Joba Chamberlain-Phil Hughes Debate: Who Starts? Who Relieves?

Our own Brian Burkhart thinks this entire debate is overrated ...

He might be right, but one thing is for certain, until Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are firmly entrenched in their roles as pitchers this debate is not going away.

So in an attempt to at least keep the debate contained in one area, I have put together this post, and our fancy new graphic featured in the left column, which I intend to update regularly.

In it will be links to our articles on different topics about the Joba vs. Hughes debate. Should they both be in the rotation? Both in the pen? One in the rotation? Which one?

I wonder if other teams have similar arguments.

Sometimes, I think it is because most of us grew up watching Mariano Rivera, who might be the one closer in baseball who isn’t overrated, that we as Yankee fans place undeserved importance on the role of the relievers.

Are they important?

Sure, but if the starting pitcher gives up 10 runs, there isn’t much hope of a closer making a difference.

Important Links:

Joba Not Alone Competing for 5th Starter Role

Using Hughes/Joba as Starters Saves Yankees $$$

Where do I stand?

I’m 100 percent for both to end up as starters in the long-run. For this year I’d like to see Joba get the fifth starter position.

I don’t mind seeing Hughes in the bullpen to start the year; he’s not going to start the year in the minors, so the ultimate goal is to make him a starter.

Where do you stand?

Related Stories

• February 4, 2010 -- 2 Reasons Why Hughes and Joba Should Remain Starters (12)
• February 3, 2010 -- Overrated: The Yankee 5th Starter Battle (8)
• January 31, 2010 -- Joba Has Company For 5th Starter Competition (7)
• December 27, 2009 -- Fifth Starter Should Be Decided Before Spring Training (0)