How Do Yankees' Free Agent Signings Affect Pitching Prospects?

New York, NY—With the signing of CC Sabathia to a seven-year, $161 million contract, the Yankees made a statement: We need pitching! Sabathia was the top starter on the free agent list this offseason and will be the number one starter for the Bronx Bombers come opening day 2009.

But one question: How will this affect the Yankees' tremendous pitching depth?

After the Yankees refused to part with Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes for Johan Santana last offseason, tremendous pressure was put on both to carry the Yankees into the postseason. That was a mistake by the Yankees, the media, and especially the fans. Both pitchers were rushed to the majors before they were ready—combined with freak injuries, they failed to live up to the expectations everyone had.

Signing CC Sabathia and another free agent pitcher allows the Yankees to further develop Kennedy in the minors. Kennedy is expected to start the 2009 season in the rotation of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, along with Chase Wright and Eric Hacker. Kennedy is working in adjustments to his game and could now perfect the changes in Triple-A.

Hughes could start the season as the fifth starter in the Bronx if the Yankees do not sign three free agents. However, if they do, Hughes would be ticketed to Triple-A. A midseason call-up would not be out of the question, especially when Joba Chamberlain nears his innings limit for the year.

Could the two piggyback in 2009? It is possible but a rarity for pitchers to piggyback in the majors, but it is a good way to limit both players’ innings and keep them on the major league roster.

Wright had a cup of coffee with the big club in 2007, promoted directly from Double-A. In 2008 he split the season between Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Triple-A Yankees, posting a 10-3 record between the two with a 2.72 ERA. The lefty will be going into his third option year in 2009 and could be a candidate for a trade.

Wright does not fit the mold of a reliever and has had great success as a starter throughout his career. Bringing in a free agent pitcher on a one- or two-year deal could allow him to finish developing in the minors in 2009 with a call-up in case the big club needs help. However, he would need to be kept on the 25-man roster come the 2010 season, which could mean he would have to leave the organization.

Hacker had a breakout year in 2008 splitting the season between the Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder, posting a combined 9-6 record and a 2.43 ERA. The Yankees felt the season he had meant he returned to being the prospect he was once considered and placed him on the 40-man roster instead of letting him go off and become a free agent.

Phil Coke is expected to be a member of that Triple-A rotation in 2009. Coke had a great debut as a reliever, but like Joba, the Yankees' plan includes him in the rotation. His fastball topped out in the mid 90s this past season, and he is a very good starting pitcher.

The Yankees placed him on the 40-man in 2008, which prevented him from becoming a free agent and also gives him another year or two to develop into a good starter. He is one of several prospects that could fill in case of an emergency at the big league level.

Overall, the signing of CC Sabathia and another free agent starter is not necessarily a bad thing. It does not mean the Yankees have given up on their youth movement, but instead it can help it. It allows the Yankees some flexibility with their young guys and to not call upon them too early in their development like in the past.

Going into 2009, the Yankees have some insurance in case of injuries with their youth, who are more developed then they were last season. Kennedy, Hughes, and Wright are all starters who had some level of success in their brief time in the major leagues and could very well be members of the rotation in 2010.

Now I will leave you with this: As the old saying goes, you can never have too many pitchers.