Talk about a monkey wrench. Based on their treatment of Phil Hughes so far, the Yankees probably planned on sending Ivan Nova back down to the minors regardless of how he performed. The six-man rotation used last time around might have been some schedule finagling designed to make sure A.J. Burnett didn't face the Red Sox in Fenway this weekend. After completing his duty, Nova would then be sent back down to the minors until the rosters expanded in September. However, the decision might not be so easy.
Here's the way the Yankee rotation would look if GM Brian Cashman and manager Jo Girardi could make decisions based purely on performance: CC Sabathia, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Nova, and Burnett, in that order. Hughes had a great start his last outing, but that hardly makes up for the many times he's been plastered this season. In fact, Nova has far out-performed him this year. Unfortunately, the Yankees have to put Hughes in the rotation.
If Hughes gets sent to the bullpen again, there's no going back. It's time for him to make the move from a mediocre starting pitcher to a genuine major leaguer. He's old enough, and he's been around long enough, to finally take that last step and establish himself. If the Yankees send him to the bullpen, that's it. A stint in the bullpen would erase the little progress he has made in the rotation. If they send him down to the minors, his development as a pitcher would be put on hold. Hughes is good enough to get minor leaguers out, and he might not be able to learn much from pitching in the minors. It's only in the major leagues that he'll be able to hone his pitching skills.
Which brings us to the dilemma. The Yankees can't send Nova down, and they can't demote him to the bullpen. Because he's been so good, rewarding him with anything less than a spot in the rotation is just wrong. At the same time, the Yankees can't really do anything except keep Hughes in the rotation. There's only solution left: a six-man rotation. Critics say that Sabathia couldn't handle all those extra off days. Even if that were true, there's no reason why the Yankees can't give Garcia or Colon an extra day off once in a while. Neither is as young as he used to be, and Colon is pretty injury prone. It's not a perfect solution, but it's the best one out there.
To end on a positive note, the Yankees could have more to worry about. People complain about their high payroll, but at least they have the money to support their spending - unlike another entity we could name.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
