Mlb.com has reported that Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain is preparing for a full season in the Yankees starting rotation. This has been a big controversy in the last few years. Start him, or put him in the pen? I, for one, am against starting him. I have been from the start. I have many reasons, and those reasons make it so that it just doesn't make sense to put him in the rotation
Joba has already proven himself as a brilliant reliever. He posted a 0.38 ERA in 2007 in middle relief, and had a strong season in 2008 out of the pen as well. Yankee fans, and the front office knows that he can pitch out of the bullpen. He would shorten up the game. The starters only have to go 7 innings, because the last 2 innings are locked down. That way, guys like CC Sabathia don't have to throw 251 innings during the regular season, and might be successful when it really matters in the playoffs. They may even have to throw less. The Yankees bullpen was the strength of this team last year, and if guys like Veras, Ramirez, Coke, Marte, and Bruney come through like last season, the game is even more shortened for the starter.
Joba has a lot of energy. What I have noticed is that he runs himself on enthusiasm, and it helps him pitch in games. The "fist pump" is a perfect example of him showing his enthusiasm. It is very difficult to keep that enthusiasm for a 7 inning start, but he is easy to keep it for an inning. That energy he has in the pen won't be there as much if he is starting.
He may get hurt. He could break down if he starts. He broke down in August last year, and that turned out to be costly to the teams playoffs chances. Who's to say it won't happen again? Would you rather have no Joba at all?
Putting Joba in the rotation would mean another year without Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Alfredo Aceves to develop. You guys all know that I am big on wanting these kids to develop. They have all proven that they can pitch at the big league level. I think that they have a lot of potential to be just as good as Chamberlain, and I feel that the sooner you develop them, the sooner they will become that good.
He should be a reliever. There is no bad to it, and almost no risk. He can take Rivera's place in 3 years and the Yankees will still have one of the best closers in the game. He throws too many pitches to be a starter. He will be gone after the 5th on most starts. I just think he is best suited for the bullpen
So what do you guys think. Leave your comments with your decision. Starter or reliever? If I may try and influence your decision even more, what is it you want. For him to influence 80 games, or 30 with the chance of breaking down?
I have to agree, Joba throws way too many pitches to be a starter and most likely will be gone by the 5th as you said.I think he would be best suited in the bull pen to become the next premier closer for years to come. Lets stop kidding ourselves about him being a starter...he will end up on the disable list before the end of Aug.
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