Via Abraham: A bullpen move will be made for 8/28

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Maybe Henn needs some more time to show that he is the bad pitcher he has been his entire career?

[ajra21]

Refuse to cheer 2007!

go on, just a little cheer!

[primetime714]

Henn is clearly getting sent down for the next couple days because he threw 79 pitches and wouldn't be available until around September 1st when he will be back with the team anyway.

Britton should be the one called up in his place but I wouldn't put it past the organization to overlook him again. I think this time there really is no viable excuse for it not being Henn. They could say they need a long reliever, but with Petitte, Clemens, and Wang due up in the rotation that doesn't make much sense. Also with Henn getting sent down everyone in our bullpen is available to pitch today. Bruney and Edwar both should be able to go if needed.

Honestly I think before the game Henn was the guy they had pegged as being the one to take one for the team if yesterday's game got ugly with the consolation that they could send him down and bring up Britton to take his spot.

As for matchups against lefties. Henn was never really used in those situations and when you look at our bullpen we have Mo who is more effective against lefties than righties, Vizcaino who is also very effective against lefties, and Joba who is effective against everyone.

[-tz]

If Karstens comes up, does he take Moose's next start? Assuming he hasn't had a "long relief" assignment in the meantime?

And what is the status of Rasner, anyone know?

[Donnybaseball72]

Absolutly no way should Karstens start for Moose. DeSalvo went 8 innings last night, 1 er, 9 K's and would be in line to start on Saturday. However SWB has a DH on Saturday and need 2 starters (I'm going to the day game). Henn could pitch one and someone from Trenton could pitch game 2.

[Ghost of Dan Pasqua]

Henn is clearly getting sent down for the next couple days because he threw 79 pitches and wouldn't be available until around September 1st when he will be back with the team anyway.

Britton should be the one called up in his place but I wouldn't put it past the organization to overlook him again. I think this time there really is no viable excuse for it not being Henn. They could say they need a long reliever, but with Petitte, Clemens, and Wang due up in the rotation that doesn't make much sense. Also with Henn getting sent down everyone in our bullpen is available to pitch today. Bruney and Edwar both should be able to go if needed.

Honestly I think before the game Henn was the guy they had pegged as being the one to take one for the team if yesterday's game got ugly with the consolation that they could send him down and bring up Britton to take his spot.

As for matchups against lefties. Henn was never really used in those situations and when you look at our bullpen we have Mo who is more effective against lefties than righties, Vizcaino who is also very effective against lefties, and Joba who is effective against everyone.

Good post. I agree, Britton is the only one who makes any sense to come up in this situation. I've thought for a while that the Yankees will somehow get him on the roster prior to 8/31 so he can be eligible for the post-season roster. Ultimately, if the Yankees make the post-season, the Yankees will take the best 2 of 3 of Ramirez, Bruney, or Britton. As for the big lefty late in a game, the Yankees haven't had an effective LOOGY all year. Unless they can make a waiver deal for a Ray King, they'll go with Vizcaino or Joba vs. the Ortiz's of the world late in games.

[ajra21]

Absolutly no way should Karstens start for Moose. DeSalvo went 8 innings last night, 1 er, 9 K's and would be in line to start on Saturday. However SWB has a DH on Saturday and need 2 starters (I'm going to the day game). Henn could pitch one and someone from Trenton could pitch game 2.

i felt sorry for desalvo. he pitched well twice then was thrown into the 'pen and it never came back. ok, so good pitchers should be able to shake that off and he wasn't able to.

i'd go with him, wright or white. not igawa.

[NelsonMuntz]

I would bet my bottom dollar that it will not be Britton. The rationale from Torre will be that they need either a long man and/or a lefty in the pen. Britton is neither. Disclaimer: I want it to be Britton. I'm just making a prediction based on previous behavior.

[ajra21]

I would bet my bottom dollar that it will not be Britton. The rationale from Torre will be that they need either a long man and/or a lefty in the pen. Britton is neither. Disclaimer: I want it to be Britton. I'm just making a prediction based on previous behavior.

spot on. that's pretty much what i think and feel.

[Posada_20]

Little blurb in the NY Times this morning said that Britton was recalled after the game last night. Everyone happy?

[ajra21]

Little blurb in the NY Times this morning said that Britton was recalled after the game last night. Everyone happy?

where did it say that? couldn't find it myself.

[NelsonMuntz]

Little blurb in the NY Times this morning said that Britton was recalled after the game last night. Everyone happy?

No. This just cost me my last dollar.

[dave8274]

Little blurb in the NY Times this morning said that Britton was recalled after the game last night. Everyone happy?

Maybe I'm missing something but I would make the assumption that Mussina goes to the bullpen. If thats the case, shoudn't they be bringing up a starter rather than another releiver?

[YASS]

Maybe I'm missing something but I would make the assumption that Mussina goes to the bullpen. If thats the case, shoudn't they be bringing up a starter rather than another releiver?

I think it makes more sense to assume that Henn gets optioned down for Britton.

