As usual great analysis re Joe’s use of the bullpen. But what makes you think that 1. He will not abuse Chamberlain. 2. He will suddenly become an effective bullpen manager.
The man is in his 60′s. It is highly unlikely for him to change his M.O. at this stage of life.
I think that since Zimmer left he doesn’t have anyone on the bench to say no to him. I think it shows mostly in his use of the bullpen. BTW I live part time in the Tampa area, and if y’all don’t know it Zimm is a demi-god down there. They even had a Zimmer bobblehead night there recently.

Right now and this season this team hasn’t had that. They’ve had no versatility.

They’ve walked way too many guys.

Since he’s a DH, being #1 or #2 in OPS for his team is really all you can ask for. What more can a DH do but get on base and hit for power?

He is definitely overpriced and useless in the field. That’s beyond question. But, if he’s healthy (and that’s a big if), he is a huge help as a DH. Again, that’s all we can hope for now.

I’m glad he’s getting on base, that’s very important. But if he’s going to play DH or LF, he has to hit like one or there’s no reason not to use Giambi and Matsui at those positions.

Its about balance. IMO, its not out of bounds to question some of the bullpen decisions this year.

Sure, there are some guys, career bullpen/journeyman types, who are fungible. Every team has them.

That said, you have to manage the arms better than he has at times this year. Using Vizcaino in the 8th inning the other day, with a NINE run lead, is just horrible bullpen management. I don’t even know how that’s in dispute.

Using Proctor THREE times in games with leads of 6 or more runs in the 7th inning, while a kid like Ramirez is drydocked for two weeks, is just not effective management of the bullpen.

I don’t think, I KNOW he won’t abuse Chamberlain. That’s not the point.

The point is, they have played their butts off to get back in this race. From this point forward, he has to do a better job of managing the arms he has out there.

Vizcaino is just about at his career high in innings pitched. Its not enough to say (like he has) they are “watching him”. You have to do SHOW that you are.

For example, regardless of the situation, Vizcaino CAN’T pitch tonight. If he uses him tonight, he’s abusing him.

Vizcaino has become a very important part of this team. If I was Joe, I’d probably do the same (ride him too much) because its tough to have confidence in guys who can’t throw the ball over the plate. That issue is being resolved with the remaking of the bullpen. So, there is no need to overuse Vizcaino the rest of the way.

From this point forward, its a fresh slate. Do a better job of managing the arms out there, and things will work out just fine.

Its his blind spot as a manager. Always has been, even when he was in Atlanta and St. Louis. These next 50 games, they have to protect him from himself and make sure the ‘pen is managed better the rest of the way.

I would also strongly question that Giambi has been the second most productive player on our team since he has been here. I think Jeter, Matsui, and even Sheffield, though I don’t like him, have been more productive. Furthermore while Giambi has been above-average behind the plate when he plays, and he has been on the dl a lot, he is a huge liability in the field and is a one-dimensional player. I think players like Melky, Jeter, Posada, Matsui, and, right now, Andy Phillips, who are “productive” in places other than the batters box too contribute more to winning.

If you are actually trying to say that Giambi has earned his contract and had the right to criticize Arod’s performance last year…I am at a loss of words

all you had to do was watch the last 6 games.

Vizcaino pitches in a 7-1 game on Wednesday. now he can’t be used in an 11-9 game on Thursday. Farnsworth pitches and gives up 2 runs.

On Friday, Vizcaino pitches in a 6-1 game and then in a 16-7 game on saturday. so Torre has to use Mo for 5 outs on Sunday b/c he had to go to Myers instead of Viz.

yesterday he needs Vizcaino to throw 35 pitches b/c Mo was used for 5 outs on Sunday.

now Vizcaino is not available today (or shouldn’t be) and Mo will be going 3 days in a row if needed.

in other words, in the last week, Vizcaino was used with a 6 run lead, a 5 run lead, and a 9 run lead, but was NOT used with a 3 run lead and a 2 run lead. then yesterday, Mo could not go more than 3 outs b/c he was needed on Sunday.

seriously, can’t people see how stupid this is?

no, it isn’t.