Yankees acquire Chris Capuano

The New York Yankees have acquired Chris Capuano from the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations.  The move is another low cost one that comes with the potential of a slight upgrade for a pitching staff that has been ravaged by inconsistency and injuries. The only looming problems are how the Yankees will use Capuano and how Capuano will overcome the struggles that he had earlier this season in Boston.

This season has not been a kind one for the thirty-five year old Capuano, especially after coming off of two seasons of relative success with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In February of this year Capuano signed a one year contract with the Boston Red Sox. He began the season with a 15 consecutive inning scoreless streak for the Red Sox and then the wheels fell off.

From May 3rd through June 23, he allowed 17 runs over 16 2/3 innings pitched.  On June 25th he was designated for assignment and then on July 1st, he was released by the Red Sox. In total Capuano appeared in 28 games. He finished with an ERA of 4.55 over the course of 31.0 innings pitched.

Shortly after his release, he signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. The expectation was that he’d spend a short time in the minors before coming up to a Rockies team in need of starting pitching. He made one start for the Class AA Tulsa Drillers and three starts for the Class AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox.  During his time in the minors Capuano did show signs of improvement, finishing with an ERA of 2.79 over the span of 19.1 innings pitched combined for both AA and AAA levels.

While Capuano did not get the chance to pitch for the Rockies, he used his time in the minors to rebound to pitch for a Yankees team in need of pitching consistency. This move was a quiet one for the Yankees but it could be a good one. Capuano does have the capacity to fill the role of spot starter or middle reliever for the club.

The only thing that has yet to be determined is whether or not Capuano will join the club immediately or take some time to continue to readjust in the minors.  For the time being, it appears that the Yankees will continue to make these low risk moves to try to improve the club as best as they can.

The good news for New York is that they are only 2.5 games behind Baltimore in the American League East, so you can expect Brian Cashman be searching the market up until the trade deadline.