Thursday Morning’s Bag Of Bits: Moose, A-Rod, Joba, Hughes, Bruney & More…

I’m still working on a relaxed introduction. Aw, forget it. Let’s get right into the bits.

1) Mike Mussina showed everyone that he could still pitch last night (he stuck it to Hank for that Jamie Moyer comment), going 7 strong against the potent Chicago lineup. Moose had some great movement on his pitches and threw a ton of breaking balls (his slider and curve were looking good). He did mix in his fastball (it was well located) which, according to ESPN and Gameday, sat in the high-80’s range (he topped out at 88 MPH but he touched it multiple times throughout the game). Mussina has actually been fairly effective in his outings, however, his recent failures against the Red Sox had everyone waiting for the hammer to fall. Moose, as we all know though, is a stubborn bastard, and therefore, I expect him to have a very solid year and his rotation spot is not at all in jeopardy.

2) Although Mussina pitched 7 strong tonight, giving up only 2 ER on 2 solo jacks (that Carlo Quentin is going to be something), the game still managed to become a sweat fest. LaTroy Hawkins came in and proved that it doesn’t matter what number he wears, he’s still awful (Billy Traber didn’t really help him out either). Now, in all fairness, it’s still relatively early and I think Hawkins has actually been throwing some good pitches. The guy throws a 94-95 MPH fastball, and, if he locates it better, he could end up being a solid guy in certain situations (nothing too tight). The guys at RAB think he should be traded if an offer comes along that works for the club. I agree since the Yankees have a ton of young guys that can do what Hawkins is doing. However, I still think we should give him a few more outings before we come to a firm conclusion (he is only a 1-year acquisition).

3) In other news (ha, I feel very professional when I say that garbage), Brian Bruney is apparently injured. Bruney hurt himself (his right foot) covering 1B on Tuesday and is scheduled for an MRI today. Bruney, when asked about the injury, said that he could barely walk on the foot on Wednesday morning but he did add that it had progressed throughout the day (he had on a walking boot, similar to what Giambi wore last year). This could be a big blow for the team. Bruney has been one of the go-to-guys in the pen and if we’re without him, expect heaps of Farnsworth and loads of LaTroy.

4) Next up, Phil Hughes is set to face the Sox later today and I’m sure we’re all somewhat weary as to what we should expect from the 22-year old phenom (that has yet to truly deliver, thus far). Hughes reiterates that as long as he has good command of his fastball (and everything else–curve and change), then he’ll be fine from hereon in. What I like about Hughes is, no matter how terrible he has looked, and he has looked terrible, he doesn’t seem to get overly frazzled afterwards and maintains his composure. If he can do that with the NY media, he should be able to do that against the burly Chicago lineup (he better throw strikes because they’re a patient group). Also, Hughes finally clarifies a controversial issue regarding his fastball. There have been numerous scouting reports that clock Hughes’ fastball at 95 MPH or higher. However, Hughes delineates for us and lets us know that he has NEVER thrown that hard consistently. He touches the low (mostly) to mid (rarely) 90’s.

5) Finally, here are an assortment of abreviated (and random) bits that might interest you:

• A-Rod’s daughter has been named Ella Alexander Rodriguez (Jeter was apparently wierded out when A-Rod approached him and asked if he could call her Jeets). His first daughter’s name is Natasha Alexander Rodriguez. Talk about an egomaniac, huh?
• Click here if you’d like to read a nice article about Brian Cashman’s perspective (along with the perspectives had by variety of other folks, including Jim Kaat) on not only grooming young starters so that they can make it to the majors, but also on how to maintain those arms at a highly competitive level. Obviously, this article gets into Joba Chamberlain and also goes over the health aspects of a reliever to starter transition (midseason).
• Last but certainly not least, Jon Heyman informs us that Pat “The Bat” Burrell, was once interested in being traded to either the Yankees or the Red Sox. Well, Burrell, when he’s on, can mash with the best of them, however, I don’t think the Yankees will pursue his bat when he’s a free agent at the end of the season (he’s a frustrating player).

Back later with much, much more.