I do not often find myself agreeing with Joe Sheehan, but he is the first salaried writer to take a long look at the Yankees bullpen and discover that it is filled with unheralded yet solid performers:
Other than re-signing 2008 trade acquisition Damaso Marte to a three-year, $12 million deal, the Yankees made the statement, however implicit, that they are committed to their homegrown relievers in 2009. One of the bright spots in the team’s first October-free season since 1994 was the emergence of hurlers such as Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras, who combined to strike out 126 men in 113 innings with a 3.74 ERA. By the end of the season, Phil Coke and David Robertson were making contributions in low-leverage situations. Add in free-talent pickups like Brian Bruney and Alfredo Aceves, and the Yankees have more than enough effective relievers to go around, whether you’ve heard of them or not.
Staying out of the reliever market is a good idea for the Yankees, who have spent most of the decade trying and failing to recapture the magic that was Mike Stanton and Jeff Nelson in the seventh and eighth innings. The set-up tandem from 1997 through 2000 contributed to three division titles, four playoff appearances, and three World Championships. Joe Torre’s ability to run a bullpen was in no small part predicated on having those two pitchers around; since ’01, Torre has never seemed quite as comfortable with his relief staff….
Other than the signing of Gordon, the Yankees’ excursions into the relief end of the pitching pool available on the market have been a waste of time and money, costing the team cash from its coffers and wins on the field. Now, however, they’re swearing off outside help for the first time in years, and attempting to win using the players on hand. It’s the best plan they’ve had; Ramirez and Marte should be the closest thing to Nelson and Stanton that Yankee fans have seen in a while. Jose Veras can get both righties and lefties out in the seventh inning, and when he’s unavailable, Alfredo Aceves can get ground balls. Phil Coke should make a good second lefty as more of a specialist than Marte is, and that still leaves Robertson for long relief, as well as free-talent pickups Brian Bruney and Dan Giese.
Could not have said it better myself. I think Sheehan underplays Bruney’s role while overplaying Edwar’s, but the point stands. The Yankees have plenty of talent in the bullpen, as well as more than enough depth to cover for ineffectiveness or injury. I wish some other media members would figure that out, so that we could end the Joba debate and stop hearing about how the pen is the Yankees missing link.
(h/t WasWatching)
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5 Responses to Sheehan: Yankees Bullpen Strong
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TIQ IQ
“I think Sheehan underplays Bruney’s role while overplaying Edwar’s, but the point stands.”
100% agree.
It’s about time somebody noticed that their bullpen isn’t a walking steaming pile of crap. It’s really bad to think that most of the guys bashing their pen get paid for their knowledge.
I think it is laziness left over from an era where no one would check their facts. In the past, people would read an article bashing the pen and say “hey, they have few names I recognize.” Now people just zip online and check their stuff, and they have not adjusted.
I think Bruney will emerge as one of the best relievers in baseball this year.He was lights out again last year and his conditioning continues to improve.
Veras figures to improve with a healthy off season too.He had it up to 97 at the end of last season and the control should return this season.
I’m not convinced Ramirez is anything more than a one trick pony, who, the more he’s seen, the less effective he’ll be and that’s if he’s even healthy.
Coke to me looks like he has better stuff and a better idea than Marte does, even though has been a successful pitcher.Marte was a disappointment last season when he came over and has a lot to prove this season.
Right now I’d rather go with Coke. Adam Dunn is coming on Lefty too.
Melancon will be up if needed and I’m sure he’ll be successful, so we’re in good shape there.
Every time I think we’ll be O.K. with Robertson and his straight fastball, he starts bouncing curveballs and you wonder if he can be reliable enough.
I think the Yankees bullpen is one of the best in baseball. Most of their guys in there such as Mo, Marte, Coke, Veras and Bruney can have a sub 3.50 ERA. It is a great combo of great starting pitching and a great bullpen to have a 100+ win season. With that Starting pitching even maskes the bullpen better because they can have more rest thanks to innings eater CC Sabathia and hopefully A.J too. I know for sure with the hitting and pitching they will be the best team in baseball.