How the Yankees Will Get the Ball to Mariano Rivera in 2009

The biggest concern in the New York Yankees bullpen right now is not the man that pitches in the ninth inning, Mariano Rivera, but who is going to get him the ball.

In 2007 and 2008, Joba Chamberlain was the setup man to Mariano Rivera.  The tandem of Chamberlain and Rivera was one of the best one-two punches in the Major League.

However, being a starter was in the near future for Chamberlain. On June 3, 2008, Chamberlain made his first MLB start against Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. He lasted only 2 1/3 innings while allowing two runs, a hit, and four walks. 

In 2009, Chamberlain is listed as a tentative starter and it looks like he will stay there.  However, with the recent signing of Andy Pettitte, Phillip Hughes could spend some time in the bullpen.

Left-Hander Damarso Marté came over to the Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 26, 2008 during the Xavier Nady trade.  

Following the 2008 season, the Yankees declined Marté's option. However, the Yankees then re-signed him to a new three-year deal with an option for a fourth.

Marté pitched in 25 games for the Yankees during the second half of last season, going 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 24 strikeouts.  In his first appearance for the Yankees, he faced one batter and struck out rival Red Sox player David Ortiz swinging.

Marté's numbers should improve when he gets settled in New York this year.  He is a nine year veteran and has a lifetime ERA of 3.29.  Marté is an important piece to the Yankees bullpen, he is one of only two left-handers in the entire pen, the other being rookie Phil Coke.

Phil Coke made his major league debut on Sept. 1, 2008, for the Yankees against the Detroit Tigers with a scoreless inning and struck out Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera.  Coke pitched in 12 games late last season, going 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

Phil Coke remains a promising player and I look forward to seeing him playing his first full season in the bullpen in 2009.  He is guy to keep an eye on and has rookie of the year potential.

Coke was part of the Yankees Rookie Development program and said he learned a lot from it.

From a recent video interview on Yankees.com, Coke said, "I am more comfortable in my role now then I was before, my first time out, pitching to Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera.  Now, I am way more jacked then I was my first time out."

Moving along, Jonathan Albaladejo, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras, David Roberstson and Edwar Ramirez make up the rest of the pen.

Edwar Ramírez could see time as the eighth inning guy.  I met him last spring in Tampa before a spring training game and he gladly signed my baseball, though it was right before the game, I shouldn't of bothered him, I said, "Hey Edwar, can you autograph my ball after the game?" he looked at me and said, "I'll autograph it now, toss me the ball."  Still one of my favorite autographed balls yet.

In an article from March of 2008 in New York Times, Edwar Ramírez has been taken under Mariano Rivera's wing perhaps, and could be the closer of the future.

When Ramírez was called to the majors last July, pitching coach Dave Eiland told Ramirez, "If you need something, ask Mo." Ramírez became Rivera's pregame catch partner, and he eagerly sought Rivera's knowledge.

"He told me if you want to stay in the big leagues with the Yankees, you have to stay straight," Ramírez said. "You don’t have to go to the clubs, you don’t have to drink. That’s what he showed me, because he doesn’t drink and he doesn’t go to the clubs."

Entering his fourth season with the Yankees, Jose Veras, who went 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA last season and 63 strikeouts last season, is also close friends with Mariano Rivera and considers him a mentor.

In that same New York Times article, Veras said, "It’s hard to find people like that," he said. "That’s why we appreciate everything he does, because if you’re 20-something and he’s 30-something, he doesn’t want to be my baby sitter. But he can say, 'Don’t do this; that’s bad.' It just takes a couple of seconds, but some guys think it’s hard to say. So when you find people like that that can teach you the right way, it’s awesome. It’s unbelievable to find people like that."

Jose Veras and Edwar Ramírez continue to look like future staples in the bullpen and have one of the best teachers around in Mariano Rivera.

Brian Bruney signed a one year $1.25M contract in January and is also in the set up role mix.  He pitched 3-0 last season with a 1.83 ERA and 33 strikeouts.

Bruney missed most of last season with an injury to his right foot. He opted against surgery and returned to become one of the team's more consistent bullpen options down the stretch.

In a recent Newsday Article from January, Bruney said, "Everybody heals differently, and I feel like I've always healed pretty well," Bruney said late last season. "Next year is only going to be better. I'm going to come in better shape than this year. I've got goals in my head, and I'm looking forward to doing the work."

Many feel that the Yankees bullpen is too weak and doesn't stack up to other bullpens in the American League but I beg to differ. 

There is a lot of promise in the Yankees' pen, and with addition of Andy Pettitte to the rotation, it improves the bullpen, likely moving another good arm into a relief role.

Not only that, with a more improved starting rotation, it should provide less work and better rested relievers, having not coming into the game so often like last season.

Many questions will be answered during spring training this year in Tampa as to what roles each of these relievers will have in the 2009 season.