If you believe the reports that surfaced during the off season, Johan Santana was an Ian Kennedy away from become a New York Yankee.
Ian freaking Kennedy? Are you kidding me?
The same guy who was on the wrong end of a 13-4 defeat to the mighty Tampa Bay Rays?
Seventy pitches and six runs in only two-and-a-third innings from the guy you just couldn’t give up to get Johan Santana.
Against the Rays.
How did I not spend more time on this when it happened?
The Yankees are a World Series-level offensive team relying on two rookies, two senior citizens, and an ace that hasn’t won a big game (or pitched well in a big game) since joining the Yankees. The reason why Chien-Ming Wang’s nineteen win season was “quiet” last year is because he didn’t have a single “loud” win.
No big wins. No statement games. A few big losses, especially against the Indians in the playoffs.
How can a team with a $200,000,000 payroll go into the season relying on THAT guy to be their ace?
The Joba Issue
Are they really planning on extending him mid-season and moving him to the rotation? Joba Chamberlain the reliever is dominant. Joba Chamberlain the starter is a huge question mark.
Can he maintain the intensity for an entire game?
How will hitters handle him the second and third time through the order?
Most importantly, who replaces him in the bullpen? It’s not like their bullpen is loaded. They’re going to remove one of their two best late-game weapons? That could be devastating. So you get a few good starts? Unless Rivera can go two and three innings per save, you’re risking losing them in the late innings anyway.
You don’t turn a strength into a weakness midseason to experiment with a rookie who’s never started in the major leagues.
Back to the Ian Kennedy Thing
I just don’t understand why they didn’t make the move for Santana.
Ian Kennedy does absolutely nothing special. He doesn’t have plus-stuff, doesn’t throw exceptionally fast…he’s very, very average.
A decent three or four in a normal rotation.
But a decent third or fourth starter was the sticking point to trading for the best starter in the American League?
I don’t buy the money argument. The Yankees are moving into a fancy new stadium next season. They’ll be PRINTING money.
How were Hughes and Kennedy too much to give up for what would probably be THE piece that moves them ahead of the Boston Red Sox in 2008, and probably beyond?
Without Santana, they’re guaranteed to have two or three pitching mismatches against the Red Sox in a seven game series. They have NOBODY who can match up with Beckett. All of the other matchups at worst are toss-ups, at best actually favor the Yankees.
But when you go into a seven game series knowing you’re going to lose at least two games to the other team's ace, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
Even if you are the mighty Yankees.
I’m a Red Sox fan. I didn’t want the Yankees to land Santana. I’m ecstatic that he’s currently pitching for the other New York team.
But I know this: If George were still in charge, the Yankees would have made the move for Santana and would be the odds on favorite to win the World Series.
Hank’s Yankees? They’re a decent team that might win the AL East, but isn’t built to win in the playoffs. They’ll inevitably lose to the Tigers, Mariners, Angels, Indians, or Red Sox because they have nobody in their rotation who can match up.
Great for me, bad for Yankee fans.
I’m SeanMC.
SeanMC is a Senior Writer at Bleacher Report. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.
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6 months ago
It was never really about Kennedy.
If you actually followed the whole saga, it was about Hughes and the money.
from 6 months ago
But they agreed to give up Hughes. If they were willing to give him up, why not throw in Kennedy like the Twins wanted? It amazes me.
And frankly, when you're built to win NOW like the Yankees are, you give up a Hughes and don't think twice about it. They've always thought that way. It seems to work.
Why change now?
6 months ago
Because the way you're talking about doesn't work in this era very well and isn't as profitable as it could be, $$$ wise, either. They may to take some lumps short term, but long term, it'll be plus to them.
And Hughes was only on the table for about a day, if even that, and was refused every time thereafter, even when the rest of the requested package around him was severely diminished. Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner were never going to let him go.
6 months ago
It was Kennedy's first outing. I watched the entire game and i saw potential. It felt like he was afraid of getting hit off of. He had the same problem the first game he pitched last season, the after that he was fine. I think it was nerves that got to him. If Girardi has faith i him, i have faith in him. On the Santana issue, i'm glad what the Yankees did. Its been the Yankees persona to give up young talent for something at the time better. They are trying a new path. Hughes pitched a good game and i think he'll really help this team. I think these young guys are the key to that O8 title,and i know they'll do it.
