During the offseason, Yankee fans have been anxiously waiting to see what the Yankees decide to do with flame-thrower Joba Chamberlain.
At the conclusion of the 2007 season, Hank Steinbrenner stated Chamberlain will be in the 2008 rotation. However, as the offseason has progressed, General Manager Brian Cashman is debating whether or not to start Chamberlain.
Cashman has even hinted at leaving Chamberlain in the bullpen to limit his innings pitched, and then making a transition into a starter later in the season. But do the Yankees really want to do that with a pitcher that has had minor arm troubles, during the season?
Do the Yankees put him in the rotation giving them a very promising rotation of Wang, Pettite, Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy, or do they allow him to setup Mariano Rivera?
If Chamberlain starts, the Yankee bullpen will consist of Mike Mussina who has only made one relief appearance, the inconsistent Kyle Farnsworth, Brian Bruney, newly signed Latroy Hawkins, Edwardo Ramierez, Mariano Rivera, and either Sean Henn and his 7.12 ERA, Kei Igawa and his 6.25 ERA, or unproven Ross Ohlendorf?
Moving Chamberlain into the bullpen allows Mussina to start (even though he is in the decline of his career), and gives the Yankees a proven set-up man. Allowing Chamberlain to set up Mo, allows the Yankees to make each game a six-inning game.
Remember those great years when Rivera pitched the seventh and eighth innings then gave the ball to closer John Wetteland, and how did that turn out?
That led to first of four World Championships in five years.
Leaving Chamberlain in the bullpen also allows the Yankees to groom their closer of the future. Rivera is 38 and isn't getting any younger. So, how does a 22-year-old righty who throws 100 miles per hour and posses a devastating slider sound as a closer?
It sounds pretty scary to me.
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago
Joba has to stay in the Pen, I dont think he has the stuff of a starter yet.... he needs to stay in the pen and be a solid setup guy that could possibly go 2 innings sometimes this year
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