Lyon, WTF?

[strosrays]

Brownie said last night that Lyon's return was imminent, and that Mills had already averred that when he got back and acclimated, Lyon was going back into the closer role.

My question is, why?

Melancon pitched well before being thrust into the supoosedly psychologically challenging role as closer, and he has been outstanding since he took over.  Apparently he is in possession of that mythical "thing", whatever it is, that special something that a closer has that your normal, everyday solid relief pitcher does not.  By anyone's yardstick, it appears Melancon is an ideal closer right now.

So why screw everything up by putting the mediocre Lyons back in the role?  He wasn't pitching well even before he was hurt.  In fact, he was terrible. He has a 7+ ERA and is giving up two hits per inning, and he's blown half of his save opportunities.

If it is just because they gave Lyons a big contract, I get it.  It's a stupid reason, but at least it is a reason.  Otherwise, I have to wonder what the logic is here.

[MRaup]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/4830/brandon-lyon

Check his 2010 stats. He was actually a pretty damn good closer when he took over for Lindstrom last year.

[Bench]

So why screw everything ...

These Are Your Astros!

[strosrays]

Here is Mills' reasoning:

The Link

Manager Brad Mills said that Lyon will return to the closer's role, but not right away. Mark Melancon has been closing games since Lyon blew a save on May 4 in Cincinnati.

"Mark's done a good job for us all year and is going to continue to do a good job," Mills said. "He's got the stuff, and is a good pitcher. We want to be able to do things the right way, and doing them the right way is being able to have veteran guys at the end of the game that have success in doing that in the past, like Brandon has. . ."


Umm, okay.  Whatever.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm hoping it's because more saves will boost his trade value.  I like the guy, but I'd also like to see what we can get for him (especially since Melancon's done so well).

[Matt]

Here is Mills' reasoning:

The Link

Manager Brad Mills said that Lyon will return to the closer's role, but not right away. Mark Melancon has been closing games since Lyon blew a save on May 4 in Cincinnati.

"Mark's done a good job for us all year and is going to continue to do a good job," Mills said. "He's got the stuff, and is a good pitcher. We want to be able to do things the right way, and doing them the right way is being able to have veteran guys at the end of the game that have success in doing that in the past, like Brandon has. . ."


Umm, okay.  Whatever.

I bet if he goes back to sucking again he'll be yanked out of there pretty quick and Melancon will be back in the role.

[Lurch]

By anyone's yardstick, it appears Melancon is an ideal closer right now.
...
If it is just because they gave Lyons a big contract, I get it.  It's a stupid reason, but at least it is a reason. 

A ruthless owner of a mickey mouse corp might point out that you're paying Lyon $5MM next year regardless.  Give Melancon the closer role and he excels, he'll be due a hefty pay raise next year and you either lose him to someone else in free agency (so why run him out there this year when they're not going to be in contention regardless) or you pay him closer money next year too and have that unnecessary redundancy in the payroll.  If you give Lyon the closer role now and he excels, you may be able to find a taker for his contract, knowing Melancon can backfill him and wont be able to demand a huge salary.  If Lyon fails as a closer, what have you lost other than a few more games in a 90+ loss season?

If you do choose to believe that its a business decision rather than a baseball one, Mills' comments aren't really a surprise.  Of course he's going to put out the fan-friendly message rather than admitting to the financial drivers of it.

[Tralfaz]

Are we sure Lyon was not hurt from the get go, and just tried to suck it up for the team until he had to be DL'd. He may finally be right, and be the Brandon Lyon of last year. If he does well, great and he ups his trade value.  If not, Melancon is your man.

[Ron Brand]

Are we sure Lyon was not hurt from the get go, and just tried to suck it up for the team until he had to be DL'd. He may finally be right, and be the Brandon Lyon of last year. If he does well, great and he ups his trade value.  If not, Melancon is your man.

The story I remember is that he was bothered by the shoulder in Spring Training, so that likely means he'd been injured since then and tried to continue.

[Navin R Johnson]

Maybe Mills just believes in Lyon's ability? Lyon is a veteran who lost his job due to injury.  Mills simply thinks he should be given a chance to show what he can do once he is healthy?  No conspiracy.

[Matt]

Maybe Mills just believes in Lyon's ability? Lyon is a veteran who lost his job due to injury.  Mills simply thinks he should be given a chance to show what he can do once he is healthy?  No conspiracy.

That's fine.  Now to get Wallace more ABs against lefty pitchers.

[BudGirl]

That's fine.  Now to get Wallace more ABs against lefty pitchers.

get rid of your other 1b

[Matt]

get rid of your other 1b

If only it were that easy.

[strosrays]

Maybe Mills just believes in Lyon's ability? Lyon is a veteran who lost his job due to injury.  Mills simply thinks he should be given a chance to show what he can do once he is healthy?  No conspiracy.

