The biggest bit of real news to come out of Cash's press conference yesterday was the announcement that the Yankees would not be picking up Andrew Brackman's 2012 option, and that he would become a free agent. I'm sure feelings were mixed across the board on this announcement. I imagine some fans were surprised that the Yanks would basically give up on a recent 1st-round draft pick, and I imagine there are some fans saying "good riddance" to a guy who, quite frankly, didn't even come close to living up to his potential as a 1st-rounder or the money the Yankees paid him. My personal opinion, it was a move that the Yankees didn't want to make, but probably had to. Because honestly, there's really nowhere for Brackman to go next season.
The Yankees used him out of the 'pen a few times late this past season, but he didn't do anything to convince them that he's a realistic relief option for 2012. Why would they take up a spot on the 25-man with Brackman when they already have Mo, D-Rob, Sour Puss, Logan, Wade, possibly Noesi, and at some point Joba? And because they promoted ManBan and Betances to Triple-A last year, that rotation is now full with those 2, Mitchell, Warren, and Phelps. Nobody would give Brack a chance to find himself as a starter again at one of those guys' expense. And if you try to send Brackman further down the system to figure the kinks out, all you're succeeding in doing is taking away valuable experience and innings from younger prospects, guys like Stoneburner, Brett Marshall, Bryan Mitchell, Nik Turley, etc. At this point, they are the ones that should be trying to hone their stuff and refine their command, not 26-year-old multi-millionaire Andrew Brackman.
It sucks that Brackman's career path has played out this way, but the Yankees can't afford to wait around for this guy anymore. Dude posted a 5.77 FIP and 7.03 BB/9 in 2011 in Triple-A. That's not just regressing from his 2010 numbers, that's straight up falling off the cliff. And with the rest of their stockpile of pitching talent on the way up, there really isn't any room at the table for Brackman, and the Yankees shouldn't feel obligated to make room. Not for the money they're paying him. The last thing they need is another Kei Igawa situation. If he decides he wants to suck it up, accept a MiL deal and try to rebuild himself, then fine. But if he doesn't, I know I can live without him in the Yankees' future plans.
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Don't forget to consider the Brackman windup. When Brackman pitches from his windup out of highschool, his ERA is barely over 1. When he pitches from the windup utilizing the yankees pitching coaches adjustment, his ERA is near 6. He went back to his highschool windup at the end of the season. Also, go back and closely watch the 3 outings he had in the biggs. He was tightly squeezed and managed to pitch out of jams without giving up a single run. The FX computer clearly shows several of his pitches as strikes that were called balls. Just something important to consider.
All fair points. But from the Yankees' perspective, looking at his whole body of work, his contract, and their current situation, there just isn't any room for them to try to fit him in to work through his issues.
Yea, well they just resigned him so I'm told. I have not been able to confirm this, but the source has been highly reliable in the past.
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