Should the Yankees DFA Chan Ho Park?

Written by Greg Fertel | 22 June 2010

Chan Ho Park didn't pitch well last night. Chan Ho Park has not pitched well all season. Should the Yankees keep him around based on his strong relief performance with Philadelphia last season?

I think the answer is a simple no. The strength of Park's contract was that it was only for $1.2 million, which should take away any hesitation the Yankees have of letting him go. On the season, Park has a 5.75 FIP and an even worse 6.86 ERA. According to FanGraphs, he's been worth -0.2 WAR so far this season.

Relief pitching is volatile, so while Park's performance this season has been frustrating, it isn't enough alone to DFA him for. However, his true talent level may not be above replacement level. ZiPS projects that Park will have a 4.73 FIP for the rest of the season. My calculations indicate that relief pitcher replacement level is right around a 4.82 FIP. Basically, Park projects as replacement level.

As we know, there is no value to a replacement level pitcher; that is what replacement level means. These are guys that can be had off the scrap heap, and the Yankees have quite a few options that figure to be replacement level. Since the Yankees' prospects are unproven, there is much more uncertainty surrounding their projections, and they could even be substantially better than replacement level.

The options are all of the usual suspects. In Triple-A, the Yankees have Jonathan Albaladejo, Mark Melancon, Ivan Nova, and Romulo Sanchez. None of these guys really figure to be worse than replacement level, given their track records. I'd probably be hesitant to call up Sanchez given his walk rate this season, but the other guys all seem like better options than Park.

I'm not sure there's any real rush to get rid of Park, as he's one of the last guys out of the bullpen at this point. However, any opportunity you have to make the major league team better is one you have to take. I think arguments can be made for any of these guys to take Park's spot, and I don't see how you could choose Park over them.

Melancon struggled for a bit in Triple-A but has thrown 7.2 straight scoreless innings and needs a chance in the Bronx.

Albaladejo has been great all year long.

Nova has been pretty well and I like the idea of introducing him to the majors in the bullpen. If he pitched well out of the 'pen, it could increase his trade value and would give the Yankees some options.

Anyway, I assume the Yankees won't hold on to Chan Ho Park for too much longer. They know all of this as well as I do. Expect him to be designated for assignment at some point, and one of these four right handed pitchers will get the call to take his spot.

Photo Credit: Star Ledger