Back Off Hank

In an article published in the New York Post last week, Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner issued a statement that Joba Chamberlain will be a starter in 2009.

And while every Yankees’ fan dream is to see this scenario come true, it is not in the best well being of Chamberlain nor the organization.  Chamberlain clearly has #1 starter stuff and has showed how dominant he can be, but is this role what he is best suited for?  

Last year the Yankees terribly experimented with Chamberlain’s promising arm when they converted him from a starter to a reliever mid-season.  This resulted in Chamberlain experiencing arm stiffness and tendinitis of which they had to convert him back to a reliever after he missed crucial late season games.

Now less than a month after the Yankees season has ended in disappointment, Steinbrenner is already stirring up the pot.  Hank, all of us share your wishes, but do not pressure Joe Girardi or Brian Cashman into damaging Chamberlain’s value to this team for good.  Leave him in the eight inning and let him take over as closer when he will be only 25.

From there, you will see just how valuable he can be.  Possibly almost as valuable as the man who has been the Yankees MVP since 96 - Mariano Rivera.

Source:  http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3647638