Yanks To Decline Marte's Option

The three-year, $12 million dollar deal he got turned out to be a bit of a disaster but at least he had a very good 2009 postseason (0 R, 2 H, 5 K, 0 BB over 4 IP) concluding with this performance in the clincher:

Marte and Feliciano Update

Via Bryan Hoch:

Pedro Feliciano (left rotator cuff strain) and Damaso Marte (left shoulder labrum inflammation) each began a rehab assignment today with the GCL Yankees in Tampa vs. the GCL Tigers. Pitching lines are below:

Feliciano: 1.0IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 13 pitches

Marte: 0.2IP, 6H, 6ER, 0BB, 0K, 22 pitches

Geeez Damaso...

Anyway, it would be nice to get either of these guys back for the stretch run, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

The Shrinking List of Left-Handed Bullpen Options

From George A. King III:

To the surprise of no one, the Yankees don't expect Pedro Feliciano or Damaso Marte to contribute at any point.

The lefty relievers, who have been on the DL since the start of the season, are working out in Tampa, but Girardi didn't paint a positive picture.

....

Feliciano has increased workouts in Tampa, but has a lot of work left before he can be considered able to return.

"Until you necessarily see him throw bullpen [sessions] at nearly 100 percent and possibly throwing batting practice sessions, you just hope you get to that point," Girardi said. "Until he can do that, I am not sure what we'll get."

Marte, who contributed to the 2009 World Series title and then appeared in 30 games last year, is running out of time.

"The days are ticking away," Girardi said. "I don't know if we will see him. I am hopeful that we do, but I can't tell you that we will."

Lefty reliever J.C. Romero asked for his release from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was granted it. The Yankees have some interest in lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes -- who recently was released by the Rangers -- but only at the minor league level.

...

If the Yankees are serious about bringing top pitching prospect Manuel Banuelos to the majors as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen, expect to see him do that for Triple-A, where he is currently working as a starter.

"If you were going to make him a second lefty per se, you would have him do it down there [at Triple-A] before you would have him do it here," Girardi said. "He would have to adapt to coming into the middle of an inning and starting an inning. When you are starting, you have your routine -- 20 to 25 minutes. As a bullpen guy you can't necessarily do that."

I still think giving J.C. Romero a shot before he asked for his release would have been a good idea. I don't really like the idea of bringing in Rhodes. I've seen him give up too many big hits to lefties throughout the years to have any real faith in him. But a minor league deal can't hurt I guess.

The idea of bringing up Banuelos is the most intriguing, and as long as it doesn't hurt or hold back his development as a starter I'd be all for it.

Rehab Continues For Soriano, Prior, Feliciano & Marte

From the AP:

Yankees right-hander Mark Prior is back pitching after missing almost three months because of a strained groin.

The converted reliever said it was a step in the right direction today after allowing an unearned run and one hit over two innings for the Gulf Coast League Yankees against Atlanta minor leaguers.

In his first outing since pitching on April 18 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Prior threw 24 pitches with a fastball that reached 90 mph.

...

Also, Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano threw 25 pitches during his second batting practice session since going on the disabled list May 17 because of right elbow inflammation.

...

Left-hander Pedro Feliciano, hoping to avoid surgery for a left shoulder tear, has resumed a light throwing program. Reliever Damaso Marte, coming back from left shoulder surgery, is continuing to throw off a bullpen mound.

More Updates: Soriano, Chavez & Marte

From Chad Jennings:

Eric Chavez is bothered by a sore back, but apparently he felt better yesterday, and “he should be able to get back to work soon,” Girardi said.

Of the players currently on the disabled list, Rafael Soriano is closest to a return. He’s throwing live batting practice today. “He’s getting to a point where we could see him in a (rehab) game fairly quickly,” Girardi said.

Damaso Marte is still just throwing bullpens and not ready to face hitters.

