Bomber Bites With Jumping Joe–Time to Trade David Phelps?

David Phelps has been an effective swingman for the Yankees for the last three seasons.  He has been able to fill in as a spot starter and long man out of the bullpen.  He is still relatively young, only 27, and will not be eligible for free agency until 2019.  He wants to be a starter, but will likely not be able to crack the Bomber rotation unless they are ravaged by injuries once again.  The Yankee rotation currently has Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, and Shane Greene penciled in with Ivan Nova due back around the All Star break.  The Yankees are also expected to attempt to resign Brandon McCarthy and may try to sign one of Big Three free agents Jon Lester, Max Scherzer, or James Shields.

That leaves Phelps and Chase Whitley fighting it out in the fringes and likely long men in the bullpen.  Right now, Whitley has more upside.  After a few years in the league, Phelps is pretty much a known commodity and while that commodity is above average, Whitey has the potential to surpass it.

Mandatory Credit: Chad R. MacDonald.

The former Notre Dame right-hander made 17 starts in 2014, a new career high.  He logged a 4.38 ERA in 113 innings and struck out 92.  It was the best season of his career, but he also spent a considerable amount of time on the DL with a right forearm strain.  He did return towards the end of the season to prove that he was fully recovered from the injury.

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Phelps is probably not good enough to be the focal point of any big trade, but he could be a nice final piece that would get a big trade done.  He could also be used as a trade for depth for the bench or a low to mid-level prospect.  Either one is likely to help the Yankees.  With Phelps coming off his best season, a year away from arbitration, and fully recovered from his injury, Phelps’ trade value is probably the highest it has ever been.  The Yankees should try to sell high and explore what they get for what will essentially be their seventh or eighth starter in 2015.