Joba ready to compete for rotation spot

[cruzg24]

NEW YORK -- Joba Chamberlain will pack his bags for Spring Training intent upon making the Yankees' decisions a little bit easier. He's set to arrive next week, expecting to lock up the fifth spot in the rotation before the end of camp.

The Yankees have told Chamberlain to prepare to be a starter heading into this spring, and he will be stepping into an open competition with at least four other candidates to round out the staff.

It should make for compelling theater, and no matter which pitcher eventually comes out on top, Chamberlain believes it could make everyone involved just a little bit better.

"It's something that's going to be a battle," Chamberlain said. "The greatest part about it is it's not only going to make guys fight for that No. 5 spot, but it's going to make our team better. We're going to push each other and continue to try to outwork each other.

"That's the greatest part about this game; not only do you push one another to do better, but the team is going to be better for it. Whatever happens, happens. I hope they're ready, because I worked my tail off to get where I'm at and I hope they do the same."

In addition to Chamberlain, the Yankees plan to consider Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre for their fifth rotation spot, supplementing a rotation that already has CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez written in for the first four spots.

Manager Joe Girardi declined to name an early favorite on Saturday, offering this even-handed assessment: "We'll put the best guy that we feel can fill that spot and give us the best chance to win."

Chamberlain, 24, was 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 31 starts plus one relief appearance during the 2009 regular season, allowing 167 hits and 83 earned runs in 157 1/3 innings. He walked 76 and struck out 133 before converting back into a reliever for the postseason.

Source: mlb.com

This is the improper way of handling this kid. Everyone knows that this kid was fire coming out of the bullpen. Why ruin something so good? The guy obviously doesnt have the same attitude as he does when he's a reliever. Then need to polish him into the closer that he will someday be. These Joba Rules are so stupid and really hold back Joba's progression. Baseball is heading in the wrong direction with these limited pitch counts, specifically the 100 pitches and your done.

They should be based more upon the pitcher and his abilities. Some guys can throw well over 100 pitches and if it's an injury risk, then it would happen anyways at some point or another, as long as their isnt immediate overuse.

 

[A.E]

I still think Joba ends up the successor of Mariano Rivera in that Closer's role someday...but this is the crap we have to deal with in the meantime. Joba is definitely more electrifying coming out of the pen but its almost like the Yankees haven't come to terms with the fact that Mo is about 1 or 2 seasons away from being done-done. With no contigency plan in place, I see no reason why Joba wouldn't be the best candidate to be the next closer. This crap about him trying to be the 5th starter...I dunno, I guess he has something to prove.

A hell of a lot less exciting of a player throwing once every five days...and most likely heading towards a much shorter career too.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

Yea i like Joba coming out of the bullpen.

 

[Gabs]

i really dont think jaba has the tools to be a starter. he isnt even that great out of the bullpen. he should stay in the pen.

 

[mafiamike]

I would let him start he earned it over any other option, if he struggles, gets injured, or towards the second half of the season they will have an idea of where the team stands and could let Joba get ready to switch back to relief for the playoffs while starting Mitre or Gaudin in the mean time. They won with 3 pitchers through the playoffs now they have Vázquez, Joba doesnt need to start in the playoffs they will win.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I would let him start he earned it over any other option, if he struggles, gets injured, or towards the second half of the season they will have an idea of where the team stands and could let Joba get ready to switch back to relief for the playoffs while starting Mitre or Gaudin in the mean time. They won with 3 pitchers through the playoffs now they have Vázquez, Joba doesnt need to start in the playoffs they will win.

How has he earned it?

So far this spring, which by the way has been an open competition, Joba has pitched 6.2 innings, and allowed 12 ER on 10 hits, while striking out 5 batters and walking 7.

Hughes is competing against him and has pitched 8.2 innings, allowing 2 ER on 7 hits, and has struck out 4 batters while walking just two. Hughes has earned the spot in the rotation. It's getting late and they have spent enough time over the last two years switching him back and forth from starter to reliever. It's clear that he appears more fired up coming out of the bullpen and is will be used better in a 7th or 8th inning role, rather than putting him on the mound every 5 days. Hughes has earned that 5th spot, and heck, so has Mitre. Hughes, Mitre and Aceves have pitched much more productively this spring; Joba's at the back of the pack.

 

[mafiamike]

How has he earned it?

So far this spring, which by the way has been an open competition, Joba has pitched 6.2 innings, and allowed 12 ER on 10 hits, while striking out 5 batters and walking 7.

Hughes is competing against him and has pitched 8.2 innings, allowing 2 ER on 7 hits, and has struck out 4 batters while walking just two. Hughes has earned the spot in the rotation. It's getting late and they have spent enough time over the last two years switching him back and forth from starter to reliever. It's clear that he appears more fired up coming out of the bullpen and is will be used better in a 7th or 8th inning role, rather than putting him on the mound every 5 days. Hughes has earned that 5th spot, and heck, so has Mitre. Hughes, Mitre and Aceves have pitched much more productively this spring; Joba's at the back of the pack.

whatever, good luck pitching Aceves and Mitre over Joba based on spring training stats....

