Yankees organizational depth: Outfield corners
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 14, 2011 
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For this sort of exercise, it’s much easier to lump left field and right field into one category. They aren’t exactly the same position — teams prefer a better glove in left, a better arm in right — but in terms of organizational depth, the two positions are pretty interchangeable. In New York, though, they’re occupied by two very different players.
In the big leagues
Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher are different hitters who share a similar approach at the plate. They are two of the most selective hitters in baseball, but that’s where the common ground ends. Gardner’s game is built on speed, Swisher’s is built on power, and each had his own sort of breakout season in 2010. Gardner is 27 years old and established himself as a legitimate everyday outfielder. With over-the-top patience, he led the Yankees in on-base percentage and stolen bases. He’s arguably the best defensive left fielder in baseball with exceptional range and a better-than-expected arm. Swisher just turned 30 and made his first all-star team. He’s in the final year of his contract, but there is a club option for 2012. With no obvious replacement in the upper levels of the minor league system, the Yankees could exercise that option if Swisher has another productive year.
On the verge
Unless one of them finds a spot on the big league roster, a Triple-A outfield of Colin Curtis, Greg Golson and Jordan Parraz will give the Yankees plenty of reserves: All three on the 40-man, all three able to play each outfield spot, and all three ready to play a role in New York as needed. Third baseman Brandon Laird will also get some time in the outfield, and his power bat fits the profile of a corner outfielder. The Double-A outfield is more of a hit-or-miss group. Center fielder Melky Mesa has more than enough arm for right field and is perhaps the biggest wild card in the system’s upper levels. Cody Johnson, acquired from the Braves this winter, is a former first-round pick who’s shown significant power but a complete inability to hit for average. Dan Brewer — who could jump to Triple-A if there’s an opening — hit 10 homers and 34 doubles in Trenton last season, but he’s never been considered a prominent prospect.
Deep in the system
Long-term, the Yankees depth in the outfield corners will probably be built on their current depth at other positions. For now, Slade Heathcott, Eduardo Sosa, Mason Williams and Abe Almonte are best suited for center field, but they could move to the corners as necessary. Catcher J.R. Murphy will see some time in right field this season, as will third baseman Rob Segedin. For now, the lower levels should have guys like Zoilo Almonte, Taylor Grote and Kelvin De Leon getting considerable time in the outfield corners (all three have generated some prospect buzz but haven’t done much either because of injury or lack of production). The name to remember seems to be Ramon Flores. One talent evaluator was raving about him during the Winter Meetings, comparing him favorably to former Yankees prospect Jose Tabata. Flores hit .303/.390/.419 last year and should be ready for a full season in Charleston.
Organizational depth chart
My own rough guess. It’s far too early for the Yankees to settle on who will be where next season.
New York: Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher
Scranton/WB: Colin Curtis and Jordan Parraz
Trenton: Cody Johnson and Dan Brewer
Tampa: Taylor Grote and Zoilo Almonte
Charleston: Eduardo Sosa and Ramon Flores
The big league depth chart is incomplete until the Yankees sign a fourth outfielder. The Yankees have been strongly linked to Andruw Jones, and if he’s signed, Jones will become the primary backup in both left and right field. The Yankees have no shortage of additional players ready to step into a corner outfield role as necessary: Curtis, Golson, Parraz, Laird and Kevin Russo are all in the mix.
Lower in the minor league system, I based my projections on Heathcott opening in Charleston, forcing Sosa to open in left field instead of center. As is always the case, the Yankees have plenty of additional outfielders who could see time in the corners. In rough top-to-bottom order: Austin Krum, Damon Sublett, Jack Rye, Raymond Kruml and Deangelo Mack are among the guys who will get corner outfield time for the full-season teams. The impact of multi-position guys like Segedin and Murphy, though, will probably be more significant.
Associated Press photo of Swisher, headshots of Gardner, Curtis and Zoilo Almonte
Chad, I’d like to see Romine get some time at all four corners, too. He has the footspeed and arm to cover the outfield. He also has the bat. He could play the Yogi Berra/Ellie Howard part and really increase his value either to the team as a player or in a trade. NYYs have the catching department covered for years.
