The Yankees have claimed southpaw swingman Raul Valdes off of waivers from the Cardinals and will stash him at Triple-A, where he will become the latest Frankenstein's monster-candidate to fill the elusive "second bullpen lefty" spot. In his brief major-league career, Valdes has held left-handed hitters to a cool .327/.377/.602 in 107 plate appearances, which may be a record for lefty-on-lefty violence--he turned the average same-side hitter into Barry Bonds.

You'd think this would be something of an impediment in establishing oneself as a relief specialist.