The Yankees Set-Up Dilemma

A week ago we discussed the dilemma facing the Yankees in finding their bridge to Mariano Rivera. As we approach Game 6, the Yankees have the same dilemma. First, here's how you, the readers, voted in the poll:

Who Should Be the Yankees Set-up Man?

Phil Hughes	18%
Joba Chamberlain	24%
David Robertson	12%
Alfredo Aceves	0%
Phil Coke	0%
Damaso Marte	0%
Chad Gaudin	0%
Brian Bruney	3%
Mix-and-Match	9%
Mariano Rivera himself	33%

I hope that the vote for Brian Bruney was a joke. I would rather see Nick Swisher pitching in a big spot in this World Series than Brian Bruney (or Phil Coke for that matter). The other votes fluctuated wildly as the series began and went on. Mix-and-match is certainly an option as will A.J. Burnett (especially after only pitching 2 innings last night) but let's go through the other options:

5. Damaso Marte (0%). You don't know how painful it is for me to write his name there. This is a guy who had a 9.45 ERA in the regular season and was part of what may be one of the worst Yankee trades in a long time. But besides a rough first round, he's been lights out in the playoffs, not surrendering a baserunner in the ALCS or World Series. Marte has been great at neutralizing the lefties on the Phillies and has also gotten out some righties. He also has past World Series pitching experience (with the White Sox in 2005) and closer experience (with the Pirates last year and the White Sox in the early 2000s). The problem? He had a 9.45 ERA and pitchers, in the end, usually pitch to their averages. It seems like it's just a matter of time before Marte blows up. Here are his stats so far this playoffs:



4. David Robertson (12%). No offense to Mariano Rivera, but Robertson, in his short amount of work, may be the best reliever the Yankees have thrown out there. He led the league in K/9 in the regular season and has gotten the Yankees out of tough jams in the playoffs. The problem? He only turned 24 this season and he doesn't even have 80 innings of professional work. And while Girardi has shown faith in bringing him out in situations where he needs a big strikeout, he's not shown the willingness to bring him into a game in a big spot yet. Would Girardi put himself on the line by using Robertson in a big spot in a deciding game of the World Series? I doubt it, but maybe he should rethink that. Here is Robertson's output so far this playoffs:



3. Joba Chamberlain (24%). What to make of Joba? He looked absolutely vintage Joba the other night until he left a fat meatball over the plate to Pedro Feliz who deposited it into the seats. Joba looked so shaken up on the bench afterward that he looked on the verge of crying as he thanked A-Rod and Jorge Posada for bailing him out. That's not the strong demeanor of a set-up man you're looking for. His inconsistency thus far in the season and the playoffs are not what you want in a set-up man either. Do you trust that his naturally great stuff is now back after he showed it for two batters two nights ago or or do you think the Yankees are better off not pitching him in big spots? One plus on Joba's side: unlike the regular season, he has not walked a batter in 5.1 innings in the 2009 postseason. Here are his 2009 playoff stats:



2. Phil Hughes (18%). Hughes vote total plummeted as the series progressed. And with good reason. Even after 1.1 scoreless innings last night, Hughes' World Series ERA is 16.20. Ouch. But Hughes was Girardi's go-to guy in the bullpen for the second-half of last season and has some great stuff when he's on. He looked on last night and if he can build on that momentum, he should be the first guy out of the Yankees bullpen not named Mariano Rivera. But do you actually trust him? I don't think so. His curveball is his best pitch when he's on but the key for it is to miss low; instead, it's hung too much and Hughes has been hit hard. If the Yankees need more than 6 outs, I wonder if Girardi has faith in going to him for an inning (or sharing an inning with Marte). Here's his 2009 playoff numbers:



1. Mariano Rivera himself (33%). While Hughes vote total plummeted, this number went way up. The question is, how many outs can you use the greatest postseason pitcher for? Ben discusses that in his post on the subject. My opinion? If it's Game 7 and you haven't used him in Games 5 or 6, I think he may go for 8 outs...but how about if the Yankees have a lead tomorrow night? Many would say "go for the jugular" and use him for 3 innings...but what if the Yankees lose and Rivera is blown out? Do you go with A.J. Burnett as the closer in Game 7? I think you ask Mo how many pitches he has in his arm, and understanding he's 40 and has a lot of wear and tear on that right shoulder, you throw him out there cautiously. The key tomorrow night would be to get 7 from Pettitte, get the lead, and go to Mo for 2. But I think that's about all you can use Mo for. Maybe 7 outs. But that's about it. Game 7, though, you bring him out there in the 7th and ride him home like they did in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Here's Mo's 2009 postseason stats:



So who should be the Yankees set-up man in Game 6 and a possible Game 7 of this World Series? Leave your answer in the comments below

Picture from The Star-Ledger