Stop Whining Brett

From Peter Abraham:

Tomko ticked off: Right-handed reliever Brett Tomko was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Sergio Mitre.

He went out firing, saying he would not return to the Yankees even if he cleared waivers and was offered a spot with Triple-A Scranton.

"I don't think I got a fair shot," he said. "I pitched great in spring training and didn't make the team. I pitched great in the minors, got called up and didn't get much of a chance. I understand other guys are pitching great. But it could have been different. I can't see the point in coming back."

...

"It's hard when you throw once every 10 days. Your stuff can't be the same," Tomko said.

Here's Joe Girardi's explanation:

"A lot of it was circumstances," the manager said. "We played a lot of tight games and we went with the guys we were using in those innings. It's tough sometimes because you want to use everyone."

What Tomko needs to understand is that when you're a Yankee, they're going to do what they have to do to win, and that's it. If they doesn't make everyone happy, well that's just too damn bad. He has no right to blame the Yankees or Joe Girardi for doing what was best for the team. Especially when it was working.

"...I understand other guys are pitching great. But it could have been different. I can't see the point in coming back."

It only "could have been differrent" had he been effective. He gave the Yankees no reason to use him more than they did. The times he was called on, posting a 5.25 ERA in 20 2/3 innings pitching, and while that was happening the Yankees were playing their best baseball. And apparently he doesn't fully understand that part about the other guys "pitching great". Unlike Tomko, they made the best of their opportunities and earned they're playing time.
Tomko didn't so he had to go, that's baseball.

Grading The Relievers

I will only be grading relievers currently on the roster and Jonathan Albaladejo. The reason I will include him is because I have a feeling he will be back with the team fairly soon.

Alfredo Aceves: 5-1, 1 SV, 2.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 40 IP, 30 H, 9 ER, 8 BB, 34 K - as a reliever.

"Ace" has been leaps and bounds better than anything the Yankees would have expected. He's a long-man, short-man, setup guy, mop up guy, in other words he's been anything the Yankees have needed him to be. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, his versatility has helped solidify the Yankees bullpen.

Grade - A


Jonathan Albaladejo: 4-1, 5.04 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 25 IP, 27 H, 14 ER, 11 BB, 16 K

He hasn't been great, but at this point in their careers he might be a better option than David Robertson, and he's definitely a better option than Brett Tomko who is rarely being used.

Grade - C


Brian Bruney: 3-0, 4.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 16.2 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 10 BB, 18 K

He was supposed to be the team's setup man and after getting off to a hot start it looked like he was a perfect fit. Then the injuries came and have turned him into a disaster. Since coming off the DL the second time he's 1-0 with a 7.04 ERA, and in 7.2 IP has allowed 6 ER on 9 hits, walked 8 and struck out 5.

Between his ineffectiveness and the lies about his injury he has been one of the biggest disappointments in the Yanks pen.

Grade - D


Phil Coke: 1-3, 1 SV, 3.99 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 38.1 IP, 26 H, 17 ER, 14 BB, 31 K

After some rough times in April Coke has turned his season around. He's been one of the more reliable Yankee relievers and has held lefties to just a .192 batting average.

Grade - B


Phil Hughes: 0-0, 0.98 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 18.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 19 K - as a reliever.

The numbers speak for themselves, the guy has been absolutely lights-out as a reliever and has become the teams primary setup man. He's throwing 94-96 with a filthy curveball.

Grade - A+


Mark Melancon: 0-1, 6.35 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

After being thrown into the fire back in May and then sent back down before being recalled this month. His stuff looks like it could be MLB material if he just got more work in. He's only thrown 5.2 innings so I can't really grade that.

Grade - INCOMPLETE


David Roberston: - 1-0, 3.57 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 22.2 IP, 16 H, 9 ER, 16 BB, 34 K

The numbers look pretty good, but don't let them fool you, Robertson has had a lot of trouble with inherited runners, allowing over 50% of them to score, which is awful.

He's struck out 34 in 22.2 innings so the stuff is there, he just walks too many (16) and has been put in far too many high leverage situations.

Grade - C-


Brett Tomko: 1-2, 5.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 20.2 IP, 19 H, 12 ER, 7 BB, 11 K

He's an adequate mop up guy, but that's about it. I can't remember too many big outs he's picked up this year. Can you?

I didn't expect much from him anyway, so that will keep his grade in the C range.

Grade - C-


Mariano Rivera: 1-2, 23 SV, 2.43 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 37 IP, 30 H, 10 ER, 3 BB, 43 K

He's the greatest closer ever, and he's having another fantastic season. He blew the save against Boston in Fenway and the Yanks have never recovered from that loss as they have still not beaten the Sox. That alone will drop his grade a half grade, but besides that he's been exactly what we expected, maybe even more when you consider he's coming off surgery.

Grade - A-


OVERALL: Coming into the year the pen was supposed to be one of the stronger areas of team. The failures of pitchers like Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and others set the pen back a long way. With the additions of Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves they are just now finding themselves as a unit. It is very important that Aceves stays away from the rotation and remains in the pen. Along with that Brian Bruney has to regain his early season form. The first one is almost guaranteed, the second is a much bigger if, but if Brueny can get back into a grove the Yankees pen can be what we expected in coming into the year.

Grade - B-/C+

How do these grades stack up with yours?

Are things turning around for the Yankees bullpen?

With Brian Bruney back in action the Yankees bullpen got a huge boost this week, but even prior to his return the Yankees pen started to turn things around. Over their last ten games the Yanks' bullpen is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in the last 10 games. Jose Veras is still awful and can't throw a strike, but with the rest of the mix they have now the Yankees bullpen is slowly rounding into form. Bruney is back, Alfredo Aceves is becoming a weapon, Phil Coke and Jonathan Albaladejo are improving, and even Brett Tomko has been solid.

Do you think the bullpen have turned a corner or do you think they will go back to blowing games regularly?


(Yes, I know I probably just jinxed them.)