Rounding Out The Yankees Pen
Posted by Steve L. on February 24th, 2008 · Comments (11)
I keep reading that General Joe wants a long reliever and a lefty in two of his three bullpen spots after Mo, Joba, Farnsworth and Hawkins.
Pete Caldera has an interesting feature today on who’s fighting for what spot. After reading it, I think this is how the Yankees bullpen will shape up this spring:
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
Kyle Farnsworth
LaTroy Hawkins
Billy Traber
Scott Strickland
Jeff Karstens or Darrell Rasner
And, Bruney, Ohlendorf, Veras, Ramirez and Albaladejo will start the year at Triple-A. It’s just a hunch, but, I think Joe’s going to want to start the year with the experienced guys coming out of the pen.
I hope Girardi would take the best pitchers, regardless of age, over guys with experience. Traber, Strickland and Karstens/Rasner has ugly potential. Going with veterans is a Torre move
Sean Henn & Brian Bruney are out of options, so they’ll need to pass through waivers to go to the minors. Bruney might make it through, Henn will definitely get picked because he’s a lefty and kinda throws hard.
I think (hope) the Yanks are pulling for Ohlendorf to have a good ST and grab a spot. Hopefully Chris Britton won’t spend the year wasting away in Triple-A again.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/02/2…gain-tomorrow/
Girardi talked a little about the makeup of his bullpen, saying he wanted a long reliever and hopefully a lefty. But he said that while he would like a lefty specialist type, he won’t keep a southpaw unless they deserve to make it.
If that’s the bullpen, someone please strangle me. The start of the season will be depressing.
I can’t believe Girardi wants a lefty specialist. I think of Girardi as a forward-thinking, convention-breaking type of guy, and he wants to waste a precious bullpen spot with someone you keep around to get one out a game?
It’ll be a real shame if Karstens and Strickland take spots away from young guys with potential. Considering the options they have in Ohlendrof, Veras, Bruney, Ramirez, Albaladejo, Melancon (and others), it’s a shame they signed a known hack like Hawkins.
I suppose a longman is valuable if you believe your starting pitchers are going to need one (though it’s somewhat painful to take up a roster spot with a guy who’s not good enough to start or pitch effectively and you keep him around to mop up others’ failures).
I hope the love affair with Karstens ends this spring training.
Traber has a career total of under 200 IPs, and a career ERA+ of 80, with a WHIP of over 1.5. He won’t make the cut.
Scott Strickland has decent numbers but has only pitched 4 innings in the last 4 years. He will have to be VERY good in ST to make the team.
I would say two of Bruney, Ohlendorf, and Albaladejo .
After the disasters of last spring, I think it’s probably a good idea to have a long man/spot starter. Just in case.
Have they officially put Joba in the pen? I keep hearing different things. I’m so confused!
the lower half of that pen has proven ineptitude written all over it.
at least the young guys have a lot of potential. i’m talking about Edwar, Ohlie, Alby, Veras, Britton and Bruney.
I think of Girardi as a forward-thinking, convention-breaking type of guy
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Why? Has his actions in Florida shown this, is it wishful thinking, or something else?
Why? Has his actions in Florida shown this, is it wishful thinking, or something else?
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That’s a good question. It’s not really based on his time with the Marlins (which I didn’t see fully). I guess it’s based mostly on hearing him talk, being impressed with his intelligence, and gauging a logical/common-sense approach to things from him. So maybe it IS wishful thing — or at the least an assumption.
I suppose a longman is valuable if you believe your starting pitchers are going to need one (though it’s somewhat painful to take up a roster spot with a guy who’s not good enough to start or pitch effectively and you keep him around to mop up others’ failures).
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Makes sense with the innings caps.
My guess is that they start out withsomething along the lines of
Mo/Joba/Farns/Hawkins/Henn/Bruney/Rasner
Mostly out of options concerns . though anyone that gets hammered is probably on a short leash on the DFA list.
I think the Yanks bullpen could actually be a strength this year.