it was pretty straightforward. Going by performance, what pitchers have been worse and kept their jobs over the same timeframe? That's what I said to begin with. I haven't changed anything. Evidently you are not so certain, then.
What're you assholes even arguing about? Hughes is not panning out. End of story. Kuroda on the bump tonight.
Holy fuck, you're really asking me to name names for the past 2+ years of starting pitchers? Okay, fine. Off the top of my head... AJ Burnett Daisuke Matsuzaka Bronson Arroyo Jon Garland Jeremy Bonderman 3/5 of the Baltimore rotation Jeff Karstens John Lackey Barry Zito Nick Blackburn Mike Pelfrey Brett Cecil Kevin Slowey Rick Porcello You want more? I'm sure there are more. Of course, the above list also assumes that we're not allowed to consider context for their situations, either. ETA: And bullshit on you not changing anything.
Bullshit on you! I said the same thing the entire time. Apparently you misunderstood. What I said was: You then interpreted that as me saying he's the worst starter in baseball, somehow. Jeremy Bonderman last pitched in 2010! Zito lost his spot in the rotation last season. John Lackey hasn't pitched this season, as previously stated. Daisuke hasn't pitched this season and made 7 starts last season. And that's just four I picked out. I could go on.
Please do go on. Actually, please don't. Interesting that it seems you DO want to apply context when it suits you. How lovely. John Lackey and Matsuzaka don't have spots in the rotation because they are injured. They haven't lost their spots in the rotation. Hughes was injured at the beginning of 2011, which clearly accounts for his atrocious performance that distorted the rest of his season (13.94 ERA before the DL, 4.48 ERA after coming off the DL). Context matters. Zito lost his spot in the rotation... but he got it back. That counts as losing it in your book. Hughes lost his spot in the rotation at the end of last year (and pitched out of the pen), had to earn it back in ST this year. That doesn't count as losing it in your book. Like I said, at least be consistent. And I didn't mean Bonderman... I meant Scherzer. I don't know why, but I always get those two confused. Nothing alike. But whatever... you're welcome to your distorted opinion. In the future, though, the burden of proof usually goes on the shoulders of the person making the crazy claim, not the person who questions it.
Instead of assuming the worst and insulting me, you'd do well to realize that I could have made a mistake (Jeremy Bonderman????). I forgot about Hughes losing his spot in September. Obviously losing your spot would discount you from this. Also obviously Daisuke wouldn't count, because that makes no sense. You can't "keep your spot" if you've barely even pitched. But whatever.
Oh, sorry. I didn't realize the 11 games that have taken place this season without Lackey pitching (due entirely to injury; if healthy he would have 3 starts and a 7+ ERA by now) would disqualify him. Except that since 2010, Lackey has made 16 more starts (61) than Hughes (45), pitched over 100 more innings (375 vs 259) and had a higher ERA (5.26 vs 4.80), had a higher WHIP, worse K/BB, more H/9... by every single measure Lackey has been worse, and he's kept a rotation spot with more consistency than Hughes.
That's what happens when you are paying somebody 15 million a year to suck..they play. Now that pretty much everybody involved in bringing him there is gone his playing days may be over.
Given that Hughes pitched about 95 less innings last year, can they be compared? Regardless, given Lackey's atrocious 6.4something ERA, I doubt there was a worse pitcher than Lackey in the AL last year. He was very unlucky (4.7 xFIP) but his lower K rate, higher BB rate, and higher HR rate indicate that he was no better than Burnett last year.
Gardner placed on the 15 day DL. I'm seeing a Yankee offense that is about to break out. A couple more hits with runners on and they score at least 10 more runs this season. As always, the pre-season "strength" - pitching, turns out to be a weakness. Right now the team seems uninspired. I'm hoping beating up on a down Boston team is just what the Dr. ordered.
Huge error by Nunez assisted a typical Hughes blowup. 4-0 Twins. Also the shift hurt because they overshifted Doumit and he hit a grounder right to short. No one home.
