Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10 ERA) vs. Darrell Rasner (2-0, 3.00 ERA)
Bullpen:
Available: Mo, Joba, Farnsworth, Ohlendorf, Britton
Likely: Hawkins, Ramirez, Veras
Verdict: Good job by the "other" arms in the bullpen. If a team isn't winning, the least the bullpen can do is keep the game close. This time, Hawkins, Ramirez, and Veras put up 3 scoreless frames and gave the Yankees a chance to come back. As little as a year ago, a 5-run lead wasn't always enough for the Rays' bullpen to hold. But with the Yankees' offense being the way it is, the much-improved Rays bullpen managed to escape with a comfortable 5-2 victory.
It's good to see that Girardi hasn't turned to LaTroy Hawkins for any crucial innings in the past few weeks. It was such a Torre thing to defer to a pitcher simply because he's a veteran. Clearly Girardi is going on results, and if a member of the 'pen performs, he will be rewarded with a more prominent role. Farnsworth and Ohlendorf (and before their injuries, Bruney and Albaladejo) are proof that it's possible to rise in the bullpen pecking order if you pitch well. Hawkins has pitched much better of late (an ERA in the low 3's ever since his 6-run collapse in early April) and could see more important innings in the near future. But it'll take sustained dominance, in addition to a Farnsworth or Ohlendorf collapse, to put him near the 7th inning with a lead.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
GAMEDAY: Yankees at Rays, 4:10pm
Available: Farnsworth, Hawkins, Ramirez, Veras, Britton
Likely: Mo, Ohlendorf
Maybe: Joba
Verdict: I was not expecting Igawa to get the boot. I mean, it should come as no surprise, but I thought Girardi wanted to keep a long reliever. I even wrote an entire paragraph contrasting the merits of Jose Veras and Chris Britton and Edwar Ramirez, and it looks like it was for naught.
Short update today. I'll have more to say tomorrow.
Likely: Mo, Ohlendorf
Maybe: Joba
Verdict: I was not expecting Igawa to get the boot. I mean, it should come as no surprise, but I thought Girardi wanted to keep a long reliever. I even wrote an entire paragraph contrasting the merits of Jose Veras and Chris Britton and Edwar Ramirez, and it looks like it was for naught.
Short update today. I'll have more to say tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
GAMEDAY: Yankees @ Rays, 7:10pm
Bullpen status:
Available: Ohlendorf, Hawkins, Ramirez, Veras, Britton
Likely: Mo, Joba
Maybe: Farnsworth
Verdict: This would be a good time for the bats to come to life. It isn't crucial that the top 3 in the bullpen have a rest, but it would certainly be appreciated. If Mo were any other pitcher I'd put him under "Maybe", but...well...he isn't, is he?
Farnsworth is most likely sitting, but Ohlendorf can pitch the 7th. He hasn't pitched in a few days, so we might see him in a game regardless. Ditto for Hawkins, who definitely has improved his standing in the eyes of Girardi and (possibly) the fans. His ERA has dropped from 31.50 to 6.38 in the 16.1 innings since his second appearance at Yankee stadium. He's given up 6 runs over that span, which is good for a 4.08 ERA (keep in mind I'm a History Major, so my math is probably off). Not great, but not that bad, especially for a reliever that's basically 5th in the bullpen pecking order. All that matters is that the walks (7 so far, also not bad) are down. Can't have relievers handing out free passes. The lack of walks has been a clear indicator of how effective this bullpen has been (as if the bullpen's ERA weren't enough :-P )
UPDATE: It's a 3.31 ERA, after all. Told you I'm a History Major.
Moose is pitching the day after Hank made a public statement, so naturally, he should be good for 9 innings, or 10 if the Yankees don't manage to score. ::knock on wood::
Big news from down on the farm: JB Cox was promoted to AAA and Mark Melancon is on his way to AA. Two of the pitchers who were voted "Most likely to do a pretty decent Joba impression in 2008" have hit a groove after their relatively rocky starts to 2008, and they've been dominating for the past month or so. They deserve the promotion, and Scranton could certainly use the bullpen help.
