Based on the evidence presented above, why on Earth do the Yankees refuse to give him a chance. In this latest round, Britton was recalled and never used, and then sent down in favor of Edwar. If you never planned on using him, why promote him in the first place? Amazingly, the Yankees didn't even let him pitch in Spring Training. I just checked the stats and Britton threw 5 innings all spring.

Not only is it amazing that the Yankees wont use him, but I also can't believe Britton hasn't had a tirade about his treatment. Bewildering!

Playing Damon has already cost the Yankees two runs. Why would Girardi compromise his defense so much with Hughes on the mound.

Bad pitching and bad managing to start this game.

And why in the hell is Melky sitting?

Is he tired?

And this team better freaking hit Rogers, who of course, I cannot stand

Another first pitch swing by Jeter and another fast and easy out. Jeter has been horrendous this year and is a big reason why this offense has been awful. Girardi needs to address this lack of patience.

Cone: "Yeah, well, point taken."

Good on him.

Did I just see Matsui hit it hard through the hole on the left side?

Did someone dose my coffee?

Christ on a fucking stick.

Still and all, it's nice to see Hideki do it. Lately he's been dribbling it to second an awful lot.

I suppose one theory could be that pitchers are pounding the zone more as his power fades, and he's hacking more (less pitches per PA) pick_one{out of frustration, to try to compensate, we're just noticing it more and it's not true}

I would much rather have Hughes work on these things in the minors (i.e., throw only fastballs, etc.) then rack up losses in the majors.

71 Frank Thomas would've been an easier move (PR-wise; not looking to argue it, but it is a fact), and is(was) right handed. Too late!

75 What I think is killing him is he can't get his fastball by batters. Nearly every swing and miss is on the curve. Without a third pitch, I don't see how Hughes will be successful with a 91-92mph fastball he can't command and can't get by batters.

Hughes is already able to prevent extra base hits and Hrs thus far, and whereas you see someone who can't be successful, I see someone who is most of the way there and just missing one key piece that he has already shown he has...YOu really are constantly taking the negative position on Hughes

Way to go, Robby.

Don't get too comfortable.

Signed,

Yankee fans

Lets lump up Rogers right here.

Damon should not be in CF, but Matsui should not be in LF either. I like Bonds (as a LHB in YS, he is far more valuable then F.Thomas) but he's a DH and would replace Mats, who is our best batter so far.

Mats is a better batter then JD, but can't run or field. JD is still a decent LFer and can run. I hear AJax and Tabata are both above average with the glove. I can't wait.

AND THANK YOU ROBBIE!

AAA might actually do him some good. He's 21 fercrissakes.

Chris Stewart sucks.

122 I'm not rooting for it, I'd love to see him succeed at this level - but this sort of beating every single time out can't be good for his confidence.

He's probably doubting everything about himself and his abilities right now.

Flaherty: "Well, not bright enough to go to Fordham, but..."

heh heh.

The kid has made it this far, two months of getting knocked around and figuring things out won't destroy him. This isn't Chase Wright...

Hughes is the biggest disappointment of this game, but the continued poor managing of Girardi is a close second. I know a lot of people have been happy with the all things considered start, but there are just so many bad signs right now.

And who would replace Phil?

Lieter confirming what I have been saying

No, people get worked up about booing because it shows they have no freaking idea of what they are doing. Booing a 21 year old struggling kid who is one of your blue chip prospects and the foundation of your future is, without a doubt, idiotic...

When I said what I said, I was also referring to the slew of useless OF/DH types we have in abundance on this team. Deal Matsui/Giambi/Damon to whomever will take him, get some prospects, a BUC, whatever.

Then get someone up here from the farm who can actually track down a ball...

As for my concern, it's with his confidence that he can locate pitches and get major league hitters out...it has nothing to do with handing boos.

Hughes has shown in the past to struggle somewhat to adjust to levels, and this is the biggest level difference, obviously, so I have no doubt he will adjust.

I just looked at Hughes minor league numbers. If he did struggle at each level, it was for a batter or two. Hughes has never come close to struggling like this...he also has never had such poor fastball command and velocity.

I think you are sugarcoating things a little too much.

Its not so simple as going down to AAA and "fixing" it. Rookie/young pitchers historically struggle upon reaching the ML and take time to adjust. It might take Hughes some time, but its far more likely to happen in the majors than the minors...

It isn't a surprise why this team doesn't score. Their whole approach has changed. That's a real red flag.

221 I never said anything of the such. I didn't mention booing...you did.

*(No Boos For Hughes Committee)

I think a lot of Yankee fans desperately want to see the team develop an ace that they can't bring themselves to accept the possibility that Phil Hughes is not ready to pitch in the minors. Hopefully, Cashman is not equally hell bent on the same.

And its things like "automatic out" that make you sound like you are actively rooting against Hughes just to prove your point. The point was that it seems very likely that there is something about pitching to ML hitters that is causing the problems, be they mechanical or otherwise

Again, like it or not, Hughes has pretty much meant an automatic, bullpen draining loss everytime out. Now, maybe you don't mind seeing that, and feel as if Hughes will solve his problems throwing 3 innings every fifth day, but I am willing to be more realistic and accept the possibility that this 21-year old boy may need more seasoning.

No matter the excuse it's boorish behavior. For me it's an unwelcome and embarrassing aspect of being a Yankee fan.

