2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

Rivera's press conference was just crushing to watch.

 

So, who gets the first shot at the extremely intimidating task of trying to replace Mariano Rivera?

David Robertson is clearly the best reliever the Yankees have now. He was one of the best in the game already, but he hasn't been a closer. Rafael Soriano has, and he was a damn good one two years ago, but he has not been the same reliever since coming to New York.

 

Vernon Wells has 2 walks in 90 plate appearances, and 15 all of last year. .237 OBP. And Scioscia bats him second in the lineup two straight nights.

Fire his ass.

 

If it was later in the season, the Pirates would probably offer up Hanrahan for one of their pitching prospects. But with Alvarez starting to really hit, that might be a little premature.

 

Speaking of things that prove my ongoing point about baseball. Yanks have a need? Just take on some salary from one of those poor, huddled masses with payrolls under $70 mil.

Hanrahan is not eligible for free agency until 2014 and makes a reasonable $4.1 million this year. The Pirates took on $13 million for two years of 35-year-old A.J. Burnett from the Yankees, but a few months later they are going to give away a stud closer who is two years away from free agency?

 

The Yankees do not need to add a reliever to replace Mariano Rivera. At all. They've got two great closer candidates. I imagine Rafael Soriano gets the job and a short leash.

 

Oh, it would cost them either Banuelos, Betances or Campos. That's not exactly giving Hanrahan away.

 

I don't know enough about the Yankees' system to evaluate those guys. Just saying it illustrates the point that to the average fan, the Yankees can just buy whatever they want and the relative poor of MLB such as the Pirates will just give up their top players to save a little cash whenever New York comes calling.

Is that an exaggeration of the reality? Perhaps. But we all know why the perception exists.

Also, Versatile is right. The Yankees don't need to deal a top prospect for bullpen help. This is why they gave Soriano all that money and he isn't even their best option to replace Rivera. If anything, they might want to make a smaller deal for a middle reliever to replace the depth they lose in the bullpen.

 

Based on the way the team is pitching now, adding a reliever shouldn't even be considered. The Yankees have seven relievers but only one starter with an ERA under 3.5. Boone Logan (mostly a situational left-hander) and Cory Wade have pitched well enough to take sixth- and seventh-inning duties.

 

When you're a team with no hope of competing the next two or three years, as the Pirates are, a good closer is an unnecessary luxury. The Pirates absolutely should sell high on Hanrahan to whichever team comes calling.

 

If Alvarez hits the way he is capable of hitting and Bedard stays healthy, two big ifs, the Pirates have some pretty decent talent to make a run at .500, and .500 might get you close this year.

I agree, though, a stud arm who projects as a top starter should have Hanrahan packing.

 

If you are going to pick up guys like Bedard and spend money on guys like Burnett, you have no business selling off your closer. Either try or don't.