09/22: Verducci on Torre's Bullpen Usage
Posted by: Patrick
Though the asker wasn't what you would call polite, respectful or... even decent, Tom Verducci answered a question which basically came down to: how can you say Torre doesn't overuse his bullpen? Here's the answer:
Via PsiFighter37.
Do you actually think that Torre, or any manager, prefers to pull his pitcher before the seventh inning? Come on. Bullpen usage is a direct function of the reliability of starting pitching, plain and simple. Here are the starts of at least seven innings by Yankees pitchers in the Torre era:
1996: 54
1997: 77
1998: 91
1999: 69
2000: 67
2001: 64
2002: 79
2003: 87
2004: 53
2005: 56
2006: 44
2007: 40
Now why weren't you accusing Torre of overusing his bullpen in 2003? Because he could start Clemens, Wells, Pettitte, Mussina, Weaver and Contreras. That's a little better than Matt DeSalvo, Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard. Torre didn't suddenly have a sudden philosophical change and decide to start going to his bullpen earlier. He's the same manager he's always been; it's his starting pitching that changes.
1996: 54
1997: 77
1998: 91
1999: 69
2000: 67
2001: 64
2002: 79
2003: 87
2004: 53
2005: 56
2006: 44
2007: 40
Now why weren't you accusing Torre of overusing his bullpen in 2003? Because he could start Clemens, Wells, Pettitte, Mussina, Weaver and Contreras. That's a little better than Matt DeSalvo, Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard. Torre didn't suddenly have a sudden philosophical change and decide to start going to his bullpen earlier. He's the same manager he's always been; it's his starting pitching that changes.
Via PsiFighter37.
