So, here I am yesterday, innocently reading Buster Olney's chat. Just interested in the latest trade rumors and such. But then he says this:
Sal (Connecticut): Hey Buster, why all the hate on the Yankees staff and bullpen when they have been very good especially the bullpen which has been exceptional and the Yankees have only lost 1 game when handing the ball over to the bullpen with a lead after 6 innings. 1!
Buster Olney: Sal: I have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't been critical of the Yankees' staff lately; it's the offense that I've been critical of. BTW: The Yankees are taking a look at Jarrod Washburn, who has a career ERA of 2.82 ERA in Yankee Stadium. He'd fit them perfectly, for 2008 and 2009 -- he had a sub-3.00 ERA in June and has similar numbers in July. We'll see what happens.
I'll get to the Yankee Stadium thing in a second. The June/July thing has been covered at USS Mariner, but it's worth going over again:
Rapidly improving 33-year old pitcher, or guy whose ERA has bounced around because five starts is a really small sample? You decide.
As for the other issue:
Jacob (Brooklyn): Do you really think Washburn is a good fit with the Yankees because he has a good ERA in 38.1 innings at Yankee Stadium?
Buster Olney: Jacob: I think it's a factor they will look at -- he's a lefty flyball pitcher who changes speeds well and has a nice post-season history. To me, he's a perfect fit for them, the way that George Sherrill makes complete sense for the Brewers or the Angels.For the record, Washburn career @NYY: 38.1 IP, 5HR, 9BB, 16K, 2.82 ERA. 1-4 record.
So now we're switching the argument. It's not because he's pitched well in New York, it's because he's a good fit for the ballpark. Okay, I'll buy that. But we can't just stop there, of course.
Jarrod Washburn, career postseason: 36.2 IP, 8HR (yikes), 14BB, 21K, 4.91 ERA. 1-3 record. So what we're really saying here is that he "has a nice post-season history."
I just don't understand why people insist on complicating things. The Yankees are considering trading for Washburn. Why? Because Sidney Ponson is currently the #5 starter. Jarrod Washburn is better than Sidney Ponson. That's it. That's the reason. It's really not necessary to whip out all this meaningless, anecdotal evidence to explain their interest. It only serves to weaken the argument, by drawing attention away from what actually matters.
Sal (Connecticut): Hey Buster, why all the hate on the Yankees staff and bullpen when they have been very good especially the bullpen which has been exceptional and the Yankees have only lost 1 game when handing the ball over to the bullpen with a lead after 6 innings. 1!
Buster Olney: Sal: I have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't been critical of the Yankees' staff lately; it's the offense that I've been critical of. BTW: The Yankees are taking a look at Jarrod Washburn, who has a career ERA of 2.82 ERA in Yankee Stadium. He'd fit them perfectly, for 2008 and 2009 -- he had a sub-3.00 ERA in June and has similar numbers in July. We'll see what happens.
I'll get to the Yankee Stadium thing in a second. The June/July thing has been covered at USS Mariner, but it's worth going over again:
Rapidly improving 33-year old pitcher, or guy whose ERA has bounced around because five starts is a really small sample? You decide.
As for the other issue:
Jacob (Brooklyn): Do you really think Washburn is a good fit with the Yankees because he has a good ERA in 38.1 innings at Yankee Stadium?
Buster Olney: Jacob: I think it's a factor they will look at -- he's a lefty flyball pitcher who changes speeds well and has a nice post-season history. To me, he's a perfect fit for them, the way that George Sherrill makes complete sense for the Brewers or the Angels.For the record, Washburn career @NYY: 38.1 IP, 5HR, 9BB, 16K, 2.82 ERA. 1-4 record.
So now we're switching the argument. It's not because he's pitched well in New York, it's because he's a good fit for the ballpark. Okay, I'll buy that. But we can't just stop there, of course.
Jarrod Washburn, career postseason: 36.2 IP, 8HR (yikes), 14BB, 21K, 4.91 ERA. 1-3 record. So what we're really saying here is that he "has a nice post-season history."
I just don't understand why people insist on complicating things. The Yankees are considering trading for Washburn. Why? Because Sidney Ponson is currently the #5 starter. Jarrod Washburn is better than Sidney Ponson. That's it. That's the reason. It's really not necessary to whip out all this meaningless, anecdotal evidence to explain their interest. It only serves to weaken the argument, by drawing attention away from what actually matters.
Original Story:
