Palladino: After Big Gamble, Yankees Need Eovaldi To Pay Off
By Ernie Palladino
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Brian Cashman thought he saw something special about Nathan Eovaldi, so he took a gamble Friday and traded off an important part of his lineup and middle defense to the Marlins Friday.
Let's hope he's right, because on paper the 24-year-old Miami starter doesn't appear like the kind of pitcher who would warrant moving Martin Prado and David Phelps. Even though the Yanks also received a backup first baseman in Garrett Jones and a decent pitching prospect in Domingo German, Eovaldi was the real target in this trade.
Cashman's instincts had better be correct. Otherwise, he has just saddled Joe Girardi with fastball pitcher who doesn't get people out, and who apparently doesn't listen to those advising him on the best practices of getting people out. A fastball that traveled at 95.5 MPH, the fourth-highest in the majors last year, doesn't really balance out against a 6-14, 4.37 record and a thick head.
He has already told the Daily News about how much he values his powerful right arm.
"My fastball is everything for me," he said. "Last year, that's one of the reasons I was able to throw so many innings -- I was able to fine-tune my location."
Perhaps he put too fine a point on it. Eovaldi gave up the most hits in the National League, 223 in his 199 2/3 innings spread over 33 starts. He hasn't come close to a winning record in four years between the Dodgers, drafted him, and the Marlins.
A lot is being made of his connection with the great Nolan Ryan. Both hail from Alvin, Tx., and of course both had big arms. But there is one more comparison that underlines how big a gamble Cashman has taken with Eovaldi.
At 24, Ryan also had yet to rein in his magical fastball. His 1971 season saw him go 10-14, 3.97. In what had already become a defining characteristic of his early years, he struck out 137 but walked 116. He also hit 15 batters.
The question is, can Eovaldi take the next step, as Ryan did the following season? If he does, then Cashman will look like a true genius. It was in the '72 season as the former Met relocated to the Angels that Nolan Ryan became Nolan Ryan. The record rose to 19-16, 2.28 with nine shutouts. The strikeouts rose to a lead-leading 329, though the walks also continued with a league high of 157. But it was then that Ryan took his first steps toward the Hall of Fame.
Cashman can't expect the same out of Eovaldi, whose numbers could never reach Ryan's level simply because of the lesser demands managers make of their starters in the modern game. But Cashman doesn't need that. If Eovaldi can provide the Yanks with a good, controlled, winning season under the bright lights of New York, he'll make a valuable young addition to a creaky rotation.
That will take a little flexibility on Eovaldi's part. He is already dedicating the offseason to working on his changeup, a good start. Then, he must listen to pitching coach Larry Rothschild's wisdom about setting up hitters. If he does all that and works himself into a consistent No. 2 or 3 starter behind Masahiro Tanaka and/or CC Sabathia or Michael Pineda, the Yanks will be in good shape. Better yet, they'll be young at the top of the rotation, which will offer potential stability well past 2015 season.
If Eovaldi proves just as hittable in Yankee Stadium as he was in Miami, then the hitting and defense Cashman gave up in Prado will be remembered as fans agonize over the untested shortstop-second base combination of Didi Gregorius and rookie Robert Refsnyder.
Cashman is "betting on the come" as the gamblers say. Established winner Max Scherzer won't be coming here. They let Brandon McCarthy go to the Dodgers. Eovaldi is the guy.
Now, it's up to the kid to prove he belongs. If he does, the playoffs might not be as far away as they currently appear.
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