What's On Steve's Mind?

From Chad Jennings (beat reporter of the SWB Yankees):

Curious upcoming rotation for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees...

Monday: LHP Kei Igawa
Tuesday: RHP Alfredo Aceves
Wednesday: RHP Ross Ohlendorf
Thursday: TBA

You'll notice Dan McCutchen's name doesn't appear. McCutchen said this afternoon that the Yankees want him to skip a start to keep his innings down. He's already topped 120 innings this season after throwing 142 last year. McCutchen said he doesn't expect to be shifted to the bullpen and his understanding is that he's just skipping his next turn in the rotation, but as always with the Yankees pitchers, you never know.

His inning pitched limit for the season, will probably be anywhere between 165 to as much as 190 innings. By the Yankees holding him back to save innings, it suggests one thing and one thing only:

The front office is planning on calling him up this year to help in a possible playoff run. If they weren't planning on calling him up, he'd have more than enough innings remaining to close out the minor league season. There's really no other way around it other than the above conclusion.

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

Thanks for the insight, Steve. I agree that it looks like he's going to be brought up, but in what capacity and for what reason? Middle relief? Showcase for off-season trade? Except for his last start, his performance at SWB hasn't exactly screamed "stud who must be called up." I'd hate to see him rushed. Would you like to see him called up? Do you see him helping a playoff run?

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

He's not young by any means (I think he's 25 or 26) but has been performing at a fairly high level this season beginning in AA Trenton and now after a rough start in AAA Scranton has settled in for the most part too. He's used as a starter, although there has been speculation that he'll be converted to a reliever. I don't understand why he should, he's someone that when in a groove is a horse. He's pitched a couple of complete games in AAA, one of them a 4 hit shutout.

I think he can be a viable option --and an upgrade-- over Ponson/Rasner if he can keep up his pace in AAA for another few starts.

NYY_51 Reputation: 59 Level: Pro Since: Jul 11, 2008	Posted on: July 21, 2008 11:26 am Score: 23 McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks? Is he good? What is his long term potential? [ Reply to Comment ]
MergerBoy Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 31, 2006	Posted on: July 21, 2008 12:35 pm Score: 87 McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks? Thanks for the insight, Steve. I agree that it looks like he's going to be brought up, but in what capacity and for what reason? Middle relief? Showcase for off-season trade? Except for his last start, his performance at SWB hasn't exactly screamed "stud who must be called up." I'd hate to see him rushed. Would you like to see him called up? Do you see him helping a playoff run? [ Reply to Comment ]
Steve Brown Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 1, 2008	Posted on: July 21, 2008 3:26 pm Score: 90 McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks? He's not young by any means (I think he's 25 or 26) but has been performing at a fairly high level this season beginning in AA Trenton and now after a rough start in AAA Scranton has settled in for the most part too. He's used as a starter, although there has been speculation that he'll be converted to a reliever. I don't understand why he should, he's someone that when in a groove is a horse. He's pitched a couple of complete games in AAA, one of them a 4 hit shutout. I think he can be a viable option --and an upgrade-- over Ponson/Rasner if he can keep up his pace in AAA for another few starts. [ Reply to Comment ]
lifequest3 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 29, 2006	Posted on: July 26, 2008 3:16 pm Score: 94 McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks? Well Steve, I guess we know why his name was missing from the rotation now.........He's a Pirate. [ Reply to Comment ]

Steve Brown

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?

McCutchen On The Horizon For The Yanks?