Yankees Bullpen

The Yankees are attempting to repeat as AL East champions in 2012.  It shouldn't be an easy task, with Tampa Bay (the reigning wild card winners) still strong and Boston finishing a game behind them in third place, and even Toronto shapes up to be a decent team on paper.  One key to success for the Yankees is undoubtedly their bullpen, which has always been shaky in the past but has a strong anchor in the closer's role.

1.  RHP Mariano Rivera:  The ageless Rivera had another strong season in 2011, posting a 1.91 ERA in 61.1 innings pitched to go along with 44 saves.  Rumors about Rivera's impending retirement have been swirling for years, and they continue to swirl almost daily.  Even former Yankees C/DH Jorge Posada hinted that he will retire after the end of the 2012 season when he made his own retirement announcement.  But until he walks away Rivera should be a beast out of the bullpen.

2.  RHP Rafael Soriano:  Soriano was signed to a massive contract for a setup man, totaling three years, after a strong season as a closer in Tampa Bay in 2010.  Most people thought that Soriano was signed to replace Rivera after he retired, but at this rate the Yanks will only get one year out of him in that role.  And that's still a maybe.  And even if he never closes in the Bronx he could still prove to be a disappointment as a setup man in New York.  He had problems with injuries and effectiveness last season, posting a 4.12 ERA in only 39.1 innings pitched.  The Yankees hope he can stay healthy and pitch better in 2012.

3.  RHP David Robertson:  Robertson may be the true answer as the heir apparent for Rivera in the Bronx.  The still young right-hander (he'll turn 27 in April) should be poised for a breakout in 2012.  But until then he'll work as a setup man.  And he was lights out in that role last season, posting a 1.08 ERA in 66.2 innings pitched.  That's a hard season to follow up, especially for a young pitcher, but the Yankees should expect another strong season from Robertson in 2012.

4.  LHP Boone Logan:  Logan should be poised for a breakout in 2012, and the Yankees hope he can build upon his success from last season.  Logan has had a rocky career in the Majors thus far, but he had a decent season in 2011, posting a 3.46 ERA in 41.2 innings pitched.  The Yankees are looking for him to improve upon his success in 2012.  He should pitch in middle relief, probably as a lefty specialist, though he might get some crossover work as well.

5.  RHP Cory Wade:  The veteran Wade has always been a good pitcher throughout his career, and he had another good season last year, albeit in limited work.  He posted a 2.08 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched last season.  The Yankees are expecting another similar season from him in 2012.  He should pitch in middle relief, probably as a righty specialist.

6.  RHP Dellin Betances:  Betances was recalled last September and made one start and pitched one game out of the bullpen.  Neither outing went particularly well, with Betances posting a 6.75 ERA in 2.2 innings pitched.  But the Yankees want the young Betances (he'll turn 24 in March) to crack the Major League roster this season.  A starter at present, Betances probably fits in perfectly as a long man, but the Yankees are prompting him for middle relief.  He could presumably work as a crossover specialist.

7.  RHP Joba Chamberlain:  Chamberlain is attempting to rebound from a season lost to injury in 2011.  He posted a 2.83 ERA in only 28.2 innings pitched last season.  Chamberlain is still young (27 in September) and there's still reason to believe in his potential.  He's been shuttled between the bullpen and the rotation throughout his career, but he's always been a decent pitcher in both roles.  The Yankees are touting him as next year's long man, and maybe that's the best place for him as it sits between relieving and starting.  But his place on the team is pretty optimistic.  LeRoy would be surprised if he's healthy at the start of the season, or anytime before 2013.

8.  RHP George Kontos:  Kontos, who will turn 27 in June, is a young pitcher that the Yankees are taking a look at for a possible spot in this year's rotation.  If Chamberlain isn't ready to pitch at the beginning of this season then Kontos might have the inside track on a job in the Yankees bullpen.  He was recalled last September and looked decent in an abbreviated tryout in the Bronx, posting a 3.00 ERA in six innings pitched.

9.  RHP Kevin Whelan:  The veteran Whelan is a career Minor Leaguer who has seemingly found a home in the Yankees organization.  He was recalled last season and was rattled pretty badly in his brief time on the mound, posting a 5.40 ERA in 1.2 innings pitched.  Whelan probably isn't going to make the team, but he should be the first fright-hander recalled if a need arises in the Yankees bullpen.

10.  LHP Cesar Cabral:  Cabral was taken by the Yankees from the Red SoxPawtucket to start 2012.  But expect to see him in Boston soon.  He posted a 3.52 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched at Pawtucket last season.

11.  LHP Pedro Feliciano:  Feliciano injured his left anterior capsule last Spring and he probably won't be ready for next season.  The fastest that anyone has ever recovered from such an injury is two years, which leaves Feliciano one year shy from recovery in a realistic world.  In addition, former Cubs RHP Mark Prior has never recovered from such an injury, meaning that Feliciano's career may have ended.  But some may think that modern medicine is becoming accustomed to the injury, with optimistic reports saying that Mets LHP Johan Santana could return by Opening Day this season, so perhaps Feliciano's outlook is not as bleak as it could be.  It is important to note that Feliciano opted for a rest and recovery routine as opposed to surgery for the injury. Feliciano did make one start in the Gulf Coast League last season during a rehab assignment, which went well.  But he probably doesn't have a place in the Yankees bullpen this season, even if he is healthy.

12.  LHP Hideki Okajima:  Okajima was signed to a Minor League contract by the Yankees and invited to Spring Training.  He didn't pitch well last season in Boston, posting a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched.  He's probably only here for depth, though he should stick with the organization following Spring Training and could get a recall in September.

The Yankees bullpen looks decent.  They have one big hole with Soriano setting up and they have some other holes down lower.  Betances might not be ready for the Majors in middle relief and a healthy Chamberlain in the long role is probably a pipe dream.  But everyone else looks solid.