SI_JonHeyman
yankees would consider trading joba, but probably only in package for viable starter. for now he’s in yankees pen
Love to keep talking baseball but I gotta run, I may check in on my phone.
Bottom line: Expensive deal with here-to-fore unseen consequences for the Yankees, but which will undoubtedly improve the 2011 team and could end up being a difference maker
I won’t complain when we’re in a jam and Girardi goes to Soriano.
So the Yankees lost 16 games when ahead or tied heading into the 7th inning.
-The Padres bullpen was the best in baseball last year with a 2.81 ERA and they lost 17.
-Giants second best bullpen lost 13.
-Braves third best bullpen lost 18
-Rays fourth best bullpen lost 13
-Nationals fifth best bullpen lost 22.
So Dan Haren wasn’t a viable starter? That makes no sense.
Let’s remove tied, so we don’t have to count on the offense to score. Just go by ahead heading into the 7th inning.
Yankees: 9 losses
Padres: 7
Giants: 6
Braves: 9
Rays: 4
Nationals: 8
Speaking of Haren, is he a free agent after 2011?
Doreen –
You’re absoutely right. We have no idea what discussions occurred. This constitutes blog chatter, nothing more.
I recall using that photo to demonstrate how far AJ’s pie throwing skills had deteriorated from 2009.
Look at the previous result.
http://dailyirabu.files.wordpr....._large.jpg
Joe from Long Island -
I’m going nuts, I tell ya!!!
It’s the Italian side of me coming out.
Funny how all the talking heads say Soriano was signed as a high paid set up man.
In truth he’ll be an EIG and co-closer. The days of Mariano pitching more than one inning or in successive games have reached a virtual end.
Girardi has done a good job at managing the bullpen workload and will have a plan for both pitchers so they get enough work to keep sharp without being overworked.
inherited runners/scored in 2010
Rivera 3-16
Robertson 10-32
Chamberlain 9-39
Logan 8-33
108 Stitches -
YOu know whenever it’s the Yankees, it’s always straw spun from gold, rather the the other way ’round.
Rivera will still pitch pretty often in back to back games. You just won’t see many 3 in a row stretches, if any
I just opened my front door to check on a package and realized that someone has stolen my Yankee doormat !
Jeers
you are right! I hope AJ is working on that during the off season!
Bronx Jeers -
The Yankees are nobody’s Doormat!!!
GB
how does that compare to an average team?
Bronx Jeers January 14th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
I just opened my front door to check on a package and realized that someone has stolen my Yankee doormat !
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It was Pete Abe. He sent his dogs, Youk and Lazer Show to steal it.
Can’t see Hal over ruling a Cashman decision on a baseball matter in favor of Levine but I can see him taking Gene Michael’s side over Cashman’s if they differed.
It was Pete Abe. He sent his dogs, Youk and Lazer Show to steal it.
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Most likely it was Laser Show. He’s the only one that get close enough to my door and stay out of visual range of my peephole.
The Yankees are nobody’s Doormat!!!
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Thanks Doreen.
I’ll use the theft as a symbol of good things to come!
upstate kate January 14th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
GB
how does that compare to an average team?
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Kate, if you’re referring to inherited runners/scored…not that bad. Remember last year with all of the whining and drooling on this board about Tyler Clippard and his 8 early wins? That’s because he allowed 18 of 46 inherited runners to score. His numbers look really good. He only cost him team and other pitchers wins. 8 losses and 10 blown saves. That’s ugly. Chamberlain and Robertson were actually pretty good, but, both had a couple of multiple inherited runs score in a couple of games.
Bronx Jeers January 14th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
It was Pete Abe. He sent his dogs, Youk and Lazer Show to steal it.
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Most likely it was Laser Show. He’s the only one that get close enough to my door and stay out of visual range of my peephole.
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I suppose that it would be a little cold for Youk, being a hairless and all.
thanks GB. Yeah, I remember a few of D-rob’s…on one occasion he got so upset that he was biting his glove in the dugout.
