Everyday until spring training begins the "Respect Jeter's Gangster" blog will review one player from the Yankees roster. We will review a total of 25 players, the 25 we believe will be on the active roster after spring training. Our reviews are all edited by Carl Pavano himself to insure they're up to the stringent "Pavano Tough" standards.
As the Yankees look to round out their bullpen, I believe its going to come down to who they take between Jonathan Albaladejo and David Robertson. Robertson threw heat, but ended the season with a 5.34 ERA. His last 10 outings were not bad with a 3.46 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings. Last season was his first in the majors, so he has plenty of time to grow. That brings us to Albaladejo. Coming to the Yankees in the trade with the Nationals that sent Tyler Clippard to Washington, the Yankees hoped that Albaladejo would bring a quality arm to the bullpen. However, that arm was injured for the majority of the season. Albaladejo threw just 13.2 innings last season with a 3.95 ERA. Nothing spectacular, and too small a sample size to see how effective he can be. He played some winter ball in Puerto Rico, and it appears he's recovered from his elbow issues. It will come down to a battle between Albaladejo and Robertson, and it could really go either way. My money's on Albaladejo making the team if only because they traded for him, and will want to capitolize off their investment. Robertson will be on the big league club at some point as well.
My Fearless Prediction:
Albaladejo goes about 45 innings with a high 3 ERA, and strikes out the side in a close game with the Red Sox, which endears him to Yankee fans for years to come.
Little Known Albaladejo Fact:
Albaladejo ghost wrote Beyonce's "Single Ladies".
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