NY bullpen 2014

[jon abbey]

Since this seems like the primary weak spot for NY currently (although the infield is kind of a mess too), I thought I'd start a thread to see exactly where they stand, here's my guess:
 
Phelps or Nuno as the long man (this assumes Pineda is the 5th starter)
Dellin Betances
Adam Warren
Matt Thornton
Preston Claiborne
Shawn Kelley
David Robertson
 
Outside of Mark Montgomery, who had some injury issues last year, I don't see many other options on the 40 man roster currently, This actually isn't as bad as I thought, but they definitely could use a few more options at the very least. 

 

[jon abbey]

RAB thinks Jose Ramirez is a possibility too, also on the 40 man roster already:
 
http://riveraveblues.com/2014/01/prospect-profile-jose-ramirez-98807/

 

[Wingack]

As I said in the other thread, I think it would be smart to offer incentive laden deals to Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan and sign whichever guy agrees first.

 

[MakMan44]

As I said in the other thread, I think it would be smart to offer incentive laden deals to Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan and sign whichever guy agrees first.

Can't hurt. 
 
Is Robertson still going to get the first shot at closing games?

 

[jon abbey]

Is Robertson still going to get the first shot at closing games?

 
Yes, Hal Steinbrenner of all people confirmed this for the first time yesterday in his post-Tanaka signing interview. 

 

[TomRicardo]

Since this seems like the primary weak spot for NY currently (although the infield is kind of a mess too), I thought I'd start a thread to see exactly where they stand, here's my guess:
 
Phelps or Nuno as the long man (this assumes Pineda is the 5th starter)
Dellin Betances
Adam Warren
Matt Thornton
Preston Claiborne
Shawn Kelley
David Robertson
 
Outside of Mark Montgomery, who had some injury issues last year, I don't see many other options on the 40 man roster currently, This actually isn't as bad as I thought, but they definitely could use a few more options at the very least. 

 
The lineup and infield D are far bigger problems than this bullpen.  Bullpens are fungible.  One or two of these guys might turn around and be lights out this year.

 

[Sampo Gida]

I wonder if the Yankees would take a flyer on Hanrahan.  Not sure what his timetable is for recovery though, probably by the 2nd half he could help.
 
Banuelos could possibly be added in the pen in the 2nd half if they wanted to preserve his innings,

 

[Plympton91]

I thought that Matt Daley kid they called up for the last week or so of the season seemed like he could be effective.

 

[jon abbey]

Good call, he has a minor league deal and RAB agrees that he is a candidate to make the team:

http://riveraveblues.com/2013/12/yankees-re-sign-matt-daley-to-minor-league-deal-98108/

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Heard rumors they are talking with Rodney

 

[jon abbey]

Is that based on anything more than offhand Cafardo babble? That is all I see on the web, NY said they hadn't talked to him as of a few days ago:
 
"Fernando Rodney, RHP, free agent — There’s a feeling that a team like the Yankees may pluck Rodney, or someone of his ilk, to ensure they have another closer in case Dave Robertson breaks down or isn’t up to the task."
 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/02/02/sunball/qbZR3rJEoLrIHTAQj1t7cO/story.html

 

[derekson]

I thought that Matt Daley kid they called up for the last week or so of the season seemed like he could be effective.

 
A 31 year old journeyman hardly qualifies as a "kid". He's decent enough filler to be the last man in a bullpen, but he's not going to be the answer to any high leverage innings.

 

[jon abbey]

Joel Sherman brings up Jose Ramirez again:
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Sleeper candidate for Yankees bullpen
Joe Girardi admits he is going to be doing a lot of experimenting to try to determine the best way to assemble his pen. He said besides David Robertson closing and Matt Thornton as his main lefty specialist, few other items are established. Shawn Kelley likely will pitch late in games, and both David Phelps and Adam Warren could make the pen if Michael Pineda wins the battle for the No. 5 spot.
But if you are looking for an intriguing candidate who could emerge, watch for 24-year-old righty Jose Ramirez, who was 2-6 with a 3.67 ERA between Double- and Triple-A last season in 17 games, 16 of which were starts. The Yankees still think he has a major league future in a rotation, though a few outside executives project his future is in the pen.
The Yanks believe to pitch late in games you have to have a swing-and-miss pitch, and Ramirez’s changeup could qualify to go along with a strong fastball. The Yanks are going to at least keep an open mind about whether Ramirez could be of use in the pen this year.
 
http://nypost.com/2014/02/17/sabathia-will-use-pettitte-blueprint-if-velocity-not-back/

 

[Plympton91]

 
A 31 year old journeyman hardly qualifies as a "kid". He's decent enough filler to be the last man in a bullpen, but he's not going to be the answer to any high leverage innings.