Well, I never alleged any conspiracy.  I am curious where you got that.

I am also curious about Mills comments.  How is replacing Melancon with Lyon doing things the right way? 

[BudGirl]

Let me ask this?  

When any player, position or pitcher, gets injured and goes on the DL are they assured they get said position back when they return?

Does Wandy automatically go back into the rotation off the DL, even if Jordan Lyles pitches an amazing game?  Lyles did the job?

Does Barmes sit on the bench after coming off the DL because Sanchez did a good job?

Would Bourn or Pence have to sit on the bench, if they came off the DL, and their call-up did a good job?

I think Mills is in a tough spot.  Melancon does seem like a much better closer, but Lyons has had success in the past.  I am betting he eases Lyons into the closer role and Melancon back to the set-up role.  

Being a veteran does have some expectations, otherwise they'd be former players.

[Bench]

When any player, position or pitcher, gets injured and goes on the DL are they assured they get said position back when they return?

It's not assured (see Reynolds, Shane; Pipp, Wally) but it is the custom.

[strosrays]

Let me ask this?  

When any player, position or pitcher, gets injured and goes on the DL are they assured they get said position back when they return?

This is not written down anywhere.  If a player is at the top of his game and goes down, it is reasonable he gets a shot at his old job when he comes back, especially if no one has stepped up to fill his shoes.  If a player who was good in the past but performs well below expectations this season goes down to an injury, and another player steps in and does exceptionally well in his absence, does the injured player automatically get his old job back when he comes off of the DL?

I think you make good points.  I am not disagreeable with any of them.

Melancon does seem like a much better closer, but Lyons has had success in the past.  I am betting he eases Lyons into the closer role and Melancon back to the set-up role.  

This pretty much sums it up.  Melancon appears to be the better choice, but Mills is going with Lyons.  Why ask why?

[Lurch]

get rid of your other 1b

They have three apparently

[Navin R Johnson]

Lyon hasn't been healthy yet this season.

Last year when he took over the closer role, here are his numbers from August 1st till the end of the season.

32.1 IP, 21 Hits, 10BB 21 Ks, 2.51 ERA, .181 BA, 20 Saves, 1 blown save.

[subnuclear]

The bullpen is not crowded with good arms. The Astros need them both to pitch well and pitch often.

[JimR]

Are we sure Lyon was not hurt from the get go, and just tried to suck it up for the team until he had to be DL'd. He may finally be right, and be the Brandon Lyon of last year. If he does well, great and he ups his trade value.  If not, Melancon is your man.

he was hurt from the beginning.

[Reuben]

he was hurt from the beginning.

That's what I thought too. So, Mills is just showing loyalty to a veteran who, while not a star, has had a fair amount of Major League success. Such things earn managers points in the clubhouse. Very much in line with the Terry Francona School of Managing.

[strosrays]

Would it make sense to release Lyon?

It would in a vacuum, and I would do it right now, regardless.  But given the Astros have the rest of this year already paid for and are obligated for another $5 million or thereabouts in 2012, I doubt seriously they'll do it.

And maybe they shouldn't.

But if the concensus is he is hurt, and isn't just pitching poorly because the end of 2010 was an illusion and he really isn't anything more than journeyman replacement-level bullpen fodder, then put him back on the goddamn DL, and leave him there.  The alternative appears to be watching him surrender 3-run HRs late in games the rest of the season.

[Houston]

Would it make sense to release Lyon?

It would in a vacuum, and I would do it right now, regardless.  But given the Astros have the rest of this year already paid for and are obligated for another $5 million or thereabouts in 2012, I doubt seriously they'll do it.

And maybe they shouldn't.

But if the concensus is he is hurt, and isn't just pitching poorly because the end of 2010 was an illusion and he really isn't anything more than journeyman replacement-level bullpen fodder, then put him back on the goddamn DL, and leave him there.  The alternative appears to be watching him surrender 3-run HRs late in games the rest of the season.

If he's injured, he shouldn't be pitching. If he's not injured, he shouldn't be pitching.

Since returning from the DL, here are his numbers:
2 IP, 6 H (including 3 HRs), 2 BB, 8 ER, 36.00 ERA

[jester9450]

If he's injured, he shouldn't be pitching. If he's not injured, he shouldn't be pitching.

Since returning from the DL, here are his numbers:
2 IP, 6 H (including 3 HRs), 2 BB, 8 ER, 36.00 ERA

Those numbers say it all put him in a sack with lee and trade them now.

[MusicMan]

Those numbers say it all put him in a sack with lee and trade them now.

Because everyone will be lining up to trade for a reliever making $5M that can't get major league hitters out?

[JimR]

i love the guys who think that trading a guy who is playing terrible will get back something REALLY good.

[drew corleone]

Is Lastings Milledge available?

[Bench]

According to Z.Levine, Lyon will have shoulder surgery next week and be out for the rest of the season.