Phil Hughes

[strawbossisevil]

Why he's available: The Yankees have their rotation full with Sabathia, Vazquez, Chamberlein, Burnett, and Pettite.

 

How much would he cost? I know that the Yankees are a bit thin at RP, so what if we include Coffey along with Salome and Braddock? (This would give the Yankees two solid BP arms and a catcher to fill in once Posada can't continue behind the dish).

 

Hughes, I think has top of the rotation potential and is pre-arby, so he would be a very worthwhile target and a huge upgrade to our rotation.

 

 

FWIW: Hughes ERA last season - 3.03, 96 k to only 28 BB.

[dadofandrew]

They'll just have Hughes in the bullpen, barring injury.

[strawbossisevil]

Right, but his value is limited there. He'd be more valuable in a trade IMO. Since the bullpen is one of the weaker areas on the Yankees, this deal would essentially be a 2 for 1 deal. They get two solid RPs (with Braddock having future potential as a SP) PLUS a solid catching prospect (needed in case Posada has injury problems, and the very real possibility of retirement in the near future) for the price of one solid RP/SP.

 

This would upgrade their bullpen and their catching situation, and it would upgrade the Brewers' starting rotation. It's a win-win.

[marty22]

I was thinking about Hughes as well. With the Yankees vacancy in Left Field, would Corey Hart make sense. How about a Coffey+Hart package. I'd be willing to chip in a mid-level prospect if we needed to, but I think Coffey+Hart makes some sense. Getting hughes would be huge for this team, both this year and for years to come.

[marty22]

additionally, I'd take Kei Igawa to even out the salaries, if its true that the yankees really are trying to shed some payroll.

[BREWERPRIDE]

Coffey, Salome and Braddock? No way. I wouldnt even do Coffey.

 

Corey Hart, yes probably, but they just traded Melkey so obv. they have something in mind.

 

Why would we trade Coffey, then we need to get someone else in bullpen.

 

I love our 7-8-9 guys in Coffey, Hawkins and Hoffman.

[jwill535]

additionally, I'd take Kei Igawa to even out the salaries, if its true that the yankees really are trying to shed some payroll.

Could of had Igawa last year with Melky for Cameron. The problem is that Igawa is trash.

[Invader3K]

I would love to see Hughes as a Brewer. I think he's one of the few Yankees I can actually stand for some reason. Would love to see him in the Brewers rotation.

 

I think it might take something like Hart/Salome/a prospect reliever to get it done, though.

[strawbossisevil]

Trouble is BREWERPRIDE, is that back of the bullpen won't at all matter if the guys handing them the ball can't give them a lead. We also saw last year how the bullpen was overtaxed late in the season because of our poor starting pitching. Hughes solves that problem.

 

Hughes and Coffey had similar ERAs last season, with Hughes having the vastly superior K/BB rate. There is no doubt that Hughes is the better pitcher. Add on top of that that Hughes is pre-arby and would be under team control for a long time, makes it just that much more ridiculous to say that you'd prefer Coffey to Hughes.

 

Coffey is an above average bullpen arm. Hughes profiles as one who could be a solid #2 starter which carries a much higher value.

 

I think you overvalue Braddock and Salome too. Braddock is no sure thing with his injuries and may not become anything more than a bullpen arm. He has a huge ceiling but everything has to go right for him to reach it. Salome is a good catching prospect, but he's behind Lucroy on the depth chart and there are a lot of questions as to how his game will translate to big league success.

 

The rest of the bullpen is hardly terrible. Even without Coffey we still have two elite RPs in Hoffman and Hawkins.

 

To be honest, I was afraid the Brewers would be giving up too little in this deal, not too much. Pre-arby high ceiling SPs cost a mint in trades.

[marty22]

additionally, I'd take Kei Igawa to even out the salaries, if its true that the yankees really are trying to shed some payroll.

Could of had Igawa last year with Melky for Cameron. The problem is that Igawa is trash.

I'm not saying I want him, but, taking his contract would offset their addition of Corey Hart's contract. We'd add a cheap pitcher (hughes), and pay Igawa's salary, leaving us at roughly the same salary level. Plus, Igawa is still probably a better option than a Mike Burns to be called up from Nashville in case of emergency.

[Milltownhooker]

Yanks won't move Hughes unless they get a slam dunk all-star in return. They'll move him for a Ryan Braun type hitter. He isn't worth that but hey they just got Vazquez for Melky & a high A ball stud.

[BREWERPRIDE]

I wasnt saying not Braddock and Salome, fine with the in the package somewhere, but not Coffey, I just think the Yankees are too stingy and will somehow get Doug to over pay.

[endaround]

Hughes isn't going anywhere. Chamberlain is likely more avaiable and Gaudin can likely be had for a song now. He's the real guy to target. The only way the Brewers get Hughes is if Fielder wears pinstripes.

[nate82]

I love Hughes but I believe it will take a Fielder or a Braun type to get Hughes from the Yankees. I believe Chamberlain is probably more attainable than Hughes is though. Chamberlain reminds me a lot of McClung though just with better stuff so I'm not sure I would touch Chamberlain. He may become a good closer but he is definitely not a starter he is more suited to being in a bullpen role than as a starter in my honest opinion.

 

If Hughes could be had for a Gamel, Braddock, and another prospect I would be somewhat OK with that. I wouldn't really like it but I believe this is a kind of a trade the Brewers need to make to become more competitive plus having a rotation of Gallardo, Hughes, and Wolf for the next couple of years is a nice rotation. Also having Gallardo and Hughes at the top of the rotation for a long time solidifies the rotation for awhile at least.

