Impact Analysis: Chien-Ming Wang, New York Yankees

June 18, 2008 @ 12:47:24

By Bob Bonett
Edited by Tim Heaney

Prior to the 2008 season, one of the most imposing predicaments for the New York Yankees was the presence of too many starting pitchers. Veterans Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte were still on the payroll. Young starters Phil Hughes (ribcage) and Ian Kennedy (lat) were expected to make big splashes. Mega-prospect Joba Chamberlain was waiting in the wings to earn a role in the rotation. Consistent ace Chien-Ming Wang (foot) anchored the top of the staff. It seemed that manager Joe Girardi would have his hands full finding innings for everybody.

Fast-forward to mid-June: Chamberlain has moved to the rotation, and Mussina has 10 wins. However, Kennedy and Hughes have been apparent busts this year as both are on the disabled list. In a worse development, Wang may be looking at an early end to his season with a partial Lisfranc tear and a sprained right foot as he was placed on the DL Tuesday, June 17.

Interleague play dooms the Yanks

It was an unfamiliar sight seeing Wang, the Yankees' ace, at the plate in a National League ballpark. Accustomed to being alleviated of his offensive duties thanks to the designated hitter, Wang was forced to run the bases in Houston during a 13-0 Yankees win Sunday, June 15.

In the sixth inning, while the Yankees were in the midst of an eight-run rally, Wang had to be helped off the field due to a foot injury suffered on the basepaths. An MRI has since revealed that the injury could keep the ace out until at least September. Wang will be relegated to wearing a protective boot and crutches for at least six weeks before being re-evaluated to determine the chances of him making a return in 2008.

Lisfranc not a common injury

While Wang is the second Yankee this season to suffer the foot injury, he is one of only a few professional athletes the past several years to have a Lisfranc fracture.

Yankees reliever Brian Bruney (foot) suffered the same injury as Wang April 25 while awkwardly stepping on first base attempting to cover on a ground ball. At the time, he was expected to miss the rest of the season. Since then, his positive rehab has given the Yankees hope that Bruney could be back after the All-Star break, which would be almost a three-month recovery time.

Other than Bruney, fans would have to look to football to find other recent players who have had Lisfranc fractures. Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) suffered his fracture last season. Former Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones suffered his fracture in 2006. Former New England Patriots defensive back Ty Law (free agent) had his injury in 2004. Each player was forced to miss the rest of his season after suffering the fracture.

Cashman staying in-house

Without question, Wang has been the most consistent starter on the Yankees, making replacing him almost impossible for general manager Brian Cashman. Wang has been a wins machine for the Yankees, victorious 19 times in both 2006 and 2007 while posting sub-4.00 ERAs and a WHIPs right around 1.30. This season has been a similar story for Wang; he has posted an 8-2 record with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has never been an above-average strikeout threat, though, as his career high was 102 in 2007; he has fanned just 54 batters in 95 innings this season. He mainly relies on his sinker to force ground balls from his opponents.

Keeping with his recent history of decisions, Cashman will look first to stay within the organization to replace Wang. His first choice appears to be pitcher Dan Giese, the player called up to replace Chamberlain in the bullpen after Chamberlain was promoted to the rotation. The right-hander is scheduled to take Wang's rotation spot Saturday, June 21, against the Cincinnati Reds.

Giese was lights out in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a 1.98 ERA and a 4-2 record in 10 starts, including 51 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. He is worth adding to a watch list in AL-only leagues but should be watched closely before owners add him considering his lack of experience.

Other candidates to replace Wang in the rotation are pitchers Alan Horne and Daniel McCutchen, who have been successful at Scranton this year. McCutchen has posted a mediocre 1-4 record but has managed to keep a respectable 3.62 ERA. Horne, meanwhile, has started four games, posting a 3.44 ERA. Neither starter has any fantasy value right now, but both should be watched in AL-only formats.

Other options could be southpaw Kei Igawa and right-hander Sidney Ponson, whom the Yankees signed to a minor league deal Wednesday, June 18. Igawa was a major league bust last year (6.25 ERA in 67 2/3 innings), but he is 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP at Scranton. Ponson has endured a fairly turbulent career, but he seemed to be enjoying a minor renaissance with the Texas Rangers this season; he was 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA in nine starts. He had struck out only 25 and allowed 71 hits in 55 2/3 innings, though.

The Yankees brought Ponson aboard for five appearances (three starts) in 2006, but the right-hander was disastrous with a 10.47 ERA and was released about five weeks after he was signed.

Down the road, Cashman could turn to Kennedy, Hughes or even Ponson. Kennedy threw 25 pitches off a mound Friday, June 13, but is still about a week or two away from returning to action. Hughes likely will not be an option until at least August as he continues to nurse his ribcage injury. Ponson is likely nothing more than a stopgap.

If Cashman is forced to go outside the organization, the Yankees could look to several pitchers, including Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia, Erik Bedard of the Seattle Mariners or Ben Sheets from the Milwaukee Brewers. Each pitcher would stand to benefit if traded to New York due to the likelihood of increased run support. The prevailing thought, though, is that New York won't pursue such a big name, at least anytime soon. It's possible that they will explore trades for pitchers a tier or two below them, though, such as the Oakland Athletics' Joe Blanton.

Options for fantasy owners

For fantasy owners, looking outside the Yankees organization may be the best bet for the time being. If starting pitching help is needed, owners should look to Minnesota Twins starter Scott Baker, who has a 3.71 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 42 and walking just nine in 51 innings.

Other options in deeper leagues include San Diego Padres hurler Josh Banks (2-0, 1.29 ERA in 28 innings), Florida Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (2-0, two earned runs in his last two starts) and St. Louis Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse (8-2, 3.77 ERA and 1.21 WHIP this year).

In very deep leagues, owners may take a flier on young Baltimore Orioles starter Radhames Liz (4.32 ERA, 12 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings pitched), Milwaukee Brewers starter Jeff Suppan (1.91 ERA in his last five starts) or Texas Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla (9-3, 3.73 ERA this year).

Fantasy baseball outlook

For now, it is a toss-up as to whether Wang will return in 2008 and, if he does, how effective he will be. For owners in leagues with DL slots, stashing the righty is the best idea considering his consistency over the past couple of years.

In shallower leagues, or formats that do not provide DL slots, cutting ties with Wang may be the best move considering his scheduled return in September. Managers in deeper leagues could hang onto him if they have the space, but they should save spots for players that can have more of an impact this season.

If available, Hughes and Kennedy could be added if you have DL space as both could return to the rotation later in the season. For owners in AL-only leagues desperate for starters, Giese could make an interesting short-term addition and could stick on a roster if he earns the permanent rotation spot. Horne and McCutchen could be speculative pickups if you have the room.

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Bob Bonett

Bob Bonett started contributing to KFFL in 2008. He has worked formerly for JetsInsider.com as a beat writer for the New York Jets, and has been an avid fantasy sports player since his early teen years. He is now an undergraduate student at Hofstra University majoring in sports journalism.

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