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.