Former staff ace, and still promising YOUNG hurler, Chin Ming Wang is a key question for the Yankees looking forward.  If he comes back to something like his previous level the Yankees have a loaded rotation for years to come.  I expect big things for many years from Joba, Hughes and CC.  AJ is not as young but he's not at the end of the line either.  With an effective CMW and a load of promising youngsters the staff would really be loaded.  No need to talk Andy out of retiring again or trade for Halladay.  So what do we think about Wang?  Can he come back? Will he?

I think his problems largely come from two sources.  We have a major source and a minor one.  The major problem is the foot fracture.  This was a serious injury and he was not ready to come back.  The result of him rushing himself (or the Yanks rushing him) was terrible performance and a shoulder injury.  He never got his lower half working naturally under him.  He hurt his arm.  He damaged his confidence.

If his arm comes back his confidence and his effectiveness will be fine.  I wish I knew more about the shoulder and his prognosis.  Believe me, some joint injuries never heal.  Careers get cut short.  I am hoping for the best for CMW.

The second problem was his desire to become more multidimensional as a pitcher.  There was a reinvent yourself project going on at the time of the injury.  I feel like this was an unfortunate combination.

So, my feeling is this.  No big move for a starter should be made now.  Win this year with the team we have.  While the team's streakiness is a worry, I think we are the best team in baseball.  I hope Torre doesn't outmanage Girardi in the WS enough for the Dodgers to win.  Wait for Wang, see if he can come back. 

If Wang doesn't come back we should check and see if we have a replacement ready.  I wish we still had Ohlendorf. he's over 100 innings with a WHIP of 1.28.  No star but he's a big league pitcher who could have helped now.


By the way, we're not going to be able to trade for Halladay.  Stop dreaming.  Toronto cannot trade him to the Yankees.  Period.