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July 09, 2007
Which Bull To Cut Loose?
The Yankees currently have an 8-man bullpen. Most feel that the Yankees will lose a member of the pen after the All-Star break and add another bench player - and this makes sense.
You know that Mariano Rivera will not be going anywhere. That leaves seven in the pen to consider "Who's going?"
Joe Torre loves Scott Proctor. He's safe - and that leaves six, which are:
Brian Bruney
Kyle Farnsworth
Mike Myers
Edwar Ramirez
Ron Villone
Luis Vizcaino
I can't see Farnsworth or Vizcaino leaving the team - unless there's a trade. This brings it down to four: Bruney, Myers, Ramirez and Villone.
Now, based on effectiveness and potential roles in which they can be used, it would suggest that either Myers or Villone should be the one to go...with Mike Myers being the number one guy.
However, given Myers' place in the clubhouse, and given the fact that Torre would rather trade his Frank Sinatra records for a bunch of Sex Pistols CD's than let a "vet" pitcher go, I would be surprised to see the Yankees make a move on Myers.
This leaves it down to Villone, Bruney and Ramirez.
The easy way out is to send down Ramirez - since he's a kid. But, I would hope that the Yankees would show us something here and give him some more time to have a role on this team. Assuming my hope comes true...it leaves Ron Villone and Brian Bruney.
Since June 1st, Bruney has thrown 10.67 IP and walked 12 with only 3 strikeouts. He's also allowed 13 hits in those 10.67 IP.
Villone is basically the Yankees mop-up man. He also never pitches - much less in a game where the score in close.
It's an interesting call for the Yankees - if it comes down to Ron Villone and Brian Bruney.
I'm thinking: Since LH-batters kill Bruney (he allows a .448 OBA against them) and since Villone can give you a longer outing from the pen (when you need to eat some innings), and you have Proctor/Farnsworth/Ramirez to cover RH-batters (and then don't need another RH-specialist in the pen), that Brian Bruney should go to Triple-A.
What would you do?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at July 9, 2007 08:00 AM
Comments
Honestly, I don't see them going back to a 7 man bullpen because they barely ever use the bench in the first place. Most of the players on the bench just sit most of the time.
Thompson never plays, and Basak got only one AB in a month. Unless they get a good bench player in a trade, I see no reason.
However, out of all of those, I'd choose Myers.
Posted by: hallofamer2000 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 9, 2007 10:39 AM
~~~they barely ever use the bench in the first place~~~
Actually, yesterday was a prime example of where the bench could help. The Yanks were up 10+ runs, late in the game, and had just Cairo, Nieves and Thompson on the bench.
Ideally, in that game, you want to take out Posada, Jeter, and A-Rod, late in the game. But, because they were short, A-Rod had to stay in the game...
As August approaches, it's going to make sense for the Yankees to give guys a break in games that are out of hand. And, now, they don't have enough players to cover all their stars (now) at the same time.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at July 9, 2007 11:10 AM
If it comes to Bruney or Villone, I'd take Bruney.
But, if I were a betting man, I'd say it was Ramirez that gets sent down.
Posted by: Raf at July 9, 2007 11:12 AM
The easiest thing to do would be to send Ramirez back, but I have a feeling that he's going to stick around. I think Bruney is going to be the odd man out and Villone will be next when Hughes returns.
Posted by: christopher at July 9, 2007 11:32 AM
I personally would trade Farnsworth (worthless). Next to The future hall of fame closer Rivera, he is the highest paid player in the bullpen and for the second year now has not earned that salary to say the least. He has the nerve to get angry at Torre for replacing him with Rivera in a must-win situation? He has the nerve to get angry because Clemens got a 'family package' deal in his contract? Let's give Ramirez a chance to replace him so the bullpen is not a bunch of hard 'ball' throwers. I say trade him. Perhaps we can replace him for good with someone of some worth.
Posted by: georgeofnj at July 9, 2007 03:02 PM