 

[mafiamike]

Joba stats

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Your right, spring traning usually doesn't matter <Censored> for players like Jeter, Cano, Sabathia, Rivera because they've already earned their positions on the roster from experience and previous stats. When a coach declares an open competition at a position, and three or 4 guys are going up against one-another for that spot, SPRING TRAINING DOES MATTER.

Whether you like it or not, he's getting pounded on the mound by minor leaguers. It's a completely different scenario for certain guys. A pitcher like Sabathia or Santana is just working into form, getting their endurance back and using ST as a time to work on their mechanics and bring them back to form so they don't kill their arm before the Amateur Draft. When there's an open competition, your not going out and throwing 70% fastballs, your going out there and mixing things up. He's getting handed to. Sports analysts are saying "The Yankees are just starting to better understand that he belongs in the pen." Not sure where your logic is coming from.

And the stats you just posted actually defend MY argument. How so? 2008 -- Joba Chamberlan has a 2.6 ERA in 42 games, 12 of which are starts. He also has a 4-3 record and 19 holds. 2009 he pitches 31 starts, 32 games, only 57 more innings, and has an era of 4.6 and a 9-6 record thanks to a terrific lineup. His opponents' WHIP, OBA also jumped dramatically. He's more fit in the bullpen based on the statistics you just provided me.

*Pats on the back*

 

[mafiamike]

Your right, spring traning usually doesn't matter <Censored> for players like Jeter, Cano, Sabathia, Rivera because they've already earned their positions on the roster from experience and previous stats. When a coach declares an open competition at a position, and three or 4 guys are going up against one-another for that spot, SPRING TRAINING DOES MATTER.

Whether you like it or not, he's getting pounded on the mound by minor leaguers. It's a completely different scenario for certain guys. A pitcher like Sabathia or Santana is just working into form, getting their endurance back and using ST as a time to work on their mechanics and bring them back to form so they don't kill their arm before the Amateur Draft. When there's an open competition, your not going out and throwing 70% fastballs, your going out there and mixing things up. He's getting handed to. Sports analysts are saying "The Yankees are just starting to better understand that he belongs in the pen." Not sure where your logic is coming from.

And the stats you just posted actually defend MY argument. How so? 2008 -- Joba Chamberlan has a 2.6 ERA in 42 games, 12 of which are starts. He also has a 4-3 record and 19 holds. 2009 he pitches 31 starts, 32 games, only 57 more innings, and has an era of 4.6 and a 9-6 record thanks to a terrific lineup. His opponents' WHIP, OBA also jumped dramatically. He's more fit in the bullpen based on the statistics you just provided me.

*Pats on the back*

SHUT THE <Censored> UP <Censored> METS FAN U JUST WANNA SEE THE YANKEES LOSE AND THE METS DO BETTER U DONT KNO <Censored> <Censored>ING METS FAN JOBA PITCHING NO MATTER WHEN IS A GOOD THING

 

[Giantmetfan07]

um... wow. You made your case clear. I totally agree with you now. I'm just a Mets fan who doesn't know anything, despite watching SNY which covers both the Mets and Yankees on shows like Loud Mouths and Daily News Live, which consist of sports analysts and beat writers of both the Mets AND Yankees, and that is where my opinion has come from, which is also supported by the stats I referenced in my previous post.

and btw, I hope that was a sarcastic post before.

 

[Yankees2772]

Blah, SNY >_> lol

I agree that Joba should be a RP, and you supported your argument well - but I wouldn't say that he has no chance at being a successful starter this season. If you recall, before the "dog days of summer", Joba was one of the best starters in the league - had a mid 3 ERA before August. Don't completely trash him for a not-so hot end to last year and being a little off in spring training.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I just think we've seen too much of him, we've seen him at an entire season as the starter and the leash they had on him was so bad. I really think he's the best option to place in the 8th inning role, especially with Mo now being 40 years old. Yeah, he's got a few more years in him and is still the best closer in the game, but what if he shocks us and decided to retire in a year or two? It would be wise to work him in the bullpen to prepare him for taking over the closing duties.

I understand there is a chance he will be the guy, but I have watched him on the mound both as a reliever and a starter and I have always felt he appeared more energetic as a reliever, and thats actually plays a lot into a pichers mentality when on the mound.

 

[Rios15]

I also agree that Joba as a reliever is where the Yankees need him the most, him and Mariano could be a nice duo to end out the game in the 7,8,9. Like GMF said, he seems more energetic as a reliever.

BTW, no need for all that swearing (mafiamike), no personal attacks allowed.

 

[Mexi]

like GMF said, those Joba rules were so wack.
they should have just done what normal teams do. Look at the A's, look at the Tigers and Porcello, look at the Dodgers with Kershaw.

they just havent had nice home grown pitchers for a while, they didnt know what to do.

I want to say that Joba sucks and should just be a reliever, but I want to see how he does without the Joba rules. Let him start and if it doesnt work, he can be a mean reliever. IMO he should be a reliever anyways, but lets see him start some more. he could very well be a great starter. hasnt had enough time

seriously, starting him then pulling him after 3 innings was ridiculous. he was worried about pitch counts and all that. just let the man pitch