Yesterday, I wrote about the Yankees and their #5 starter. In that article, I have stated that they may need to look at other options because Sergio Mitre may not be the solution. The confidence level in Mitre isn't really high after two, somewhat, mediocre starts. Thus, the Yankees have began scouting pitchers such as, Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell. The level of interest is not yet known but, this certainly would be an interesting choice for the Yankees (note I said interesting which doesn't necessarily mean good). With Chieng-Ming Wang shelved and Hughes remaining in the bullpen, the Yankees certainly need a reliable 5th starter. Can that reliable starter be the 28 year old Snell? In 2007, he had a solid year on a lowly Pirates team, compiling a 9-12 record, 208 innings pitched, 177 k's, 66 walks, and a 3.76 ERA. However, the following year, he saw his ERA balloon to 5.42 and went 7-12 on the season. This season, he has been dreadful. Snell is 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA and a horrific bb/k (44/52) ratio. Earlier this season, he was demoted to Triple-A to work on things and since then, he has dazzled. In Triple-A Indianapolis, he has made 6 starts, going 2-2 with a microscopic 0.96 ERA. He also seems to have found his control, as he has walked 13 and struck out 47 in just 37.1 innings pitched. He won't come at a cheap price as he enters his prime. If the Yankees do make a deal with the Pirates (like they usually do around this time of year) for Snell, which Snell will they be getting? The one that has been dominating Triple-A or, the one who struggled mightily earlier this year in the bigs?
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