Any Moose move is probably still in the works. I'm guessing the recent talk about a hammy acting up on him is preparatory to him going onto the DL to make room for a substitute starter or a lefthander (Kozlowski?) to help out until the rosters expand.

[kpantz]

Maybe I'm missing something but I would make the assumption that Mussina goes to the bullpen. If thats the case, shoudn't they be bringing up a starter rather than another releiver?

I think they're going to wait on any roster action to address Moose. Henn needs to go NOW and we can use bullpen help virtually every night. Mussina's spot doesn't come up until Saturday; we can get ourselves to the 40-man roster and not have to move or DL Mussina. Just call someone up (cough - Kennedy - cough) and have him pitch on Saturday. Kennedy last pitched on 8/25. SWB's rotation this week will be telling.

[Jasbro]

Maybe I'm missing something but I would make the assumption that Mussina goes to the bullpen. If thats the case, shoudn't they be bringing up a starter rather than another releiver?

Mussina's fiasco yesterday put a huge strain yet again on our bullpen. My guess is this move is to address short-term needs in the bullpen over the next few days. They don't have to worry about who may or may not pitch in Mussina's slot until Saturday, which is when the rosters expand anyway.

[wang+cano=future]

It has to be Britton. I'll throw up if I see Karstens ugly mug again.

[E-Rod]

The Yankees recalled the right-hander Chris Britton after the game. They needed a fresh pitcher after Sean Henn allowed nine runs on Monday.

source : http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/sp...in&oref=slogin

[NHYank]

If Britton comes up, I hope it is a different pitcher than I saw in 2 spring trainning games. He was giving up rockets in both games.

[wang+cano=future]

source : http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/sp...in&oref=slogin

Good.

[LeapsNbounds]

In his blog today, his source is pretty credible.



http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/

If Henn is out, we have no lefty or Ortiz. As much as I would like to see Britton, I have a feeling it's going to be Karstens because he could be a long man where Britton is just an inning or two.
Edwar might also be sent down. Hopefully Britton is up though.

Well we have NEVER had a lefty or any pitcher for that matter that could get Ortiz out. And to bring up a crappy lefty just to play the matchup game is silly. I would rather go with a much better righty........ in this case, Britton.

Karstens? Seriously? A long man is someone who can hold the other team at a given # of runs to give their team a chance to come back after the starter craps the bed. Karstens running out from the Bullpen with his gas can is not a long man. Mop-up guy yes.

[The Dynasty]

It makes sense to bring up a relief pitcher as Moose's turn doesn't come up until 4 days from now. Send down Henn and Bruney, bring up Britton and Kozlowski. Then when Moose's turn comes around, put him on the DL (if the rumors are true about his hamstring "injury"), and call up White, Wright, Clippard, or Igawa. In these cases, you maximize the amount of flexibility you can have in your pitching staff.

[gregzzy22]

Not sure what the deal with Britton is but he should be up. Henn is done for a while.

[LeapsNbounds]

If Britton comes up, I hope it is a different pitcher than I saw in 2 spring trainning games. He was giving up rockets in both games.

From Spring training till now, most players play in the minors, and he has done quite well and sould have been in NY a looooooong time ago.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...-Britton.shtml

[Don Mack]

Maybe Henn needs some more time to show that he is the bad pitcher he has been his entire career?

[Don Mack]

Little blurb in the NY Times this morning said that Britton was recalled after the game last night. Everyone happy?

Yes, we're happy to hear that. Now the next great debate will be who will take Mussina's place in the rotation?

[TheBamTino24]

Chris Britton has been recalled from AAA Scranton:

Right-handed reliever Chris Britton is coming up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to give the bullpen a fresh arm.

More later, including the corresponding roster move.

http://blog.nj.com/ledgeryankees/200...lled_up_1.html

With Joba Chamberlain, Edwar Ramirez, and Chris Britton now in our bullpen we have our best young relief arms.

[Mantle'sMutt]

Chris Britton has been recalled from AAA Scranton:



http://blog.nj.com/ledgeryankees/200...lled_up_1.html

With Joba Chamberlain, Edwar Ramirez, and Chris Britton now in our bullpen we have our best young relief arms.

Which, with the very notable exception of Joba, ain't saying a whole lot.

[Spiker101]

From Spring training till now, most players play in the minors, and he has done quite well and sould have been in NY a looooooong time ago.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...-Britton.shtml

I really wished you hadn't of included the cite to Britton's numbers. If you look across the board, he's actually been slightly better in the majors than in the minors. In most cases that means his MLB numbers are something of a fluke. In any case his Scranton numbers aren't a bit better than Henn's. We'll see but somehow I doubt Chris Britton will play savior to this season.

[TheBamTino24]

Which, with the very notable exception of Joba, ain't saying a whole lot.

At least there's "potential."

[NelsonMuntz]

I really wished you hadn't of included the cite to Britton's numbers. If you look across the board, he's actually been slightly better in the majors than in the minors. In most cases that means his MLB numbers are something of a fluke. In any case his Scranton numbers aren't a bit better than Henn's. We'll see but somehow I doubt Chris Britton will play savior to this season.

Britton's career minor league numbers are much better than Henn's.

