Is Re-Signing Damaso Marte a Move the Yankees Regret?

During spring training, teams get a chance to see players that they might not have seen a lot of or finally notice players that have been under the radar for some time. Two of those players have shown up in Tampa this spring in Phil Coke and Michael Dunn.

Coke was a moderate prospect over the years, never raising too many eyebrows. Over the years his strong suit has been his command, but last season he saw his fastball jump from the 88-91 MPH range to the 91-94 MPH hour range. That improvement, coupled with his already strong command, has given the Yankees a viable left-handed bullpen option.

Dunn was originally a strong-armed outfielder who couldn’t hit until he became a pitcher. Originally a starter, he threw about 90-93 MPH with just one other plus pitch, his slider. Today he has added a tick or two to his velocity thanks to a switch to the bullpen. The move also helped him because he ditched his less effective pitches thanks to his shorter outings.

Basically these were two guys that the Yankees never expected much out of, and both of them have arrived on the scene here in 2009. Coke could be with the team out of spring training, and if not he will be one of the first called up. Dunn was added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. His roster spot gives him an advantage over other highly touted prospects like Mark Melancon.

The Yankees now have two decent lefty relievers ready to take the stage in the Bronx. So what’s the problem? Damaso Marte.

The former Yankee prospect was reunited with the Bombers last season as part of the trade that brought Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh. The Yankees finally got him back after seemingly trying to trade for him since dealing him for Enrique Wilson years before.

During his time away the Yankees never had strong lefty relievers. Instead they dealt with the likes of Boston Red Sox castoffs Alan Embree and Mike Myers and the inconsistent Ron Villone, among others.

The Yankees were so relieved to have Marte back that they re-signed him to a three-year deal in the offseason—even after posting a 5.40 ERA in 25 games in the Bronx.

It's a move they probably regret now and will regret more in June. See, Marte was a type-A free agent and a lefty. If they offered him arbitration, which he likely would have rejected because good lefty relievers are always in demand, they could have gotten a first round draft pick and a supplemental pick.

Those picks would have gone a long way in making up for the team losing picks for their own type-A free agent signings Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett.

Now they will be without the picks in June. Instead they have too many lefty relievers. At least these guys will still have value at the trade deadline in July.