It seems like the Yankees have already put Ian Kennedy on the trade block. No, I didn't read that on ESPN.com. My sources are not telling me this. However, he pulled the biggest Yankee don't, something that no Steinbrenner - especially Hank, who has no idea what he's talking about to begin with - will ever want to hear: he publicly admitted to feeling an extraordinary amount of pressure playing in New York.
When the Yankees sent Kennedy down to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, his 8.37 ERA was not the biggest issue at hand. When being told the news, he admitted, "I guess if I can pitch under a smaller microscope down there, I guess it might put a little less pressure on me. You are on a bigger scale here. In Scranton, I'm struggling, but here, the world is going to end."
Ouch. I'm sure his coaches in Scranton are really loving that he's not scrutinizing over every pitch in the minor leagues. He has to learn that with an 87 mile-per-hour fastball, there is no way he can be a successful Major League pitcher without doing everything else perfectly. You hear Michael Kay make the Mussina comparisons, but is this really accurate? When Moose came up, he was throwing 92-93. He was able to throw his fastball high and into righties. And although most of the time, he preferred to work on the outside part of the plate - much like he does now - he was able to put hitters away with a somewhat power fastball. Now, he needs to adjust since he can't throw as hard. Kennedy isn't the Mussina of age 23; he's the Moose of age 39. And let's face it, after that comment, he does not have the mental makeup to pitch in New York.
The Yanks have plenty of starting pitchers in their system. Phil Hughes will still be good. Humberto Sanchez, who was the top pitching prospect in the Tigers system a few years ago, is expected to return from his Tommy John surgery around August. Alan Horne should be healthy in a few weeks. Even Ross Ohlendorf can be made into a starter (he definitely has starter stuff, with a fastball that really tails in on righties). They should be able to package Kennedy in a deal for a nice first baseman before he bombs in New York.
The trade that makes the most sense to me would be sending Kennedy cross-country to Los Angeles for Blake DeWitt. DeWitt is a young third baseman who would have the skills to play first and the offensive fire power to slot right into the 8th hole of the Yankees' lineup. The Dodgers are high on their top prospect Andy LaRoche, who would be starting at third if not for a freak thumb injury in spring training. DeWitt is also blocked at first base by highly another highly touted prospect, James Loney. With nowhere to put him, it would make sense for the Dodgers to make a trade sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles seems like a perfect fit for Kennedy. They are seeking one more impact starter to become a real World Series contender. Joe Torre has already seen what Kennedy can do in his three starts last year (where he went 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA). He would be pitching in a city of fans who are notoriously apathetic - arriving in the third inning and leaving in the seventh - and a medium of reporters, who will cut young players breaks for the first five years of their careers.
Hear me out Yankee fans, Kennedy will not be what was advertised if he stays in New York. There's a reason Torre didn't take him on his postseason roster last year. We didn't know it at the time, but he can't pitch under pressure. He'll be more comfortable in LA, his college town back in his USC days. A Dodgers trade would benefit both teams along with Kennedy.
- Darrell Spellings
2 comments:
Since when should Yankee fans listen to Hank Steinbrenner?
The best Kennedy will probably ever be is a number 3 starter and more likely number 4 or even number 5. There is no certainty that he will reach that level. Therefore, why not trade him for something you need now, like a catching prospect or, as you suggest, a potential first baseman.
Post a Comment