During the winter of 2007-2008 the Yankees passed up on Johan Santana because they didn’t want to part with Phil Hughes. That deal didn’t haunt them in the long run as CC Sabathia has proven to be a better investment, and cost just an expensive free agent contract. Hughes was a big part of the 2009 championship team as he served as the middle inning bridge to Mariano Rivera. Last year, he got off to a hot start (10-1, 3.17). He struggled the rest of the year, and was hit hard by Texas in the ALCS. You could argue that Hughes ineffectiveness cost the Yankees a trip to the World Series.

There has been scuttlebutt that Hughes early season problems were related to a poor offseason workout regimen. He seems to be improving since his return from the disabled list, but the Yankees trying to sell him as a “problem” to Colorado tells you all you need to know. It sounds like the brass has soured on Hughes and I wouldn’t be surprised if he spends some time back in the bullpen the rest of this year. Ivan Nova has long been a Brian Cashman favorite. His 7 innings of 2 run ball may warrant giving him Hughes’s spot in the rotation.

If the Yankees aren’t going to acquire a veteran starter – and right now that appears that may be the case- it’s time to step up and give the kids a chance. Choose from the Nova, Hughes, and Adam Warren group. They have no choice but to rely on Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. Right now, they are auditioning for Game 4 of a playoff series.

Maybe the best case scenario is hold on to all prospects (don’t even deal one for a reliever), move Hughes to the bullpen, and give Nova the starting job. Cashman can try to acquire a second lefty either today or through waivers.

By the way. Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, and Phil Hughes were all in the Yankees rotation in 2008. Hughes is a mess, Joba is out for the season with a bum elbow, and Ian Kennedy is 12-3 with a 3.22 ERA for Arizona. You just never know how these kids will turn out.

How many would have predicted that Kennedy would be the best of the trio?

***

It does sound like the Yankees are making a late run on Heath Bell now that Ubaldo Jimenez is out of the picture. If you can’t fix the rotation they can certainly build a bullpen that could create a five inning game. Rafael Soriano, David Robertson, Heath Bell, and Mariano Rivera is a lockdown “closer bullpen”

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus did throw out a warning on Twitter about Bell that hasn’t been talked about: his declining strikeout rate

Usually a severe drop in K/9 tells you that something is wrong with a pitchers health or mechanics. A career 9.2 per nine K-Rate, Bell was over 10 in 2009 and 2010, but this year is at 6.6. In July it’s been down to about 5. It hasn’t hurt his effectiveness (30 saves, 2.34 ERA), but it’s something to be aware of.

Remember when the Red Sox gave up prospects to Texas for Eric Gagne in 2007? How did that turn out? Gagne had a 6.75 ERA in Boston and was terrible. One of the prospects in the deal was David Murphy, who is a pretty decent lefty bat for the Rangers.

The last thing you want is a prospect turning into a big time player and Bell turns into a pumpkin post trade.

***

I expressed concern with Zack Wheeler’s mechanics when I analyzed the Carlos Beltran deal.

Take a look at recently acquired Zack Wheeler throwing with the Mets.

That is called an inverted L. Essentially, it puts a tremendous amount of stress on the arm and elbow. Other pitchers that throw with such a motion include A.J. Burnett, Chris Carpenter, Barry Zito, Tim Lincecum, and Ian Kennedy. Quite a few reduced velocities and injuries in that group, with the exception of Lincecum. Of course, that is why he is called “The Freak,” but check back with me at some point in the next five years.

Wheeler told reporters that he’s abandoned his current delivery and elected to return to how he threw in High School. Check out this picture from the Daily News.

I am not suggesting the Beltran for Wheeler trade was a bad one. What I am trying to convey is that I am very bearish about Wheeler’s potential in the big leagues. He could be a star (see Lincecum) and avoid injury. He may go years before hurting his arm. He also could be injured very quickly (Stephen Strasburg), or spend a great deal of his early career on the shelf (A.J. Burnett) before bringing it all together.

Mets fans have a way of getting their hopes up in the face of data and facts. I am just trying to convey information (not mine) that I have learned the last couple of years with respect to pitchers health.

Since he reverted back to his High School delivery, Wheeler has started two games and pitched 11.1 innings, given up 16 hits, walked 2, struck out 10.

It obviously will have a positive impact on the field, but it may lead to some time on the disabled list in the future.

***

David Wright is noticeably closer to the plate since his return from the disabled list. Why was he so far away the last couple of years? Could it be due to the Matt Cain beaning in August of 2009?

Wright was terrible upon his return from the beaning (.239 batting average), but 2009 was a quirky year for Wright. Last year his numbers were deceptive since it was a very “feast or famine” type of season. A majority of his production came a three month span (April, June, Sept).  The biggest concern being the large spike in strikeouts.

Part of the hot streak upon his return is health. Wright was playing with a bad back, which undoubtedly was causing him problems at the plate. Since his return he is hitting .475 with 2 homers and 12 RBI in 40 at-bats. You can’t, however, discount his new approach. He looks like the old David Wright again.

The rest of the league is watching as late in the game Wright was buzzed by the Nationals bullpen. He got back up and didn’t  move away from the plate.

Wright is still a streaky player- he always has been- but perhaps those peaks and valley will be minimized with a better approach at the plate. He should be able to take the outside pitch away again like earlier in his career. Something I think he got away from the last few seasons.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

Mike Silva

View all posts by Mike Silva
Mikes website

Tags: A.J. Burnett, Arizona Diamondbacks, Barry Zito, Chris Carpenter, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, David Murphy, David Wright, Eric Gagne, Heath Bell, Ian Kennedy, Ivan Nova, Matt Cain, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, St Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Tim Lincecum, Ubaldo Jimenez, Zack Wheeler