We Need You, Phil

Where is Philip J. Hughes?

For the second season in a row, the Yankees prized pitching prospect is spending a good portion of his season down in Tampa recovering from injury.

Last season, Hughes suffered a hamstring injury while in the middle of a no-hit bid against the Texas Rangers. While rehabbing, he severely injured his ankle. He missed a total of 3 months with the injuries. Hughes returned to the team in August and was fairly effective down the stretch (4-2 4.65).

Unlike last season's on-field injuries, Hughes suffered a mysterious stress fracture in one of his ribs early this season. Only Phil Hughes knows how and when the injury occurred. If the Yankees do in fact know how Hughes suffered the injury, they aren't telling.

Conspiracy theories aside, with Chien-Ming Wang's possible season-ending injury, one thing is clear: The Yankees need Phil Hughes.

Some Yankee fans are ready to throw the farm at Cleveland for C.C. Sabathia. Jerome from Manhattan, of WFAN fame, suggested a package of Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Darrell Rasner, and Alan Horne for Sabathia.

If it were physically possible, I would have punched him right through the radio.

There is no need for this foolishness. Sure, Sabathia could slide in and be the ace this team needs. But not at the price that Cleveland will demand. If Yankees GM Brian Cashman can somehow pry Sabathia away from the Indians for Ian Kennedy, OF Jose Tabata, and maybe another low to mid level prospect, then be all means do it. But I really do not see that getting it done. Then there is issue of re-signing Sabathia who will be a Free Agent after this season. Additionally, I do not see Cleveland pulling the trigger on a Sabathia deal any time soon. They have no reason to. Any Sabathia deal will be made after the All Star break.

So what are the Yankees to do now that Wang is out at least until September? As Peter Abraham pointed out, the Yankees have 8 off days between now and July 24th, meaning they will only need a 5th starter four times between now and then.

Phil Hughes is expected back in August. All the Yankees need is a 5th starter to keep the rotation spot warm for him.

There is no rush to go out there and acquire an ace. The Yankees do not need to throw the farm to a team for a Sabathia, or Roy Oswalt, or Ben Sheets, or A.J. Burnett. If Dan Giese isn't able to hold down the fort as a 5th starter, I'm sure the Yankees will give Ian Kennedy another shot (when healthy).

If the in-house options are unable do the job, there are Free Agent options available to hold down the fort. Can David Wells give us 4 or 5 solid starts? What about Freddy Garcia? Where is Tim Leary these days? There are options out there, and I don't mind Cashman being creative.

The Yankees will get through the Wang injury. Panicking and selling the farm is not the answer.


(Photo: William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)