Mike Myers DFA'd, Torres bullpen management

by pageian on Aug 6, 2007 6:08 PM CDT

Mike Myers was release by the Yankees because of his inability to get out left handed hitters. I can see the logic in that since he's a lefty specialist and all. What I'm having trouble understanding is WHY he's a LOOGY? Here are his splits:

LH: Avg .301 Obp .369 Slg .438 Ops .807
RH: Avg .184 Obp .259 Slg .303 Ops .561

Looking at that it's pretty clear that Myers has been effective against right handed batters. He's had 76 at-bats against right handers as opposed to 73 at-bats against left handers, a descent sample size for a reliever.

So did the Yankees bring up someone to get left handers out? Nope, they brought up Jim Brower, whose 3-year (2004-2006) splits against lefties are:
Avg .326 Obp .403 Slg .526 Ops .929

Just another case of Joe Torre specifically and the Yankees in general mismanaging their bullpen. Why try to fit a square peg into a round hole and then blame the peg when if it doesn't work? Seems to me that Myers was pretty effective.... against right handers and if he was going to be a specialist (which I don't like btw) then bring him in to face right handed hitters. After all aren't there more of them anyway?

The Cubs could benefit from this I suppose, but now that Kerry Wood is back I'm not sure where Myers would fit in. You certainly can't have too much pitching though and I'm guessing Myers wants a job so why not try to get him cheap and stash him away in AAA just in case? As we witnessed yesterday injuries come when you aren't expecting them and leave you short handed. If Myers can be had at a descent price it might be a prudent thing to do, as long as Lou understands what he is and how to use him correctly.

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We have no role for him.

What we need is what the Yankees don't have either. A good specialist to handle lefties. Myers is not a conventional lefty and apparently Torre tried to make him one. When Torre tired of trying, the Yankees let Myers go. Other teams will claim and use Myers in the majors as he should be used. We really have no space for him and he's a veteran who won't go to AAA if other teams will have him in the majors.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 7, 2007 4:22 PM CDT reply actions