Damaso Declined
November 6, 2008, 6:28 pmDamaso Marte’s option has been declined. By declining one option, the Yankees have allowed themselves several. Marte could net compensation picks or he could be brought back for more years and less money. I said a few days ago that the Yankees have other left-handed relievers that they can look to (Beimel, Affeldt), now it’ll be fun to see how the Yanks fill this bullpen void (if he Marte return). My personal opinion has changed over the past few days. Earlier, I said that I would like to see Marte return, however, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Yanks pick up a few draft picks, that’s for sure.
Either way, I think we’ll see a better long-term move, whether it’s Marte for 2 years or a few draft picks (instead of keeping Marte for 1-year at $6 million).
I’ve been back and forth about Marte. When we first got him, I was psyched because he had nasty stuff back when we faced the Pirates. But then Girardi used him in weird situations (like for multiple innings) and supposedly he had a sore arm. Then he was a “lefty specialist” who didn’t get lefties out. I still think he’s talented though.
- http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
I agree, Jane. I think that Marte is talented and could be extremely effective. Girardi picked some terrible spots in which to use him and it was different from what Marte had been doing before that (he was a closer, for a few weeks, prior to the Yankee move). The sore arm didn’t help either, of course. I’m wondering though, if another team with bullpen concerns could pursue him such as the Rays or Mets. Marte showed that he could close this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another team sign him to a long-term deal (3 years, possibly).