Yankees should take a flyer on right-hander Phil Hughes

On Monday, the Twins designated Phil Hughes for assignment. Due $22 million through next the end of next season, the Yankees could wait until Hughes is released to add an arm they are more than familiar with.

It’s hard to believe that Phil Hughes spent the first seven seasons of his 12-year career with the Yankees. The former top prospect had two outstanding campaigns; the first coming in the Yanks’ 2009 Championship season when the now 31-year-old appeared in 57 games (seven of which were starts).

In 86 innings, Hughes went 8-3 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.116 WHIP and a 96:28 K:BB ratio. The following season, the only time he made an all-star team, Hughes ascended to the rotation and went 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA, 1.219 WHIP and a 146:58 K:BB ratio in 176.1 innings.

Though Hughes would win as many as 16 games in a season twice (2012 and 2014, the latter in Minnesota), the rest of his results are a mixed bag of inconsistency and injury.

After making the AL Wild Card play-in game in 2017, in which the Yankees fought back to win in dramatic fashion, the Twins have gotten off to a disappointing start this season. Luckily for Paul Molitor’s crew, the AL Central is a mess, and at 21-23, the Twinkies still find themselves in second place, only one game behind Cleveland.

Regardless, after missing the beginning of this latest campaign with an oblique strain, Hughes started two games in the rotation, before being moved to the bullpen where he made four appearances culminating in a 6.75 ERA, 1.583 WHIP and allowing four long balls in only 12 innings.

So aside from some memorable moments in the Bronx, why would the Yankees be interesting in bringing back the oft-injured Hughes?

If you watched Domingo German struggle mightily on Tuesday in Texas, then you know why.

Now yes, it was just the third career big league start for the 23-year-old German, so no one is claiming he needs to Domin-go back to the bullpen or minors — yet. However, he’s inconsistent and therefore will be difficult to count on to provide quality innings on a regular basis as we wait for Jordan Montgomery to return from the DL.

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After allowing three walks and six runs in just 3.2 innings, the scariest part of the start was just how poorly German and catcher Gary Sanchez worked (or didn’t) together. From balls in the dirt that handcuffed Sanchez to constant cross-ups, getting on the same page is paramount for the batterymates before German’s next start.

With A.J. Cole again looking solid out of the bullpen, I’d be surprised to see the Yankees move the 26-year-old former starter out of a spot he is currently excelling at (one win and no runs allowed while striking out 10 in 6.2 innings pitched).

Now there’s no way the Yanks would trade for Hughes and his guaranteed $22 million. However, in six days, once Hughes’ DFA period ends, don’t be surprised if general manager Brian Cashman takes a low-risk flyer on Hughes for the rest of this season — much like Cash has done with Cole, Neil Walker and others.

With his ability to pitch in a multitude of situations, bringing back Hughes to a familiar environment on the cheap brings with it much more upside than recalling David Hale from Triple-A for the fourth time.

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The Yankees can’t expect Hughes to turn back the clock to 2009-10, but there is still time for the Texas-native to redefine his career. With rumors swirling that the Yanks could eventually deal for Rangers starter Cole Hamels, I’d first go the path of least resistance, which means acquiring a player that won’t require prospects being sent the other way.

It’s not the sexy move, but it doesn’t always need to be.