Steve Lombardi has a piece up on why Wright for Small is actually a good thing for the Yankees pitching staff.

First, Wright's not built for the pen. His arm condition does not probably lend towards warming up quickly, pitching days in a row, warming up and not throwing in the game, etc.

Secondly, while it would make sense to keep Small in the rotation, with Wright, and then move out Leiter, this does not help the team as Leiter, with his control issues, is not someone that you want coming out of the pen.

Lastly, Aaron Small can pitch out of the pen. In fact, in his best major league season, 1997, he was the number two man out of the pen for the Oakland A's.

Despite what I said previously, it does seem to make sense.

Joe, you old genius you!

:)