Torre Defenders, Time to Wake Up

Prior to the 1996 season, I was furious that Buck Showalter was let go and "Clueless" Joe Torre was hired. But in time Torre proved that circumstances can certainly make or break a manager. I wholeheartedly disagree with those who say any team could have won with the Yankees teams of '96 - '00. That's just plain garbage. Sparky Anderson used to hear the same thing when he managed the Reds teams of the '70s.

Torre pushed every right button, and used his personnel to perfection in garnering those WS championships. But over time, poor decisions by the front office and poor decision making by Torre have caught up to him.

The biggest red mark on Torre's report card is his handling of the bullpen. It was a piece of cake in '96- Mariano Rivera for 2 innings and John Wetteland to close. In the ensuing years he was able to mix and match with Mike Stanton and Jeff Nelson as the bridge to Mo. But Torre has not met the challenge of managing a less than stellar bullpen.

Torre's m.o. is to use a reliever until said reliever's knuckles are scraping the ground, while he ignores other relievers he deems untrustworthy. The 2003 World Series turned on Torre's decision to use the horrendous Jeff Weaver instead of Chris Hammond in extra innings. Weaver served up a walk-off gopher ball and the Marlins went on to win the series. In 2004, Torre overworked Paul Quantrill into ineffectiveness, then overtaxed Tom Gordon and Rivera as a result.

In 2005 he abused Tanyon Sturtze. In '06 it was Scott Proctor and Ron Villone, and this year it's, well, Scott Proctor again. Last night's loss to the Orioles was a prime example of what happens when you a pitcher is shot. Proctor had absolutely no control, but Torre let him hang out to dry.

There's no question that this year's bullpen is less than start quality, and took an early beating because of the starter's ineffectiveness. But Torre has mismanaged them to a new level.

Torre's defenders need to wake up, this isn't 2000 any more. His detractors have to give him the credit he deserves for those glory years. But Torre's 4 rings is what got him a bye after the '03 and '04 seasons, but now is the time for Torre to not pass go and go directly to the unemployment line.

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The bullpen problems MUST be resolved by Brian Cashman, who along with the Tampa morons, has the responsibility for the makeup of the pen. Here are some things to shake up that leaky pen.

Kyle Farnsworth - Has to go. Having a 1 inning pitcher, other than your closer, who can't work back-to-back days is a waste of space. The Yankees overpaid him, and if that means eating a chunk of his salary, so be it. This guy is awful. (it would also end Michael Kay's constant, "he's got such great stuff" commentary).

Scott Proctor - Can still be the 7th/8th inning guy if he gets some time off. Proctor may have to beanball his way to another suspension in order to get some rest.

Brian Bruney - Doesn't matter how hard you throw if you walk the ball park. This guy should be used in critical spots until Ron Guidry gets his straightened out.

Mike Myers - The Poster Boy has to go. He's a roster spot killer. A lefty specialist who can't retire lefties. Go take your windup to a beer softball league where you belong.

Ron Villone - Could still be an innings eater out of the pen, but Torre has lost faith in him- again. Last year he practically used him every day until he was ineffective.

Luis Vizcaino - Has seemed to turn things around of late, thanks to tutoring from Mo. Should be given the chance to pitch in the crucial 7th/8th inning spots again.

Mariano Rivera - Doesn't have to be a tie game or a save situation to use your best reliever. Torre doesn't want to him wear out like he has in the past. That doesn't mean forgetting about him for days on end.

Give the Farm some tryouts.

We've gone on and on here many times wondering why the Yankees refuse to use Chris Britton. He should be up here..NOW.

Edwar Ramirez - We won't know if this guy is the goods or a dud until he gets the chance. He failed as a starter for the Angels, but has wracked up amazing numbers (74 Ks in 40.1 innings) in the Yankees system. Started the year in Trenton before being bumped up to Scranton a few weeks back.

Kevin Wheelan - Probably still too early to make the jump from Double-A, but the kid might be worth a look. He's only his 2nd full season in the minors after being selected by the Tigers in the June, 2005 draft. Eastern League opponents are only hitting .182 off of him, but Whelan has issued 25 walks in 31 innings.

Sean Henn - Had moderate success earlier in the year before old control problems cropped up. Would still rather give him a chance then Myers.

Jim Brower - the 34-year old veteran was released earlier this season by the Pirates organization. He's struck out 28 in 26 innings and walked just 5 since joining Scranton. Brower has a 2.08 ERA to boot.

Runelvys Hernandez - Picked up after being dropped by the Red Sox organization. The one time prospect could be used as a long man out of the pen. Something the Yankees are still lacking.