tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

The Clock Strikes 12 For Garcia & Colon

When the Yankees signed Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia to minor league contracts it was a flyer worth taking on 2 aging 30-somethings.  From the beginning of the season to the All-Star break, it looked like Brian Cashman had truly found bargains at the Dollar Store.  Unfortunately, as with Cinderella, the clock as struck 12 and it looks like this fairy tale is coming to an end as Freddy Garcia coughed up 6 runs in 5 innings and the Yanks dropped their second straight to the Blue Jays by the score of 7-1.  The Pinstripers didn't lose any ground as the Red Sox lost to the Rays 9-6.

The last two nights have been very painful as both pitchers looked awful, Colon more so than Garcia.  The team has also played terrible behind them but its hardly the reason why the Yanks have lost 2 since they have been outscored 22-8.  We all know that in order to be successful in post season baseball you need good pitching and what the Yankees have received the last two nights won't cut it now let alone in October.  Today may be the biggest game of the second half as Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees.  A good start from Hughes would certainly calm the nerves of Yankee fans and probably mean that the Yanks would only need to be looking for one starter, as they could also bring up Ivan Nova.  Hughes really has an opportunity to step up in the rotation and there is no question he has the ability to do it.

While the Yankees will anxiously await to see how Hughes performs this afternoon, they have scouts in different major league ball parks looking at starting pitchers.  According to George King of the NY Post, the Yanks have scouts watching Matt Garza, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Guthrie, Francisco Liriano, Ubaldo Jimenez and Heath Bell.  There are a number of teams that are looking at Jimenez who has picked up his game the last 4 starts and is only 27 years old.  King indicates that the Rockies are looking for high end prospects and the Yanks have them to deal.  This is a clear indication that the Yankee high command realize that they need to do something to upgrade the rotation if they are to be playing baseball in October.  Garza certainly knows what it takes to pitch in the NL East but Jimenez might be the best of the group.  However, either Garza or Jimenez would be great to see in Yankee pinstripes.  Cashman can't be timid as both the Red Sox and Tigers are in the hunt for pitching.  The next couple of weeks will be real interesting!!!!