Hughes To The Pen? Neyer Says 'Yes, why not?'

From Rob Neyer (hat-tip to River Ave. Blues):

You might recall that when the Yankees were winning the American League East every single year, they developed just one starting pitcher: Andy Pettitte. Well, there was a good reason for that. Yes, they were impatient with their young pitchers, but when you're trying to win every single year you almost have to be impatient. How many young starters have the Red Sox come up with during their run of success? One: Jon Lester (and of course in Clay Buchholz, they've got a Phil Hughes of their own).

But just because the Yankees can't afford to suffer through Hughes' learning as a starter, doesn't mean they can't still benefit from his talents. From my SportsNation chat today:

Brian (Hoboken): Why has there never been much discussion about putting Phil Hughes in the Yanks bullpen? Joba has 4-5 plus pitches, so it'd almost be a waste to put him back there. But Hughes has only 2 plus pitches, and has a recent history of injuries. He could be dominant in the 8th for awhile. I know the "Joba to the 'pen" argument is old ... so I'm starting a new one!

Yes, why not? Hughes has the low-90s fastball and the big curve and not much else, and the low-90s fastball might become a mid-90s fastball if he's out there for just an inning or two at a time. The Yankee bullpen currently sports a 5.46 ERA, third-worst in the league. Doesn't a slight change in course seem to be in order? After all, Brian Bruney can do only so much.

I suppose the argument is that Hughes still has a shot to be a good starter, but needs more Triple-A innings if that's going to happen. I don't know, though. Johan Santana got 49 Triple-A along with his bullpen apprenticeship in the majors, and he seems to have done pretty well for himself. There are different ways to succeed, and it'll be a shame if the Yankees fall short this season because they got locked into just the one way.

I've heard this idea thrown around several times and never thought much of it, not because I thought it was that bad of an idea but I just don't think it's something the Yankees want to do. However, Neyer makes a good point here, and maybe being successful out of the pen will lead to success as a start for Hughes down the road.

When Wang comes back the Yankees will have a big decision to make; send Hughes back to Triple-A or throw him in the pen and see what he can do in the late innings. One thing I don't like is the idea of using him as a long man in the pen. Having Hughes sitting in the pen unused for days at a time only to come into a blowout will help nobody.

Another way sending him to the pen could hurt his development is he decides to stop working on his changeup and slider/cutter, and focus more on his two main pitches, the curve and his fastball. That would also help nobody.

Hughes himself was asked about going to the pen and here's what he told the Daily News:

"I wouldn't be opposed to relief," Hughes said. "Good arms are valuable wherever they are slotted."

Hughes is fine with the uncertainty.

"It's not like I don't get what's going on here," he said. "Wang's going to come back and something's going to have to give . . . I have to do a good job. The rest of it is nonsense."

Can't complain about what Hughes said, at least he seems open to anything.

What is your opinion on the new Hughes-to-the-pen discussion?