Kevin Whelan, the #2 guy we got from the Sheffield trade, is pitching again. He's a converted catcher with a live arm, and he got somewhere close to 100 strikeouts last year in 80 innings of relief. The catch? He walked about 50 batters. That's definitely not going to cut it in the Majors, but he's on his way.
Steve Jackson, the throw-in in the Randy Johnson trade (behind Vizcaino, Ohlendorf, and Gonzalez) is in AAA Scranton right now. Coincidentally, he's similar to Ross Ohlendorf as far as stuff goes, so we'll see how he continues to handle AAA batters in his relatively new role in the bullpen. Girardi apparently really likes his arm, and if he dominates at AAA, then at the very least he could be decent trade bait.The way the kids are progressing, it's just a matter of time before guys like Heath Phillips, Scott Strickland, and Billy Traber get the boot.
UPDATE (5:54pm): Just realized that I should probably explain the "availability".
Available means that there is nothing stopping the manager from using a certain reliever.
"Likely" applies to a reliever who pitched the day before, but due to his importance, or to the (low) number of pitches he threw that day, he has a good chance of being used again. Generally a guy who throws 2 innings 2 days ago will fall under this category.
"Maybe" generally applies to a reliever who threw more than one inning the day before...again, role/importance is a factor here. You'll notice that I usually put Kyle Farnsworth under this label due to his reputed inability to pitch in back-to-back games.
"Unavailable" is something I rarely use, but it applies to someone who pitched more than 2 innings the day before and threw more than 40 pitches. You will rarely see Mariano Rivera under this category, unless he pitches in 3 consecutive games. I'll also put guys in this category if there are extenuating circumstances (suspension, injury, etc.)
These labels are by no means a sure thing. Girardi can break the "rules" as he pleases, and I know for a fact that Torre did (and still does). But these are a general guideline, and they provide an explanation for a manager's reluctance to use a pitcher, or for a reliever's effectiveness on a certain day.
Available: Ohlendorf, Hawkins, Ramirez, Veras, Britton
Likely: Mo, Joba
Maybe: Farnsworth
Verdict: This would be a good time for the bats to come to life. It isn't crucial that the top 3 in the bullpen have a rest, but it would certainly be appreciated. If Mo were any other pitcher I'd put him under "Maybe", but...well...he isn't, is he?
Farnsworth is most likely sitting, but Ohlendorf can pitch the 7th. He hasn't pitched in a few days, so we might see him in a game regardless. Ditto for Hawkins, who definitely has improved his standing in the eyes of Girardi and (possibly) the fans. His ERA has dropped from 31.50 to 6.38 in the 16.1 innings since his second appearance at Yankee stadium. He's given up 6 runs over that span, which is good for a 4.08 ERA (keep in mind I'm a History Major, so my math is probably off). Not great, but not that bad, especially for a reliever that's basically 5th in the bullpen pecking order. All that matters is that the walks (7 so far, also not bad) are down. Can't have relievers handing out free passes. The lack of walks has been a clear indicator of how effective this bullpen has been (as if the bullpen's ERA weren't enough :-P )
UPDATE: It's a 3.31 ERA, after all. Told you I'm a History Major.
Moose is pitching the day after Hank made a public statement, so naturally, he should be good for 9 innings, or 10 if the Yankees don't manage to score. ::knock on wood::
Big news from down on the farm: JB Cox was promoted to AAA and Mark Melancon is on his way to AA. Two of the pitchers who were voted "Most likely to do a pretty decent Joba impression in 2008" have hit a groove after their relatively rocky starts to 2008, and they've been dominating for the past month or so. They deserve the promotion, and Scranton could certainly use the bullpen help.
Kevin Whelan, the #2 guy we got from the Sheffield trade, is pitching again. He's a converted catcher with a live arm, and he got somewhere close to 100 strikeouts last year in 80 innings of relief. The catch? He walked about 50 batters. That's definitely not going to cut it in the Majors, but he's on his way.
