Yankees Editorial: Should They Target Jhoulys Chacin?

As we get towards the end of Spring Training, teams are going to start letting go off players as they trim their roster and look to put together their roster for April 6. You may see some interesting names on the free agent market getting released or traded. An interesting name that was released yesterday was Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin had signed a one year deal worth $5.5 million to avoid arbitration, but the Rockies decided to eat the money instead.

Chacin went 1-7 with a 5.40 ERA last season. He only struck out 42 in 63.1 innings, while giving up 63 hits and walking 28. The year before however, he went 14-10 with a 3.47 ERA and a 3.47 FIP.

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Chacin this spring has an ERA of 6.52, but he told MLB.com, it wasn’t about results this spring:

"“They told me at the start of Spring Training that it depends on how I do, how good the rotation is this year,” Chacin said. “I know I’m not 100 percent and my velocity isn’t where I want it to be. I was just trying to get my arm ready. I wasn’t trying to throw up zeros."

Chacin had shoulder inflammation last season, which cut his season short last year and diminished his velocity.  He was able to stretch out over 60 pitches on Saturday as he’s working his way back.

Chacin is only 27 years old and a new situation may be a good idea, especially getting out of Coors Field. While Yankee stadium isn’t exactly Petco Park, if Chacin can keep the ball down, he could get the job done and maybe working with Larry Rothschild can help him as well.

The Yankees have too many injury questions and depth concerns with their rotation. Masahiro Tanaka is a pitch away from Tommy John surgery. CC Sabathia‘s velocity is up so far, but the results haven’t been good (though it’s early). Michael Pineda isn’t exactly and ironman.

Any depth the Yankees can put together, especially when all they would have to give up is money and not a prospect, should be under consideration.

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