New York Yankees: Why Joba Chamberlain Needs To Be a Starter

Why the hell the Yankees, or their fans, would ever want to make Joba Chamberlain a permanent fixture in the bullpen is beyond me. Although he dominated the American League as a reliever for two months last season, his talents can best help the Yankees with him going every fifth day.

Below are some of the arguements (which are actually wrong) I've heard and my answer to why they are not logical...

Myth: We need a an 8th inning guy to complement Mariano like we had in '96 with Rivera and Wetteland.

Response: Yeah that was great, but lets remember Mariano was first tried as a starter and didn't really do too great a job as one. Even though he was only given ten starts, it wasn't believed his arm could handle the starting job. Also that '96 team featured enough starting pitching to carry the Yankees into the post-season.

Right now with the Yankees starting pitching filled with question marks (including a shoddy Mike Mussina and questionable cranky backed Andy Pettitte) the best thing for the team is another power arm. Remember an 8th inning guy is only helpful if the Yankees have the lead.

If the starters aren't able to keep the Yankees in the game, then how helpful is Joba really going to be?

Myth: If Joba is in the bullpen he can become the next Mariano Rivera!

Response: As exciting as that may sound lets get one thing through all of our heads. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER MARIANO! Unless we discover a way to clone the Panamanian sensation then we will never, EVER see another reliever like Mariano.

Also Mariano's recent three year extension proves that, that job is taken for at least another two years. If MO was heading out the door this might make more sense, but he's not.

Who knows what talent the Yankees might bring up in the next two years who could also take over the closer job. Maybe Putz or some other big name closer will be a fre agent. Why plan for something that's that far down the line when so many things could change?

Myth: Joba throws too hard for him to go five-plus innings.  

Response: I've never heard any theories about hard-throwing leading to injuries. Usually these injuries come from the mechanics of the pitching motion or abuse to the arm. Also Joba only throws 99-100 because he knows he's not going more than 1-2 innings. If he were put in a position to be a starter he would most likely limit himself to 94-96 mph range.

Back when Johan Santana was starting his career, he was used out of the bullpen as a setup man. If it weren't for his complaining that he wanted to be a starter than baseball would probably have been robbed of one of the best pitchers in the past decade. Why don't we give Joba the same chance.

Granted we have no idea if he will be as dominant as a starter as he has been as a reliever, we will never know until he's given a chance. He has four pitches, which is two more than most relievers, and he has the personality you would want to give the ball to in a Game Seven situation.

Oh yeah and the move to make him starter would be a lot better for his career and bank account.