Breaking: New York Yankees Middle Relief Stinks!
I cannot lie to you… I wrote about three paragraphs and didn’t like anything that I wrote. Not that I think the words stunk, but because the middle relief has me effin’ frustrated!!! Thanks for melting down during the first game at the new Yankee Stadium, guys (Boxscore). So, I’ll keep this short. Damaso Marte obviously cannot pitch in pinstripes (5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings in 2008; 27.00 ERA in 2.0 innings thus far in 2009). Jose Veras is about half-crappy compared to Marte as Veras has a 13.50 ERA in 3.1 innings in 2009. And Phil Coke needs to pitch like he did in 2008 (0.61 ERA/14 K/2 BB/5 Holds in 14.2 innings) because he’s relatively looking like ish right now (9.00 ERA/5 K/3 BB in 4.0 innings). Am I overreacting? YES! Did my heart just skip a beat in anger? MAYBE! Do I follow the five second rule when it comes to food dropping on the floor and not eat a piece of fried chicken skin that has laid on the floor for six seconds? NO!
In all seriousness, how do the Yankees solve this early season problem?
We need more Nick Swisher, perhaps? Or do we start that whole debate all over again about Joba Chamberlain going in the bullpen? What do you all think? Leave your comments and vote in the poll to the right. Personally, another “Mariano Rivera killing it in the middle innings before handing the ball off to John Wetteland in the ninth” type of scenario sounds nice right about now.
[...] Think we’re frustrated with our bullpen? “Damaso Marte obviously cannot pitch in pinstripes (5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings in 2008; 27.00 ERA in 2.0 innings thus far in 2009). Jose Veras is about half-crappy compared to Marte as Veras has a 13.50 ERA in 3.1 innings in 2009. And Phil Coke needs to pitch like he did in 2008 (0.61 ERA/14 K/2 BB/5 Holds in 14.2 innings) because he’s relatively looking like ish right now (9.00 ERA/5 K/3 BB in 4.0 innings). [...] We need more Nick Swisher, perhaps? Or do we start that whole debate all over again about Joba Chamberlain going in the bullpen?” [Yanks Go Yard] [...]
April 17th, 2009 at 8:04 amI think they should send down Coke and Veras. Take a look at the Scranton website and the stats for some of the young pitchers down there. I know its only Triple-A, but some of those guys are putting up great numbers so far. Take a shot. It can’t be much worse than yesterday, the blown game in KC, or the rout in St. Pete.
Thank goodness Boston and Tampa arent playing well either.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:53 amSean, at this point… and, YES, it’s an early point… I’d definitely take a look at some of the youngsters in Triple A. Heck, rookie ball even!
As you pointed out, luckily the BoSox and Rays aren’t doing well either. I like Ramirez a lot and I hope they give him more appearances/opps than Marte! He has some really good potential as long as he can keep his walks down. Coke isn’t a complete wash at this point, but he’s got to step up fast.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:07 am[...] Breaking: New York Yankees Middle Relief Stinks! [Yanks Go Yard] [...]
April 17th, 2009 at 5:06 pm[...] Breaking: New York Yankees Middle Relief Stinks! [Yanks Go Yard] [...]
April 18th, 2009 at 3:48 am[...] Breaking: New York Yankees Middle Relief Stinks! [Yanks Go Yard] [...]
April 18th, 2009 at 5:25 amI went to high school with Nick Swisher at Parkersburg High School in WV and we played together for three years. He was always a great all around athlete and had hella good pitching skills. I recently spoke to him after his pitching outing and apparently he is getting some training and after the debacle in the pitching game the other night, it looks like we might be seeing him in the middle relief area sometime soon. I will call him next evening that he does not have a game and keep you updated.
April 18th, 2009 at 7:01 amHey Brandon,
Wow, that’s pretty crazy that the Yanks would think about letting Swish pitch more middle relief, especially with Nady out, Swisher should get regular playing time. But, hey, who knows… the middle relief is pretty bad, but they did look good yesterday.
Ask Nick for an interview!
April 18th, 2009 at 8:19 am