Quick Thoughts on Left-Handed Relievers

by Brandon C. on Mar 4, 2010 8:00 AM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

The Yankees currently have three left-handed relievers on their 40 man roster. Two of the three, Boone Logan and Damaso Marte, have a real shot of making the team, while the other, Wilkin De La Rosa, still needs time to polish as a possible starter. The Yankees do have Royce Ring in camp as a third possible candidate. Many people have been complaining about the fact that the Yankees really have only one solid left-handed reliever this year in Damaso Marte. Boone Logan is unreliable and Ring is an invitee trying to rejuvinate his career.

Is there a need for two left-handed relievers on the roster? Maybe not for the regular season, but the last three World Series Champions carried two left-handed relievers.

There are currently two left-handed relievers in the free agent market that are worth considering. Joe Beimel and Ron Mahay. Beimel, who pitched for the Nationals and the Rockies last year, went 1-6 with a 3.58 ERA last season. Lefties hit .258 against him and hit .265 against Beimel in his career. Mahay split time between the Royals and the Twins last year, pitching to a 2-1 record and a 4.21 ERA. Lefties hit .262 against Mahay in 2009 and .235 against Mahay in his career. Beimel is 32, Mahay is 38.

Is it worth giving Beimel or Mahay a deal for spring training and seeing how they do? Could they command a major-league deal? Is it too late to sign one of the two? My answers to those questions are yes, but only if they accept a minor league deal, and no, one team will have to sign them eventually. Thoughts? Stay put, minor-league deal for one of them, or sign them at any price?

Poll

What should the Yankees do?

Sign one to a minor league deal with ST invite

80 votes

Sign one to majors or minors, whatever the price

16 votes

Sign neither at any price

91 votes

187 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I hate the idea...

Of putting less talented pitchers on your roster simply because they throw with their left hand. The lefty relief role is one of the most ridiculous aspects of baseball today an rarely works. Certain lefty hitters struggle against lefties but for most of them you’re doing them a favor by bringing in a soft-tossing lefty over a righty that actually throws the ball with some authority.

For the past seven years we saw this happen against Hideki Matsui. Teams bring in a lefty specialist for him and he deposits one in the seats because he’s much more able to hit an 84 mph slider from a lefty than a 94 mph fastball from a righty with talent.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Mar 4, 2010 10:17 AM EST reply actions

+Cervelli

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Mar 4, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

I think either one of these guys would be worth a shot, I just don’t know if they’d be willing to accept minor league deals even though they’re unemployed. Their left handed and have a history of being effective some team will sign them eventually.

by andrew21 on Mar 4, 2010 10:45 AM EST reply actions

Pointless

How many lefty specialists have the Yanks brought in since Mike Stanton retired so they could get out Ortiz? Too many. How many worked out? Arguably none. Tony Fossil. The non-scary Mike Meyers. That guy who had a good season with the Braves. That other guy I can’t remember. Lefthanders who can’t get out good lefthanded hitters are useless. I would rather see Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain just blow them away with their right hands.

by designatedquitter on Mar 4, 2010 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Not worth it

Neither of these guys are head and shoulder over what the Yanks have got now, so it’s a wash, in my opinion. I mean a minor league sure, I would guess anybody’s worth that— but the thought of either of these guys taking the hill for the Yanks in the reg.season makes me throw up in my mouth a little.

by NumberSeven on Mar 4, 2010 11:54 AM EST reply actions

Oh believe me guys I agree

I never really bought the idea of “left-handed relievers are essential” i think it’s pointless. I write my articles based on complaints from readers and emailers and twitterers most of the time and that’s why i wrote this. If the Yankees do carry two lefties though, they should ink one of these two to a minors deal if they can. If not, they’re fine

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Mar 4, 2010 7:59 PM EST reply actions