We don’t cover injuries here at MLBTR. But with Chien-Ming Wang’s possibly season-ending foot injuries, I’ve already received a boatload of emails from Yankees fans asking what’s next.
The starting pitching market has already changed since our June 4th post – Sidney Ponson has been released, Miguel Batista demoted to the bullpen, and Odalis Perez, Jeremy Bonderman, and Brad Penny are hurt. Plus, the Tigers are coming around.
That leaves plenty of viable names for the Yankees to consider, though. Reasonable acquisition targets include Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Derek Lowe, C.C. Sabathia, Randy Wolf, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Paul Byrd. Most of these pitchers would probably be an upgrade over the team’s internal options. The Yankees have multiple young pitchers and outfielders considered to be among the top 100 prospects in the game who could be used as trade chips. Freddy Garcia could also be a consideration; he may be back by late August and only costs money.
River Ave. Blues discussed replacement options this morning, but Brian Cashman says "there is no trade market at the moment."
