Over the last few weeks, one line of reasoning that has become en vogue is the idea that the Yankees do not trust their prospects or are afraid to use them. Essentially, the argument is that the club’s unwillingness to call up Jesus Montero or to use one of , David Phelps, or Adam Warren to replace is indicative of a fear of failure and/or a lack of trust. This argument seems to gain steam and acolytes by the day, to the point where any roster move, such as the addition of , is met with exasperation regarding the Yankees’ stubborn unwillingness to hand roster spots to prospects. I am of the opinion that these criticisms are off base and that the handwringing over the Yankee farm system needs to stop.
There are three issues to examine here: the needs of the club, the readiness of the prospects, and depth/roster issues. In terms of readiness, the Yankees simply do not have any prospects that are definitively ready, knocking on the door to the extent that a call-up is obvious and overdue. While some would argue that Montero could use a call-up due to boredom at AAA, the Yankees have taken the perfectly valid stance that his poor performance has not merited a promotion. It is hard to argue with that assessment, as his numbers are down across the board and have actually gotten worse as the season has progressed. Similarly, Adam Warren and David Phelps could probably survive at the MLB level for a few starts, but to act like they are being wasted in AAA or that they are clearly better options than a guy like right now is likely wishful thinking. They are decent pitching prospects, 4th-5th starter types who are likely to struggle in their initial foray at the MLB level. The Yankees are not perpetrating any great crime against their careers by not calling them up to make a few starts.
As for depth and roster issues, adding legitimate prospects to the 40 man roster just to make two or three starts in Colon’s stead is poor roster management and can destroy flexibility. Those players are stuck on the 40 man even after they go to the minors, leaving the Yankees with fewer spots with which to work with to try and find reclamation projects like and . Rather than make such a short-sighted move, the Yankees brought in Brian Gordon, who had been pitching unbelievably well in AAA and can be jettisoned off the roster without qualms to make room for and Bartolo Colon. If Colon and Hughes were both out until August or September, I am fairly certain you would have seen a prospect fill the empty rotation slot. Being that the available slot was a short term proposition, efficient roster management dictated the move to bring in Gordon.
Finally, we come to the needs of the club. If the Yankees were struggling in many areas or were incredibly thin at certain positions, I could understand the incessant clamoring for prospects to be called up. However, the Yankees really only have weakness in the back of the bullpen at this moment, although you can make the argument that backup catcher is a problem as well. But with Montero struggling at AAA and and solving the DH issue for the time being, the Yankees’ reticence to fill a minor need at BUC with a struggling top prospect is logical. As for the bullpen, the Yankees did call upon Hector Noesi to solidify that unit, but have actually been unable to find innings for him due to the success of guys like Ayala and Wade. has decided that right now, those veterans give him the best chance to win, and I have seen nothing on the field to suggest otherwise. If anything, the Yankees need to send Noesi down to compile innings, not call up more prospects so that they can fill the mop-up man role now held by Mitre.
In sum, the Yankees’ unwillingness to call up their top prospects at AAA has little to do with fear of failure or a lack of trust. Rather, efficient roster management, a lack of true need at the MLB level, and the lack of obviously ready prospects have combined to make call-ups imprudent and unnecessary.
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“As for depth and roster issues, adding legitimate prospects to the 40 man roster just to make two or three starts in Colon’s stead is poor roster management and can destroy flexibility.”
Boom.
Excellent points, MM. And a more eloquent way of saying “People, STFU!” heh, heh
Damn, you’d take away half of our fun. And everyone knows that we all know better than Girardi, Cashman, and the entire front office. Come on now, how else can you explain a mere 3 game lead over the Sox. If they followed our advice they could have 60+ wins by now.
Well said Moshe. I think the short-term disposable Gordon solution by Brian C was a particularly creative stroke that both rocked and educated many an armchair GM, including this one. You don’t have to break an egg when an egg mcmuffin will do.
Thank you, Moshe. Right on the mark.
What’s so hard to understand? They aren’t bringing Montero up to sit on bench. They aren’t cutting Posada. He’s a catcher. He needs reps catching for his development.
I wish I could insert a clap into this post. Very, very, well said.