If Tanaka is hurt, what are the prospects for our pitching prospects?

Last night, the worst thing that could have happened may have happened...

Apparently, Masahiro Tanaka tweaked a gonad while running the bases, an injury reminiscent of Chien-Ming Wang's downfall, which pre-shadowed the 2008 financial crisis. If it's a barking hammy, Tanaka could miss June and much of July. Let's face it: Brian Cashman soon will attempt one of his most dangerous tasks since donning an elf suit and rappelling down the buildings of New Haven: He's going to trade for a starting pitcher.

Overnight, the Yankiverse burped and boiled with fan-inspired trade proposals, usually centering on obtaining Cole Hamels for one Drury and six McBrooms. Trouble is, when teams trade pitchers, they usually demand young pitchers in return. Ouch. So what are the prospects of using or trading our prospects?

Listen: I make no claim about knowing which of these young pitchers is worth keeping, and who should go. But this is where things stand in terms of their most recent outings.

1. Domingo German. (25) You know him. You love him. He's in our rotation, showing glimpses of Severinohood. But the Jumbotron says 0-4 with a 5.44 ERA. In his last start, he pitched into the 7th and gave up 4 runs to miserable Detroit. We could probably trade him straight up for a more experienced starter, but what's the point? We'd still need another arm.

2. Justus Sheffield. (22) He pitched last night in Scranton - went 6, gave up no runs and two hits, struck out eight, and - according to a comment on one forum, was still throwing mid-90s in his final inning. His ERA in Triple A is now 2.96. (By the way, it was his first win in Triple A.) He is the golden boy of the farm system and would be the biggest trading chip in Cashman's hand. Trading him for the likes of Hamels would provoke a fan insurrection. But he's the guy everyone else wants.  

3. Chance Adams. (23). A huge disappointment this season at Scranton. It might be related to minor surgery over the winter, but the guy cannot string together three quality starts. In his last outing, he went 5 innings and gave up 4 earned runs (struck out 9). The trouble with trading him: While straightening himself out, he's at his lowest value. You get the feeling he might return to form in July or August, maybe before the trade deadline. Still, we may need somebody now. 

4. Albert Abreu (22). He was highly touted this spring by the propaganda machines, then missed time due to an appendix operation. Right now, he's treading water at Single A Tampa, with an ERA of 4.73. There is no chance of him helping the Yankees in 2018, unless in a trade. But he has a high ceiling. I get the feeling he is our most likely top pitching prospect to go in a deal. Still highly regarded, but definitely off the team's 2018 radar.

5. Luis Medina (19). Another high-upside, low minors arm. He's in Pulaski, with an ERA of 5.09. He recently threw 6 shutout innings, then followed it up by surrendering 6 runs in three. He could be a throw-in, if some other team wants a package.

6. Dillon Tate (24). The mysterious former super-prospect we obtained for Carlos Beltran, a trade that Ranger fans still debate. In his last start at Trenton, he went six innings, gave up 4 hits and 2 earned runs, struck out 6. Supposedly, the Yankees want to see more strikeouts. At one point, he was the best pitching prospect in the entire MLB draft. Now, not sure where he fits in, or what they could get for him in a trade. He just turned 24 last month, so he's not too old for his level... but he's getting there.

7. Josh Rogers (23). He's been Scranton's best pitcher, though he didn't make the bullshit pre-season prospects lists. His ERA is 3.26 - fine - but, wouldn't you know it? In his last start, he couldn't get out of the second inning, gave up 6 earned runs. What is it with these guys? They get within sniffing distance of the majors, and ka-boom. 

8. Erik Swanson (24). Was almost completely overlooked by the baseball Mel Kipers, then suddenly became this spring's hottest hot ticket in Trenton, where he went 5-0 with an 0.44 ERA over seven starts. Got a promotion to Scranton, where he's been - of course! - cuffed around in three games - 18 innings, 12 earned runs (5.79). That's taken the bloom off the rose.

9. Jonathan Loaisiga (23). After Tate, the most intriguing name in the system. Was picked up off the injury lists and protected on the 40-man roster because somebody saw something. He's short - 5'11" - and supposedly has a wicked breaking ball. Started in Tampa, was lights-out, and he's now in Trenton - 5 starts with a 3.03 ERA. In his last outing, five innings, one hit, one run, struck out 8. Would they dare move a pitcher up from Double A? Doubt it. Either the Yankees consider him untouchable, or they view his injury history as a ticking bomb, and will happily use him to anchor a trade. 

There are others, of course. And as I've said before, you cannot predict Cashman, Suzyn. But if Tanaka goes down, something has to happen. And my guess it will involve somebody in the above list.