Yankees sign Mitre
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Nov 03, 2008 
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The trainers in Tampa must be paid by the patient. The Yankees have signed right-handed pitched Sergio Mitre, who had Tommy John surgery in June. He was given a split contract.
Mitre, who pitched for Joe Girardi in Florida, won’t be ready until the middle of next season, if then. He is 10-23, 5.36 in 78 career games, 52 of them starts. He blew out his elbow in spring training and did not pitch in 2008.
More from MLB.com.
I don’t see the end game of this move. The pen is stocked with talent and obviously Sergio Mitre isn’t our rotation savior. This is a good minor league move but thats about it.
test
Don’t know much about Mitre, but this is probably to restock the cupboard.
And meet our TJ quota.
Mitre is still fairly young, but when he was healthy he was really awful. Maybe even worse than that. Sounds like minor league roster filler.
Okay, how about signing someone that will be ready to play opening day?
I see it as perhaps for 2010 as they also have an option for 2010 so let him rehab next year and if they see something they like they can bear the fruit of their labors (ie allowing him to rehab on their dime in 2010).
Have we become the home of injured pitchers who rehab on our watch?
Sanchez, Melancon, Brackman, Victor Zombrano, Dotel, Eric Milton, Chris Garcia, Tim Norton, Alan Horne, Pavano, Wright etc.
Maybe like Lieber and Dotel, we’ll hang onto him for a year while he rehabs, then let them hit free agency when he heals and becomes effective.
far as the injury issues (Blalock):
1st base is a much less physical position, then 3rd base. And he is only 28.
Broken Wings R US.
Bill James Fielding Bible calls Jeter least effective defensive player:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11.....136649.htm
Why are we even wasting time with moves like this? Whats the purpose?
He should be using this time in Cali to formulate trades, not sign injured minor league pitchers.
Where is this on MLBTR? Texas? Makes no sense
Fredo: I checked, and didn’t find it either.
do you mean it wouldn’t make sense for Texas?
Is it just me, or does it seem that there’s a precondition that the Yankees only acquire minor league pitchers if their arm is in a sling.
Maybe we need to add Dr. Sanjay Gupta to the Yankees press corps to analyze these transactions. Maybe this Mitre guy could get Pavano’s roster spot.
I like Cash’s focus on getting young talent but there’s plenty of healthy guys out there for him to choose from.
why did i think this guy was better before looking at his #s. looks like he started in ’07. is this girardi thinking he can fix someone again? …
pat said:
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
“Bill James Fielding Bible calls Jeter least effective defensive player:”
He is obviously not aware of my Edge! Now in Blazn’ Copper!
why would anyone complain about moves that simply are made to stock up on talent in the minor leagues in case we need guys later on?
wah wah wah
Fredo, Brandon:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_tex
I don’t really get this one at all, this guy was never good. But it certainly can’t hurt us right?
Quite frankly I’d rather have given El Duque one last chance at a comeback, but whatever. In the grand scheme of things this move doesnt matter other than giving us something to talk about. Maybe that’s the crux of the matter, Cash is just throwing us transaction-starved fans a bone here!
i mean Fredo, Vinny*
Mitre has a 5.36 career ERA and his best season he had a 4.63 ERA… all in the National League. He got released by the Marlins last year and nobody picked him up.
lol It really is amazing how Cashman runs to the trash bin every year to pickup these pitchers.
thank you, Ed
Jay,
I agree. This signing takes nothing away from any off-season plans.
Mitre was a young guy whom the Marlins were very high on prior to his injury. Why not take a shot at him.
Put it another way. Signing him isn’t going to make them not add Sabathia or any other FA pitchers.
Its a no risk signing.
“do you mean it wouldn’t make sense for Texas?”
Yeah. While I believe Kennedy can pitch in the MLB as a low end of the rotation guy, I can’t see it in Texas.
Cashman… stop trying to get cute. Just get us some combination of Manny, AJ, CC, Tex and make a couple of good trades and call it an off-season.
No reason to try and go window dressing with these below average scraps.
No risk-possible reward signing. Kick the tires around. Maybe they found a back-end pitcher. Who knows….
who needs sabathia?
we have sergio mitre!!!
The Yanks are becoming the rock opera Tommy. Always in search of the Miracle Cure.
Next up,Rocco Baldelli.