Yeah I didn't realize he had all that history. I could've sworn that is looked up his b-ref page last fall but I guess I got it wrong. Seemed like he had good deception and good velocity for a submariner. Maybe he can be a find for them.

 

[Pedro 4 99MVP]

I know bullpens are fungible and maybe the MFY will luck out and have a dominant pen. Maybe PIneda is healthy and wins the 5th starter job and Phelps moves to the pen and becomes dominant. Stranger things have happened. However, I have to say that this bullpen doesn't exactly strike fear in the opposition. I think Robertson will be fine, but is Shawn Kelley really their main set-up guy? Is Thornton, who showed very diminished stuff last year, really their main lefty? It is comical to me that they spent half a billion dollars this winter and they still have this many questions in the bullpen as well as an infield with question marks at every position (Tex's wrist/will his power return, Jeter's ankle, age, and ability to play SS anymore, Roberts playing more than 12 games, Johnson playing 3B). 

 

[jon abbey]

Yeah, the bullpen and infield are disasters. They really need Betances and/or Ramirez to step up bigtime, maybe both. 

 

[jon abbey]

Also, Bailey and Hanrahan are going to save the day, combining to dominate the league in September/October and vaulting NY to yet another WS triumph, sending out Jeter as the champion he deserves to be:

http://riveraveblues.com/2014/02/martino-yankees-continue-monitor-hanrahan-99848/
 
(To be clear in case there's any doubt, I don't actually think any of that has any chance of happening)

 

[Sampo Gida]

I think Hanrahan is more likely to help in the 2nd half than Bailey.  Also, I can see Manny Banuelos thowing some innings from the pen in the 2nd half.   Yankees play 11 games against the Red Sox and Rays in the first month, so they better figure out the 1st half pen pretty quick since it could cost them some games early on.

 

[jon abbey]

Looks like there's a good chance we'll see Jose Ramirez in the MLB bullpen sometime this year:
 
"Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees are moving Jose Ramirez to the bullpen full-time. “Jose Ramirez is a power right-hander that’s been a starter throughout his minor league career, but because of injuries we’re going to stick him in the bullpen,” said the GM. “He has a chance to move very fast.”"
 
http://riveraveblues.com/2014/03/cashman-confirms-yankees-will-move-jose-ramirez-bullpen-100794/

 

[terrynever]

Looks like there's a good chance we'll see Jose Ramirez in the MLB bullpen sometime this year:
 
"Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees are moving Jose Ramirez to the bullpen full-time. “Jose Ramirez is a power right-hander that’s been a starter throughout his minor league career, but because of injuries we’re going to stick him in the bullpen,” said the GM. “He has a chance to move very fast.”"
 
http://riveraveblues.com/2014/03/cashman-confirms-yankees-will-move-jose-ramirez-bullpen-100794/

I'm on board with building the bullpen through the system. Especially like the move with Ramirez. We've seen teams like St. Louis and Kansas City develop bullpens that are deep in power arms. The Yankees could have same with Betances and Kelley sitting in front of Robertson. Ramirez and Burawa in the minors along with lefty Fred Lewis, who was so good this spring.

 

[jon abbey]

So Claiborne has turned back into a pumpkin this spring, 6 runs allowed today without getting an out (!!!). Maybe Lewis can make the team in his place, also since Thornton is going to suck and they could use a second lefty. 

 

[jon abbey]

Nuno gets the last spot over Cabral, so essentially they're carrying eight SPs (three in the bullpen) and I don't know who they plan to have stretched out in AAA in case of emergency. I dislike this move, Nuno should be in AAA. 

 

[Doctor G]

Betances with a slight case of Daniel Cabrera's disease last night might concern Girardi as much as Tex's hammy.

 

[jon abbey]

Overall the bullpen has been great through 4 games, though, as I posted in the game thread last night. The only run allowed has been the solo HR Phelps gave up in game 2, a combined 9.1 2 1 1 4 13 so far. 