Some News & Notes Since The Season Died

I haven't looked at anything Yankee related in about 24 hours and apparently there's been some news. Here's some of it:

- The SF Giants beat the Phillies last night to set up what should be the least watched and cared about World Series in history.

- Damaso Marte had labrum surgery this Friday and will begin throwing again after the 2011 All-Star break.

- Javier Vazquez has already been linked to the Washington Nationals... See ya Javy, don't let the door hit you on the way out.... I still can't believe they gave up Arodys Vizcaino for this guy.

- Andy Pettitte isn't sure what he's going to do next season, which is better than knowing he is going to retire.

“I wish I could tell you, I really do,” Pettitte said. “I wish I knew. I’m just not sure. The only thing I know right now is I love taking the mound every fifth day. Unfortunately there’s a lot of other stuff that — at this point, at this stage of my life –that I don’t like about baseball. It obviously just has to do with the family.

“Just go home, let this settle in, and really probably try not to think about this for a little while. And then just figure out what I want to do. I don’t want to make any rash decisions. I wish I knew. I really do. I wish I know what I was going to do right now, but I just don’t.”

I think Andy has at least one more year left in that arm and if he does come back the Yankees starting staff will be in a lot better shape heading into next season. Without him, it's really just CC and a bunch of question marks.

- After Friday night's loss, Brian Cashman said that bringing back Joe Girardi will be the first priority of the offseason. Starting pitching and resigning Jeter and Mo are also tops on his list.

Marte Shutdown, Likely Headed For Surgery

From Joel Sherman:

Yankees pulling plug on Marte for rest of playoffs, shoulder still not good. Cashman says probably needs surgery

I'm sure mostly everyone saw this one coming.

Also, I've been noticing that the knee-jerk reaction to this news around Yankeeland is to bash the trade that got him here, which I can't really understand. Like Mark Feinsand correctly pointed out earlier today, the Yankees don't win the World Series last year without him. I'll take the 2009 WS over Jose Tabata any day of the week.

The Lineup & Some Bad News On Aceves and Marte

Here's the lineup via Chad Jennings:

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Lance Berkman 1B
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C

Jennings also passes along this from Pete Caldera:

Girardi says Aceves out for the year, and feels same about Marte.

Not good news for the Yankees pen, but it's not really a surprise. Once they each suffered their latest setbacks you knew this was coming.

A.J. Leaves Game With Injury, Marte Headed To The DL

(UPDATE: 5:58 PM) Joe Girardi was just interviewed during the FOX telecast and said that Burnett was taken out of the game because he had lacerations of currently unknown origin on his hand, and Girardi didn't think he could control the ball.

Burnett left the game in the third inning with what appeared to be an injury of some sort. He didn't look hurt, but Gene Monahan accompanied Joe Girardi to the mound and Burnett walked off the field with Monahan. More info as it comes out.

Also, I forgot to mention this in the game thread, but Damaso Marte has been placed on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his left shoulder. He started to feel some discomfort before the Seattle series went for an MRI during last night’s game. He will head for a strengthening program and has been replaced on the roster by Boone Logan.

Yanks May Call Up Melancon To Help Bullpen Issues

Chad Jennings is reporting that the Yankees will likely call Mark Melancon up from Triple-A Scranton, but they're waiting to see if tonight's game can be played before they make the move. He also says that Boone Logan or Greg Golson could be heading to Scranton to make room on the roster.

With the exception of Sunday's game, both Joba and Mo have looked good at the end of games, the problem is getting there. The loss of Alfredo Aceves has really started to take its toll on the pen. David Robertson has been better lately, but still isn't the same pitcher we saw most of last year. He's walking 6.17 batters per nine compared to 4.74 last year, and his homers are way up, from 0.82 per nine last year to 2.31 so far in 2010. He also has relied on his fastball a lot more this year, throwing it 78.1% of the time, compared to 68.7% last year. Batters may be sitting on his fastball, and that could be causing the jump in homers.