I agree this does no harm, but it also does no good. If you can afford a luxury car you don’t buy a Pinto because it’s really cheap. Waste of time, paperwork and at least some money.
Don’t compare this bum to Jon Lieber who was a 20-game winner just a year and change before his surgery
All you people complaining are pathetic, it’s a move to help the minor leagues, these moves aren’t big deals. Who the hell cares, if they sign a minor league pitcher, they need people too.. Calm down, you can tell who the real fans are and who the ones that are fans just because they’re the Yankees.. Relax..
“why would anyone complain about moves that simply are made to stock up on talent in the minor leagues in case we need guys later on?
wah wah wah”
because Pete took the time to make a post about it, so you’ll see comments complaining about it.
if Pete just mentioned it in tomorrows “today in the journal news” post. you’d only have a fraction of wah’s… if any.
Just somebody to compete with Kennedy/Rasner for the 5th spot in Spring Training if we don’t sign CC
Nothing more… low risk move.
Drive 4-5— Have a clue. Baldelli makes a lot of sense as a part time player as he battles his disease. I’d be quite content with Baldelli/Gardner or Baldelli/Cabrera in CF for 2009.
86w183 ,
I not only have a clue, I have a sense of humor. Something you obviously are lacking. I was making a joke.
Cash should be concerned with getting 150 million from Hanks piggy bank to get CC not concerned with minor league rehab pitchers.
sabathia and the like wont be available to talk deals until after the arbitration offers go out. then we’ll see some movement, dont expect any of the big guns move until december. i know you are starved for this team to spend, but there is a process.
It aint the LoHud Yankees Blog without a sizeable concentration of wah’s over each and every minute move and decision this organization makes…especially in the offseason! lol.
We all know thats why we love it here though!
BBB,
“We all know thats why we love it here though!”
That’s exactly right! lol Look at it this way, they dont have this much fun anywhere else but here and Boston.
I think the rule of thumb is, if it’s worth Pete’s posting it, it’s worth commenting on.
Jay D:
I believe teams and players can speak to each other beginning on 11/14. As I understand it, the drop dead for offering arbitration is 12/1.
If a team signs a free agent in advance of 12/1, the offer of arbitration by the former team and the rejection of said arbitration by the player are implied and the former team gets draft pick comp.
86w183,
I really like Baldelli as a player, and suggested him as CF until Ajax was ready; until I realized he is not 100% now, and he may never be. This, from the Rays site, explains the problem of signing him:
“Baldelli is a special player. The problem is he has special needs and whatever team he plays for will likely have a player who is limited as far as how much he can play. Because of the mitochondrial disorder he has, Baldelli’s availability is not the same as what other players offer. So while he can be productive when he’s in the lineup, the big question whatever team who signs him must answer is his availability. In talking to Baldelli and Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, it’s clear both sides have good feelings toward one another, so I would not rule out a return to Tampa Bay. But both sides must look out for their respective own good. The Rays might want him back at X number of dollars while another team will pay Baldelli a higher amount to join them. This is a tough one to call and an emotional one for Rays fans, management and Baldelli.”
Mark: a Gardner/Baldelli platoon ?
HE SAID “THE YANKEES WILL BE ACTIVE” HE DID NOT SAY SMART,
MITRE? PLEASE!!
As i mentioned in the last post. If we are going to go after an injury prone player for first. Give me Crede over Blaylock.
Maybe theyre going to teach Mitre to pitch with the opposite hand.
I think the Yankees should open up a rehab department for all of baseball and charge the teams for the sessions. Therefore at least they can get paid for what theyre doing rather than rehab a player and have another team snag him when ready.
One issue with Rocco Baldelli is he is another really lousy OBP guy. I’d also worry whether his rather limited power would play well in Yankee Stadium. His power is strictly center and left. He has zero power to right.
That’s what I advocated above.. Baldelli sharing CF with Gardner or Melky would make that position much more productive. I realize he’s not a full time player, but he can fill a real need on this team.
