Report Indicates Yanks have signed Marte: 3 yr/12Mil
By Phil Allard ~ November 12th, 2008. Filed under: Phil Allard.
MLB Trade Rumors has unearthed an article from a Spanish-speaking newspaper, Impacto Deportivo, that indicates that the Yankees have signed Damaso Marte to a 3 yr./12 million dollar contract.
If this is true, this is an incredibly stupid move on Cashman’s part. There is no reason to sing a 34-year-old set-up/loogy guy like Marte to 3 years. This is the kind of “let’s bid against myself move” that Omar Minaya would be proud of. This move, if true, may also suggest that Phil Coke will be part of a trade this winter.
For the Yanks in 2008, Marte threw 18.1 innings, gave up 14 hits, had a ERA+ of 80 and a 1.3 WHIP. The team early declined a 6M option for 2009.
"
![]()
"
November 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I like the Marte signing as long as they don’t over-use him. Hopefully he doesn’t follow Steve Karsay and become totally ineffective once he gets to NY.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
well….it looks like a done deal now. Girardi is good with the bullpen so I have faith he will not burn Marte out — that’s was Torre’s talent to burn out the pen
November 12th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I agree Phil that this was a bad move. Marte did not show the ability to get big hitters out on a consistent basis and you can’t pay $4 million a year for a middle reliever/situational guy. And to tie yourself up for three years? Just plain stupid.
But, I don’t agree about your suggestion in the Yankees plans for Phil Coke. The Yankees could keep Coke in the bullpen (for two lefties there) or allow him to develop more as a starter. He did show a strong ability to get both righties and lefties out. That bodes well in becoming a quality starter.