At what cost loyalty?

Reading about the Yanks and hearing Michael Kay and Al Leiter talk tonight, I got the sense that Ron Villone, a favoite of Joe Torre, might just end up making the team despite his best efforts. I’m left wondering at what point does the benefit of the team outweigh player loyalty? This spring, Villone, in 9 appearances, has made it through just 5 innings. He’s allowed ten runs for an ERA of 14.40, and opponents are 13 for 25 (.520 BAA) against him. “Because he’s had bad outings doesn’t mean that necessarily you’re going to go that way … against him,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. That just doesn’t sound promising for the bullpen.