Phil Hughes' Success Will Determine If New York Yankees Trade for Matt Garza

So far in 2012, Phil Hughes has been the biggest question mark in the New York Yankees' starting rotation. Sure, every arm has struggled in the Bombers' starting five, but Hughes has been the worst.

It's been so bad that New York is even picking their preferences as far as potential trade targets, and according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, one of the names that has popped up is Chicago Cubs starter, Matt Garza.

Of course, there wouldn't be a need for general manager Brian Cashman to make such a deal—one which would cost the Yankees quite a bit—if Hughes could be more effective.

At this point in the season, the 25-year-old is the fifth starter for the Yankees by merit. He can be replaced, and seeing as how wins are hard to come by this year, manager Joe Girardi can't afford to wait forever.

Hopefully for the Yankees, Hughes' one run, four hit complete game against the Detroit Tigers was a sign of things to come and that he's about to hit his stride. It'll be interesting to see if this newest pressure for the Yanks' former top prospect will be enough for him to flip the effective switch on.

If New York made the trade and brought Garza to the Bronx, Hughes would be forced to the bullpen where he has had success in the past. That's all well and good, but Hughes doesn't want to be in the bullpen; he wants to be a starter.

This has to be the final straw for Hughes' tenure with the Yankees as a starter. If he isn't included in the deal itself to bring Garza over, he'll be done as a starter for the foreseeable future with his current team.

Only Hughes can decide if the Yanks trade for Garza or stay put at the deadline.