A Look at Relievers

by jscape2000 on Nov 6, 2008 7:00 AM EST in Minors

MVN

I wrote about the New York Yankees yesterday, who are on the cutting edge of relief prospect innovation. They have instituted the large-scale policy in their system of pitching players that they identify as plausible major league relief candidates for 2-3 innings (depending on pitch count) every 3 days... The next generation of Yankee relievers may be able to pitch longer outings than their peers on other teams, or they may go down with horrible arm injuries.

Mark Melancon is one of the more interesting examples of this. The Yankees drafted him in 2006, but he almost immediately had to undergo Tommy John Surgery. After a year of rehabbing, he entered the 2008 season healthy, and with all of his pre-surgery velocity and control. The Yankees immediately put him to work - defying critics who cautioned to proceed slowly with his surgery recovery - into long outings. He pitched 95 innings in 44 appearances between three minor league levels in 2008, or 2.15 innings per game. Melancon would often pitch well into the third inning of his appearances because he would get out of an inning with 8-9 pitchers. With longer appearances, Melancon needed to learn to throw economically. He did.

I'm hearing the rumblings that young front-line guys like Scott Kazmir and Matt Cain could be available because of cost concerns and because their teams have brighter prospects pushing them out the door.

With Brackman, Betances, Melancon and Sanchez making progress, and with a slew of potential draft picks looming in June, this is a position the Yankees could soon share.

It's a good place to be, but I'm not ready to start moving prospects yet. We're not at the point of patching holes; this is still a major reconstruction process.

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I like what they Yankees have done so far

In turning one of their most glaring weaknesses (the bullpen) into one of their strengths (at least in 2008).

As Rob Neyer at ESPN put it, the best bullpens are cheap and homegrown.

by 3460kuri on Nov 6, 2008 8:59 AM EST reply actions

Agreed, plus ...

Something also to note. As a fan of the game for more than 40 years, it drives me crazy to see today’s pitchers so babied and coddled. Pitch counts, inning ceilings have truly changed the game for starting pitchers who prior to the 80s, generally went deep into games.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the huge financial risk at stake, but as a former pro pitcher and current AAU coach, I can appreciate what the Yankees did with Melancon—putting him to work and allowing him to do deep—despite critics warnings. I think this is too often missing in the “new” game of today. Pitchers don’t have the arm/shoulder strength of the past because of all the safety features.

Again, some precautions are necessary, but I do think it’s coming at the expense of the developing strong throwing arms. Pitchers need to throw—not just off a mound, but especially long-tossing—several times a week. I’m not saying that’s not happening, but I am saying teams that are hyper sensitive to injuring their stud pitchers might be doing more harm than good by employing so many safety precautions.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 6, 2008 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Wow

The Yankees already have an old, injury-prone team. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we use a program that might increase damage to developing relievers and expose them to arm injuries? Seems awfully risky for me, and the added benefit (an extra inning or two) doesn’t seem like it’s worth it. Especially given the team’s depth at relief.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Nov 6, 2008 11:47 AM EST reply actions

I'm referencing starters ...

But in your attempt at sarcasm you bring up a good point. Why are pitchers today so injury prone?
I do believe it’s because they aren’t throwing enough between starts. I’ve personally seen how some of these guys are conditioned, and coddled, and frankly, my AAU guys have a better program. As for relievers, I liked the way Girardi managed the pen. Unlike Torre, I don’t think he fell in love with any one guy and used him to death.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 6, 2008 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

imo

who’s to say if pitchers ARE more injury prone today? medical treatment has advanced, and teams are certainly more cautious with their ‘investments’ but pitching careers do seem to last longer nowadays. there are a lot of guys who burned out by 30-31 in the old days.

by Travis G on Nov 7, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

It's not that pitchers are MORE injury prone today

It’s that their arms are multi-million dollar investments today.

25 years ago they are $50,000 investments.

by 3460kuri on Nov 7, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions

Patches

Offer CC 8/210 and Teixeira 8/200 and that should patch up a few of them. After that try a Damon for Swisher swap and see what you can do to get rid of Matsui and sign Holliday.

by Omar Little on Nov 10, 2008 1:59 AM EST reply actions