 

[jon abbey]

Cabral is coming up for Robertson, Girardi is going to be a madman mixing and matching with no established closer and three lefties:
 
Nuno (long man/sixth starter)
Cabral
Betances
Phelps
Thornton
Warren
Kelley

 

[derekson]

Cabral is coming up for Robertson, Girardi is going to be a madman mixing and matching with no established closer and three lefties:
 
Nuno (long man/sixth starter)
Cabral
Betances
Phelps
Thornton
Warren
Kelley

 
 
The last few innings of close games are going to be painful to watch with all the pitching changes. I wonder if that'll end up burning Girardi in any games where they blow a lead and it goes extras with him having already burned through his whole pen to get match ups in the 7th and 8th.

 

[jon abbey]

 
 
I wonder if that'll end up burning Girardi in any games where they blow a lead and it goes extras with him having already burned through his whole pen to get match ups in the 7th and 8th.

 
I think that will be Nuno time until Girardi breaks him, then it will be Aceves time. 

 

[Sampo Gida]

Cabral is coming up for Robertson, Girardi is going to be a madman mixing and matching with no established closer and three lefties:
 
Nuno (long man/sixth starter)
Cabral
Betances
Phelps
Thornton
Warren
Kelley

 
 
Phelps and Betances are in the dog house I think so the Yankees better hope for a few blow outs over the next couple of weeks

 

[jon abbey]

Phelps got a big out today, Girardi doesn't have much room to put guys in the doghouse with Robertson out. Betances will get more chances soon, I'm guessing.

 

[jon abbey]

The bullpen was very impressive this weekend, and Robertson should be back in about a week:
 
Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN  11h
ESPN Stats/Info: NYY bullpen dominated BOS during the 4-game series.The ‘pen K'd 15 in 9 1/3 IP, and allowed 3 hits, 2 walks and no runs.

 

[terrynever]

When will Betances break through into the circle of trust? He has a chance to be something special. 8Ks in 4.1 innings so far, 1 hit, 2 walks. 0.69 WHIP. 6-foot-8 right-hander throwing 96 with a killer slider. I understand it's good to break him in slowly. Just want to see more of him.
 
Adam Warren has jumped another level this season. Phelps helped preserve two wins over Boston. Kelley is the right guy at the right time with Robertson out. Even Matt Thornton has gotten a few big outs while scaring the shit out of everyone in pinstripes.
 
I don't even miss Mariano. It's good to move on after 18 years and see some other people take over.

 

[jon abbey]

Pretty sure Betances took a step in Girardi's eyes this weekend, he had a dominant inning on Friday and then Joe G brought him back for a big out on Saturday. Of course, Phelps' great performance getting the seven out save on Thursday and Warren's continued strong showings means he's still pretty deep on the depth chart, but I do think GIrardi trusts him more than he did before the weekend. 
 
And yeah, Thornton has looked a lot better than I expected, I was sure that was a dud deal but Cashman knows better than me, no surprise.

 

[terrynever]

The experts figured NY's bullpen would stumble just because Mo retired. And maybe over time it will wear down although if the starting rotation keeps going into the seventh inning, that will be an improvement over recent years when maybe only two of the five were consistently reaching the 7th or 8th innings. Montgomery and Burawa are solid options in AAA ball, too. They each have thrown 5 innings of scoreless ball with a combined 14 Ks. Burawa has a 0.60 WHIP and MM is at 1.00. Lefty Fred Lewis has been lit up in 3 innings at Scranton. Preston Claiborne is unscored on in 4 innings but has put a lot of runners on base.

 

[jon abbey]

Betances hasn't been able to move up the pecking order because everyone in the bullpen has been so good so far, but he has a ridiculous combined line so far of:
 
6.1 1 0 0 4 11

 

[Sampo Gida]

Where to start.
 
Nuno moving from the pen to starter due to the rain out, and auditioning for job to replace Nova if he ends up on the DL, which seems likely
 
Cabral DFA, Daley up for a game and stunk and looks like he will be going back down again.
 
Betances deeper in Girardis doghouse with 4 BB in his last 2 appearances in garbage time despite maintaining his 0.00 ERA and high k rate
 
Claibrone and Bryan Mitchell up, Mitchell perhaps only for a cup of coffee with Robertson due back Tuesday
 
Aceves pitched well in his first start in AAA and could be up soon

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Is Aceves going to be a starter or a reliever?

 

[amfox1]

Where to start.
 
