via assets.nydailynews.com

           Recently, I posted an article on Mark Mulder and if the Yankees should sign him? Now, there is another pitcher that has been put on waivers and the Yankees have expressed interest in. He was a former Red Sox. He was from the curse breaking team in 2004 and is a musician just like former Yankee and fan favorite, Bernie Williams. Still don’t know who it is? Well, it’s Bronson Arroyo of the Cincinnati Reds.

            On August 10th, 2009, it was officially announced that Bronson Arroyo and his teammate Aaron Harang cleared waivers and could now be traded to any team. Both of these pitchers have very large contracts left. Arroyo is expected to receive 9.5 million dollars this year and 11 million dollars in 2010. In order for the Reds to shed their salaries they would have to pursue a trade. The Yankees have expressed interest but the latest reports say that a trade may be unlikely.

            If brought to the Yankees, Arroyo brings with him a 10-11 record and a 5.04 ERA. Looking at those numbers he looks like a descent pitcher, but he has been very hittable this season. In 144.2 innings Arroyo has given up 159 hits. He has also given up a career-high 25 homeruns. With those numbers it’s easy to see why many teams aren’t going after him.

            Harang is just as bad as Arroyo this season. He has a 6-3 record and his ERA is at 4.43. On the bright side he has struck out 132 and walked only 38. Hitters are still seeing the ball very well against him and Harang has given many hits as a result. At Yankee Stadium if a pitcher is getting hit a lot, the ball is going to fly. Reportedly the Mets and Dodgers are just two other teams that are in on Harang.

            There are many different options that the Yankees can turn to. If they decide to go after Arroyo or Harang, that is their move and should be respected. The Yankees can turn to Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes, or Chad Gaudin to be their fifth starter. They can also turn to outside options like Mark Mulder, John Smoltz, or Sidney Ponson (again, because he has just been released by the Royals.) Another pitcher could be Jaime Moyer, who is unhappy in Philadelphia because of Pedro Martinez. The problem with Moyer is that he has another year left on the contract and seems a bit too old.

            From Within the Farm system there are several other options. Kei Igawa is always ready to make another appearance for the Yankees. The other Texeira, Kaneoka (from AA), could get a chance to make a start.

            The point is that the Yankees have different options of pitchers to turn to as starters down the road and in the push to the playoffs. All we have to do is wait and see if Cashman will make a move or will Joe Girardi simply just make a call-up or rotation change.