Farnsworth Is Glad Torre's Out

Despite poor results in his recent past, Farnsworth is hoping to turn things around under the supervision of Joe Girardi

Kyle Farnsworth is happy about Joe Girardi replacing Joe Torre after feeling as if Torre lost faith in him in 2007. Farnsworth remembers throwing a scoreless inning with one walk, one strikeout in the Yankees' 12-8 exhibition loss to the Reds.

Farnsworth wasn't happy with the way the Yankees handled things last year because he wasn't asked if he could pitch on consecutive days or in the middle of an inning. Although it seemed apparent that he seemed to play better the more rest he got. This showed last year with 2.70 ERA on two days' rest, 5.47 with one, 7.11 with none. He would have numerous physical ailments making him unable to be in the game. When Joba Chamberlain came into the picture in September it made Farnsworth seem almost unnecessary.

Some might even say that Farnsworth became an over paid middle man. He was 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA in 2007 and his strikeouts dropped from 10.8 per nine innings in 2006 to 7.2. Even though Farnsworth is in his last year of a 3 year, $17 million free agent contract, the Yankees have decided not to try to trade him. General manager Brian Cashman has said that he's glad he didn't move Farnsworth at last year's trade deadline.

The Yankees are hoping that Girardi and new pitching coach Dave Eiland can help Farnsworth find the consistency that he lost over the course of the past 2 years. It's the lack of results that has made Farnsworth one of the least popular Yankees. Farnsworth feels he can make a fair turnaround, especially with Girardi's help. Farnsworth is comfortable working with Girardi since they worked together in the past with the Cubs.

Girardi has attempted to figure out what makes Farnsworth tick like he did in the past during his second season. With Girardi taking Farnsworth under his wing, he might just have a shot at turning things around. Eiland has also been working with him using a more technological approach by watching videos of him pitching and suggesting that he change the way he breaks his hands. They've been focusing on him letting go of the ball earlier, giving his arm the opportunity to catch up with the rest of his body instead of having it lag behind. Girardi thinks Farnsworth has a lot to offer and feels he can be successful this year.