wanted Britton to get more of a chance, why wouldn't he keep him on the roster and force Girardi's hand, rather than incessantly shuttling Britton back and forth to Scranton?

I was a little surprised that Patterson was the one to go for Giese. I thought Sunday's game revealed the team's intentions to keep Patterson over Britton, in that Patterson got into a game right away, over Britton who had been sitting idle in the bullpen for several days. Just seemed like another guy who had passed Britton on the depth chart.

With guys like Farnsworth and Hawkins making millions and consistently struggling, it doesn't make sense for the team to not at least see what it's got in Britton given his track record with the Orioles, his brief time with the Yankees, and in the minors.

The Yanks are going to Force Kyle and LaTroy to work for their money.
No matter how much they bomb or lose games for the Yanks.

Personally, I don't get that. I'd traded them...even if it's for George Costanza.

[Evangelion]

The Yanks are going to Force Kyle and LaTroy to work for their money.
No matter how much they bomb or lose games for the Yanks.

Personally, I don't get that. I'd traded them...even if it's for George Costanza.

It's not exactly like that, but their contracts and experience are likely the reason they're getting more chances than others. Farnsworth was fine as just another bullpen pitcher, but once he's been put back in the setup role, he's bombing.

I won't trade them, but I would spread work out more evenly. Especially not give players struggles more chances than players who don't even get a chance.