Do the Yankees really need a lefty reliever?

The Yankees do not currently have a left handed reliever in their bullpen, and haven't all year except for the sporadic moments that Billy Traber was on the roster. The trade market has two pretty good lefty relievers on it, the Pirates Damaso Marte and the Rockies Brian Fuentes. In order to get the Rockies Fuentes, the Yankees would have to include Ian Kennedy, who the Yankees do not want to move. The Pirates have told the Red Sox that if they want to acquire Marte, Clay Bucholz is the price, so that would mean Phil Hughes is the starting point for any Marte trade. Neither of these trades will happen unless either teams lessen their demands. I don't believe the Yankees need to waste a roster spot for a lefty reliever.



Edwar Ramirez is holding lefty hitters to a .176 batting average with a .324 slugging percentage. Hitters have a .183 batting average to go along with a .383 slugging percentage against Jose Veras. Lefties are hitting .258 against Kyle Farnsworth, but in recent weeks his number have gone way down. Mariano Rivera are holding lefties to a paltry .160 batting average to go along with a .168 slugging percentage.

Damaso Marte's numbers against lefties are not as good as the Yankees current bullpen options. Lefties are hitting .255 against him, to go along with a .305 OBP and a .364 slugging percentage. Brian Fuentes numbers are much better than Marte's. Lefties are only hitting .185 off of him, with a .241 OBP and .185 slugging percentage. Fuentes is obviously a better option than Marte, but not at the Rockies asking price.