The Bullpen?

[DoubleX]

Is the bullpen really that shaky? I actually think it's about as good as it's been in a few years and that when the problems happen, it's because of how Torre is using the pen.

Proctor and Farnsworth are just throwing plain smoke right now. Of course, either one of them at any moment could come back to Earth, but there is no denying that both have great stuff and Torre just needs to avoid overusing them.

Villone finally seems to be trusted by Torre. Villone is having a very nice season.

Myers has been pretty effective, though seldom used.

Youngsters Smith and Beam have shown some things when given the ball (though not tonight, in Beam's case).

Chacon may surprise out of the pen (he was an All Star closer).

Rivera is Rivera.

Sure, it could use another arm, just like all teams, but Dotel should hopefully be up here soon (though we've been saying that for almost two months).

All and all, not too shabby - what do you guys think?

[Mariano_Rivera]

This is one of the best bullpens in the AL unfortunately Torre is overusing Proctor.

[DoubleX]

Given that Torre first went to Beam last night, I think he wanted to avoid using Proctor and only brought him in when Beam faltered.

[Mattingly]

This is one of the best bullpens in the AL unfortunately Torre is overusing Proctor.
Torre has the wisdom, but he doesn't seem to apply it to his bullpen for some reason. It's been something ongoing since Mike Stanton was here, I believe.

With Bernie, Torre knows that he can put him in RF only so many games. Lots of times, Bernie sits. If he's needed, he puts on his glove and then hits later on.

With Proctor, Torre feels that after a break, he can just continue overusing him. I don't see why someone should be used in 3 consecutive games.

Scott Proctor Game Log (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=5810)

Since July 18th, in consecutive days:

1.0 IP
Day off
2.0 IP
Day off
1.0 IP
Day off
1.0 IP
2.0 IP

Last night, he didn't record an out, but gave up 4 hits, 1 ER. Is it no wonder he's burned out? While I realize that Farns had a stiff back, Proctor's been Torre's automatic choice in the 7th inning.

With Shawn Chacon getting the K + DP with the bases loaded, nobody out, which is not only rare but almost ideal (2nd only to 3 straight whiffs), I'm think that he may finally make himself useful. Since Villone used to be the one relegated solely to mopup duty, perhaps Chacon can be a trusted pitcher now, even if this comes from having no alternative in the pen, as in last night's case.

I'd like Torre to be able to rely on Proctor more often. However, it's obvious that he needs some rest, so leaning upon Chacon a bit as an alternate may be preferable. Only a rested Proctor is an effective Proctor, so Chacon may benefit the club a lot by upholding his share of the load.