With Brian Bruney returning, the Yankees have a decision to make as to their relief corps. They need to open up a spot on the 25 man roster, with Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, and Jonathan Albaladejo the likely choices to be axed. Veras is out of options and would need to pass through waivers, while the other two have options and can be sent down. I think most of us can agree that Albie has been a bit better than the other two, and he seems like he might be able to be a solid back of the bullpen option. In regard to the other two, the Yankees really have no choice at all: they should get rid of both.
This is not a kneejerk reaction to some shaky performances over the last few days. Regular readers will note that I have been preaching patience with these two for a while, and have been one of the strongest advocates for Jose Veras you will ever find. That said, the inability of these two guys to throw strikes on a consistent basis makes them ill suited to remain in the bullpen until they can figure it out. A reliever who walks batters has no margin for error, and essentially does not have the luxury of making even a single mistake lest he allow his baserunners to score. These two need to find the plate in the minors. If the Yankees lose Veras, it would not be the worst thing in the world. Bruney and David Robertson should replace them, as it is time for the Yankees to give D-Rob a chance to earn a spot. He needs to be thrown out there with the frequency that Veras was, so the Yankees can determine whether he is part of the solution for 2009.
If the Yankees choose to only remove one of the two pitchers from the 25 man roster, I would send Edwar down. As I mentioned in the comments yesterday, rallies against Veras generally move slowly, as they are largely built upon walks. This gives Joe Girardi time to determine whether Jose has anything and the opportunity to replace him. Edwar, on the other hand, quickly gives up runs in bunches if he is without his best stuff. It is time for him to go.
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18 Responses to With Bruney Back, Who Goes From The Bullpen?
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TIQ IQ
Couldn’t agree more. Although we’ve won these past few games and survived witht htis kinda pen, we all know evntually it’s gonna catch up with us. Personally, i’m done with Nervas and suckwar. Done. I can’t take them anymore. Can anybody explain why they’re still on the team? We all know who they are by now. Nervas is a guy who throws hard but has no idea where the strike-zone is (yeah, once in a while he’ll get U a few outs but not b4 walkin some guys, like yesterday), and Suckwar is a guy who was cut twice by the Angels, a team who always has good releivers, who has a fat changeup which hitters can’t wait to see.
Why are these guys on the team over guys like David Roberston and Mark Melancon, who have nothing left to prove on the MiLB level, were draft picks & still have loads of potential???
I don’t get.
Let’s also try to rember Bruney used to be the guy that could not find the plate. I’m still holding a glimmer of hope that Veras can get his ass straight.
Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but Edwar (suckwar) is not throwing at full velocity. He hurt his shoulder in ST and I think it might be taking him some time to get it back. I hated him in 07 but last year he seemed to get a little better with his fastball. I think his fastball has looked dead all year and that is why he is getting beat. Give him time down below to build us some strength.
In regard to Veras, I think it is distinct from the Bruney situation. Bruney seemed to be afraid of the plate and not confident in his stuff. Veras just seems like he has no idea where the ball is going on some nights.
Good point.
Veras is garbage and it’s time to take the trash to the curb!
I think Bruney’s MiLB record is a lot better than Veras’ was. They both throw hard, but Bruney has had success beyond the 2 2-3 month stretches that Veras had.
I don’t think Edwar will ever be great, but he still might have some value. The same can’t be said for Jose.
Considering the high percentage of outings he’s had that start with a walk, and the number of times he’s had to be rescued-far too many to be relied on by a contender-I don’t understand why he keeps getting run out there. How many 4-pitch 1st batter walks does he get to issue?
I think it’s easy to lose perspective on relievers when things are going bad. Put it this way – there’s no way in HAAAYELL Cashman is going to DFA a 28-year-old guy who throws 95 and had a mid-3 ERA last year. Not going to happen – period. Veras would have to go on a shooting spree to get DFA’d.
The Bruney comp is very fair IMO. Bruney is 2 years older – what were his stats two years ago? 4.68 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 6.7 BB/9. Did Cash give up on him – and that is with much success than Veras had last year. It’s between Albie and Edwar
I already discussed the difference, as did oldpep. Veras wasn’t great in the minors, Bruney has more of a track record.
Oh, and Veras is older than Bruney.
My bad on the Bruney age – I just flat-out misread it. I can’t believe that dude is only just turned 26 – seems like he’s been around forever.
Re: the minor league stats, though, I disagree. Minor league stats for relievers have very little meaning. After the players have been in the bigs for a couple years, they’re completely meaningless. With the small sample sizes, guys can get away with so much stuff that they can’t in the bigs. Edwar had better minor league numbers than any pitcher in recent years, that has no bearing on whether he’s better than a guy like Bruney or Veras. You just don’t give up on young guys who throw 95 and have had a modicum of success. They don’t exactly grow on trees.
Veras has a whip higher then 1.7 since last years all star break! If you add in his hbp it’s even higher. He is GARBAGE and needs to go!
I would send down Edwar. He has been much worse than Veras this year. Veras is erratic, but Edwar has given up more walks, more hits and more home runs. He is actually lucky to have an ERA of only 5.2 this year. And he was bad the whole second half last year. Veras actually had a pretty good year last year. I would give him another month or so. Moreover, if they were going to DFA him, they should have done so before DFAing Jackson. We don’t really have a 40 man roster problem at the moment.
Guess that we will find out any minute.
Veras did not have a good year last year! Stop with this nonsense and look at his numbers since the all star break last year and you will his that his numbers got worse and worse. He is nothing more then RAT feed at best!
Scott, we all know you hate Veras, but be rational. He had a good first half last season, and finished with a 3.59 ERA.
Moshe I said from last years all star game going forward Veras stinks! Less then half a season does not give you credibility!
Ok, but its hard argue with the idea that overall, Veras had a good year last year. You are right about the credibility thing.
Moshe I totally agree that he had a good half a season but since then he’s been terrible. In his last 42.67 innings starting at last years all star break he’s put 75 base runners on base which is beyond ridiculous for a major league pitcher. Patient teams kill him. He needs to go!
Last year I thought it was because he was overworked and started to break now. Now it looks as if he is just bad. But in any case, if we are comparing him to Edwar, Edwar was even worse in the second half. Edwar’s second half ERA was 5.64. Veras’ was 4.44.
The goods news is that with Bruney back and Alceves doing well, Veras can pitch in blow outs until he starts to get things together or gets DFA’d in favor of one of the AAA guys.