When it comes to Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees, I am a firm believer that his talents are best served coming out of the bullpen.
I completely understand how incredible it would be if he becomes the next Roger Clemens, but I also realize how fragile he can be. In fact, the Yankees only got their hands on him in the first place, because of his injury history when they scooped him up 41st overall in the 2006 draft; the Yankees received that draft pick as free agent compensation for Tom Gordon, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Forty other teams were well aware of Chamberlain’s talent, but passed, fearing injury.
Flash forward to 2009. Chamberlain hasn’t had strong command since returning to his starting role. His velocity is down. He throws way too many pitches as evidenced in his last start in Boston where four double plays bailed him out.
Let’s be realistic. Chamberlain has a better shot of being a relief ace then being an ace starter. He’s already shown the prior.
That’s why, coupled with Phil Hughes’ terrific start Tuesday night it Detroit, it’s time to reconsider his role.
Chamberlain is still on an innings count. Let him pitch meaningful innings at the back end of games. We saw what happened in Boston. Chamberlain is as good an insurance policy on Mariano Rivera as anyone on the roster. And, in my mind, he’s still better than half the guys they trot out in the seventh and eighth innings.
Brian Bruney is out. Phil Hughes looks like he could grab that No. 5 spot in the rotation. Why not put Chamberlain back where he belongs?
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby,
ReplyDeleteYou know my feelings on this topic so we will just skip to the end. First, i want a name of an active closer that had the potential to be a front of the rotation starter that was never given the chance. I can't believe this is even a topic of conversation. Damn sports talk radio.
Joba had the chance to prove he could be dominant in the bullpen, and he did. He has always been a starter and was drafted as a starter. He needs to be given the same chance to prove he can be a dominant starter before you can make him a career reliever.
It is very common at this time of year for velocity to be down and he will not get the innings he needs this year out of the pen. We must allow him to get on a consistant 5 day schedule before we evaluate his performance this year. There should be no bullpen talk util the end of May at the earliest. Lets let some of the young arms in the system that have been groomed as relievers have a shot before we panic.
Hey, you're right -- for now. Chamberlain went out and messed up my latest post on Hughes and Joba by throwing a gem in Motown. I just hope Mr. Chamberlain holds up. You make some excellent points about the schedule and the velocity -- and even about Chamberlain being a starter his entire career until he made the majors.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, Mariano Rivera was too. The only difference there was Rivera didn't have four pitches like Joba does. This is why they have him projected as a starter. Still, in my mind, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The Yankees needed starting pitching this past winter. They signed CC and AJ, the two most prized pitchers on the free agent market.
Say what you want, but Chamberlain has done his best body of work out of the bullpen -- so far.
If Joe Torre pulls the Yankees off the field in Cleveland in 2007 during the sticky bug incident in the playoffs, maybe we wouldn't even be talking about Joba as a starter. Maybe the Yankees would have won the World Series with Joba relieving. He's the perfect setup man for Rivera. If Brian Bruney is going to be hurt often this season, who would you rather see when those bullpen doors swing open coming out in the eighth?