[schitling38]

Its funny. Our rotation to start the season was:

1) pavano
2) pettitte
3) mussina
4) igawa
5) rasner

Our rotation now is:

1) pettitte
2) wang
3) clemens
4) hughes
5) white/desalvo/clippard/wright/karstens/horne/marquez/kennedy

In addition, 3 of our starters are now gone or bench players - damon, giambi, and mientkeivicz/phelps - and 2 of our relievers - proctor and myers

Yet we still have a chance at the wild card.

I have never seen turnover like this before in my life for a team that still has a chance at the post season

[girardi08]

did i hear it right? did future hall of famer chris britton get called up?

[Spiker101]

Britton's career minor league numbers are much better than Henn's.

Not this year.

[TheBamTino24]

I really wished you hadn't of included the cite to Britton's numbers. If you look across the board, he's actually been slightly better in the majors than in the minors. In most cases that means his MLB numbers are something of a fluke. In any case his Scranton numbers aren't a bit better than Henn's. We'll see but somehow I doubt Chris Britton will play savior to this season.

Let's hope Britton is in the minority in the "most cases" department.

Robinson Cano was.

[simmy886]

Not this year.

What about major league career (a la Britton last year)? That should count for something too.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

I'm sure Britton will get the call up. Wasn't the only reason he's been in AAA because he was hurt?

[ppa79]

IWasn't the only reason he's been in AAA because he was hurt?

Nope, Torre doesn't like him.

[Yankeeah]

Not this year.

Keyword in Nelson's post was "career."
Henn has proven he can't start or relieve for us.

[TheBamTino24]

Britton was very solid for the 2006 Orioles:

52 G, 53.2 IP, 20 ER, 46 H, 17 BB, 41 K, 4 HR.

0.48 GO:AO with a 1.17 WHIP, .228 BAA (.268 BABIP), 2.85 BB/9, and 6.88 K/9.

[dave8274]

Nope, Torre doesn't like him.

I think they just didn't want him anywhere near the major league post game buffets

[Spiker101]

Keyword in Nelson's post was "career."
Henn has proven he can't start or relieve for us.

I'm not defending Henn. I am questioning all the hope surrounding Britton. I don't buy the theory that he hasn't been called up for an extended stay because Joe Torre has a personal vendetta against him. Needless to say, I hope my skepticism is misplaced and that Chris Britton because the reincarnation of Hideki Okajima.

[ppa79]

I think they just didn't want him anywhere near the major league post game buffets

I think Britton drank Torre's green tea last he was up here.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

Nope, Torre doesn't like him.

Um. Okay....

[ebas]

I would like to see Britton have a chance to prove what he can do at the Major League level. Hopefully this means the end of Henn...forever.

Britton proved what he could do at the ML level last year with the Orioles. I don't understand why he's languished in AAA, especially considering Colter Bean and Jim Brower have somehow made their way to the ML roster.

[flymick24]

i dunno why peter abraham dislikes britton so much... they're the same weight, so shouldn't he sense some sort of solidarity from that?

[ppa79]

i dunno why peter abraham dislikes britton so much... they're the same weight, so shouldn't he sense some sort of solidarity from that?

[roblyo33]

If Britton comes up, I hope it is a different pitcher than I saw in 2 spring trainning games. He was giving up rockets in both games.

Couldn't agree more. Saw him get bombed by the Jays in Dunedin.

[Ghost of Dan Pasqua]

Britton proved what he could do at the ML level last year with the Orioles. I don't understand why he's languished in AAA, especially considering Colter Bean and Jim Brower have somehow made their way to the ML roster.

It has to be part of a master strategy by Cashman to have at least one viable major league bullpen arm ready to go for the final weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs rather than have Torre destroy him by sending them out day after day. It's all part of the plan (just kidding...kinda).

[primetime714]

I think the delayed callup for Britton has to do with a lot of things. I don't think that Torre has a vendetta against him although he did get a bad first impression from a horrendous spring training effort by Britton.

Still though I think this delay has as much to do with Cashman as it does with Torre. Cashman after acquiring Britton had said that he felt Britton was rushed up to majors last year and that he was a prospect not an instant major league contributor.

Then the Yankees also had these guys in front of Britton (in particular order):

1. Sean Henn- who is in his last year of options, had a great Spring Training, is a lefty, a former starter (can give you length), and was great early in the year.
2. Brian Bruney- was great down the stretch last year, in spring training, and the beginning of the year
3. Ron Villone- put up great numbers in AAA and if he wasn't called up we would've lost him.
4. Edwar Ramirez- dominated AA and AAA
5. Jeff Karstens- was great in ST, was great in the minors, and could give you length out of the bullpen or spot start
6. Jim Brower- had great numbers in AAA and he was a veteran that Torre could abuse
7. Joba Chamberlain- no explanation necessary

Not saying that he shouldn't have jumped ahead of at least a couple of these guys sooner, but at the time I think it was at least somewhat understandable that these guys got the opportunity before him. Not saying I agree and I don't, but there was at least somewhat of a case to be made for going with these guys instead.