Nuno moving from the pen to starter due to the rain out, and auditioning for job to replace Nova if he ends up on the DL, which seems likely

 
Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS  1m
ivan nova has partially torn ucl, according to yankees writers

 

[jon abbey]

 
 
Betances deeper in Girardis doghouse with 4 BB in his last 2 appearances in garbage time despite maintaining his 0.00 ERA and high k rate

 
I haven't seen the last two games, but there's no way this is true after Warren and friends blew up the other night. As I've said since spring training, this team will be best off once Betances is setting up for Robertson, I think we're a step closer to that after the last two games.

 

[Sampo Gida]

Is Aceves going to be a starter or a reliever?

 
They had him start his first game in AAA, so I guess they see him as SP depth.  If he ever gets the call, its probably as an emergency starter if nobody else is stretched out or to be a 2-3 IP guy where he has done his best work (Yankees 2009, Red Sox 2011)..  Nuno pitched well today as SP'er so that probably delays any Aceves call up since he will get another shot starting in Novas spot

 

[Sampo Gida]

 
I haven't seen the last two games, but there's no way this is true after Warren and friends blew up the other night. As I've said since spring training, this team will be best off once Betances is setting up for Robertson, I think we're a step closer to that after the last two games.

 
I agree with you on Betances but I doubt Girardi is going to overreact to 1 poor performance from Warren and buddies, and they atoned for it today.
 
I just see Girardi shaking his head every time Betances walks someone as if to confirm his decision not to use him in higher lev spots.   I would rather a guy who walks a couple of guys but gives up few hits and few BIP.  Betances is kind of like Robertson when he first came up in that regard.  Maybe Joe comes around, but its probably going to take an implosion from Warren and Kelley before he does and who knows what kind of basket case Betances will be then

 

[jon abbey]

Mitchell back down, Robertson will be activated for tomorrow's game. So with Nuno and Phelps both in limbo for the next few days, who would be the long guy on Tues or Wed? Hopefully we don't have to find out.
 
Nuno or Phelps
Claiborne
Betances
Warren
Thornton
Kelley
Robertson

 

[Sampo Gida]

This guy Mark Montgomery could be in the pen at some point. 8 IP, 9 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 0.00 ERA in AAA.   Has a low 90's FB but also has a killer slider as an out pitch.  

 

[Doctor G]

Nuno is probably in the BP until they can pick up a Cabral replacement. Fred Lewis is the only lefthander at SWB

 

[jon abbey]

This guy Mark Montgomery could be in the pen at some point. 8 IP, 9 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 0.00 ERA in AAA.   Has a low 90's FB but also has a killer slider as an out pitch.  

 
Nice to see him bouncing back from his injury, an earlier thread we had about him here:
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/73976-free-mark-montgomery/

 

[orphan]

Kelley sent to the DL. 
 
"Reliever Shawn Kelley has been placed on the disabled list with a strained lumbar spine, and outfielder Zoilo Almonte has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."
 
http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/10927564/carlos-beltran-new-york-yankees-bone-spur-right-elbow

 

[LondonSox]

Strained spine? Ouch

 

[RedOctober3829]

Mark Feinsand ‏@FeinsandNYDN 22s
Shawn Kelley's rehab was halted after he suffered a setback Tuesday. No timetable.
 

 

[jon abbey]

Aceves DFAd (hallelujah), Claiborne sent back to AAA. They're replaced by shitty lefty journeyman Wade LeBlanc (released by the Angels a few days ago) and potential impact arm Jose Ramirez, the real story here. Ramirez is a 24 year old top 10 prospect SP who was recently converted to a fulltime reliever. 
 
http://riveraveblues.com/2014/01/prospect-profile-jose-ramirez-98807/#more-98807
 
NY is presumably hoping they can catch lightning in a bottle twice after the success of Betances, who had a similar story.
 
Also Shawn Kelley is progressing well and is aiming to be back by Monday, so maybe Ramirez's stay will be short, we'll see. 

 

[TheYaz67]

Well, your two bullpen newbies turned a 4-4 game into a 4-7 loss in the last 3 innings, so yeah, pray for Kelley to return soon I guess....

 

[Sampo Gida]

Well, your two bullpen newbies turned a 4-4 game into a 4-7 loss in the last 3 innings, so yeah, pray for Kelley to return soon I guess....

 
Why the newbies were used instead of Betances and Warren is the question.  Betances is like this ace reliever that Joe fears to use in back to back games, rendering him only 1/2 as effective as he otherwise could be.