The Sommer Frieze

As we know full well, the bullpen has been very disappointing this year. Veras, Albaladejo and Edwar have greatly underachieved, Coke has pitched like what he is—a rookie— and injuries have robbed the Yanks of Marte and Bruney.

Not having a long man to start the season also didn’t help.

Here I come to save the day!

But lately, the Yanks have found a savior. Alfredo Aceves has been great since he was called up. 3-1, 2.75, ERA+ 167. Do you want to know the best part? (Listen or read up, Veras, Edwar, and Alby…) He throws strikes. 19 2/3 IP. Three walks.

Let’s compare.

Edwar. 17.1 IP  15 walks.
Alby.    21   IP   10 walks.
Veras.  19.2 IP   14 walks.
Aceves 19.2 IP     3 walks.

See what happens when you don’t walk people, guys?

Aceves was 1-0, 2.40 last year as a late-season callup. He has 15 games under his belt for his career. 4-1, 2.54. It’s still too early to judge him, but so far, he has been great. He was roughed up a bit down in Texas, but what a job he did last night. The game could have gotten away when Aceves came in. 3 strong innings of relief. (Pettitte had back issues but should be ok for his next start). What about the Orioles game in which Joba took one off the leg in the first inning? Aceves came out of the bullpen in that one and got the win with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Fans remember the troika of Mendoza, Stanton and Nelson that helped the Yanks to three consecutive WS titles. Already Aceves is being compared to Mendoza because of his spot starter/long relief ability.

Mendoza:

1996 4-5, 6.79 ERA+ 74  11 starts, 1 relief  53 IP
1997 8-6, 4.24  106         15 s  24 r      133.2
1998 10-2 3.25  136       14 s   27 r      130.1
1999 9-9   4.29  110       6 s     47r        123.2
2000 7-4   4.25   114      9s        5 r         65.2   injured
2001 8-4   3.75   119       2s      54r        100.2
2002 8-4   3.44   129       62 games all in relief  91.2

Can Aceves match this guy’s productivity as a ss/lr?

after 2002, Mendoza went to Boston. He had a lousy 2003.

3-5, 6.75  69  5s 32 r  66.2 IP

He improved in 2004, but the injuries started catching up and he was basically done at 32.

2-1, all in relief, 3.52, 27 games, ERA+ 138. 30.2 IP.

His last hurrah was with the 2005 Yankees. 1 game in which he gave up 2 R in 1 IP.

Postseason 20 games total. 2-2, 2.51.

The Yanks may have found their 2009 “Mendoza” with the 26 year old Aceves.

Now to get Marte (unknown when he’ll be back) and Bruney (3 weeks?) back to be the “Stanton and Nelson” of the bullpen. Either that or hope Robertson or Melancon develop.

If that doesn’t happen, we know what Cashman may be looking for at the trade deadline.

But at least Aceves is starting to get the bullpen back on track. You have to start somewhere.