In case you missed it, Joe Girardi announced today that Phil Hughes will be the Yankees fifth starter this season. I think we heard that last year, too, and Hughes was in the pen by June. Despite his outstanding Spring Training, and his solid numbers as a starter back in 2008, Alfredo Aceves is once again being sent to the bullpen for no apparent reason. I do understand that Hughes needs to be developed, but since when do the Yankees ever think beyond this season? This blog has said it once, and sadly, it will likely be repeated again: The 2010 Yankees are a MUCH better team with Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in their bullpen.
With Hughes, Chamberlain, Marte, and Rivera in the bullpen, any starter needs to go a maximum of six innings to hand it over to a very strong pen. Many argue that Phil Hughes pitching the eighth inning last season was a turning point that led to championship number 27. Sure, it's great to have a "long man" in the bullpen. Everyone knows the Yanks did well with a guy like Ramiro Mendoza in their pen during the late 1990's-early 2000's dynasty. But we already have that this season: newly acquired Chan Ho Park.
Let's pull for Phil Hughes. I hope the Yankees can prove me wrong. But I have a feeling that Hughes will be back in the same spot after no more than a couple of months: manning the bullpen, which has the potential to be very, very good. 10 days and counting...
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