The Yankees have acquired lefty Chris Capuano from the Rockies in exchange for cash considerations, the club announced via press release. Capuano joined Colorado on a minor league deal after he was released by the Red Sox.
The 35-year-old starter had not been given a chance to pitch for a Rockies club that is desperate for pitching, despite throwing 19 1/3 strong innings at Triple-A (2.79 ERA, 9.8 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9). He had less success at the MLB level this year as a member of the Boston bullpen, however, as he worked to a 4.55 ERA in 31 2/3 frames while striking out 8.2 and walking 4.3 batters per nine.
Offering the potential to start or relieve, Capuano represents a solid and flexible depth piece for the Yankees. It is not yet clear whether or when he will get a chance at the MLB level for New York.
You could do worse. Especially since they got him for just cash.
Guess he replaces Huff or Francis?
I doubt he replaces Huff. He will likely join the parade of replacement level relievers that get called up whenever somebody messes up or Girardi wants a fresh arm after a rough few days.
They’re pretty set on not giving up any of their top prospects to improve, so they’re going to have to find a lot of hidden value. Not a bad get for cash.
I dunno, this is a guy that couldn’t cut it on the floundering Sox :P
He started off the year well, its a low risk sign and the Yankees are happy the Sox are paying most his salary. Just a depth move tho.
I’m sure that like 600-700k that the Red Sox are paying him for the rest of the year is a huge relief to New York :P
The Yankees are above the luxury tax right now, that 600 or 700,000 is more like 1million+ when you consider the penalty. And if they were below the tax every discount matters as to avoid it. They don’t mind taking on a guy of his stature for the around the league minmum.
there is not many teams out of it that will trade for value or have something of value to trade
Stocking up lefties for the Jays series huh? Can’t wait until the Jays pull the trigger on nobody and miss the playoffs for the 21st straight season, that’s bound to show the Yankees after stealing Chase Headley that the Jays are committed to winning!
Getting Encarnacion, Lind and Lawrie back is the same as a blockbuster trade. And the bats were active against Boston, except Monday. Let the Bronx games be played.
We have 2 house of horrors in our division where the Jays can’t win a series or a game alone (New York). It’s hard to win a division when you lose so many times within the division.
Also our bullpen has been awful for a number of months now, we have 2 proven late inning bullpen options(Janssen/Loup) and everyone else has struggled immensely. They had Todd Redmond warming up the other day to pitch in a 1 run ballgame for crying out loud. It’d be nice to see AA at least acquire some bullpen rental.
What is wrong with warming up Redmond ?
You really want your long inning reliever coming into a close game?
According to baseball-reference:
Todd Redmond in Late & Close Situations *2014* (.429/.500/.619)
His numbers for his career also indicate he’s hit around when his teams ahead all the time.
Ahead Situations For Career: (.280/.362/.576)
Getting Encarnacion, Lind and Lawrie back is the same as a blockbuster trade. And the bats were active against Boston, except Monday. Let the Bronx games be played.
I hope this deal puts to rest the Cliff Lee to Yankees rumors……
David Huff, Jeff Francis, Matt Thornton and now Chris Capuano….it’s quite of collection they’re forming of left-handed relievers who don’t necessarily excel at getting left-handed hitters out.
He might not even make the ML team.
I wonder if Ian Kennedy returns to the Bronx soon, scouts were at his start last night and they acquired Headley. So a relationship is there
The Padres are saying that they would need a lot to move Kennedy. I don’t really know what the Yankees would be willing to give that they would want. I just don’t see it happening. With the way that the pitching has been going lately, I think I believe Cashman when he says that he will be going after bats rather than arms.
I hope your right to be honest. I am pleased with how far Phelps has developed, Greene has been looking good as well
I won’t pretend it has been anything but luck, yet the rotation has been solid. The disappointing thing is that the Yankees haven’t scored more than 4 runs in a game since the All-Star Break. Chase Headley wasn’t a bad move, but he isn’t going to provide real power. Short of a major acquisition, the only solution is for Beltran and McCann to start hitting and Texiera to stay healthy.
“The disappointing thing is that the Yankees haven’t scored more than 4 runs in a game since the All-Star Break”
They did one game. They beat the Reds 7-1.
This was one off-season move that I would have really looked bad on. I thought Capuano was going to end up being the steal off out of the bargain bin. I was dead wrong. I also thought that Jerome Williams would be a solid pick-up for a few million. Ouch. Good thing I wasn’t calling the shots when it came to lottery FA pick-ups. Both Capuano and Williams have looked bad this year.
Low risk move for depth. Didn’t have to give up any players. It would be amazing if he contributed.
I’m stumped on this one. I guess the Yankees are trying to corner the market on generic lefty swingmen.
Welcome to the Mets world- Dumpster Diving 101
Low risk, potential high reward. Why not?
that’s right, at this stage run everything up the flag pole and see what flies, need LHP in that park so take whatever you can get your hands on
Indeed. Dan Duquette has been dumpster diving with surprisingly high levels of success since he took over as GM of my beloved O’s after the 2011 season.
can’t be worse than Thornton, whose been awful. And with Whitley reaching career highs in innings pitched, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a few starts.
Sure he can
Vs LHP
Thornton – 604 OPS
Capuano – .875 OPS
I don’t understand the hate some relievers get, it’s like people expect relievers to be incapable of giving up runs because last time I checked Matt Thornton has a 2.95FIP and a 2.95ERA.
Both numbers are way above average for a reliever.
I agree. To be honest I think the hate for Matt Thornton is/was a bit high from Yankee fans. In his last 2-3 outings he hasn’t done very good. But from May 18th through July 5th, he didn’t allow a single run.
I’m too lazy to add up the numbers on my own and figure out what his WHIP was in that span though. Middle relievers should be judged on WHIP more so than ERA. Many middle relievers allow inherited runs which obviously doesn’t inflate their ERA.
His ERA is good but his WHIP is only slightly above average at 1.31
He has the worst inherited runners scored total in the league. That’s the stat relievers should be judged by. If I was a Yankee starter I would pay whatever bribe Joe asks for to NOT be relieved by Thornton.
Is there a site that lists the leaders? I assume FG or BRef have it but it’s hard to find (at least for me)
I don’t understand the hate some relievers get, it’s like people expect relievers to be incapable of giving up runs because last time I checked Matt Thornton has a 2.95FIP and a 2.95ERA.
Both numbers are way above average for a reliever.
I’m responding late, but even if thats the case, Thornton has given up a ton of inherited runners this year, 14 to be exact (2nd in the league), and theyre usually in big moments.
No problem. Is there a site though that lists that info (Leaders in inherited runners allowed)
google “inherited runners scored stats” and click on the first link
the site isn’t letting me post it for some reason -_-
Thanks
ill try again, sportingcharts
What about the outfield bat that they desperately need? As much as I like Ichiro, he’s no longer anything close to an impact hitter. Pitching isn’t their priority. Their 3 run wall offense is what’s killing them. Now 78 consecutive games in which they haven’t scored in double digits and 129 straight at new Yankee Stadium.