My understanding of his disease — and I could be dead wrong — is that with proper rest and medication he can play at a pretty high level and the key is monitoring those two factors. Whether he’s in pinstripes or not, I’m pulling for him.
vinny-b (Hank Blalock for 1st base),
I am not sure that would work. I think the problem with Rocco is not just a day off here and there; but that he has good days and bad, regardless of the rest factor. So, he may get two days off, you need him for a lefty on the third day, and he just can’t go. He also has had some problems finishing games, that’s why the Rays would take him out late in games for defense, even though he may be their best outfielder. If you sign him, it is as a luxury type signing, you better have a solid plan in case he gives you nothing. If he recovers 100%, then it is a major bonus.
From mlb.com:
Rays decline options on Floyd & Miller
Tek & Pudge headline catcher FA class. lol.
Thoughts on going after Juan Rivera as a fourth outfielder for cheap? He plays all fields and should be fully healthy when season starts.
SoS,
We’ve already got 2 cheap 4th outfielders.
I like Gardner for CF/4th OF
Rocco Baldelli can’t be part of any platoon in CF:
“It takes a significant amount more out of me than DH-ing does,†Baldelli said. “Just standing in the outfield, even if I don’t have to make any plays, but just jogging in and out between innings, if I don’t get a break, that becomes a problem.
I used to do a lot to get on the field to get my body loose – jogging, stuff like that. Now, if I don’t need to do anything, I do as little as possible. I try to sit on my butt as much as possible. That’s honestly going to keep me on the field.
“Right now my job is limited. I don’t do what I used to do. I’m not the outfielder I was, or wish I could be. But I’m pretty confident when I go to the plate, I think I can still swing the bat well and produce.â€
-his illness is called mitochondrial myopathy. It’s a genetic illness that effects his leg muscles, he is unable to run, jog, or even stand for prolonged periods of time without his legs feeling like they are on fire.
There is no cure nor is there any specific treatment for Baldelli’s illness.
mel,
So we can stock up on T.J. pitchers but not 4th outfielders? Doesnt seem fair.lol
Should the Yanks sign Miller as a secondary veteran lefty after Coke.
“Should the Yanks sign Miller as a secondary veteran lefty after Coke.”
nahs, Miller stinks.
Miller is awful. He was the weakest link in the Rays’ pen.
Just bring back Marte… it makes no sense to let him go anyway. Why should Coke be wasted as a LOOGY? Let him be a 1-2 inning guy while Marte shuts down the tough lefty for 1-2 batters.
SoS,
We don’t need anymore 4th OF or “Do you have a 1B glove?” 1B!
Sergio Mitre is a groundball machine… Lowe type numbers.
He could develop into a Latroy Hawkins-type out of the pen.
Why not just sign Manny to play 1B? Or bring back Abreu and teach him to play 1B?
I don’t see why people are upset about this; there’s virtually no risk with this move. The more you dig through the scrap heap, the more likely it is that you’ll find a diamond. Now,if come spring time, this was the Yankees’ only major transaction, then I’d see why people would be ticked. And I wouldn’t go strictly by the stats; sure, he hasn’t had the greatest numbers, but it is still early in his career. Obviously, Girardi saw something in him. I watched Mitre pitch when he was fully healthy, and I remember coming away impressed. If I’m remembering correctly, he has a good low 90′s sinker and good circle-change. He’s not a top of the rotation starter by any means, but he could be serviceable in the 4th or 5th spot.
mitre’s numbers in the 1st half of 2007 were very impressive…classic sinkerballer during that time…88 innings 92 hits…had a mid 2 era…good, low risk signing…whats not to like?
“He could develop into a Latroy Hawkins-type out of the pen”
sarcasm ?
Mitre is a nice pickup…..Today’s homework assignment, everybody research this pitchers history and club evaluations…Then you’ll see why this was a wise and low risk gamble……He was an up and coming starter……
with 4-5 starters making 10 million a year, why not sign a Milton, Zambrano, Mitre to low risk deals?
“We don’t need anymore 4th OF or “Do you have a 1B glove?†1B!”
What happened to try as many as we can and see what sticks?
How about no glove,old dh’s?
i lke the mitre signing he can pitch out of the pen and spot start for us in case of an injury
No real news is going to come until the 14th… until then, just these minor moves and announcements as well as the usual rehashed rumors.
Only when the bidding starts, will things be interesting. We all know we have interest in CC, Tex, AJ… we don’t need Heyman or Sherman to let us know that every 2 days. I doubt any trades will be consummated this early (because I don’t think Cashman will dip into the trade market until he sees how the FA landscape plays out), so there really isin’t anything going on at this time.
