YankeesRedSox.com

I can't ever think of a win like that.  I mean seriously, a dropped popup?  Kudos to Mark Teixeira for busting it from first on the play.  Luis Castillo, it's simple, TWO HANDS!  Youth coaches everywhere should show that play as a great example of what to do and what not to do.

As for the game it showed us once again that the Yankees have an awful bullpen.  Now, let's leave Phil Hughes out of this discussion, we won't know what his role is until Wang pitches on Wednesday.  But, for the remaining six guys we can review each one.

Start with Brett Tomko, a guy who should really be DFA'ed today.  Tomko had an ERA over 6 last year and an ERA well over 5 the year before that.  He is 36 and while I have no idea how he pitched so well in spring and at AAA earlier this year, I am certain he won't do it again.  The Yankees need a guy in the pen who can eat up innings, Tomko isn't that guy.  Let's dump him and bring up Casey Fossum.  Fossum is not going to contribute much, but he can give them innings and he is lefthanded.  Maybe you catch lightning in a bottle with him, maybe you don't- what's the harm in trying?

Jose Veras- Believe it or not, Veras looks a little better recently.  I wouldn't give him much room, but let's send him out there a few more times and see what happens.

David Robertson- Robertson keeps striking guys out and I hope the Yankees give him a chance to pitch some meaningful innings in the pen sometime soon.

Aceves- Let's face it, he flunked his first test in a big spot.  But, that doesn't mean he shouldn't get more chances.  The guy reminds me a lot of El Duque, inventing as he goes along.  He clearly belongs on the staff, it's just a matter of finding out what his best role is.

Coke- Phil has his ups and his downs.  One thing he does not appear to be is a lefty specialist.  For his career, Coke has been tougher on righties (.526 OPS) than lefties (.665 OPS)  Now the samples are small, but I think Joe Girardi needs to stop brining him in automatically to face a tough lefty. 

Rivera- It is clear that something is bothering Mo.  Somedays he is dominant, somedays he is bad.  Perhaps it is the shoulder surgery, maybe it is the fact he is 39, I don't know, but the Yankees need a backup plan and they are only going to find it on the trade market.  They have time, this doesn't need to be done today, but they are going to need to get someone like Street or Qualls- closers on teams that aren't very good and then they need to hope.  They need to hope that Mo becomes Mo again and they can use that closer for the 8th inning instead of the 9th.  

Bruney's return will defintiely help the pen.  Using Aceves and Robertson in big spots should help it, but they will need some more help as well.

One other note, actually two.  When the Yankees put Garnder in center and use Swisher and Melky in the OF, why not put Melky in right and Swisher in left?  Melky has the better arm.  And, Melky has hit the skids, .647OPS the last 28 days.  Why not give Gardner a shot in center and see if he can do something?