New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman claimed 25-year-old Brian Schlitter, a relief pitcher, off waivers this week from the Chicago Cubs.
Schlitter made seven appearances out of the bullpen in 2010 for the Cubs. Over his eight innings of work, Schlitter posted a terrible 12.37 ERA, giving up 18 hits, 11 earned runs, allowed two home runs and walked five of the 48 batters he faced.
Schlitter also hit one batter, the Brewers' Carlos Gomez, in the head in the eighth inning of the 18-1 Cubs loss. Gomez went on the DL and Schlitter was sent back down to Triple-A.
The Cubs lost all seven games that the 6'5", 240-pound Schlitter appeared in, which is not a comforting stat to read.
Schlitter throws right and survives on a mid-90s fastball that he adds a slight sink too. His mediocre slider and changeup are not effective on the major league level, but some minor altering regarding Schlitter’s execution could fix both.
Schlitter has done well in the minors, where he has a 3.32 ERA in 154 relief appearances; but it is still the big show that counts.
Look, the Yankee bullpen does need more arms, but adding another chancy player when Rafael Soriano is still a free agent just seems desperate.
Cashman has made both horrid and genius signings in his career, but as long as it doesn’t cost the Yankees players or a money-ball contract then who really cares?
Whether Cashman will be hailed as a genius for making a mountain out of an anthill is yet to be seen.
Cashman is definitely sticking to the quantity over quality motto since losing out on ace Cliff Lee, who is bringing his talents to Philadelphia instead of New York. That theme is becoming all too common lately too.
The question that is lingering is whether southpaw Andy Pettitte will come back for another season. Pettitte’s family is supposedly on board with another season, but a source said personally, Pettitte’s return was contingent on the Yankees landing Lee.
Why doesn’t Cashman jump on the plane with the Baby Steins, skipper Joe Girardi and maybe throw Mo, Posada or Jeter on board for a quick trip down to Texas?
It boggles my mind that Jeter and Lee got paid a visit, but Cashman and crew are fine with one or two phone calls from Pettitte, who is the guy they need the most before the start of 2011 season.
My advice is to stop all the picking and praying, haul your butts down to Texas and bring us back our most successful postseason starter, please.
If anything, Pettitte keeps the Phillies from stealing the nickname, “the Core Four,” which just can’t happen!
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