Plus I live on the 3rd floor. No elevator.
That rules out Pete.
Brace yourselves for this one………
BobKlap Yankees’ report date for pitchers and catchers pushed back one day from 2-13 to 2-14 b/c of M Kay’s wedding on 2-12 (Girardi’s attending)
Upstate kate, league average for inherited runner scoring is 28 to 30 percent. Rab had an article on it and the yankee bullpen. Look for it.
thanks Jerkface, I will look for it when I get a chance
From Kepner:
About that 31st pick the Yanks are losing, there have been only 12 future major leaguers taken with the #31 pick since 1977. They are…
T.Dodd, K.Manwaring, D.Holdridge, Brian Williams, M.Thurman, J.Washburn, J.Standridge, C.George, C.Daigle, A.Heilman, JPHowell…and GMaddux
Kay’s going to be a February bride?
Very goth.
upstate kate January 14th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
thanks GB. Yeah, I remember a few of D-rob’s…on one occasion he got so upset that he was biting his glove in the dugout.
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LMAO. Ge does get a little upset with himself. At least he didn’t bite hus glove with his fingers in it. Love his “spart” on the mound.
Spart = Spirit in Alabama.
“BobKlap Yankees’ report date for pitchers and catchers pushed back one day from 2-13 to 2-14 b/c of M Kay’s wedding on 2-12 (Girardi’s attending)”
No biggie since most of them will probably be in Tampa already.
GB-
Speaking of relievers.
What ever became of Melancon ?
Has he had any success since leaving the Yankees ?
Oh, Oh… Chamberlain filed for arbitration today. He’s as good as gone now.
interesting article Jerkface…hopefully Randy doesn’t read it as it says the Twins were the league’s best at stranding inherited runners.
My facebook is full of Rays doom and gloom and I couldn’t be happier. I hope they’re awful again this season because then it won’t suck to read the morning paper.
I hardly ever have to read about Boston because they really only have articles in my paper on the Rays and Yankees.
MTU January 14th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
GB-
Speaking of relievers.
What ever became of Melancon ?
Has he had any success since leaving the Yankees ?
———————————————————————————————————————-
Yeah, he did pretty well with Houston. still had walk issues in the bigs, though.
http://www.baseball-reference......ma01.shtml
tyanks
losing the majority of their bullpen has to hurt, much more than losing Garza…oh yeah, then there is Crawford and Pena..well they still have Longo!
GB-
Thanks. It’s amazing how that guy went from can’t miss future Yankee closer to another team almost overnight.
Hopefully, we should have some possible replacements in the near future.
MTU, I’m still thinking that the closer ends up being Brackman. That would just be an imposing sight. He might be the Gossage thowback type…multiple innings closer.
GreenBeret7 January 14th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Oh, Oh… Chamberlain filed for arbitration today. He’s as good as gone now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He’ll get chewed up in front of an arbitrator and Yankee brass. He should have opted to settle. Most players say it’s an unnerving process to go through.
GB-
Brackman should be up this season if things go well.
Soriano takes some of the pressure off.
They can break guys in slower.
I like the idea of using the BP as a tool to get guys ready for the rotation.
It seems like Chamberlain keeps getting bad advice.
There is no plus side for him in an arbitration hearing.
He’s gonna lose, and it sure won’t help his evaluation of himself.
MTU, if anything goes wrong on the Yankee staff, I’d think that it will be Mitchell, Phelps, Noesi and Brackman, in order. Strictly in need of a bullpenner, Brackman. He was deadly in that role.
GB-
Intersting that you would put Mitchell ahead of either Phelps or Noesi ?
Kate
The thing that worries me about the Rays is their rotation. David Price is a rock(star) wade davis had a great rookie year, Hellickson was good in his 4 starts this year. Neimann was good until he got injured and well…let’s hope we get to see a lot of Shields.
MTU, I’m guessing that NYYs offer $750,000-$800,000 and he asks for $1.2 mil. NYYs win.
# Betsy January 14th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
That said, admittedly Cash has had a bad off-season (and, going back to the non-deal for Haren) a bad off-season and a half.
