Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were suppose to join Joba Chamberlain as “generation trey” going into 2008. I was skeptical of how the Yankees were going to win with three pitchers, under the age of 22, in the rotation. Historically this never resulted in a successful season and, true to history, it repeated itself.

The amazing part of “generation trey” is how quickly many have written off two of its three members. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were too good to be traded for Johan Santana, but now they aren’t good enough to make up the back end of the Yankees rotation.

We all know where the Yankees stand with CC Sabathia (limbo), but we still hear names like AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe. Even Zack Greinke’s name came up as a target earlier this week. What we don’t hear much about his how well Kennedy and Hughes are pitching in their winter league appearances.

Phil Hughes, according to the NY Post, finished with a 3.00 ERA, 38 punchouts in 30 innings, .198 opponents’ BA, and a fastball that topped out at 95 mph. Peter Abraham reports similar good results about Ian Kennedy in Puerto Rico (5 earned runs in 19.2 innings, .169 BAA).

In speaking with our very own Frank Russo, he has information that the Yankees are unsure about the durability of Hughes, and have no desire to have Kennedy in the rotation in 2008. This is unfortunate, especially after passing on Santana last year. I still believe the Yankees should give both a full year of injury free baseball to prove themselves. It obviously will be easier with CC Sabathia anchoring the rotation, but this should be a consideration in the event CC doesn’t wear pinstripes.

I understand the Yankee fans point about huge payroll, new ballpark, and increasing revenues. All that will always be part of the Yankees arsenal. Young pitching with high upside doesn’t always come around. Before you waste money on Burnett why not give Hughes a shot? Greinke, although talented, might not be made out for New York. None of the options, outside of Sabathia, are any less risky then giving Hughes and Kennedy a shot.

A rotation of Wang, Joba, Pettitte, Hughes, Kennedy certainly isn’t the best in the American League, but it’s not shabby. Who would have thought Tampa could get to the World Series with Kazmir, Garza, Sonnastine, and Edwin Jackson? Saving money on the risky pitching propositions could result in a beefed up offense (think Manny or Teixeira).

I know I am in the minority on this front, but the pitching market has changed in the last ten days. Sabathia is clearly doing more than just flirting with the west coast, Burnett is the ultimate injury risk, and Lowe wants #1 money for #3 results. Just because you have excess cash doesn’t mean you need to burn it on risky veteran pitchers. In the case of CC, why force someone to play here that clearly doesn’t want New York?

The day the Yanks passed on Santana they committed to their young arms. Amazing how easily you go from treasure to trash in this town. The Yankees need to continue on the path they chose last winter: give the young pitchers a real chance to succeed or fail in 2009.

Tags: Ian Kennedy, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes