Brian Cashman demands consistency by Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova in 2012 – MLB News
This past season, the New York Yankees were not having any serious concerns except their pitching depth. Carsten Charles Sabathia was alone without having a promising starter behind to take the Yankees into the American League Championship Series. Yankees
lost 3-2 to the Detroit Tigers in the five-game ALDS.
With Spring Training about 100 days away, the New York Yankees’ manager Brian Cashman has started forming the perfect combination for the 2012 season. Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova were present behind CC Sabathia and Cashman wanted them again to be there in
the camp for the next season. The players however have been informed about the possible outcome if they fail to perform up to expectations.
Cashman stated that both players will have to perform up to the mark throughout the season to stay at their current spot. He further added he will not comment on their performance on every passing day, but they will have to show they have the ability to
be in competition.
This warning might be directed towards Phil Hughes, who was brilliant with his 18 wins in his rookie year. This past season, Hughes’ performance dropped considerably, from 4.19 ERA to 5.79 with just five wins. He was also sent back to the Minor League after
losing his momentum over his fastball.
To act up to the expectations of the team-mates and the manager, Hughes has reportedly decided to participate in the Athlete performances in the off-season. It is a training facility in Phoenix, popularly known as “fat camp” arranged to help the athletes
struggling with extra weight problems.
Hughes made this decision on his own and the team has no part in it, commented Cashman.
“I think physical conditioning got him out of the gate slow when he showed up to spring training, '' Cashman said.”I think he was eight pounds over when he showed up for spring training, but we knocked it out and he took care of it with the extra work in the
spring.”
The New York Yankees are also trying to get either C.J. Wilson or Roy Oswalt. Cashman met a mutual agent of both players on Tuesday, but the advancement in the discussion has not been made. Expectedly, until now, the Yankees will enter the coming season
with CC Sabathia, Allan James Burnett, Phil Hughes and Ivan nova.
“I feel good about having those guys,'' Cashman said. "It doesn’t guarantee anything, but I feel very confident in them.”
Cashman is confident over his pitching depth, until he did not have to make any strong decision against their bad performances.
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