===============================================
How so? Says who?
If Andy came back wouldn’t we be whole?
GB-
The money seems 2ndary to me.
I figure his ego is gonna take another bruising and that can’t be good.
“I’m going nuts, I tell ya!!! It’s the Italian side of me coming out.”
Italians can be nuts?
Why wasn’t I warned???
While no expert, I expect many file for arbitration but the great majority do not result in a hearing. It is to both sides interest not to create a contentious relationship.
MTU, Mitchell’s pretty much a ground ball pitcher. He’s good, but tradeable. He has the innings up (150), but, if NYYs keep him, I’m thinking that he’s a good candidate as a long man or in a trade.
Just got back from Italy. Nice people, crazy drivers.
MTU, I think that Chamberlain is tougher than many think he is. Growing up like he did would do that. He’s possibly immature, but, he could still be trying to make up for his lost youth. We’ll know when he shows up at camp.
Austin-
I saw one of the best fistfights outside of a boxing arena in Italy.
It was 2 guys fighting it out over a parking spot.
They really went at it. I’m not sure either guy won, and I didn’t stick around long enough to see who got the parking spot.
I may be taking a long trip there soon, austinmac. Could be dangerous.
As for Joba, I’m not worried. He can bring the Joba impersonator and his Phitens endorsement to the hearing for moral support.
It was 2 guys fighting it out over a parking spot.
They really went at it. I’m not sure either guy won, and I didn’t stick around long enough to see who got the parking spot.
====================
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode.
GB-
There was something about Joba’s story that always made me want to pull for him.
It’s amazing that a guy with his talent is currently fighting it out over scraps when he could be earning millions as a front line starter.
Why can’t somebody get that thru to him ?
I expect that Andrew Brackman will show his worth THIS year and possibly see big league time by July.
At 6′ – 10″ and 230 lbs., he’s an imposing force on the mound. I’ve seen him throw and by the time his plant foot hits the ground, a hitter has little reaction time.
Two years removed from surgery helps his cause.
Nick,
Italy is a wonderful place. I hope you have your trip. Don’t worry, you can take our Yankee angst with you via this site.
MTU,
I didn’t see any fighting , but I am a naturally harmonious fellow.
MTU, I would have thought that between his father and Mariano Rivera, they would make a dent. He seems to be having the same issues that boyhood and school friend, Alex Gordon has.
I’m really only scared of one Italian in particular. Beautiful but deadly. Pray for me.
Take it for what it’s worth from the greatest sports journalist since Grantland Rice and Ring Lardner.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....trade.html
Just got back from Italy. Nice people, crazy drivers.
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Driving in Rome is fun. At one point I recall turning onto what I thought was a proper center lane and quickly discovered that I was driving on some active train tracks. Nobody batted an eye. Apparently that’s normal.
I also saw a guy on a Vespa get knocked down by a car and the car’s driver got out and screamed at the guy before kicking the Vespa and angrily driving off.
The Autostradas are a blast though. Amazing rest stops.
Somebody has to come off the 40-man roster to make room for Rafael Soriano. A guess says Damaso Marte will be put on the 60-day DL until more space gets cleared.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p?c_id=nyy
GB-
Me too. I just don’t get it, and apparently neither does Joba.
Jerkface January 14th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Lhb’s hit .196/.263/.327 against Soriano last year. Only 2 home runs in 107 ab. If lhb hit 25% more HR in YS, that’s less than one additional home run.
–
You might not be worried but here is why I would be worried.
Lefties walk at 3+ bb/9 vs Soriano the last 2 years, 3.23 for his career, so his command suffers vs them. He doesn’t K them as easily as right handed batters. 8 k/9 vs LHB vs 10 k/9 vs RHB. But thats still more walks and less K’s.
His HR/9 vs lefties is over 1 in his career.
He cut his HR rate in half vs lefties last year. Now he is moving to a stadium where he LHB have a significant advantage in terms of hitting HRs.
If he just returns to his career percentage you’re not talking about a 25% increase over what he allowed, you’re talking about doubling the amount of HRs allowed on flyballs.
