Left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada was released by the Orioles yesterday. The thirty year old pitcher has seen some success in the minor leagues, but struggled mightily in the major leagues, posting a career 5.13 ERA and 5.5 BB/9 through 52.2 IP. While the overall numbers are less than inspiring, he appeared to make strides in 2011 with a 3.9 BB/9 and a 9.9 K/9.
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Though the southpaw’s fastball only sits mid 80’s, he’s had a lot of success striking out lefties. Over his major league career, he’s held left-handed hitters to .153/.252/.220 and a 9.35 K/9. When you compare splits and look at his numbers against righties, the .359/.474/.692 triple slash clearly indicates where his failures come from. In 2011, Rapada held lefties to .104/.170/.167 with an 11.05 K/9 and 2.45 BB/9 through 14.2 IP. While his 2.28 FIP last year comes from small sample size, it is consistent with the rest of his career, and could represent an upgrade over the current options.
This spring training will feature three left-handed one-out guys, Cesar Cabral, Hideki Okajima, and Mike O’Connor; adding Rapada couldn’t hurt. His incredible numbers against lefties could propel him to the top option, even above Boone Logan, but there is also some drawback. His poor performance against righties would give the team much less versatility with a well-mixed righty/lefty lineup or when facing the possibility of a right-handed pinch hitter. With this drawback, a minor league deal should represent a sensible option if the Yankees are willing to consider a strict LOOGY.
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3 Responses to The Clay Rapada Option
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TIQ IQ
Ugggh! We already have one LOOGY (who really isn’t) and from what you said about this guy’s platoon splits it sounds as if he turns every RH hitter into Miguel Cabrera. So most of his appearances would amount to facing one batter which not only seems to be a terribly inefficient use of roster space but also presents an unwise temptation for Girardi to over manage the Yankees out of more wins.
I don’t care much for Boone Logan but unless he’s completely lost it or is seriously hurt I don’t know why we to bring in a guy like Rapada who sounds like he’s even more limited.
Okajima just failed his physical, so maybe the odds just improved for your guy.
Looks like the Yankees felt the same way as you, Rapada now has a minor league deal and invite to spring training. Not sure if I see a pure lefty specialist making the team but I guess with Feliciano probably never pitching for the Yanks and Joba out until June-July he has a shot.