Former ‘04 Red Sox/ Future ‘09 Yankee?

by yankeebatboy23 on Aug 12, 2009 4:13 PM EDT

Amd_mets-arroyo_medium 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.

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Comments

meh....

if Arroyo or Harang cost nothing then its OK. IF it costs a player than no.

Still a lot of money for guys who have been bad this season. Id stay away.

by FreeBradshaw on Aug 12, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Harang

would be great as the 5th starter (maybe even better). No to Arroyo.

Harang already plays in a hitter’s park with a decent ERA (4.43), and very good FIP (4.08) and career FIP (4.09), very good K/BB rate. his only real problem is a high flyball rate, but he should still be better than Mitre or Gaudin.

by Travis G on Aug 12, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

But I still wouldn’t give up too much for him.

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

by jscape2000 on Aug 12, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I would agree

if the price is relatively low, Yes to Harang, NO to Arroyo

by Lord Duggan on Aug 12, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Harang and Arroyo

Arroyo’s one of the worst pitchers in baseball, and that’s in the NL. Back in the AL east I doubt he’d be much better than Mitre.

As for Harang, he’d be an intriguing choice except that he makes $14 mil in 2010 and if he’s traded, his 2011 $14 mil team option becomes a player option. I don’t think I’d commit $30+ mil over 2+ years to a struggling Aaron Harang, especially when we’re 6.5 games up.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Aug 14, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think we are getting another

starter, just a feeling.

by yankeechaser on Aug 12, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

I’m a Sox fan, and I see what you guys are thinking. But I don’t know if it’ll work. For one, the AL East is the toughest competition in the major leagues. And the Sox have tried in the past and failed miserably with “low risk, high reward” starters (i.e. Brad Penny and John Smoltz). Harang is by far the better choice than Arroyo.

by nssuhoski on Aug 13, 2009 2:33 AM EDT reply actions

Penny

for a good while, was a success.

There’s no way Id consider Penny to be in the category of “failed miserably”. He hasn’t exactly great, not going 7IP ONCE is not good, but he’s still been average over the whole season.

Arroyo could do the same for the Yanks, probably better, as the Yanks 5th starter. His salary is TOO high with little upside.

I agree on Harang, if there’s a chance of landing him for little to nothing, Id take a chance. He could have a nice future with the Yanks, going to a winning ballclub can bring out the best in players

by FreeBradshaw on Aug 13, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I think they are staying away

I read this morning that the team said, Mitre is staying in the rotation and Gaudin will get a start this weekend as Joba gets an extra days rest. This appears to be their alternative to going out and adding another starter.

by ReggieARodJeter on Aug 13, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions