Phil Hughes

Chad Jennings of The Journal News thinks there’s a good chance that the Yankees rotation will remain unchanged next season, and that the team expects a bounce back year from Phil Hughes.

”I?ve got to keep taking a step back and recognizing that we?ve got guys in our system that are producing,” GM Brian Cashman said. ”We?ve got a lot of depth. Can we add to it? We?d like to. But is it realistic? It’s not necessarily that realistic because for me to be able to push through something, I?m probably going to have to overpay to do that, and that’s a tough thing to do, especially when you?re sitting with a lot of talent, a lot of people you could slot in and [have them] do this job.”

Phil Hughes will go to Athletes Performance in California this offseason in an effort to arrive at spring training in better shape.

Hughes attended the program in the offseason prior to his 18-win 2010 campaign but chose not to do so last offseason. He then showed up to spring training a tad overweight, which led to him being part of the Yankees’ “fat camp,” which is for players who need to up their conditioning to get themselves ready for the season. “I think in 2012, you are going to see that again,” GM Brian Cashman said. “He is determined. He is going to Athletes Performance out there in California, which is something he did two years ago to be in optimal shape.”