He is a flyball pitcher that doesn’t get ground balls, and those fly balls have to go somewhere. Generally pitchers can’t control if a flyball is a HR or not. And the league average is 10% of your flyballs go for HRs.
He gave up 84 flyballs last year, so if he has a league average HR rate by pitching in a HR friendly park thats 8 HRs instead of 4.
—
I don’t think using career numbers is making a good argument… It’s like you are counting on him to regress. Well yeah, if he regresses he won’t be as good, on the Yankees or otherwise.
I tend to rely more on recent performance. If he pitches like last year I don’t think his numbers will be much different because he pitches half in YS.
half *the time* in YS…
Larry Rothschild is Chamberlain’s last hope if he cares to listen to advice with repeating his mechanics. I’ve never understood why he didn’t go to the master of repeated mechanics (Mariano) while sitting in the same bullpen.
Numerous times Mariano was going through his usual get ready routine and start throwing yet Joba just sat on a bullpen chair spitting out David sunflower seeds and looking straight ahead like nothing was happening.
For the pro-Joba to the rotation people an article from the NYT.
Makes the case many of you have.
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....lenews_wsj
Austinmac…Did you go to the Colosseum?? Pretty cool…..
Can’t put anybody on the DL in the off season.
Sorry. That article is actually taken from the WSJ.
Holden Caulfield was a big fan of Ring Lardner.
jacksquat says:
January 14, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Jerkface January 14th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Lhb’s hit .196/.263/.327 against Soriano last year. Only 2 home runs in 107 ab. If lhb hit 25% more HR in YS, that’s less than one additional home run.
–
You might not be worried but here is why I would be worried.
Lefties walk at 3+ bb/9 vs Soriano the last 2 years, 3.23 for his career, so his command suffers vs them. He doesn’t K them as easily as right handed batters. 8 k/9 vs LHB vs 10 k/9 vs RHB. But thats still more walks and less K’s.
His HR/9 vs lefties is over 1 in his career.
He cut his HR rate in half vs lefties last year. Now he is moving to a stadium where he LHB have a significant advantage in terms of hitting HRs.
If he just returns to his career percentage you’re not talking about a 25% increase over what he allowed, you’re talking about doubling the amount of HRs allowed on flyballs.
He is a flyball pitcher that doesn’t get ground balls, and those fly balls have to go somewhere. Generally pitchers can’t control if a flyball is a HR or not. And the league average is 10% of your flyballs go for HRs.
He gave up 84 flyballs last year, so if he has a league average HR rate by pitching in a HR friendly park thats 8 HRs instead of 4.
—
I don’t think using career numbers is making a good argument… It’s like you are counting on him to regress. Well yeah, if he regresses he won’t be as good, on the Yankees or otherwise.
I tend to rely more on recent performance. If he pitches like last year I don’t think his numbers will be much different because he pitches half in YS
—
Just an aside to the 2 HR that Soriano allowed to Lefties…one was Robinson Cano at a game I went to. The game was tied and he opened the inning with a HR. Robbie is amazingly good so maybe you can discount that one HR
I think the yankees can still settle before the feb arb hearings. They just had to submit their arb numbers by this date.
What happened to the theory that we can’t discuss Joba starting because Cashman said he wouldn’t start? I remember there were some people (who shall remain nameless) pretty wedded to that theory.
108 stitches January 14th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Somebody has to come off the 40-man roster to make room for Rafael Soriano. A guess says Damaso Marte will be put on the 60-day DL until more space gets cleared.
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I only count 39 players on the 40 man roster – so everyone’s safe for now..until jon rauch and/or brian fuentes and the 4th OF get signed..then goodbye one (or more) of schlitter, fish, turpen sanchez, garrison, corona or parraz…
or cashman could do a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 for zambrano and clear space that way…:-)
“Can’t put anybody on the DL in the off season.”
Honest question. Is there a 40 man roster in the off-season?
then goodbye one (or more) of schlitter, fish, turpen sanchez, garrison, corona or parraz…
———–
Um, none of those guys are likely going to be on the 40-man roster.