Besides Robertson's struggles, the Yankees have no idea what they have in Chan Ho Park. He had a couple good outings before hitting the DL, but overall has been a disappointment. And Damaso Marte and Logan have both been ineffective.

The bullpen is an issue right now, there's no doubt that. But it has been like this in each of Joe Girardi's first two seasons as manager and each time he found a formula that eventually worked. Hopefully, Melancon can pitch well at this level and help the pen find itself. Other pitchers to keep your eye on are Jonathan Albaladejo and lefty Royce Ring, who have both pitched well for Scranton this year.

Yesterday's Strange Seventh

I cannot remember ever seeing as strange of an inning as I saw in last nights game. The Yankees headed into the inning with a 3-2 lead over the Minnesota Twins. While A.J. Burnett did not have his best stuff, he was battling. With a man on second and two out and Burnett having reached 100 pitches, with Joe Mauer coming to the plate Joe Girardi decided to go to Damaso Marte? Damaso Marte? Damaso Marte? Are you kidding me Joe? Damaso Marte is on this team to do specifically this job. Get out the big left handed bats in key situations. Anyone who has watched the Yankees this season can tell you that Marte has been awful in these spots. Lefties are hitting .294 against Marte. Furthermore if you are familiar with Marte's pitch sequencing (which i assume Girardi is) Marte relies on expanded the zone specifically on the outside corner to left handed hitters. If you watched the game the strike zone was very tight last night specifically on the outside corner. So what should have Girardi done you might ask? Reward Boone Logan who has been the hot hand and see what he could do in a big spot against two of the best left handed hitters in the league. Lefties are hitting .222 against him. This opinion is not hindsight on my part I actually picked up Boone Logan in one of my fantasy league's because I need holds and I figured with a lefty heavy line-up Girardi would do the smart thing and go to Logan. Marte obviously blew the lead as usual and left the Yankees trailing 4-3 going into the bottom of the 7th.

Which is where things got even more questionable. The Yankees managed to get runners on second and third with one out and Mark Teixeira coming to the plate. With a base empty and the struggling Alex Rodriguez on deck I understand the move to walk him to try and set up a double-play. It makes sense if you don't have access to any statistics. However Alex Rodriguez is 4 for 4 with one walk, one sacrifice fly, two home runs and 14 RBI in six plate appearances after Mark Teixeira has been intentionally walked to juice the bases in front of him. Now that was only half the strange move by Gardenhire who then brings in of all people Matt Guerrier a pitcher Rodriguez was 4 for 6 with 3 HR and 4 RBI against coming into the at-bat. We all knew what was going to happen didn't we? Some how Gardenhire did not.

So now tell me why have the twins lost are 5-28 in the Bronx during the Gardenhire era? I usually like the guy, but the moves by both managers in the 7th inning are simply idiotic.

Some Injury Updates

Chad Jennings just posted some updated on injured Yankees Nick Johnson, Alfredo Aceves, Damaso Marte, Jorge Posada and Francisco Cervelli. Here's a summary:

• Nick Johnson said he was “Stiff and sore right now,” and that he wasn't "going to do anything tomorrow," just "get some treatments and see how it feels.” When asked about Opening Night he said he would be in the lineup, but Joe Girardi felt a little differently, saying, "I’m somewhat concerned about Sunday.” So we'll have to wait and see.

• Alfredo Aceves had a successful day in minor league game. He threw a painless eight-pitch scoreless inning, and also threw off flat ground. “Everything was good. I didn’t feel nothing in my back," said Aceves. Girardi will see how Ace feels tomorrow, but I think he'll be ready to go on Sunday.

• Damaso Marte said he feels "maybe two or three days” will be all the rest he needs for his back.

• According to Jorge Posada, his neck feels "much better."

• Francisco Cervelli had the same thing to say about his mildly strained hamstring. Cervelli, who caught in the bullpen and took BP, also said he could have played today.

