Hat tip to the Book Blog: Read this excellent piece by David Lennon at Newsday examining the way the Yankees and Mets handle their pitching prospects. The money quotes:

“I don’t care what an old-school person wants to say, the old school is what we’re learning from. Too much, too soon and it’s bye-bye to the asset. Just like back in the day, when they said it was OK to smoke, that smoking wasn’t bad for your health, and then it turns out everybody is dying of cancer. Now they don’t say that anymore. They learned from what happened in the past and so you evolve, and you improve, and you tweak, and continue to grow.” – Brian Cashman.

“I just don’t think there’s one formula that you can say is the perfect formula… The other day, against the Phillies, having [Jenrry Mejia] go out there and having to face Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard — that’s a great experience. In the minor leagues, there’s no way you’re going to learn the adrenaline of facing those kind of guys. So that’s development right there.” – Omar Minaya.