Hazel Mae interviewed Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports the other night on MLB Network’s show Quick Pitch. Mae brought out the point that the Yankees needed to improve their bullpen. Ken mentioned that the Yankees are all set with Brian Bruney and that they expect improvement in their bullpen upon his return. He also brought out some possibilities considering that Brian has been on the DL twice this season. Here are his picks along with my personal reaction to each pick:
Jose Valverde (Houston Astros) – Valverde is the closer for the ‘Stros. Last year he had over 40 saves for them for the 2nd year in a row. Last I read, he’s only got 3 saves this year so far. He’s been hampered by an injured calf and an injured foot from a comebacker hitting off his leg against the Dodgers earlier this year. He tried his best to work through it but ended up on the disabled list and ex-Yankee LaTroy Hawkins filled in for him. Do you think Houston will give him up if they fall out of contention? At first I thought, “He is their man. He is their closer. He’s their version of Mariano Rivera. He’s had 40+ saves the previous 2 seasons. They’re keeping him.” Then I looked at their place in the standings and found that they were in the cellar 6 games behind the 1st place Cardinals in the NL Central. If they fall out of contention by the trade deadline, I believe they might trade him to a team looking for a reliever.
Huston Street (Colorado Rockies) – The 2005 AL Rookie of the Year with the Oakland A’s, Street is now the closer for the Rox. He recently got his 100th career save. In the series against the Tampa Bay Rays that MLB.com called the battle of the 2 hottest teams in baseball, Street was lights out against the Rays. He was called in to close those last 2 games and did not disappoint: 2 games, 2 saves. I believe that if the Rockies continue to win and move up the standings, Street will be the key to close out their ball games. They may not be able to catch up to the Dodgers in the NL West. L.A.’s running away with that division this year. But they may be able to catch up to the Brewers in the Wild Card and Street will be key in those close games.
Chad Qualls (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Last year, Qualls became the first player in Major League history to have 20+ holds in 4 consecutive seasons. He is a setup man to the bone. Unfortunately for him, the D-Backs are looking for him to be their closer. Granted, he’s got 13 saves in 16 opportunities. Not bad, but he’s had his struggles this season. At one point, Qualls even blew 3 saves in 3 consecutive appearances. Like the ‘Stros, Arizona is in the cellar, deep in the cellar. I believe Arizona is playing him out of position and if they continue to be cellar-dwellers this season, they’ll trade him.
All in all, I would say that out of Rosenthal’s 3 picks, Chad Qualls would make the most sense for the Yankees to pick up before the trade deadline. The Yankees have a knack for picking up the best of the best. They’ve got A-Rod, the best player in the game. They’ve got Mo, possibly the best reliever in the game. Considering Qualls’ track record as a set up man, I believe this could be the way the Yankees go to boost the bullpen if Bruney’s elbow starts acting up again and ends up on the disabled list again. Could Chad be that best setup man in baseball the Yankees will trade for before the trade deadline July 31? Let’s wait and see.
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