Pull the Trigger

Peter Gammons has reported that the Yankees could acquire pitcher Johan Santana for a package of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and Austin Jackson.  If this is rumor is true, Johan Santana should be a Yankee before Christmas.

I know most hold Hughes in high regard, and that he's a “can’t miss” prospect.  While I tend to agree, there’s no pitcher in baseball like Santana, and if he can be had, the move needs to be made.

With Roger Clemens retiring, and Andy Pettitte most likely not too far behind, there’s a strong possibility that the Yankees could go into the season with a rotation of Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy.  A rotation that consists of a front-line pitcher, an aging star who’s begun to have struggles, and three rookies.  Not the ideal situation for a team that is looking to win their 27^th World Series in their final season in Yankee Stadium.

There’s the financial aspect that some might look at.  Santana is a free agent at season’s end, and an extension will cost upwards of $20 million a season.  Hughes is under Yankee control for the next six years.  This is the Yankees we are talking about, where money is a secondary issue.  The main issue is that Johan Santana IS the best pitcher in baseball, and one day Phil Hughes MIGHT be the best pitcher in baseball. 

Is it worth keeping Hughes hoping he pans out?

For most teams I’d say yes, but this is the Yankees.  They don’t go into a rebuilding mode, waiting for their prospects to come around.  They also have a lot of good young pitchers on the farm, so by dealing Hughes, they’re not mortgaging their future to win now.  Trading for Santana, and giving him an extension, the Yankees will play their final year at Yankee Stadium with the best hitter and best pitcher in baseball, and open new Yankee Stadium next season with the best as well.

Isn’t that the Yankee Way?