Left Hand Man

Throughout the 2011 season, the New York Yankees' only left handed relief pitcher was Boone Logan, and he was a disaster when it came to retiring left-handed hitters.

Logan reacts after giving up a home run to lefty Jacoby Ellsbury last season.

Damaso Marte, who spent the entire season on the DL, and was supposed to have been interchanged with Logan, was released by the Yankees and is likely to retire soon.

One thing that Joe Girardi likes is the lefty-lefty matchups of pitcher-batter. Last season, lefties hit .260 off him last season, and if they have to face guys like David Ortiz, they need a solid lefty out of the bullpen. Boone Logan is not that guy.

No indication has been given as to if Logan will return, and as the days go on, it appears increasingly likely that he will be gone.

The market for left-handed pitchers this offseason is barely halfway decent. These are the big[ger] name free agent left handed relief pitchers this season:

*Mike Gonzalez
*Darren Oliver
*Arthur Rhodes
*J.C. Romero
*George Sherrill
*Jamie Moyer

With Rhodes and Oliver being over 40 years old, and the Yankees seemingly not interested in older pitchers, Moyer, in addition to age, being a risky signing, and the Yankees having already signed and cut Romero, Mike Gonzalez is the best fit for the Yankees among free agents.

My instinct tells me that the Yankees need to delve into the depths of their minor league system, often called one of the best in baseball, to find another reliever.

The Yankees have Manny Banuelos waiting in the wings, after an extremely successful minor league season last year in both AA and AAA. Along with Gonzalez, Banuelos can be a solid lefty presence in the bullpen for 2012.

Yankees 2012: The Pitching Problem

For the past 2 years now, the Yankees have struggled with their pitching.  Pitching is key to winning games in the American League East and in the playoffs, and without it, rest assured they will not go very far.

The Yankees have 2 proven starters for 2012 in CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, but the remaining three spots are a huge question mark.  What do we do about AJ?  Will Phil Hughes rebound? When do we call up new starters?

While CC Sabathia does have an opt out clause this offseason, he will only use it to get a few extra years and more money.  Rest assured unless his friend (Cliff Lee) has an plan to spite the Yankees again, CC is back in pinstripes in 2012.

Ivan Nova has all but claimed the #2 spot in the rotation for 2012.

But who are the others?

Like it or not, one is likely to be AJ Burnett.  No team would be willing enough to pick him up even if the Yankees payed his salary.

Can Phil Hughes claim the 4th?  It will depend on how he fairs in the playoffs and spring training, but mostly spring training.

That leaves one more.  The Yankees will probably not bring back Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia next year due to their inability to win consistantly, and age.

They can't go through these games again...

With a number of options for 2012 including the Killer B's (Brackman, Butances, and Banuelos) and Hector Noesi, look for little action in the offseason and a lot of competition in spring training.

Hector Noesi looked good in his start recently, but must give them lengthier outings as 2012 comes.  I project the rotation to look something like this:

CC Sabathia
Ivan Nova
Phil Hughes
AJ Burnett
Hector Noesi or Dellin Butances

But mark my words, if AJ struggles out of the gate in 2012, look for him to be moved to a setup role in the bullpen.
But what about relief?

With the bullpen being nothing like it was projected in spring training, the Yankees must decide who to take and who to trash.

Mariano Rivera may be entering his last year in the major leagues, do they trust Rafael Soriano enough to let him close in 2013 and beyond, or is a trade/callup imminent? Regardless, Soriano will likely enter 2012 as the 7th inning guy.

David Robertson has been a surprise in 2011. He will probably enter 2012 as a situational (jam) reliever and backup closer if Mo is unavailable.

David Robertson and I at a telethon in February 2011.

Will Joba Chamberlain pitch in 2012 at all?  They will likely offer him arbritration and see if he is still as effective as he was in the beginning of 2011.

JoSoMo at full strength in 2012?

That leaves lefty specialists.  With Boone Logan in the midst of a terrible season, will this one be his last in New York?  He is eligible for arbritration and I don't see him getting it.  Look for Manny Banuelos to be in the bullpen in 2012.  Damaso Marte, originally slated to be ready by last July, will enter 2012 as a free agent and will likely not be back on the team in 2012.