Yanks Add Second Lefty

Just a day after finalizing a 2-year $2.4 million contract with lefty specialist Mike Myers, the Yankees made a deal for the Marlins' lefty Ron Villone for minor league pitcher Ben Julianel. Villone was acquired by the Marlins last summer from the Mariners at the deadline for pitchers Yorman Bazardo and Mike Flannery. The Yankees had been very interested in dealing for Villone then, but missed out because Bazardo was one of the Marlins top pitching prospects. Julianel, on the other hand, was available to anyone who wanted him just a week ago in the Rule 5 draft, but went unclaimed. Seems like a steal for the Yanks.

The trade of Villone likely marks the end of the Marlins' fire sale, not because they have decided to stop, but because they've run out of players to trade (assuming they don't go crazy and deal off Willis & Cabrera).

For the Yanks, Villone provides a solid lefty who isn't incapable of pitching against righties. Joe Torre has always had issues in dealing with lefty specialists in his pen, often leaving them in to face righties. Myers fits the bill as the kind of guy you don't want facing righties. Villone is capable of serving as a swing-man/long-reliever if needed. His addition should help formalize the bullpen roles to fit the players' specific abilities. Villone's addition also likely means neither Al Leiter nor prospect Matt Smith will be in the Yankees' immediate bullpen plans.

It's currently unclear whether this trade means that Cashman is done adding to the bullpen. With Rivera, Farnsworth, Myers, Villone, Sturtze, Small, Proctor, and Wright slated for possible bullpen roles, there doesn't seem to be room for an additional arm. As it stands now, one or two of Wright, Proctor, Small, and Sturtze will not make the 25-man roster.

Villone 2005:
vs. LHB - .222/.326/.256 (117 AB)
vs. RHB - .258/.370/.408 (120 AB)

Myers 2005:
vs. LHB - .158/.198/.211 (95 AB)
vs. RHB - .385/.510/.641 (39 AB)