So Johnson, Posada, Cervelli, and Aceves all seem like they'll be fine for Sunday night, while Marte might miss a game or two. Not too bad, it could have been much worse.

Marte has "Cranky" Shoulder

Via Chad Jennings:

Damaso Marte felt some discomfort in his left shoulder while throwing long toss a few days ago. He’s been scratched from today’s scheduled relief appearance.

Marte and Joe Girardi described it as a “cranky” shoulder. Marte said it’s sore, but nothing like last year’s injury. He doesn’t expect this to land him on the DL.

Eric Boland of Newsday also tweets this Cashman quote:

He's not on my red flag list at this moment.

Hopefully this is just some end of spring training soreness and nothing more. At best Marte is a high quality lefty specialist, and at worst...well let's just say there are a few moments of his I would like to forget. Last year we got through the season fine without him, and this year should be no different with lefty depth such as Boone Logan, and Royce Ring. Marte really only becomes extremely valuable in the post-season when teams like Minnesota, or Philadelphia come in with big lefty bats to shut down.

Marte Leaves Game After Being Hit With A Line Drive

In today's game against the Phillies, left-hander Damaso Marte was hit in the lower back by a line drive off the bat of Ryan Howard. According to those in attendance, he was clearly in pain and was forced to leave the game. Not the best spring debut for Marte, who also allowed 3 runs on 4 hits without retiring a batter.

The good news is that Marte is fine. According to Bryan Hoch, the only lasting injury is a large bruise.

Guzman In, Hinske Out For ALCS

From Anthony Rieber at Newsday:

"Joe Girardi just announced one change to the ALCS roster: Freddy Guzman is in, Eric Hinske is out.

"No change in the pitching staff. Damaso Marte stays on the roster. Brian Bruney stays in Tampa."

Read the full article here.

Well now there's no off-the-bench power hitter in a series where the Yanks could use one but that's not a bad move, Guzman's good- but here's where it sucks. Marte is still on the roster, which is more than questionable. I'm not jumping for joy with that guy on this roster.

.....

Greg here, was actually writing a post about this myself... anyway... Here's another quote from Girardi regarding the move via Chad Jennings:

“We thought we could use another speed guy in this round. We’ve had some success doing those types of things late in the game, and in a seven-game series stuff could come up late in the game. We saw the games against Minnesota were very close and sometimes you can use a couple of pinch runners. If Gardy gets a start, then you don’t have a pinch runner (without Guzman). It just frees us up to do some more things.”

I like this move. Hinske wasn't going to get any playing time anyway and now the Yanks have even more speed on the bench. This may also mean that Girardi will start Gardner in at least one of these game, which is what I was hoping for. At this point he's probably a tougher out than Melky anyway.

Damon Works On His Hitting

After hitting an embarrassing .083 (1-for-12) in the ALDS, Johnny Damon was at Yankee Stadium today and hit in a simulated game. Along with Damon, Eric Hinske, Jerry Hairston Jr., Brett Gardner, and Francisco Cervelli also took part in the simulated game.

Five pitchers threw in a simulated game in an effort to stay sharp during the break between the first round and ALCS. Chad Gaudin threw 50 pitches, Alfredo Aceves threw 30, David Robertson threw 20, Phil Coke threw 20 and Damaso Marte threw 15.

Nick Swisher was also in the Bronx today for his normal batting practice session. And CC Sabathia threw his normal bullpen session.

One Roster Move To Make

With the Yankees facing the Angels in the ALCS, the question of rosters changes becomes an important one. Here's the change I'd make: I'd take Damaso Marte off the roster. Not only did he prove to be useless, but the Angels lineup is full of right-handed hitters so there is really no need for two lefties in the bullpen.

