Everyone loves a good spring training competition. For many of us, it provides a reason to pay attention to games that otherwise have no other meaning.
That said, winning/losing a job in April means absolutely nothing in the long run - especially when it comes to bullpen jobs. The bullpen you see in April can, sometimes, be the same bullpen you see in October. But that is typically rare. Teams in the playoff chase in June often make small trades to bolster their relief corps. Teams out of the playoff chase typically deal their middle relievers to teams in contention. And, of course, general ineffectiveness leads to players shuffling up and down between the minors all season.
This brings us to Shane Greene, who was promoted today to give the Yankees 13 pitchers heading into the next five games vs. the Orioles and Red Sox. Austin Romine was demoted to make room.
Before 2013 began, it was generally assumed that Greene would probably make his way to the bullpen. He was having trouble with his command and put up less than stellar walk rates throughout his career (5.1/9 as early as 2012). In 2013, however, things turned around. Greene's walk rate tumbled all the way down to 1.7/9, while maintaining his strikeout rate (8.2/9 in his career; 8.0 last year)
It is quite possible his 2013 season saved his career with the Yankees, as he forced their hand to protect him on the 40-man roster, rather than risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft.
Greene throws four pitches, including a 92-94 MPH fastball and a hard slider that is without question his second best offering. He mixes in a change and a sinker (GB% was 46.3 last year; 48.5% in his career), but those pitches are not considered to be above-average major league quality.
In the end, the bullpen may still be his home - but he has made the Yankees at least think twice about that. He has yet to pitch in 2014 (except in spring training), so his arm is definitely a fresh one for Joe Girardi to use.
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