Thursday, February 26, 2009
Newsday: Fighting for Yanks’ job, Veras won’t play in WBC
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Jose Veras got a call from an official from Team Dominican Republic Tuesday night informing him that the team had plans to use him in their bullpen. But the 28-year-old reliever won’t be competing in the World Baseball Classic, which has teammates Robinson Cano, Damaso Marte and Alex Rodriguez. Edwar Ramirez also has decided not to play.
Veras believes it’s more important for him to stay with the Yankees during spring training and compete for job in the bullpen. “I don’t have a spot, so I’m going to have to fight for a spot,” he said yesterday. “I’m a rookie guy, young guy trying for one of the spots here with the Yankees. I don’t think if I leave for 20 days that it’s going to be possible to have a spot.”
I’ve been thinking about the Yankee pen recently. If we assume that Mo and Marte are locks, and that the Yankees will carry 11 or 12 pitchers, that leaves four or five spots open for competition. Looking at the 40 man roster, that gives them the following candidates:
Likely
Brian Bruney
Jose Veras
On the bubble
Alfredo Aceves
Jonathan Albaladejo
Phil Coke
Dan Giese
Edwar Ramirez
David Robertson
Not likely
Andrew Brackman
Anthony Claggett
Wilkin De La Rosa
Michael Dunn
Christian Garcia
Eric Hacker
Steven Jackson
Humberto Sanchez
Mark Melancon and J.B. Cox are not on the 40 man roster but may also merit consideration. I doubt either breaks camp in the majors though. I also don’t see any reason that Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy wouldn’t start the year in SWB.
I’d guess roster status with options and waivers will influence the decision process somewhat. My guess is they take Bruney and Veras for sure, then two or three of Albaladejo, Coke, Giese, Ramirez and Robertson. But they should have good flexibility to cover for injuries and fatigue this season.
BTW, my apologies for the lack of real content recently. Work issues and personal issues are cutting into my blogging time.
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