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January 20, 2008
Yankees Bullpens 2001-2007
With help from the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, and using Runs Saved Above Average (RSAA) as a measuring stick, I decided to look at the Yankees bullpen, from 2001 through 2007, focusing on pitchers with 10+ games pitched, to see how the Yankees pen has compared (as a unit) to each other over this time period.
Click here to see the data that I collected.
In summary, here's how the Yankees bullpens compare:
Year IP RSAA 2001 446.6 55 2002 398.6 28 2003 346.6 21 2004 466.6 5 2005 412.6 11 2006 464.3 10 2007 488.3 25
As you can see, in 2001, the Yankees bullpen was a force. And, in 2002 and 2003, they were pretty good as well. Then, in 2004, their pen bottomed out. The next two years, 2005 and 2006, were not all that much better than 2004.
The last year, 2007, looks like a rebound season. But, that's due to one man's stats: Joba Chamberlain. Without the stats from Joba - and what stats they were! - the Yankees bullpen, as a unit, in 2007 was pretty close to what it was in 2005 and 2006.
And, let's face it, Chamberlain's relief work in 2007 was a gift from the baseball gods, as far as the Yankees were concerned. No person in the Yankees front office, or fandom, for that matter, could have predicted that Joba would have reached the majors last year, and did as well as he did (working out of the pen).
So, there you have it, since 2004, the Yankees bullpen has not been a strong card in the Yankees hand. Will this year be any different?
I said it last week, and, I'll say it again: It's a shame that "build a bullpen magic" that New York had in the mid '90's couldn't carry over to the mid 2000's.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 20, 2008 09:49 PM
Comments
While I didn't necessarily predict that Joba would reach the majors last year, I did say that he could do it (as a starter):
http://riveraveblues.com/2007/04/02/2007-preseason-top-30-prospects-116/#more-116
Just tootin' my on horn.
Posted by: Mike A. ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 20, 2008 10:22 PM
I can't provide a link, but I thought that Joba was ready at the AS break, and that Hughes could contribute from Opening Day if given the chance. I was right about Joba, and but for the leg problems, I would have been right about Hughes as well.
Posted by: Rich at January 20, 2008 11:25 PM
Prediction: Somebody emerges from within the organization as a solid eighth-inning option before season's end. It'll probably take a lot of trial and error, but I wouldn't be shocked if Veras or a member from the T.J. brigade (Sanchez or Melancon) emerges at some point.
Wishful thinking, I know; but like others have already said, the options this offseason have been few. Slapping down ten mil. a year for a Francisco Cordero would've compounded the issue.
Posted by: brockdc at January 21, 2008 01:39 AM
My expectations for Sanchez have been lowered since I read that he had a second surgery (for bone spurs) during last season. Maybe Horne, if he can improve his command, can transition to the pen at some point in the season.
Posted by: Rich at January 21, 2008 07:50 AM
Will Carrol's a guest columnist today @ Pete Abe's blog;
http://tinyurl.com/ysq9ul
Posted by: Raf at January 21, 2008 05:23 PM
From my most trusted source...my own ears...Dave Eiland said this week, "We'll see", when I asked him if Joba was a slam dunk to be a starter.
Posted by: #15 at January 21, 2008 07:02 PM