This time of year is actually torture… we are chomping at the bit for news when there really won’t be any.
The rule of thumb is that a blog that has commenters who feel compelled to hit the keyboard every 3 to 20 minutes (I timed one of you — you probably know who you are) is going to be made up largely of the mental equivalent of the dust bunnies accumulating around them.
Accept it and scroll on by until you get to one of the handful who only post when they have something to say.
Or enjoy it and be glad they have something to keep them out of trouble!
“with 4-5 starters making 10 million a year, why not sign a Milton, Zambrano, Mitre to low risk deals?”
Wheres Colon these days?
I don’t think Marte is a must sign also he adds several million more to the cap money that can instead be spent on CC/TEX.
off-topic:
greatest non-sports videogame, of all-time ?
Mitre = Ensberg, Hawkins, Sexon etc.
How come we can never find lightening in a bottle like other teams do?
“One issue with Rocco Baldelli is he is another really lousy OBP guy.”
I think that is an issue with a lot of the names floating around here as potential replacements at 1b or OF help. OBP has been the one constant in the Yankee lineup for some time now. It’s been the biggest part of why the team has been able to win games. If we bring in too many guys who compromise the team fundamental of getting on base, our 2008 troubles with RISP would start to seem like a walk in the park compared to the offensive swoon that would ensue.
It’s crucial that at least 1 of Giambi or Bobby is replaced by a high OBP guy,and we need someone who concievably hit 3rd. All the Garkos, Blalocks, Blakes and Baldellis in the world won’t fix that hole even if we assume they would otherwise play well here. So if the Yankees don’t land Tex, they need to go in a different direction besides that of the role player.
Al from Burger King,
We have $88 million off the books. We could sign CC and Tex and still be well under that number. Money shouldn’t be an issue for Marte.
I’m afraid its Cashman being obsessed with draft picks rather than the money.
vinny: I do love me some Super Smash Bros. but, in the end, gotta kick it old skool and go with Dr. Mario. Duck Hunt was fun too but that dog who laughed at you when you missed used to drive me crazy!
One of pacman,donkey kong,galaga,centipede.
I dont play video games but i heard that Halo is pretty popular.
The one guy I couldn’t bare seeing next year is Abreu, we have so many aging OF’s that bringing him back would be adding to this teams main problem.
That message is SOOOO yesterday…
*Trisha – I predicted the Rays over the Sux; I predicted the Phils over the Rays; stick with me. Yankees will win it all next season!
* November 3rd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
*Yanks sign former Marlins pitcher Mitre*
Rehabbing hurler might not be ready to play until midseason
I just got an email that allowed me to download the new toolbar from Yankees.com.
Very cool. Also got the latest news in an instant.
Sergio Mitre?
I guess somebody has to take Pavano’s place as le Rehab du jour down in Tampa.
Why even announce these moves?
Due to injuries, the Yanks will probably need 7 to 10 SPs next year At the moment, they have just 1. So, I think it makes sense to sign a cheap SP who has some chance of contributing.
Also, it seems to me that the organization has to have some faith in Joe’s judgment. Otherwise, they might as well get a new manager.
“It’s crucial that at least 1 of Giambi or Bobby is replaced by a high OBP guy,and we need someone who concievably hit 3rd.”
Exactly correct. If the Yanks part ways with Abreu, they really need to replace his obp not to mention 100 rbi
I still want Bobby Abreu back.
perhaps mitre was a bone thrown to girardi for the meacham jettison.
Some of these moves I just don’t understand. I feel the same way about Mitre as I did with LaTroy Hawkins. The move just doesn’t make sense to me.
Kevin
“Maybe like Lieber and Dotel, we’ll hang onto him for a year while he rehabs, then let them hit free agency when he heals and becomes effective.”
oh, is that what happened with Lieber? I must have forgotten the entire 2004 season when he pitched for the Yankees.
if the yankees wanted to go after an injury prone pitcher… they should go after mark prior
I don’t understand why you are all so critical of Cashman. Mitre may not be anything special, but what is the downside here. It is only a minor league deal and it cost very little money. Mitre was sick in the beginning of the 2006 season. If he starts pitching like that again, which is possible, then you will all be lauding Cashman. If he doesn’t work out, then we won’t use him.