[strawbossisevil]

Hughes isn't going anywhere. Chamberlain is likely more avaiable and Gaudin can likely be had for a song now. He's the real guy to target. The only way the Brewers get Hughes is if Fielder wears pinstripes.

I wouldn't be so sure about this. Hughes has essentially become nothing but a bullpen arm for them. That is valuable, but not so valuable that he couldn't be moved if a few top prospects were offered for him, especially ones that would improve their team at other positions in the immediate future.

 

Adding Coffey and Braddock would likely improve the depth of their bullpen (currently a problem) without a huge drop off (Coffey's ERA was better than Hughes last year, although his overall numbers were not quite as good). Add in a Salome or a Hart, and those are improvements in other areas where the Yankees are still needing depth (or even starters) in the very near future.

 

I don't think the Yankee's asking price is going to be Braun or Fielder for a guy who has been made into a setup guy in their bullpen. If he were a lights out Papelbaun-esque closer, then maybe, but he hasn't been THAT good to this point.

 

Also, if Chamberlain can be had (which I don't believe he can be, since I think he has an even higher ceiling/better potential than Hughes) then he is a guy I want the Brewers to be trading for. He is a better version of Morrow at the very least.

 

I do like the idea of taking on Igawa in the trade to even out salaries. I think he would be a good guy to have at AAA as insurance in case of a rash of pitching injuries.

[ILuvDaBush]

I don't see them as being interested in Salome. Jesus Montero is a higher ceilign version of him. What's the difference between Clay Buccholz and Phil Hughes? About 5 bank accounts, 3 ounces and two vehicles. Oh wait, that's the difference between Jeremy and Phil. But seriously, the Yanks have held onto Phil Hughes like we hold onto our Branyan man-love. I'd love to see him in the Brew Crew blue but I don't see how Hughes can be had for anything in our system short of Alcides (Jeter won't be at short forever).

[endaround]

Pettite might retire next year. Vasquez is only signed for one year. The Yankees still need starters past this season. Add to that Hughes had a 1.40 ERA in relief with 65 Ks in 51 innings. He's a better pitcher than Chamberlain and has been better in relief. Chamberlain also has one more full year of service tiime used.

[JohnBriggs12]

Coffey, Salome and Braddock? No way. I wouldnt even do Coffey.

 

Corey Hart, yes probably, but they just traded Melkey so obv. they have something in mind.

 

Why would we trade Coffey, then we need to get someone else in bullpen.

 

I love our 7-8-9 guys in Coffey, Hawkins and Hoffman.

Vargas could fill the 7th inning role. Villanueva was effective at times even in a bad year in that role and very effective there in 08. Stetter is still around too and can get righthanders out too. They could opt to still bring back Weathers. He's not going to command much. Coffey's had one good year. Selling high on him is not a bad idea at all.

 

Hughes still has ace potential. I'd take that deal in a heartbeat. A rotation of Gallardo, Wolf, Hughes, Bush, and Parra, shouldn't require as much help in the 7th inning anyway.

 

But no way the Yankees do it. Hughes was so effective in the pen last year, he's on track to be Rivera's successor.

[PilprinBuddha]

I don't see Hughes going anywhere. I'd love to get him, but just don't see it happening. The Yanks can actually use a younger arm that is less expensive than the mega millionaires. Really...they can.

[chadomac]

I don't see them as being interested in Salome. Jesus Montero is a higher ceilign version of him. What's the difference between Clay Buccholz and Phil Hughes? About 5 bank accounts, 3 ounces and two vehicles. Oh wait, that's the difference between Jeremy and Phil. But seriously, the Yanks have held onto Phil Hughes like we hold onto our Branyan man-love. I'd love to see him in the Brew Crew blue but I don't see how Hughes can be had for anything in our system short of Alcides (Jeter won't be at short forever).

 

Wow, didn't expect a Dr. Dre reference on a Brewer message board.

[Bombers]

I am all for getting Hughes and the possible trade chips (Coffey, Hart, Salome, Braddock, Gamel) I am fine with utilizing. (Obviously not all 5) but I just don't see the Yanks entertaining this. I understand their rotation is set but as said already Vazquez and Pettite are on 1 yr deals. Insert Jaba and Phil for 2011 and their rotation stays pretty good. Now just like any other off season they can purchase a pitcher off of FA and then would keep Jaba or Phil in the pen. But maybe not. I hope Melvin calls Cashman but I don't see this going through, imo.

[brewmann04]

Joba going to be in the Pen while the Yanks give Phil the 5th spot in the rotation.

[TooLiveBrew]

Joba going to be in the Pen while the Yanks give Phil the 5th spot in the rotation.

Can you link on this? I haven't heard this yet.

[Invader3K]

It wouldn't surprise me. They should know by now Joba works better in the pen than as a starter.

[nate82]

Joba going to be in the Pen while the Yanks give Phil the 5th spot in the rotation.

Can you link on this? I haven't heard this yet.

This is only logical at least to me. Joba is the better relief pitcher while Hughes is a better starting pitcher. If the Yankees were not willing to get rid of Hughes last off season in a package and during the trade deadline I don't believe the Yankees will be giving him up at all.

 

Also I believe the Yankees will be going hard after Cliff Lee once he hits free agency next year. That is going to be one big bidding war between the Mets, Yankees, and the Red Sox for Lee next year. I doubt the Yankees will resign Vazquez though so they will still have a spot open for both Joba and Hughes next year also. I just do not see a fit.