Cashman's Careless Comments Continue

It's official, Phil Hughes earned himself the fifth spot in the New York Yankees rotation, sending Joba Chamberlain to the bullpen.

Regardless, Yankees GM Brian Cashman couldn't to shut-up for even a day that Joba still cold be a starter. No one wants to hear it anymore.

Here are the facts:

• Mariano Rivera will be 41 on his next birthday.
• Homegrown closers have proven to be more effective, Nathan, Papelbaum, Rivera.
• Chamberlain has the mindset of a closer.
• Chamberlain thrived in the World Series out of the bullpen.
• In 60 innings of relief Chamberlain has relinquished only two home-runs with a WHIP of 0.98; as a starter in 220 innings he gave up 25 home-runs with a WHIP of 1.48.
• Chamberlain can utilize his fast ball and his slider at full strength in relief, both pitches lost velocity when he started.
• Chamberlain has said he feels comfortable in relief and he sure looks confident in the role.

Sounds like all the makings of a future start closer. Chamberlain has a ideal mentor in Mariano Rivera and easing in his replacement would seem critical considering what Mo has accomplished.

Its time for the Yankees to let this play out, but clearly Cashman can't help himself.

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“He’s a starter in the bullpen. He can do both. He’s a starter who was just beaten out in the competition. That’s what we honestly believe, but we only had one spot.” - GM Brian Cashman

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Not even for a day can Cashman contain himself, with no consideration that his words now sit with Chamberlain and Hughes.

This is borderline reckless. Chamberlain still has to prove his effectiveness in the bullpen, a place Hughes already did last season. The pressure on Hughes is unfair, as Cashman never gave Hughes that public backing.

The Yankees have to stop yo-yoing and stick to the official announcement of what roles these two will play, at the bare minimum at least until the All-Star break.

Cashman can't let go for what ever the reason, but it's not his future at steak here.

It's Chamberlain and Hughes who will suffer in the long run, and if not for them, than do it for the team. Cashman dictates these two youngsters performances through his public comments because it is such a public debate already, and it just leads to more confusion.

The last fact is for Chamberlain's role as a starter didn't work out as hoped last season, nor did it improve in Spring Training. It is mind-boggling how the possibility of being the Yankees closer someday is being portrayed as a failure, or as a demotion.