Cash Discusses First Base and the Bullpen

Anthony McCarron of the NY Daily News Reports:

By Brian Cashman's estimation, only three relievers are assured of slots in the Yankee bullpen - Mariano Rivera, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins. The rest of the pen, Cashman says, is likely to come from the team's pool of young pitchers, who offer the Yanks more affordable options than the relievers remaining on the free agent market.

"The pen is a work in progress," Cashman said. "We'll have a lot of competition in spring training. As long as you have quality competing for those spots, that's good. We have guys with a lot of potential. If they're ready now or later, we'll have to see.

"For the most part, we like the talent we have against the market at the prices the market is demanding."

I still believe that to limit his innings, Joba Chamberlain will be moved to the bullpen late in the season. This will also strengthen the Yankees pen going into September and October. With Mo, Joba, Hawkins, Farnsworth and several of the younger guys like Veras, Ohlendorf, and recent acquisition Jonathan Albaladejo, the Yankees bullpen has a chance to be very strong. Much better than the 2007 version, where every lead was in doubt until Mo had the ball.

…The Yankees also are unlikely to look outside the organization for help at first base, Cashman said. "We have (Jason) Giambi, Shelley (Duncan) and Wilson Betemit and (Juan) Miranda is coming off a terrific Double-A season," Cashman said.

Like I mentioned in my "Who's on First?" post here, of this group, the only player I see as a potential everyday player is Juan Miranda, though, that may be a stretch. But hopefully he has a good spring, and proves he can hit Major League pitching (especially lefties), and play solid defense at first.