They were essentially signed to fill out the Scranton roster.
Um, none of those guys are likely going to be on the 40-man roster.
They were essentially signed to fill out the Scranton roster.
*************
But they are on the 40 man roster..you don’t have to be in the majors to be on the 40 man roster..andrew brackman has been on the 40 man roster for like 4 years already..
they would have to clear waivers to be taken off the 40….or for fish and turpen sent back to their original teams..
# MTU January 14th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
It seems like Chamberlain keeps getting bad advice.
There is no plus side for him in an arbitration hearing.
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Maybe that’s the way he wants it.
Wave Your Hat January 14th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
“Can’t put anybody on the DL in the off season.”
Honest question. Is there a 40 man roster in the off-season?
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Yes there is.
I think using lifetime stats for an arguement against the Soriano signing is just negative thinking. He’s healthy now and has pitched great the last two years.
It’s like saying Jeter is done because last year he had a .270 BA. He also had 67 RBI’s to 09′s 66 and 111 Runs scored to 09′s 107 so it’s just his BA and OPS that went down. Jeter had 179 hits last year, 16th in all of baseball. Only 10 behind being 4th in all of baseball. But everyone says Jeter is washed up. That’s crazy talk!
It can be used both ways to make an arguement work in your favor. The fact is Soriano had 45 saves in the AL EAST last year. He had a GREAT season and he is now a Yankee! This is good news for us, who cares that he is making 10 million for 2011?
I say throw Joba back in the rotation and give him a shot. He is a waste to trade with low value and he is a waste to use in the 6th inning. He is cheap and if he can eat up 160 innings in 2011 a scrape by with a 4.00 ERA that’s all we can ask of him in the 5th spot. It’s all because of the perception that he was going to be a 20 game CY YOUNG winner for the next 15 years. So everybody is down on him because of expectations. Lets lower them a little bit and if he can fill in the fifth spot in the rotation and only cost us 1 million dollars then I say it’s a steal.
One more thought on Joba. I too have been pissed at him for sucking the last year and a half. His first half of 09 was really good and then they screwed with his routine and it messed him up. I’ve also called him Joba the Hut, but again my only point is that it’s all about perceptions. We expected him to be this amazing pitcher and when he dropped off we berated him.
He is cheap and can be the fifth starter in my opinion. Give us 160 innings this year Joba with a 4.00 ERA and I am happy.
Hmmm lets look at these stats for 2010. Everybody concerned with the sh!t sux got Jenks from Chicago. He was worse then Joba last year.
Joba Chamberlain NYY 73 0 71.2 71 37 35 22 77 3 4 3 26 4 1.30 4.40
Bobby Jenks CHW 55 0 52.2 54 28 26 18 61 1 3 27 0 4 1.37 4.44
It’s all about perception…
Last Pro Joba for the fifth starter post:
Just about everyone in Yankee Universe is totally okay with Ivan Nova starting in the 4TH SPOT!!! Here is a 2010 comparison of Joba and Ivan. Joba had better stats. Anyway I’m okay with Joba eating up innings in the 5th spot in the rotation and contributing more to us then in a lousy 6th inning spot. Lower your expectations and perception that he is supposed to get 20 wins 220 IP a sub 3 ERA and 250 K’s. Give Joba the shot!!!
PLAYER TEAM ERA ERC ERC% DIPS DIP% TLOSS CWIN PFR BIPA K/9
Joba Chamberlain NYY 4.40 3.58 0.81 3.03 0.69 0 0 1.38 .320 9.67
Ivan Nova NYY 4.50 4.40 0.98 4.33 0.96 0 0 1.02 .286 5.57
PLAYER TEAM ERA K/BB K/9 PIT P/PA P/IP W% AGS GB FB G/F RS WHIP
Joba Chamberlain NYY 4.40 3.50 9.67 1170 3.84 16.3 .429 0.0 95 110 0.86 0.00 1.30
Ivan Nova NYY 4.50 1.53 5.57 665 3.59 15.8 .333 46.6 72 68 1.06 7.07 1.45