And you don't seem to be very level headed on the matter. But I acknowledge that neither am I. We can leave it at that you are more focused on this season whereas I am more concerned with the future. I'd ALWAYS rather see a struggling prospect with upside try and work it out than a crap pitcher like Igawa with zero upside be crappy but not super crappy.

I've been open with the fact that if he hasn't turned it around by the end of May a demotion would be in order, or at least worthy of consideration.

As I said, its like when fans booed Jeter during his awful slump. Its 100% a temporary, reactionary, irrational emotional reaction based in the moment. Those fans booed Jeter because they were displeased with his performance? Thats idiotic and completely ignores his past history and potential. Fine, you boo Jeter then, you shouldn't be able to cheer for him later...

The same people that boo have to be asked or yelled at to sit down, as they are to busy watching a budding fight, joining in the "a@@hole" chant or yelling "Boston Sucks" to watch the action.

I'd argue that I'm not a snob. I'm just a lifelong Yanks fan often appalled by the behavior of those around me. Arrogant Clay, he'd rather watch the game and support the players that struggle than join the chorus of boos for the likes of the best player in baseball or our 21-year old SP. I'm such an ass.

And unless the Yankees think they have a viable alternative (and no, Igawa doesn't count) the only thing I see demoting him accomplishing is crushing what's left of his confidence.

I still think he should stay up here though

Alternatively, and yes I know this is a crazy idea, but what about a salary dump move and acquiring Zito for a bag of beans and trying to get Eiland to help him work out his problems? Is Zito just beyond help at this point? (and yes I know the contract he has is insane).

Sorry.

I agree about the lack of innings potentially being a problem, but I'm not sure that trying to work out his problems against vastly inferior hitters is going to help. He can pitch the way he is now and get many of hem out just with the hook.

I know I've heard many times recently that Maddux and others took their knocks in the bigs. The team stuck with them and were later rewarded. Maddux made 27 starts while a rook to the tune of a 5.61 ERA. Maybe others can cite some additional examples.

I think it would be foolhardy for the Girardi and the FO not to consider sending him down. They need to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

We may all be from Alabama but when your shoulder hurts where do you go? (ask Jorge)

That's what it's come down to.

The only runs we can score are literally forced upon us by the opposing pitcher.

Duncan probably doesn't have half the talent but I have twice the confidence in his ability to play 1B and drive in runs...

If they are going to send Hughes down, I really hope its under the careful eye of Contreras and under strict instructions to work on ALL his pitches, because it won't do him any good to just destroy the AAA pitchers with his curve, which hasn't really been the problem...

There are two issues here, one is the repetition of mechanics. The second, bigger one is that I think there's something slightly off in his base mechanics right now. Because of that, he's constantly fighting for the right feel, and so he can't repeat at all. End result is the ball goes everywhere. At this level, its not really going everywhere, but he is missing location and that fastball is tailing to the right. The nearest comparison I can think of is Tiger Woods a few years ago when he was revamping his swing. His drives were all over the place for about a year.

The problem is that to righthanders, he can't really work inside because the ball might tail off and hit them. To lefties, when he tries work in tails back over the plate, and since he's trying to go up and in, it ends up middle and up (which gets crushed and may explain his horrible stats against lefties). When he tries to go outside, it ends up tailing off the plate for an easy ball.

I've seen only a little bit of video of him in the minors but it just looked different. He was always hitting his spots. Something is wrong with him mechanically.

One of the issues I have with sending him down to the minors is that he can dominate the league with the hook. He'll be awesome in AAA and nothing will change and we'll be watching Igawa.

On another topic...Ron Villone has a 0.93 ERA with the Cardinals. Shelley's dad really is The Pitcher Whisperer.

Joba's a beautiful guy. He just talked about how much he loves Lincoln, NE, it will always be home and he loves when people ask him questions.

"People think it's intrusive, but it's not intrusive, I'm honored they care enough about me to approach me and ask me what it's like and who you meet..."

He's so sincere, so heartfelt.

He's really a winner of a human being.

I think we have something special here with him.

His uncle's choking up talking about Native American pride and how much Joba means to them.

Really moving stuff.

Joba on the work he means to do for his community when he strikes it rich.

God bless him.

He sounded gleeful.

He wants to hit. How cute.

Phil pitched shitty, but I just can't figure out why we had Stewart catching. Could it be more obvious that this pair we not working well together? And why only 7 non FB/CBs in 82 pitches? Who was calling this game? Stewart? The bench? We can't help that both ARod and Po are out of the lineup. The fact is most of our lineup is underperforming. But an OF of JD and Matsui is almost a guarantee of bad things to come. Is there really a reason Molina and Melky coundn't have been rested a day or 2 later?

As these excuses? Sure. Might Phil have been shitty anyway? Looks like it. But JESUSHCHRIST! Phil and IPK are struggling. Can we at least put our best team on the field for them until they get a few wins or good performances until their belt?

If Phil and IPKs troubles are mechanical, maybe AAA will help. But has Eiland made this call? Is the problem mechanical or just execution?

And as shitty as this game was, Detroit was begging us to win it. Short of pitching the ball underhand, they did everything they could. But this team choked. The O saved a bunch of crap games last year (when ARod was HOT), but this year we're giving them away. Again, not an excure, but has we gotten a few hits with RISP, we might be talking about the great job the BP did, and just waiting for Phil to get 'em the next time.

Our offense is killing us. And there should be a law against having Matsui and JD in the same outfield.

Is Jeter STILL injured?