For the love of god, DO SOMETHING! to change this bullpen. Today's Game 1 of the Yankees/Mets two-stadium doubleheader was an absolute disaster for the Bronx Bombers, who lost 15-6 and made The Struggling Carlos Delgado (his permanent name at this point) look like George Herman ****ing Ruth. Yes, Ross Ohlendorf, I'm looking at you. Edwar Ramirez, who looks like a completely different pitcher in the past few weeks, also struggled, and LaTroy Hawkins gave up 1 run in 2 innings for the best outing of anyone. That's right, "best" and "LaTroy Hawkins" in the same sentence, and it wasn't "best at allowing runs to score." Anyway, here are a few choices for the Yanks, in my opinion:
- Brian Fuentes, Colorado
It appears unlikely the Rockies will be repeating their second-half magic of this year, and they have Manny Corpas anyway. Fuentes' name has been floating out there in trade discussions for a while. He has a 2.01 ERA in 34 games and would slide into the 8th inning role right away. The Yanks have enough pitching prospects to get a deal done. Speaking of which...
- J. Brent Cox, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA)
A 1.44 ERA over three minor league levels this season, with a 0.73 mark in 10 games at AAA. I think he's still hurt, but expect to see him sometime in the second half.
- Mark Melancon, Trenton Thunder (AA)
In 19.2 IP at Trenton, a 1.37 ERA and 0.61 WHIP. Melancon is supposed to be the closest thing to Joba (bullpen version, anyway) in the Yankee minors and could make the jump all the way from A ball to the majors this season. Look for a promotion to AAA sooner rather than later.
- David Robertson, SWB Yankees (AAA)
To quote the Baseball Toaster website: "In over 130 innings as a pro, he's yet to give up a home run, and in 28 appearances between Double- and Triple-A this year, he has a 1.74 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings. With a low-90s fastball and outstanding slider, Robertson may not have Melancon's upside, but he might get the call sooner."
- Eddie Guardado, Texas Rangers
Everyday Eddie has pretty decent numbers in Texas: 30 games, 18 H in 26.1 IP, 3.42 ERA, and an excellent WHIP of 0.99. I know he's old, but the Yankees could use a lefty who's not Billy Traber or...wait a minute, did we just call up Kei Igawa? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A final word from MLBTradeRumors in a possible reliever market is here:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/06/the-reliever-ma.html
And a "Get Smart" review is on the way!
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2 comments:
OK. Here are my thoughts. First on the need of a reliever:
IT'S HUGE. In house moves that need to be done include DFA'ing LaTroy Hawkins NOW. You and I both knew he would suck as soon as we signed him, and he's done nothing but...well...suck. Ohlendorf might be running out of steam, which isn't a good sign. Maybe a DL stint is in order? Idk, that might be taking it a bit too far. I love some of the in-house options for the pen as well. The minors do have some viable options. At the LEAST Melancon needs to be promoted.
OK, now for outside help:
I would take Fuentes in a heartbeat. He's a good, knowledgeable pitcher who's had success in the past and has a bit left in him. Other options I would gladly accept include Huston Street (but he might be too expensive), Jerremy Affeldt, Ron Mahay, Vinnie Chulk, Joaquin Benoit, Jamie Walker, and Damaso Marte. Guys the Yanks should stay away from as they are destined to be the next Hawkins: Eddie Guardado, Kip Wells, Arthur Rhodes, and Brett Tomko.
For some reason that MLBtraderumors.com link you posted has George Sherrill as possibly available in the next few months, and I honestly have NO idea why the Orioles would get rid of him. He's been dominant. I mean, I'd LOVE to acquire him, but I just don't see the Orioles, in their right mind, parting with him.
First Comment!!!
I don't see the Orioles trading Sherrill, or any of their guys, at least not within the division to the Yanks. Billy Beane will certainly want a whole lot for Street too and he's been injured a lot in his career. And Affeldt sucks.
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