Bullpen hopefuls: Sergio Mitre

by Ed Valentine on Feb 5, 2010 7:00 AM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

I started a series on New York Yankee bullpen hopefuls Thursday with a look at Mark Melancon. As optimistic as we may feel about Melancon, and as much as we may want to see him in New York, I am not sure today's candidate will give you the same warm-and-fuzzy feelings.

Today we talk about Sergio Mitre. Yep, like it or not Mitre is unquestionably a candidate for the last spot in the Yankee bullpen. And if you want to believe Manager Joe Girardi -- which I don't -- Mitre is also a serious candidate for the fifth-starter slot in the rotation.

Mitre was anything but impressive in 12 games (9 starts) for the Yankees in 2009. He was 3-3 with a 6.79 ERA and a 1.626 WHIP. Still, he is a favorite of Girardi's going back to when Mitre, 28, pitched for Florida and Girardi was the Marlins' skipper.

Mitre might be serviceable as the 12th man on the staff to pitch mop-up duty or long relief in blowout games. I can live with him making the staff out of Spring Training only if the logic is to allow a "prospect" like Melancon or Romulo Sanchez to get regular innings at AAA until they are needed in the Bronx.

To me, though, the best spot for Mitre is in the Scranton-Wilkes Barre rotation. That way he can be stretched out and ready to step in if the Yankees need a fill-in starter for a couple of games. Plus, he won't be taking a bullpen spot from a guy with a bigger upside.

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not likely he sticks

but if he has good stuff and last year was just one bad year you never know what training camp will bring

by MSP Giant on Feb 5, 2010 7:29 AM EST reply actions

Well...

There were also the previous 4 bad years in the NL with the Cubs and Marlins. Mitre’s been given 362 major league innings and done absolutely nothing with them. Time for someone else to get a shot. The ideal spot for him would be with another organization or in Japan.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Feb 5, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

LOL!!

I could go along with that.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 5, 2010 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

I can think of other destinations for Mitre

I honestly don’t know what they see in him.

Perhaps they could send him to Pawtucket.

by designatedquitter on Feb 5, 2010 12:48 PM EST reply actions

and pay the Sux to take him.

by david d on Feb 5, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

He looks like he could make a mean Fajita

I don’t know about you but that would be enough for me to keep him around.Maybe they see Taco John in him?Real Mexican cusuine is scrumptious.

I feel like a clown without my funny nose.They say that dead men don't pull triggers,I will prove em wrong.There are cracks on the roads we laid where the temple fell where secrets have gone mad.

by cashman bashman on Feb 6, 2010 11:21 PM EST reply actions

Why does Girardi have

so much love for this guy!! He is horrible and the fact that he was on the mound, at any point last year, was absolutely amazing b/c he didn’t belong in the majors. I agree with LTATB and we should send him to Japan and he can hang out with Darell Rasner!!!

by Mondoas on Feb 13, 2010 1:18 AM EST reply actions