New York Yankees: Enough Moseley, Vazquez Deserves Back in the Rotation
August 31, 2010 · Bronx Baseball Daily · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Yankees never really planned on using Dustin Moseley this season. They signed him as insurance and only called him up so he wouldn’t opt-out of his contract.
Then Andy Pettitte went down, and he became an important member of the 2010 Yankees.
He hasn’t even done that poorly, in his starts the Yankees are 7-4. He himself is 4-2 with a 4.86 ERA.
Those numbers are respectable, however, this Cinderella story is in danger of becoming a pumpkin as evidenced by last night’s 4.1 inning/4 earned run performance. Even in an emergency the Yankees wouldn’t want him starting in the playoffs.
After he was knocked out of last night’s game, Javier Vazquez came on and pitched a strong 4.2 innings and allowed just a single run.
That’s on the heels of a 4.1 inning one-run performance just the other day against the Blue Jays. That’s just two earned runs and eight strikeouts over his last nine innings.
Why the sudden change?
Well, he was hitting 91 mph last night so his deadarm appears to be over. Also, he’s been working with pitching coach Dave Eiland who has honed his mechanics by adjusting his leg kick.
Let’s face it. If Vazquez is reaching 91 mph again, there really is no choice between him and Moseley to make a playoff start. So Vazquez should immediately be put back into the rotation.
The only issue would be Ivan Nova.
Moseley is currently trending down, a 6.41 ERA in his last four starts. Meanwhile, Nova is trending up, 2.45 ERA in his last two starts. So while Moseley is mostly getting by thanks to the Yankees powerful offense, Nova might be able to steal a game or two down the stretch.
At least the next time through the rotation, Vazquez and Nova should be included and Moseley should be on the outside looking in.
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