The Future of Phil Hughes

by JWO on Jan 12, 2009 11:49 PM EST

Greetings, Bronx Bombers. I'm actually a St. Louis Cardinals fan, but thought I'd drop over to your website to pose a question.

Watching the Hot Stove, there seems to be a lot of discussion on the vivaelbirdos page about possible deals for Phil Hughes. Some have suggested that a deal involving Hughes and the Cardinals Rick Ankiel would make a lot of sense for both clubs. The Yankees are interested in upgrading power and defense in the outfield. The Cardinals have a surplus of outfielders, and need to shore up pitching.

I apologize if this belongs in your "Hot Stove" thread, but I thought I would find out what the other potential partner in a deal thinks. Does Yankee nation see any value in this type of a trade?

PS - I've attached Ankiel's vitals in case anyone wants to scan through them. For those who haven't seen him, his power is very good, health is about average, and his defense is in the plus range (with a cannon for an arm).
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4159

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Not Ankiel

We would probably make a trade with more of our parts for your star centerfielder, but that is about it. We have too many outfielders too at the moment and need to dump some of them. Maybe if you took Matsui and gave us another piece? I dunno.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Jan 13, 2009 1:40 AM EST reply actions

I don't see them moving Hughes

He is still very much in their long term plans and could secure a rotation spot as early as this season.

Although, in my opinion, they need another durable starter to fill that role until Hughes has overcome his health issues of the past and struggles.

by anaconda on Jan 13, 2009 2:50 AM EST reply actions

Ankiel may be

a great left fielder. But we’ve already got 3 guys on the roster who make great left fielders (Damon, Nady, Swisher).

The Yankees needs are (in order, imo): starting pitcher, centerfielder, catcher. Schumaker (29, cf) could be a nice fit, but not for Hughes. Phil Franchise is in the mix to be the fifth starter out of camp, and he’s guaranteed to make the rotation around the mid-year point once Joba moves to the pen.

The Cards won the Kyle Lohse derby last year, and really won it. Todd Wellmeyer had a breakout season at 31, his first full season in the rotation. But that looks more like lightning in a bottle than something I’d trade a 22 year old starter for.

Now, you can have my attention if you can put together a package for Yadier.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 13, 2009 6:38 AM EST reply actions

Now we're thinking ...

I’ve been harping on Posada not being able to throw guys out or handle the load. Landing Yadier would work for me. However, this is highly unlikely given the Cardinals would then have to hunt for a quality backstop. Perhaps Ted Simmons, or McCarver would consider a return?

I’m not real high on Ankiel, but I’d certainly consider adding their first baseman … What’s his name, again?
Albert something?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jan 13, 2009 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

I would do this trade

Only if the Cards threw in Pujols.

Is this guy kidding me? A young pitcher with a promising future……for basically a CF prospect??

by Cody K on Jan 13, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions

Hughes

is Cash’s personal gem. If he pans out Cash’s development and patience in the farm system will be deemed a success. Keep Hughes. Gotta give him at least 3 more yrs.

by ProudYankee on Jan 13, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions

Sorry, but...

Not even the Yankees could afford him ($30M per year). Besides, we think he looks much better in red, with the bird on the bat.

by JWO on Jan 13, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions

Only guy

I’d be willing to trade Hughes for is Pujols… but that’s not happening…. but certainly not for Ankiel…

by daneptizl on Jan 13, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions

Hughes has a high ceiling…..but Pujols is on his way to being one of the greatest players of all time…

To say you wouldn’t do that trade is crazyiness

by Whodunnit?4040 on Jan 13, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

I would pack Phil Hughes’ bags and drive him to the airport if it netted the Yankees Albert Pujols.

Gross Misconduct with Hockey Joe

by HockeyJoe on Jan 13, 2009 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

I would too.

But I’d make room for Kennedy and Bruney too. I have a 4 door!

Seriously, we are not getting Pujols

If I's known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. Casey

by Cbeck3 on Jan 13, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not saying

I wouldn’t do it… I said I would do it… but that the Cardinals wouldn’t do that, therefore “that’s not happening.”

by daneptizl on Jan 14, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Add

a case of Macallan 18 for all the members of pinstripe and you got a deal.

"Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!"-Daniel Plainview

by yankee come lately on Jan 14, 2009 6:27 AM EST reply actions

5th Starter

Why not? Throw him out there and let him go. He will show signs of greatness and will struggle at times. I think I would consider him a pretty good 5th starter.

by Yankees23 on Jan 14, 2009 3:49 PM EST reply actions