New York Yankees: With Bartolo Colon Struggling, Maybe a Trade Is Needed
July 15, 2011 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Houston, we have a problem.
On Thursday, we saw a glaring problem that is now staring the Yankees in the face.
In the first half of the season, Bartolo Colon was brilliant for the Yankees in the rotation.
He was reverting back to his 2005 version of himself, dominating hitters and giving the Yankees quality innings and starts.
Lately, it hasn’t been looking good for the 38-year-old.
In Thursday’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Colon lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowing six hits and eight runs, three earned, two walks and no strikeouts in what was easily the worst start of his season.
New York eventually battled back, but Colon put the Yankees in too early of a hole and they eventually lost 16-7.
Some can say it might have been the layoff from the All-Star break. It could have been the defense and Eduardo Nunez’s poor performance on the turf. Whatever it was, the bottom line is that Colon didn’t get it done.
Look back seven days to July 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Colon was awful in that start too.
He lasted 5.2 innings, allowed 10 hits, five runs, walked four and only struck out one and took the loss in a 5-1 win for the Rays.
Colon has now dropped two in a row, slipping to 6-5. His ERA jumped from 2.88 to 3.47 in the last two starts.
At one point in the game on Thursday, Colon ran very gingerly trying to cover first base, so maybe the hamstring injury that originally put Colon on the DL back in June is still lingering and bothering him.
Colon is supposed to be a big part of the Yankees rotation in the second half, but now he looks like he is starting to break down and the wear and tear is getting to him.
Colon isn’t exactly known for being a part of the second half of a season. He has found himself more on the DL than the field since the 2005 season.
And now the Yankees have a major decision to make.
They have a little over two weeks until the trading deadline and the Yankees have to wonder if they in fact need to make a trade.
Back on July 7, with Colon and Phil Hughes both coming off the DL, I thought maybe the Yankees didn’t need to make a trade.
But now, just a week later and two terrible starts later for Colon, things might be a little different.
It’s still hard to figure out the trade market for a starting pitcher, but by July 31 maybe teams will start to wave their white flag and put guys on the market.
If the Yankees are going to make a move, they need to do so soon.
They trail the Boston Red Sox by 1.5 games in the A.L. East, but have a 4.5 lead for the A.L. Wild Card.
If they want to stay a contender for October baseball, the Yankees and GM Brian Cashman may need to act soon.
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