Jerry Crasnick Answers My Bullpen Questions from Yesterday

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick had some interesting comments about the Yankees' bullpen today in the rumor section of their website. I'll run it as a whole quote:

"The Yankees bullpen has logged 225 innings, fourth most in the American League, so I can see Brian Cashman trolling around for a veteran reliever. David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke and Brian Bruney all have solid numbers, but that's a pretty inexperienced group. Depending on what happens with Chien-Ming Wang, you never know when Phil Hughes might have to slide back into the rotation. The Yankees also aren't sure when or if Damaso Marte will return from shoulder problems this season. So I can see the Yanks being interested if Jose Valverde, Huston Street or someone of that ilk becomes available."

Crasnick goes on to say that the Yankees don't need a bat, because they are first in the league in OPS and second in runs scored even with A-Rod scuffling and Xavier Nady rehabbing. The site also made note of Cashman opting to attend yesterday's Braves/Yankees game. It is significant. When Cashman does this, it often means (in the words of Sam Cooke) that a change is gonna come.

Michael Kay said during last night's broadcast that Cashman had planned to attend Sergio Mitre's start in Scranton until he jettisoned to Atlanta. Mitre could enter the equation soon. He almost certainly has to be better than Brett Tomko.

But, Cashman's presence at the game yesterday has to have a similar feel to Vladimir Putin showing up at a Russian newspaper. Somebody's going to go, but who will it be? Jose Veras was the first bullpen casualty. We'll see who Cashman axes next.

On another note, Valverde and Street are both solid relievers, but trading a lot for them may not be a great idea. It seems like whenever the Yankees acquire a big name reliever (especially from the National League, where both of these guys currently pitch) midseason they implode on arrival. The bandbox in the Bronx can't help. I'd rather see them get an AL arm if possible. Preferrably someone with good numbers in a small ballpark.

Where Does Swisher Fit Now?

Earlier this offseason, the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox for Wilson Betemit and minor leaguers Jhonny Nunez and Jeff Marquez. Marquez, at the very least, was a good talent with high upside. Some reports said that the Yankees thought Marquez was overrated, however. Brian Cashman insisted that Swisher was going to be the Yankees first baseman this year, and some people claimed that the Bombers even saw him as a "Scott Brosius type." But where does Nick Swisher fit now that the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira?

Let's look at the Yankees potential defensive lineup this season:

C: Jorge Posada (or Jose Molina if Posada's shoulder isn't right)

1B: Mark Teixeira

2B: Robinson Cano

3B: Alex "Sally Girl" Rodriguez

SS: Derek Jeter

LF: Johnny Damon

CF: Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson (if he's ready), Nick Swisher?

RF: Xavier Nady

DH: Hideki Matsui

I'm going to assume, for the sake of sanity, that Nick Swisher will not be pitching. And the Yankees aren't apparently high on Swisher as a center fielder, thanks to wisdom inspired from the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The only sense I can make of this, if Brian Cashman always intended to make a serious run at Big Tex, is expiring contracts. Both X-Man and Johnny Damon will be free agents after next season. Swisher will have two years left on his deal after this upcoming season. Hopefully the Yanks will extend Nady, and it's hard to believe that they won't be set in center with Austin Jackson after 2009. So Swisher may ultimately be the Yankees left fielder following this year, when he'll serve as injury insurance. Unfortunately, Swisher showed that he can be vocal when he is unhappy with his role last season with the White Sox. So this could be a recipe for disaster: will the Yankees trade him before the season? It seems to me he was acquired the same way Wilson Betemit himself was: as an insurance policy that became obsolete all too quickly to get a real chance to thrive.