I would then add Freddy Guzman to the roster in his place. This not only gives Joe Girardi another running threat off the bench if he still wants to start Melky Cabrera. Or, he now can start Brett Gardner in center since Melky was invisible in the ALDS (2-for-12 with 5 K's), and still have the speed he wants coming off the bench. This gives Girardi more options offensively and against a team like the Angels he could use it.

One Complaint

In the day after the Yankees walkoff win to put them up 2-0 on the Twins theirs not a lot to complain about. The familiar candidates for postseason blame have all performed this year. A-Rod has gotten big hits, the starting pitching has gone deep, we've gotten a few breaks with the umps, and we've even gotten a little timely hitting. Their is one thing that was annoying me last night though, why is Damaso Marte being brought into big spots?

I've been his biggest defender since he came over but since he's entered the AL East, he hasn't gotten big outs. It nearly cost them last night's game and I don't understand how Girardi could risk going with the man with the season ERA over 9.00, when David Robertson was sitting out there. Its not a big deal, they won last night and I doubt we'll be seeing Marte for a little while. However, these futile attempts to justify a mistake Cashman made a year ago have to end before they cost the Yankees a playoff game.

Checking in on Ross Ohlendorf

I know I haven't been around for a while but I'm back now and things should be back to normal. :)

With the Yankees searching for a fifth starter, I've heard many fans complaining about the Nady trade last year. Not because of Jose Tabata's resurgence but because of Ross Ohlendorf's solid year. At first glance it looks pretty good to. His ERA is 4.15, he has 11 wins for the hapless Pirates, and has a solid WHIP of 1.31. On top of that he's on pace to throw well over 200 innings. All of those much better than the disaster that has been Sergio Mitre and at times better than Andy Pettitte. Judging by those numbers alone, he could be their fourth starter and is an easy upgrade of Sergio Mitre. Its not that simple though.

First of all, pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central is worlds away from pitching for the Yankees in the ridiculously stacked AL East. While with the Yankees, he was unimpressive and a major dissapointment in the bullpen. Teams crushed his stuff and he just seemed totally out of his league. The difference in the divisions is huge. We've seen time and time again that when pitchers make the switch in leagues, it makes a huge difference.

Secondly, Ohlendorf been pretty lucky this year. He's not to keep getting by on a 4.91 K/9. His K/BB is only 1.73 and his FIP is up to 4.90. He hasn't developed the high ground ball tendencies you would expect from a sinker baller like him either. His GB% of 42.7% is decidedly mediocre. All around they're not very impressive at all. He's gotten lucky with balls in play and that should start catching up with him sooner rather than later.

Finally, Sergio Mitre has not really hurt the Yankees all that much. Sure, he's been terrible and nobody in their right mind is going to contest that. He's had exactly one "quality" start and that's it. However, it hasn't really mattered. In Mitre's starts the Yankees are 5-2. That's really because of some excellent run support but it shows that despite his struggles, it hasn't really hurt them. Coolstandings.com pegs the Yankees at having a 97.7% chance of making the playoffs this year. If they blow the 6.5 game lead they have now, theirs going to be a long list of guys to blame before the fifth starter. Besides that, its unlikely that Ohlendorf would get any starts in the playoffs.

The trade did not work out. Nady and Marte didn't push them over the top last year and Jose Tabata is reestablishing himself as a top prospect with a big year. However, lets put to rest this idea that Ross Ohlendorf is the missing piece to this team.

King: Marte Expected Back Tonight

George A. King III is reporting that Damaso Marte is expected to rejoin the Yankees tonight for their series in Boston. He also said that the Yanks could go with 13 pitchers.

I don't mind the idea of carrying 13 pitchers, but why the hell would Marte be one of them? According to everything I read he never regained the velocity on his fastball, and he's been nothing but ineffective since he's been a Yankee.

I wonder if Cashman is too stubborn to admit his mistake in resigning Marte and is forcing this move to occur to happen. As I mentioned before I'd much rather see Zach Kroenke and Mike Dunn on this team instead of Marte.