Steve Jackson, the throw-in in the Randy Johnson trade (behind Vizcaino, Ohlendorf, and Gonzalez) is in AAA Scranton right now. Coincidentally, he's similar to Ross Ohlendorf as far as stuff goes, so we'll see how he continues to handle AAA batters in his relatively new role in the bullpen. Girardi apparently really likes his arm, and if he dominates at AAA, then at the very least he could be decent trade bait.The way the kids are progressing, it's just a matter of time before guys like Heath Phillips, Scott Strickland, and Billy Traber get the boot.
UPDATE (5:54pm): Just realized that I should probably explain the "availability".
Available means that there is nothing stopping the manager from using a certain reliever.
"Likely" applies to a reliever who pitched the day before, but due to his importance, or to the (low) number of pitches he threw that day, he has a good chance of being used again. Generally a guy who throws 2 innings 2 days ago will fall under this category.
"Maybe" generally applies to a reliever who threw more than one inning the day before...again, role/importance is a factor here. You'll notice that I usually put Kyle Farnsworth under this label due to his reputed inability to pitch in back-to-back games.
"Unavailable" is something I rarely use, but it applies to someone who pitched more than 2 innings the day before and threw more than 40 pitches. You will rarely see Mariano Rivera under this category, unless he pitches in 3 consecutive games. I'll also put guys in this category if there are extenuating circumstances (suspension, injury, etc.)
These labels are by no means a sure thing. Girardi can break the "rules" as he pleases, and I know for a fact that Torre did (and still does). But these are a general guideline, and they provide an explanation for a manager's reluctance to use a pitcher, or for a reliever's effectiveness on a certain day.
It had to happen eventually......
That's right. Bullpen Status is now officially a blog. What began as a small FYI piece in Gameday Threads on the Yankees group in Facebook has resulted in an entire website dedicated to those mysterious animals known as bullpen pitchers.
Now, don't worry......there will be more than just status reports on the Yankees' bullpen. I will also be looking at the farm system, as well as more generally analyzing the Yankees' MLB squad and MiLB teams. To quote a fellow blogger who shall remain nameless (but who resides at Pending Pinstripes), there is no need for me to reinvent the wheel when there are sites out there already doing a fantastic job. But I will still chip in with my 2 cents when it's warranted. And so far this season, there has been no shortage of stories. From angry owners to fist-pumps to drawing boos because of the number you wear, it's been quite a year for the New York sports media and the sports blogs.
Ideally this blog would have begun at the same time as the season, but hey, better late than never.
Even though this is technically my inaugural post, I plan on writing a more official introductory post, explaining the reasons for dedicating a blog to a specific role player on baseball teams. Trust me, I know it sounds crazy...and what's next? A blog dedicated to utility players? I can see it now.....exposes on Brandon Inge and Ryan Freel and a technical analysis that predicts where they will play on a given evening.........given the range of blogs on the internet, I really would not be surprised.
After that I'll be continuing my daily Bullpen Status updates (using the same format I used on Facebook). Beyond that, well, we'll see what happens. In any case, it's good to finally join the blogosphere.
Now, don't worry......there will be more than just status reports on the Yankees' bullpen. I will also be looking at the farm system, as well as more generally analyzing the Yankees' MLB squad and MiLB teams. To quote a fellow blogger who shall remain nameless (but who resides at Pending Pinstripes), there is no need for me to reinvent the wheel when there are sites out there already doing a fantastic job. But I will still chip in with my 2 cents when it's warranted. And so far this season, there has been no shortage of stories. From angry owners to fist-pumps to drawing boos because of the number you wear, it's been quite a year for the New York sports media and the sports blogs.
Ideally this blog would have begun at the same time as the season, but hey, better late than never.
Even though this is technically my inaugural post, I plan on writing a more official introductory post, explaining the reasons for dedicating a blog to a specific role player on baseball teams. Trust me, I know it sounds crazy...and what's next? A blog dedicated to utility players? I can see it now.....exposes on Brandon Inge and Ryan Freel and a technical analysis that predicts where they will play on a given evening.........given the range of blogs on the internet, I really would not be surprised.
After that I'll be continuing my daily Bullpen Status updates (using the same format I used on Facebook). Beyond that, well, we'll see what happens. In any case, it's good to finally join the blogosphere.
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