To the scrap heap!

By On November 1, 2011 · 7 Comments · In Hot Stove

A big part of the success of the 2011 Yankees is due to Brian Cashman, Billy Eppler, and the rest of the organization finding the proverbial diamonds in the rough to fill roster holes. To borrow from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the Yankees took a trip to the Island of Misfit Toys and came back with all the right pieces. They took fliers on pitchers like , , , and and each one of them worked out. They also turned the Dodgers’ trash () into Bronx treasure behind the plate.

While we obviously have to give credit to the organization for landing these guys, we should also acknowledge that a large part of the success of these moves is due to luck. We probably shouldn’t be counting on most of these guys to perform so well again. I’d say Russell Martin has the best chance to repeat his success, but that’s because hitters are a bit more predictable than pitchers. For fun, though, let’s take a look at the free agent list and see if there are any resurrection cases for the 2012 incarnation of the Yankees. Remember, any of the guys listed below are guys I’d want brought in on minor league/non guaranteed deals. None of these guys will warrant a Major League roster spot.

In the oft injured category, we have perennial blogosphere favorites like , , and . J-Dukes didn’t pitch a single Major League inning in 2011. Francis managed to stay healthy and spun 183.0 innings of 2.6 fWAR ball for the Royals (4.82/4.10/4.29 ERA/FIP/xFIP). Harden, whose trade to the Red Sox was voided due to a failed physical, pitched 82.2 relatively ugly innings for the A’s (5.12/4.69/3.68 E/F/x split). I didn’t realize that Francis threw that many innings, so that may help him get a Major League deal. He’s got good control (1.92 BB/9 in ’11, 2.75 career) and keeps the ball on the ground (47% GB rate the last two seasons). Francis could do the Freddy Garcia thing in 2012, but I think he’ll probably find a more Jeff Francis-friendly deal somewhere else in the bigs.

Harden still has the strikeout stuff and aside from 2010 hasn’t had any awful control issues lately. However, his innings are steadily decreasing and his HR rates are sky high. In the last three seasons, his LOWEST HR/9 was 2009′s 1.47. For a second, I wondered if the Yankees did in fact take a flier on him, they could harness his great stuff and see what sticks with Harden as a one-inning reliever. However, that thought quickly left my mind. If Harden has trouble staying healthy while on a predictable starter’s schedule, how’s he going to stay healthy on the sometimes erratic schedule of a relief pitcher?

That’s….about it. No one else seems worthy enough of consideration, though I guess everyone’s a good signing on a minor league deal. Hell, I’d sign my grandmother to a minor league deal. There is essentially zero risk. I didn’t include position players or relievers here because the Yankees are set up to fill those spots without having to dip into the (shallow) free agent waters. Whom are some of the players you’d like to see the Yankees take a shot on?

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7 Responses to To the scrap heap!

  1. nyyankeefanforever says:
    November 1, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    If the team sees fit to pad the 2012 ST roster with back-end rotation candidates again, I’d rather see Colon and/or Garcia brought back in the fold for another year than any of the likely roadkill mentioned in the article above.

    I also believe our new #2 arm will come through a trade rather than the pathetic FA field. The Yankees are at long last hip deep in MLB-ready farmhands and experienced young position benchers who would make an attractive package for another team’s rebuild or payroll restructuring, perhaps in another masterful three-team swapadeedo like the one Brian C orchestrated to bring in Grandy. And with all the new faces in front offices and dugouts around MLB next year, I’m thinking Brian’s in an especially advantageous position to do a little artful triangulating for someone not currently on anybody’s radar screen as a trade target.

    Just MHO.

    Reply
  2. Brad Vietrogoski says:
    November 1, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    I agree on the Colon/Garcia front. If the Yankees don’t end up as serious players for Wilson, Darvish, or any of the other bigger name free agents, I’d rather see them bring back Freddy as the 5th starter with Noesi ready to fill a gap.

    But out of the 3 Matt mentioned above, I’d have to go with Francis over the other 2. I have 0 faith in J-Duke’s or Harden’s ability to stay healthy.

    Reply
  3. smurfy says:
    November 1, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    Rick Ankiel for fifth outfielder, if he’ll commit to trying pitching again. A loogy that can face a lefty, go to right field for a while, come back and face another lefty. Perfect.

    Reply
  4. Kevin Ocala, Fl says:
    November 2, 2011 at 12:09 am

    Funny, just a few years ago Theo would have been aggrandized on ESPN over how great he was in finding ‘market inefficiencies’. Cashman tap danced all over Theo, running him to the “Flubs”. Hey, I know it could have been luck, but luck counts too, just ask Theo. Maybe Cash should start getting a little respecto, no?

    Reply
    • smurfy says:
      November 2, 2011 at 6:51 pm

      A penny for your thoughts? Or were you just smoltzin’ down memory lane? Grandyman knocked it out of the park, lucky for Cash, not to worry over a bloomin’ Cy Young Kennedy. Took guts…but?

      Reply
  5. Travis L. says:
    November 2, 2011 at 6:56 am

    If the Yankees go for more “scrap heap” pitching…I’d like to see Bedard, Galarraga or Kazmir given a shot to improve their stock. I think Harden has a surprise year left in him (albeit probably about 120 innings). Maybe a forgotten reliever or two such as Erick Threets (LHP) or Jensen Lewis (RHP). Maybe the Yankees should give Matt Albers a minor league deal and see if he can stay constant like the first half of 2011.

    Reply

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