THE MARTE & FELICIANO COMEDY HOUR

This amazes and it should you too. Not that I really thought it was possible that Pedro Feliciano or Damaso Marte would return this season, but I had a glimmer of hope, but I just may need to give it up. Read about it HERE.

I recently wrote THE EXTRA LEFTY THE YANKEES NEVER HAD and in it, I described how there were several opportunities out there to gather a lefty and we even had one for a moment in Aaron Laffey and then he disappeared after 1 appearance in pinstripes. Sad, I even remember a feature in which he was interviewed saying how it was a dream come true. Read it HERE.

That being said, I also wrote about how Feliciano and Marte were going to pitch in a Gulf League game on their road back. One problem. Both experienced soreness. Trust me; these characters will not be back this season. It’s the school of Carl Pavano. I’m not saying they’re faking it, I’m saying the signings are ridiculous.

So what’s next? Luckily, we have a few options. Manny Banuelos is in the minors and while young, he’s a definite option. Cashman has stated that he doesn’t want to bring the kid up, but there’s nothing wrong with having an extra lefty in the pen, especially if we are making a run for the playoffs.

There is also that thing called a waivers deadline. Cashman is already doing it, and by doing it, I mean scoping out which lefty pitchers are out there that teams placed on waivers. Believe me, if there is an option, Cashman will do it, but I know he won’t force it. Why? Because he already forced it with Feliciano and Marte and he’s paying for it.

Look, the Yankees are winning, that is a good thing, but we’re stumbling through some days and all I’m saying is, a little extra help can’t hurt, that’s all.

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THE EXTRA LEFTY THE YANKEES NEVER HAD

Boone Logan is the Yankees lefty specialist. He’s the lone lefty in the Yankees pen who has good days and bad days, mostly bad, but lately decent. That being said, one things for sure in my opinion, Logan can’t do it alone. There are some times where the Yankees could really use another lefty out of the bullpen, yet, things don’t seem to be working out and I’m not sure why.

The lefties the Yankees hoped to be there with the team have amounted to nothing. Let me rephrase that. Damaso Marte, who is expected to pitch in the Gulf Coast League today had an amazing playoff run in 2009. That’s right... 2009! He's been hurt more than he's played. Pedro Feliciano was signed to give us some extra lefty support, but he’s been out with injury too and hopefully this Thursday he’ll also join Marte, that's the word from ESPN at least. Read HERE. Who knows if we’ll see them this season, I doubt it.

It’s not like there weren’t lefties available at the deadline, it’s not like we don’t have lefties in the farm system, they’re around. In fact, for some strange reason, the Yankees never even gave JC Romero a shot when they signed him to a minor league deal. He was later released and signed immediately with the Rockies. The Yankees picked up Aaron Laffey. He came in, pitched in 1 game and was designated for assignment. Hmm. What’s going on here?

Then comes this report suggesting the Brian Cashman doesn’t want to bring up Manny Banuelos this season...read HERE, another lefty who I believe is worth giving a shot. Yes, I understand Cashman’s mentality here, but let’s just see what the kid has, right?

There was talk of Sean Burnett from the Nationals, but that ship has sailed as well. John Grabow from the Cubs? No... nothing.

Now, if fairness, the Yankees bullpen is clearly the best in baseball and they are shutting down the competition. Is that Cashman’s thinking? Is Cashman thinking that because we’re so good out of the pen right now, the need for an extra lefty in the pen to help Boone Logan is not needed? What do you think? Do you think that Boone Logan should be the only lefty out of the bullpen for New York? Should we bring up Manny Banuelos to help? Should have held onto JC Romero? Aaron Laffey? Vote in our poll, I’d love to get your thoughts on this, because, as you can see… I’m confused.

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I'M DROPPING YANKEE NAMES LIKE IT'S HOT

Pedro Feliciano: Pedro is experiencing soreness and will be shut down for a week. I’m not liking this signing more and more. It’s not Feliciano’s fault, it’s life. This poor guy can’t get a break, yet, we could really use him to either help Boone Logan or replace him. Lefties are good in bullpens when they're effective. They serve 1 purpose, to get the lefty hitter out, that’s it. Having Feliciano back would be a help, I’m just not sure it’s going to happen.

Damaso Marte: He has no timetable to return. Seriously? We’re paying this guy? He’s getting pointers from Pavano. Look, I know his injury is legit, I'm joking, I just believe how long this guy has been out compared to how long he's pitched. I'd love him back soon, that's all.

Kanekoa Texeira: Remember him? The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal a few months back, well, they released him, good luck Kanekoa.

Rafael Soriano: RaSo's on track to be back with the Yankees soon. Reports are he has thrown a bullpen session and could be back by the Toronto series following the All-Star Break. I have an opinion on this guy. While I liked him in the bullpen role, right now the scotched taped bullpen Cashman has assembled is kicking ass. Plus, David Robertson is a God right now, so how does RaSo come back to the set up role and take the spot that DRob earned? You know what I mean? The other concern is attitude. I don’t want someone like Soriano coming back into the bullpen like he owns the joint even though he hasn’t been there in a while. Bad attitudes are a disease to any team. I worry about that. If RaSo can come back just wanting to contribute and doesn’t throw around his lousy attitude, we’ll be fine, but that’s what’s got to happen.

Aaron Dott: This signing happened back near the end of June, but I wanted to bring it to your attention because the kid seems kind of special. The Yankees signed Aaron Dott, a lefty pitcher from the Joilet Slammers of the Frontier League. 4 games in Charleston so far, Dott has 5 innings pitched with 9 strikeouts and 1 walk. Not too shabby.

More to follow...look for it.

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PROSPECT ROUNDUP: MANNY BANUELOS

(Photo: Mike Dill/MiLB.com)

Manny Banuelos is coming. There are high hopes for this kid and no one is more excited than me. Manny’s currently has 46.2 innings pitched this year in 10 starts, and has thus far has allowed a grand total of 11 earned runs. He has 42 strikeouts, only 26 walks, and has allowed 38 hits. This is exactly the kind of start we want to see from the new Golden boy.

(Photo: Mike Dill)

Some would say he’s still at least a year off, but with the issues our bullpen lefties have had, I’d have to disagree. Pedro Feliciano might be out the whole season, Damaso Marte is not likely to be all that effective after his long stint on the DL, and even if Boone Logan, the lone lefty does a great job like he did last year, Girardi likes to have two lefties in the bullpen, and that makes sense. I would not be surprised to see Manny get called up to AAA in only a few months, then be put in our bullpen as a lefty specialist and available for a spot start if needed, even in the post-season. It’d be the perfect way to let him get his feet wet in the big leagues. I’m not suggesting we keep him there though. If he is very effective and performs well again in Spring Training next year, I say put him in the rotation. If not, send him back to AAA to continue working. It’s a win, win all around for this kid and for us.

--Grant Cederquist, BYB Staff Writer

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