Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Phil Hughes

Hughes Rewarding Patience

Monday, June 4th, 2012

The Yankees were a distant second in the news this weekend. Imagine that, the Mets dwarfing their big brother. It’s important to note, however, yesterday’s pitching performance by Phil Hughes Hughes beat Justin Verlander 5-1, but even more impressive was the fact he threw 123 pitches and a complete game- the first nine-inning CG of […]

Andy Pettitte, Michael Pineda, and the Latest on the Yanks Rotation

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

The setback to Michael Pineda this past weekend where he was shut down after only 15 pitches on Saturday, along with the recent struggles of the Yankees rotation, have turned the signing of Andy Pettitte from a “luxury item” to a thing of urgent necessity. So how concerned are the Yankees with Pineda’s latest setback? I spoke with a […]

Putting the Pettitte Cart Before the Horse

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Andrew Marchand of ESPN NY has consistently been concerned about Michael Pineda‘s velocity this spring. He, along with some other members of the media and blogosphere, have almost comically tracked each Pineda pitch. The thought of sending Pineda down to the minors seemed absurd earlier in spring, but the signing of Andy Pettitte gave the meme a more […]

Phil Hughes and the Yankees Rotation

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported yesterday the competition for the Yankees fifth spot is rigged; in other words, Phil Hughes gets it unless he completely falls apart like he did last spring. Considering the reports from Tampa are that he’s in great shape, I expect him to join CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda in the rotation. Joe […]

Is Rivera Retiring? Who Will Replace Him?

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

“Doesn’t depend on how I pitch. Always I want to do my job, but I’ve made my decision already,” Mariano Rivera told reporters the other day. He added that his decision has been made, “even if I save 90 games, even if they want to pay as much money as they want to.” It sounds like we saw […]

NY Baseball Stock Up/Stock Down Going Into 2012

Friday, December 30th, 2011

I always like to try new things here, so instead of doing a “year in review,” I am doing a “Stock Up/Stock Down” heading into 2012 for New York baseball. This includes a “watch list.” The list could include players, coaches, minor leaguers, and the media. Stock Up  Curtis Granderson - When the Yankees acquired […]

Yanks Have Goods to Land Lincecum, Do Giants Have the Desire?

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Dave Cameron of Fangraphs discussed how he believes the Giants may be wise to move Tim Lincecum since he projects to make $20 million dollars in arbitration, which would potentially comprise about 15% of their payroll. The Yankees have the type of prospects to land such a star pitcher in his early prime so this isn’t a crazy idea […]

The Yankees Postseason Rotation is Still Murky

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

The ALDS will start on Friday, September 30th. Despite the fact that we are week away, it doesn’t appear the Yankees postseason rotation is any more settled today than 10 days ago. You know CC Sabathia will take Games 1 in every series. Ivan Nova, a minor leaguer in the middle of the season, very […]

Trevor Bauer and the D-Backs Doing it the Right Way

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Last night was Trevor Bauer’s Double-A debut with the Mobile Bay Bears, the Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate in the Southern League. Bauer was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft out of UCLA. He was the second Bruins pitcher taken in the first round, with overall No. 1 Gerrit Cole (a former New York Yankee […]

The Real Damning Mike Pelfrey Statement, Thoughts on Posada’s Turn Back the Clock Day, Prepare for Postseason, Laga’s Foul Ball Out of Busch Stadium, Mike From Whitestone, Sabathia is RH

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

We “peeled the onion” on Brian Cashman’s comments regarding A.J. Burnett yesterday. Today, Mike Pelfrey is the center of attention with his controversial comments in the New York Post. “It’s unrealistic for anybody at the end of last year to come in and say, ‘The Mets, this is a one-year thing, next year we’re going to win it all…It’s unrealistic.” An […]