Sergio Mitre, who underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on July 15, is reuniting with Joe Girardi.The Major League portion of the deal is for $1.25 million, and there is a team option for 2010.
Due to the severe surgery on his right elbow, Mitre may not be ready to pitch until midseason, according to his agent, Matt Sosnick. Normal recovery time from Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months.
When healthy, Mitre has tremendous upside. He could be a key contributor for New York in the second half, working either out of the rotation or in the bullpen.
Mitre broke in with the Cubs, but he was traded to the Marlins before the 2006 season as part of the Juan Pierre deal. In 2007, the right-hander was 5-8 with a 4.65 ERA in 27 games, all starts. He threw 149 innings.
A sinkerballer, Mitre was especially effective early in 2007. In May of that year, he was 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in 40 1/3 innings. As the season progressed, however, he dealt with fatigue, and his second-half statistics suffered. In 12 starts after the All-Star break, he was 2-4 with a 7.27 ERA.
I think this is a good move for the Yanks. It's low risk with the potential for a high reward, and there's never anything wrong with that kind of move. If he can return next year I would probably put him in the pen at first.
I do like this move. He obviously is not a good starter. He always seems to be better at the start of the year, then fatigue sets in. I think he could be a useful middle reliever/emergency starter. Kind of like Ramiro Mendoza. He could also be clutch in situations where the Yankees need a quick two outs with the bases loaded, or something like that.
ReplyDeleteI never hard of him.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees: Where Tommy John rehabbers come to officially end their careers.
ReplyDeleteVery good depth move. no risk high reward. I like it
ReplyDeleteI've seen Mitre a few times with the Fish. Sinkerballer, groundball pitcher.
He was non-tendered because of the depth of the Marlins rotation (Volstad, Johnson, Nolasco, Olsen, Miller, and Sanchez).
I will never complain about a move like this. This is just like the Zambrano and Milton signings.
I think the New York Yankees, aka the Recovery Center of Seattle Grace Hospital, are jam-packed with way too many players who have undergone surgery.
ReplyDeleteMt sentinels exactly, Raven. I agree.
ReplyDeleteMike