Bullpen hopefuls: Boone Logan

by Ed Valentine on Feb 8, 2010 11:00 AM EST in New York Yankees News

As we continue to look at pitchers who are probably in competition for the final spot or two in the season-opening New York Yankees bullpen, let's turn our attention to a pitcher the Yankees acquired via trade this off-season.

That would be 25-year-old left-hander Boone Logan, who came to the Yankees as part of the Javier Vazquez deal.

Logan has a less-than-impressive resume in parts of four big-league seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. In 127.2 innings, he has surrendered 158 hits and walked 58, a career WHIP of 1.69 -- way too high to be considered a trustworthy relief pitcher.

Logan has a career ERA of 5.78. Looking further, he is a left-handed specialist type whom lefties hit .266 off throughout Logan's career. He was better against left-handed hitters in 2009, however, as they hit .231 against him.

Logan has two avenues open to him for making the Yankees. If Manager Joe Girardi really wants two left-handers in his bullpen, Logan is the obvious choice. The Yankees dealt Phil Coke to Detroit and included Mike Dunn in the deal with Atlanta, so Logan has a clear path as the second lefty.

The other avenue for Logan is based on the health of Damaso Marte. The veteran lefty reliever is outstanding when healthy, as we saw in the 2009 playoffs and World Series. Marte missed a huge chunk of the season with shoulder problems, though. If he can't stay healthy for a full season, someone will have to get an occasional left-handed hitter out in the 6th through 8th innings.

Logan would be the likely choice at this point.

He has sort of a typical young left-handed pitcher reputation. Good stuff, inconsistent control and command. Not a guy I would feel great about trying to get key outs, at least not right now. But, it's tough to give up on 25-year-old left-handers with quality stuff. So, we will just to see if Logan can finally harness his talent and help the Yankees.

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If Boone Logan is anywhere near the Yankee bullpen this year,

things are going to be pretty ugly in Yankee land. OK, he’s a lefty, but he can’t pitch. I hope Girardi is smart enough not to keep this guy on the roster simply because of the hand with which he throws the ball.

by cph on Feb 8, 2010 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Sadly

Logan and a lot of other guys are in the big leagues precisely because of the hand with which they throw the ball.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 8, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

I hope you're wrong about the 2nd lefty business

I don’t see the Yanks’ attraction to either Logan or Mitre, yet both appear to have jobs to lose in the pen. Maybe they think some good pitching coaching can straighten them out. I miss Phil Coke already. I see whomever isn’t starting between Chamberlain/Hughes getting lefties out with pure power if we don’t have a true lefty healthy in the pen.

by designatedquitter on Feb 8, 2010 11:16 AM EST reply actions

Agree 100%

Logan & Mitre are definitely not the answer out of the pen.

I hope they both do not make it out of Spring training.

I would rather save those two roster spots for two quality prospects that win a job out of ST.

I would start with only one lefty,Marte, in the pen just like most of last season.

by YANKEES FOREVER on Feb 8, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Got no problem with him in the pen

He could be the lefty specialist.

Marte’s probably better off being strictly the 8th inning guy, as he’s got closer stuff (but no one’s moving that other bum from the closer spot)

Maybe he’s one of those guys who is OK everywhere else, but succeeds with the Yanks.

Rectum? Damn near killed em!

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 8, 2010 11:39 AM EST reply actions

Boone?

I think the Yanks should have included Dunn in the deal for Granderson, kept Coke.
Yankee fans, would’t have too much of an expectation from this guy, so Marte better come thru for an enitre season, not just a post-season.
Better yet, I think they should have tried to get Edwin Jackson as well as Granderson
in the same deal, rather than the 3 way trade. Cash has made some curious moves?
They are both about 26, and neither is making big money in the yankees universe.
Honestly, I rather have Jackson then Vazquez, not because of age or money. Jackson has proved he can be a better pitcher in the AL.

by Great Gatsby on Feb 8, 2010 12:33 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't have minded...

also getting Jackson in the Granderson, deal- but to say Cash “should have done this” or should have done that" seems downright silly. If it were that easy, I’m sure Cash would have gotten it done. We have no idea what the internal conversations in that deal were, only the finished product.

by NumberSeven on Feb 8, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

I know

I know we are not privy, obviously know it is not that easy. I’ll rephrase and say as a Yankee fan, that’s what I would have preferred…We also have to admit, his moves are somewhat curious, not saying they won’t work, but we will see, that’ s why they play the games.

by Great Gatsby on Feb 8, 2010 1:16 PM EST reply actions

we will see...

and I’ll be first to admit Cashman can make some head-scratchers… I for one like the moves he’s made this off season, but yeah- we won’t know for sure until they hit the field.

by NumberSeven on Feb 8, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions