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

Decision Time Coming For Girardi

Joe Girardi has indicated that he plans on going down to a five man rotation this week. I'm going to tell you what I think should happen and then I'll tell you what I think will happen.

If you look at Bartolo Colon's last several starts, I think its clear that Colon is running out of gas. He has not pitched this many innings since 2005. Colon has a great fast ball along with his two seamer. It would be great coming out of the bullpen. If you remember, he started the season in the pen.

By putting Colon in the bullpen, the Yankees get the opportunity to take a look at AJ Burnett and Phil Hughes for the 4th starter position in October. It would be a positive if the Yanks allowed Hughes to try to right himself as a starter. He is a part of their future as a starter. If he is not a part of the future then they should move him. Burnett is completely out of the question for bullpen duty. He has never been anything but a starter. Hopefully, he can build off his start against Boston.

Now, what I think will happen is that Phil Hughes will go to the bullpen. Hughes was successful in 2009 as a reliever. Burnett would be your 4th starter and Colon would be your number 5. This is the easy move and probably will be what's decided. The question here is how does this effect Phil Hughes long-term?? I feel that this is just as important as how the Yankees do this October.