Yankees GM Brian Cashman bought out lefty-specialist Damaso Marte’s old contract (which had an option $6 million) for $250,000, and then resigned him for $12 million dollars over three year, plus an option.
Marte, 33, came over in the trade that landed the Yankees Xavier Nady from the Pirates. He stunk up the joint by choking in New York (1-3, 5.40 ERA, 18.1 innings in 25 games). Frankly, I wouldn’t give a lefty-specialist $4 million dollars. It’s just not cost-effective, especially when the Yankees have been stock-piling arms in AAA and AA, and those guys make mininium wage.
But I guess Cashman felt pressured to get a “lefty in the bullpen”.
Of course, Damaso has had a good career, and I doubt he will continue to be bad for the Yankees (18 innings was a small sample last year). But it just seems hypocritical of the Yankees hierarchy to commit over $12 mil to a guy who frankly is very replaceable (and never threw 80 innings in one season).
With so many older contracts officially off the Yankees books, they have money to blow. But one has to wonder about all the other positions that need to be filled. DailySkew gives thumbs down from the financial point of view.
All that being said, he should help the team, depending on how manager Joe Girardi utilizes him.
Cashman’s official response:
“We wanted to see if we could negotiate a deal that [we] were more comfortable with on a multiyear basis. e felt the one-year, six [million dollars] was too much. But we feel that he’s one of the better lefthanded relievers in the game, and quality lefthanded relief is hard to find.”
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2009: 2009: 2009:
Marte has held lefties to .200/.297/.287 rates during his career. Righties have been more of a problem (.238/.326/.386), but if Marte is used correctly that shouldn’t be a problem for as long as he is able to avoid the decay of age.
Good deal for the Yanks!
So let’s hope his elbow won’t get “inflammed”.
The Yankees September call-up lefty Phil Coke (1-0, 0.61 ERA, two walks, 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings pitched )makes minimum wage.
Just sayin’.
Nice move by the Yankees, re-signing a reliable left-hander who has held left-handers to a .199 batting average in his career, to be a cog in the backend of their bullpen.
Marte’s numbers aren’t pretty because it was revealed he was pitching with left elbow inflammation. Once healthy, Marte posted a 1.64 ERA in his final 15 games.