I’ve mentioned the group of Yankees’ righty relievers vying for several spots a few times. Well, Manager Girardi announced his 25-man roster today. And the winners are…
Losers, for now: Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Darrell Rasner, and Scott Patterson, who came out of nowhere this spring training and dominated.
Categories: post by johnstevens
Tagged: Brian Bruney, Jonathan Albaladejo, New York Yankees, Ross Ohlendorf, Scott Patterson
The Yankees avoided salary arbitration and signed Brian Bruney to a one-year, $725,000 contract. Bruney had a disappointing 2007 after a short, successful stint with the Yanks in 2006, at which time he had a killer mustache. Should Bruney re-grow said mustache for the 2008 season, it will be a very interesting bullpen battle between him, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, Chris Britton, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jonathan “Dejo” Albaladejo.
Prediction: The pitchers that emerge from this group will be better than Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel this year.
Categories: post by johnstevens
Tagged: Brian Bruney, Chris Britton, Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, Jose Veras, mustaches, New York Yankees, Octavio Dotel, predictions, Ross Ohlendorf, Scott Linebrink
- First the Mitchell Report, now this. Many relief pitchers are in the news for the wrong reasons lately.
- Yankees’ right-handed relievers, Jose Veras and Jonathan “Dejo” Albaladejo, are showing promise in the Dominican League.
- The Mets signed Matt Wise to a one-year deal for $1.2 million. Not too exciting, except for this fact, which the article points out:
Comically, Wise is infamous for an injury inflicted by a pair of salad tongs. He sliced his middle finger last June, which forced him to miss a couple of games.
- With Mike Gonzalez out until after the All-Star Break, the Braves are interested in Brian Fuentes.
- The Astros signed right-handed journeyman, Chad Paronto. Not that it’s Paranto’s fault, but even with all of their recent moves, the Astros still suck.
- And, finally, this from Connor Robertson, the reliever acquired by the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade:
But middle relief, I think that’s a fun part of the game. Especially if you can help get your starter out of a jam, or help another pitcher get out of a jam. That’s just a great feeling.
Being a reliever, you’re not in the spotlight that much… it’s kind of like the offensive line of baseball.
Amen, Connor. Amen.
Categories: post by johnstevens
Tagged: Brian Fuentes, Chad Paronto, Connor Robertson, free agents, Jonathan Albaladejo, Jose Veras, Julio Mateo, Matt Wise, Mike Gonzalez, the joy of middle relief
See that guy to the left? He’s 25 years-old. He’s 6′5″ and weighs 250 pounds. He’s a flame-thrower. He’s a New York Yankee.
With all the attention on Johan Santana, the Yanks made an under-the-radar trade, swapping Tyler Clippard — one of several pre-pubescent starters who was forced into action early last season — for Jonathan Albaladejo. Albaladejo, who I like to call “Dejo,” pitched just 14.1 innings last season out of the Nationals’ bullpen, but was impressive: 12 K’s, .628 WHIP, 1.88 ERA, 224 ERA+.
Welcome to New York, Dejo!
Categories: post by johnstevens
Tagged: Jonathan Albaladejo, New York Yankees, trades, winter meetings
