Here is the first half report card of the Yankees' pitchers and management.
Masahiro Tanaka: (5-3, 3.63 ERA, 67 SO)
Just like how Jacoby Ellsbury is the Yankees' most valuable asset on the offensive end, to the pitching staff, it's Tanaka. The Japanese ace has been under heavy surveillance since his partially torn UCL injury last July, and while Tanaka and the front office shied away from season-ending Tommy John surgery, the ace's state of health is disconcerting. Already this year, Tanaka earned a stint on the disabled list with a minor forearm strain, leaving the highest executives and fans holding their breath. Unlike last season, Tanaka has experienced minor hiccups in consistency, as he suffered four straight starts with two losses and two no-decisions in June. His last dominant outing fortunately came last Thursday against Oakland, but his strikeout numbers are down, leaving many scratching their heads. There does not appear to be a trust issue between Tanaka and the coaching staff, but it is fair to wonder if Tanaka's interpreters are not revealing the whole story. Whether Tanaka's setbacks are due to a lack of confidence or mental and physical health, the Yankees' success is contingent on Tanaka's performance, and as of late, the team is left wondering if there are secrets not being told by the Japanese star.
B
Michael Pineda: (9-5, 3.64 ERA, 111 SO)
Pineda has arguably been more valuable to the front end of the pitching staff than Tanaka, as Pineda has managed to stay healthy for the first time in his young career. Setbacks to his pitching shoulder left Pineda sidelined for the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons, and New York was given a glimpse of hope last year with 13 quality starts from Pineda prior to another lingering injury. Health is the liability, but Pineda's stuff this season has been dominant, as he has recorded nine wins in seventeen starts. New York has lacked longevity from their starters, but Pineda is credited with the only shutout of the season, while also going eleven straights starts with seven or more innings pitched. Pineda has been scouted as a ground ball pitcher with above average control, but his velocity has increased through the months, as has his strikeout rate (9.4 SO/9). Opponents are hitting .275 with an on-base percentage of .272, proving that Pineda has limited mistakes, and that his command makes him an integral part to New York's late success.
A-
CC Sabathia: (4-8, 5.47 ERA, 84 SO)
Sabathia's lack of consistency has grown into a paramount issue, as New York is left in a pickle to determine whether the former ace is even worthy of a spot in the rotation. The 34 year-old's failure has bore the brunt of the Yankees' losses, as Sabathia has earned a meager two wins in his last nine starts, while opponents are hitting a round .300 with him on the bump. CC's 5.47 ERA is the highest in his fifteen-year career, and American League East rivals are collectively hitting .295 in five total meetings. With a year and a half remaining on an eight-year contract, Sabathia is due to make roughly $23 million next season, forcing the Yankees to keep the veteran solely in hopes of a turnaround. Realistically, Sabathia will not leave the rotation unless he volunteers to, placing a burden on the coaches and the rest of the pitching staff. It was believed that his return to a heavy body weight would bring back successful numbers, but the lack of care to his health has failed him, and with regular complications to his surgically repaired knee, Sabathia's dominant years are in the rear view mirror.
D+
Nathan Eovaldi: (9-2, 4.57 ERA, 71 SO)
New York traded pitcher David Phelps to Miami in exchange for Eovaldi last winter, and after making the swap, the Yankees knew this young gun would be a work in progress. It was evident from the get go that Eovaldi was in need of instructional development from the coaches, as his ERA settled in the sub-four range last season with the Marlins. Considering that his tempo and control have yet to become fundamentally sound, these mechanical issues are a reason why critics have questioned the Yankees' acquisition. But the hidden gem of Eovaldi's arsenal is lethal: his velocity. The 25-year old holds the highest average fastball velocity in the league at 96.2 mph, but has managed to strike out only 71 hitters in 98 innings. His wins and losses tally also remains deceiving, as last season's 4-16 record has changed course to a exceptional 9-2 mark this year. Of course, Miami did not have the talent or resources to boost Eovaldi's run support, but this season, New York's offense has managed to bail out their starter seven times from an earned loss, averaging 5.6 runs per game with Eovaldi on the mound. Eovaldi has yet to discover his true identity as a pitcher, and although he offers youth and upside to a veteran Yankees team, the winner of this trade has yet to be determined.
C+
Ivan Nova: (1-3, 3.42 ERA, 12 SO)
Nova's return from Tommy John surgery in late June was a cheerful sight for the Yankees, as New York was in dire need of an arm for the back end of the rotation. Nova's debut against Philadelphia showed optimism, but after three straight losses, it is clear that he has yet to feel entirely comfortable in his approach. His eagerness and confidence should not be of concern, nor should his low strikeout tallies, considering that he is regarded as a ground ball pitcher. Nova's sample size thus far is too small, and expect him to return to a consistent and normal state within the next few outings. His stuff is not dominant, but he should eat up necessary innings with limited mistakes.
B
The Bullpen
Despite the pessimism lingering around the team last winter, the only strength visible to analysts was a dominat bullpen, regarded as the best shaped relief staff in the American League when Spring Training began. These projections were made after former closer David Robertson left for Chicago, and was replaced by lefty specialist and free agent Andrew Miller. Miller made his presence felt early in the Bronx, as he managed to go his first 17 appearances without surrendering a run. Miller unexpectedly found himself on the disabled list with a forearm strain in June, and luckily for the Yankees, phenom Dellin Betances was available to fill the void as closer. Combined, the two relievers' ERA sits at 1.53, the 6th lowest number among league relievers. As a whole, New York's bullpen has a 3.45 ERA, ranked 12th lowest in the majors. The bad news is that the bullpen has been burned out due to the lack of quality outings from starters, as they have pitched 281.2 innings in 86 games, ranked 8th-highest in the league. The good news is that the pen has 316 strikeouts, the most in the league, along with the 3rd-lowest batting average against at .214. The 2015 additions of lefties Chasen Shreve, Justin Wilson, and Jacob Lindgren have created favorable match ups against hitters, and have shaped a balance to a bullpen that last season was right-handed dominant. When Ivan Nova returned to the rotation, Adam Warren was demoted to the bullpen, and his longevity in the late innings will place less of a ware and tear to the late-inning specialists. The bullpen has done its job; it is now up to the starters to give those guys a rest once in a while.
A-
Management
In Joe Girardi's eighth season as the Yankees' manager, he has proven once again to effectively impact the mental health of his players, as New York has ignored the critics, excelling in the standings beyond the majority's expectations. General personnel changes were also made last winter, as bench coach Tony Pena swapped roles with base coach Rob Thompson, while former Marlins infield coach Joe Espada was hired after the departure of base coach Mick Kelleher. The addition of Matthew Krause as strength and conditioning coordinator has also shown success, as the Yankees have only 14 injuries to players in 2015, compared to the two previous seasons beset by injuries under the helm of former trainer Dana Cavalea. With the use of instant replay challenges in full effect, the Yankees' executives upstairs have also shown a sharp eye, as the instant replay officials have overturned 10 of the Yankees' 16 challenges, a success rating of 62-percent. General Manager Brian Cashman should be praised for signing reliever Andrew Miller, but Cashman's inquiry and signing of third baseman Chase Headley has not yet lived up to expectations. Cashman will of course search for needed production on offense and defense by the trading deadline, but it seems like the front office will not attack the market, until free agents such as Johnny Cueto, David Price, and Jordan Zimmerman are available this offseason. Sometimes, it's right to dance with the date you brought.
B+
Photo By: Associated Press
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