August 14, 2012

Transaction Analysis

Yankees Find a Spot for Lowe

by R.J. Anderson

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Signed RHP Derek Lowe to a one-year deal. [8/12]

New York signed Lowe with the intention of pitching him out of the bullpen. With CC Sabathia on the disabled list, Lowe’s stay in the bullpen could come down to how well David Phelps pitches. It’s a tough spot for Phelps, who earns the assignment on the strength of 22 solid outings this season. In part because Phelps is probably a better pitcher than Lowe is, regardless of what goes down in his next two or three starts. As I wrote when the Indians designated Lowe for assignment:

The Indians entered the season with ambitions of employing a groundball-heavy rotation and a strong defensive infield. The Fausto Carmona saga hurt the first aspiration. As a staff, however, the Indians have the fifth-lowest batting average on groundballs in play in the majors. Despite this, Lowe still managed to post a career-high BABIP on grounders, thus giving him new career-highs in back-to-back seasons. Lowe’s inflated hit rate on grounders strayed from personal and staff norms alike.

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