Go Yankees
P.S.- I enjoy your writting.
6 months ago
The Yankees flinched on Santana. They have been on the red side of the accounting ledger for a few years now, and they did not want another big contract
6 months ago
Chieng Ming Wang sucks. He's going to implode in "big" games, just what Red Sox fans like to see! :)
But seriously though, I'm afraid to count out the Yankees. And it's WAY early right now. Whatever holes they have, you just know they will buy their way to fix everything they're missing.
from 6 months ago
I'm not counting them out. I think they'll win the East. I just don't think they're built for the playoffs. And when you're as close as they are, and spending as much money as they are, I don't get why you cold-feet your way out of the best pitcher in baseball.
6 months ago
i disagree w/ parts of this article. Wang had made some pretty "loud" plays. Last season, he pitched a perfect game, which swept the Red Sox. He was the starter for the last opening day at the Yankee stadium. Moreover, 19 wins is still 19 wins and he's done that consistently.
6 months ago
Did I miss Chien Ming-Wang's perfect game? Someone needs to inform me of these things...
6 months ago
complete game is a complete game. not a perfect game.
6 months ago
Wang is solid all the time, and with the successful adding to his repertoire, he will be an decent ace for the Yankees.
I am saying that he is still not mighty and powerful enough to be the Yankees ace,(say, a Pedro Martinez in the Red Sox or Greg Maddux in the Braves), but I don't recall any super ace of the Yankees in years that can also compared to Pedro or Greg. Look at what Wang has done, 2 wins and strong outing to keep the Yankees winning .500. Wang's contact style of pitching and low profile personality probably is not a good thing, but I still feel more than comfortable to see him in playoff games.
And as a Yankees fan, I remember that is always Wang who keeps up his good work to end the losing streaks. He is still developing, so as the other young talents, I think that is why they go to Joe instead of Don Mattingly. That is a right thing.
Wang deserves more respect from fans. Kennedy derserves more chances.
Wang also needs to prove himself to the Red sox fans that he is really a pain in the ass. haha~
6 months ago
I think this is a pretty accurate assessment of the Yankees staff. They have painted themselves into a huge corner by sticking Chamberlain in the pen. The way he's handling the 8th inning it will be damn near impossible to move him now. If they did, even though it raises huge questions, I would be more comfortable than seeing Kennedy every 5th day.
6 months ago
i am just reflecting on ching ming wing's perfect game. what a magical night that was. and plus it happened the same night derek jeter had the first ever "double-cycle" in MLB history.
6 months ago
The key is that the Big Three are young and so is Wang. They have time to develop and as a yankee fan i want them to develop during the season. They have the talent because the yankees do not show interest, let alone give a player money unless they see some talent in a player. the Yankees also have many other young pitchers in there farm system. As to the question of what they see in Kennedy, they see another Mike Mussina only considerably younger. If Ian can be molded into a similar player as Moose, he will be very valuable. That is the reason he was not traded for Johan.
6 months ago
I still wish they had pulled the trigger for Santana. That way all the guess work is eliminated. The "big three" might actually turn into 3 great pitchers, then again they all might crash and burn. With Johan it's a guarantee - for the next 5 years at least this guy can contend for Cy Youngs and win 20 games per season.
6 months ago
Kennedy will be fine. I am THRILLED the Yanks decided to stick with the rookies and not go out and get the now 1-2 Johan Santana. I don't understand what the big deal is surrounding Santana. Is he a good pitcher without a doubt. is he overpowering and dominant ? Personally I don't think so, but that us just my opinion.
6 months ago
let's count it out, there is one big statement game for Wang, yesterday.
ooh, not good enough, it has to be a playoff game, ok, few years ago, ALDS against angles,
6 or 7 innings only 1 earn run, couple of years ago,, got the win.
that's not enough, alomost no hitter, it's never enough.
but paying him 300 thousands is...... definitely enough
from 6 months ago
It's April. There are no statement games in April. Come see me when he throws one in Sept/Oct. Yuo sound like a Red Sox fan. :)
5 months ago
Ain't no thing like a Chien-Ming Wang.
Also, I think that it was more about pride and pressure from fans / the media that lead the to not totally rape their farm system for one guy. I think if George was still in charge, he would have pulled the trigger.
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