Around the Yankees Galaxy, 1/11/10

by 3460kuri on Jan 11, 2010 4:00 AM EST in New York Yankees News

-Continuing with my series of yet another Free Agent the Yankees should consider who's likely to come on a very cheap one-year deal: Kiko Calero

Calero made $500,000 pitching for the Marlins last season, posting a 1.75 WXRL in 60 innings. He's averaged more than a strikeout per inning for his career, and while his walk rate is a tad high (3.7 BB/9 for his career) he still has a solid K:BB ratio of 2.5:1 for his career. He is a flyball pitcher who has spent most of his career in spacious ballparks, yet there are only negligible differences in his career home/road splits.

I said this last week: bullpens are a crap shoot and the best strategy is to stockpile live arms that throw strikes. Kalero may not be young, but cheap depth is cheap depth, and regardless of who else the Yankees may have in the pool of eligible relievers, some team is going to sign Kalero for $750,000 or so and get themselves a bargain.

-Chad Jennings draws some comparisons between the recently-retired Randy Johnson and Yankees' farmhand Andrew Brackman.

I feel like Brackman is one of those prospects that we want to succeed so badly that we're willing to stretch facts and stats beyond a reasonable hope. Let me ask this question - if Brackman was more typically-statured - 6-foot-3 let's say - would any of us even know who he is? You can point to his injury, or something else, but it doesn't change the fact that he's pitched 100 professional innings in A-ball where he walked nearly as many batters as he struck out. By the time most true prospects are 24, they're reached the high minors or the majors for good.

Being the next Randy Johnson is like being the next Babe Ruth - it's impossible. At this point, I think Brackman will be lucky if he winds up being the next Eric Hillman, the only other 6'10" pitcher in history.

-Being a Hall of Famer brings pridge, prestige...and a lot of money too. Looking at it that way, it a shame that certain players have been perpetually snubbed. I don't feel bad for Mark McGwire or Roberto Alomar, but for guys like Bert Blyleven, Tim Raines, Ron Santo, whose prime seasons came before the salary explosion of the mid-90s, being elected to the Hall of Fame would bring a certain level of financial security to them and their families. Just one more reason to dislike the voting process.

-How much do you think Jeter's lawyer is going charge for drafting the pre-nup? Maybe A-Rod will finally get the hint and settle down with Madonna once and for all.

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Bullpen

Anyone have a scouting report on Calero?

One of the posts peculating at the back of my brain is on pitch selection in the bullpen.
Without checking any numbers: Aceves seems like a guy we can bring in to a jam to get a grounder, Roberston is good for Ks.

Do we have a mix of pitches available, or are all of our relievers fastball/slider? A few years ago I looked at how Edwar Ramirez was most effective when brought out of the bullpen to relieve the guys with the 93 mph fastballs and sharp sliders than when he relieved Mike Mussina’s junkballs.

Calero might be a good gamble, but as we get down to adding one or two more players to the Spring Training competitions, it’s worth thinking about if he’s a new piece, or a piece like the one’s we’ve got already.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 11, 2010 9:49 AM EST reply actions

Sort it out in Spring Training

He came to camp with the Marlins last season on just a minor league contract. Whoever signs him is literally going to pay just over the league minimum. It’s a no-brainer.

by 3460kuri on Jan 11, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

His fastball

usually sits in the upper 80s…88-89…it’s with his slider he derives most of his success. He uses both pitches roughly half the time apiece.

The only downside is Calero comes with a guaranteed DL stint.

by FloridaownsFSU on Jan 11, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

BTB did a piece on him recently

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2010/1/2/1230467/the-odd-lack-of-interest-in-kiko

But this is the reason why teams have been largely uninterested in Kiko Calero as he enters his age 35 season:

Jun 21, 2009: Right shoulder inflammation, 15-day DL (retroactive to June 18).

May 30, 2008: Missed 54 games (torn right rotator cuff).
Mar 24, 2008: Torn right rotator cuff, 60-day DL.

Oct 1, 2007: Missed the last 31 games of the regular season (right shoulder injury).
Sep 5, 2007: Right shoulder injury, day-to-day.
Jul 6, 2007: Missed 18 games (right shoulder inflammation).
Jun 25, 2007: Right shoulder inflammation, 15-day DL.

Jun 5, 2005: Missed 24 games (right elbow injury).
May 10, 2005: Right elbow injury, 15-day DL (retroactive to May 8th).
Apr 29, 2005: Missed 5 games (elbow injury).

Sep 3, 2004: Missed 25 games (rotator cuff).

Sep 29, 2003: Missed 83 games to the end of the regular season (right knee injury).
Jun 30, 2003: Transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL (right knee injury).
Jun 29, 2003: Right knee injury, 15-day DL.

I’m speculating that his asking price might be as high as $2M+. His 1.4 WAR last year was excellent for a middle reliever and there’s no good reason why he sign for less than that at this point.

by Scooby Snacks on Jan 12, 2010 2:48 AM EST up reply actions

I know Calero's got a nasty slider...

might even have been Florida’s best reliever too. I think he’d be a good pickup for middle reliever.

Its a shame that Jason Bay’s gone..that would’ve been a perfect matchup.

N8 !

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 11, 2010 9:57 AM EST reply actions

oh well

Oh, well if he’s got WXRL then we have to sign him, because I can’t tune in that station by myself. Madonna?? I’m pretty sure A-Rod’s one true love is Jeter. He’s probably more heartbroken than any of NYC’s women and putting pins in his Minka Kelly voodoo doll.

by 209209 on Jan 11, 2010 9:39 PM EST reply actions