The issue that ate The Bronx
Brian Cashman's revelation that Joba Chamberlain will likely start 2009 in the bullpen because of inning limits is the issue that just won't go away.
Since I am covering the team as an objective reporter this week, I will refrain from giving my opinion (It's stupid). One of the hallmarks of journalism is the ability to report without bias (they're nuts). If the Yankees think this is the best course of action, who am i to question them (I'm questioning them).
If it's an opinion you want, check out our old pal Jim Baumbach's take.
What do you think?
UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: Cashman tried to "clarify" what he told us on Tuesday. He said he never said Joba was definitely going to start the season in the bullpen, just that it's a possibility, not that we reported that he did. Most reports said "likely" ... and here's why:
Cashman couldn't have been more clear on Tuesday that in 2009 Joba is going to face the same innings limitations as this season, which most people believe is 140 innings. So, you do the math....If he starts the season in the rotation, how do you keep him under 140? You can't start him in the rotation, then put him in the bullpen mid-season, then stretch him out as a starter again . . . not if you're interested in protecting his arm.
So he'll likely start the season in the bullpen again.
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Comments (14)
Jim B hit the nail on the head. I'm not going to re-post all of the stuff that I wrote about this, but it's never going to resolve itself until the Yanks turn this kid loose and let him pitch.
As dirty as it makes me feel Anthony I'm forced to agree with you.
For comparison's sake, in Andy's first year as a pro (1995) he was 24 years old (2 years older than Joba, 3 years older than Hughes) he threw 175 innings, the next year he was at 220. Why can't Hughes or Joba handle that sort of workload? They're just as big and strong as Andy was when he came up. Mike Mussina pitched 87 innings in the majors his first year (1991) and the next year he threw over 240.
Brandon Webb - 180 IP as a rookie over 200 the next year
Dan Haren in his first year as a full time starter - 217 IP after a year in which he threw 46 innings in the majors
Carlos Zambrano went from 108 IP in 2002 to 214 IP in 03
Ryan Dempster went from 66 IP last year and this year he's over 176 IP already
Jake Peavy's first full year as a starter he threw nearly 200 innings
Adam Wainwright went from throwing 75 innings as a reliever in 06 to over 200 innings last year.
Viper pointed out that everyone is doing it these days - but that doesn't make it right. King Felix, Liriano, Hughes, Joba, Harden - they've all been babied and all gotten hurt. .
I think keeping pitchers healthy is a poop shoot - you can do everything right and they can still get hurt or you can just let them throw and they can be productive for years. But the bottom line is that when these kids feel any soreness at all Cashman orders them shut down for 2 weeks. All this does is teach them to not pitch through pain (like every pitcher eventually has to do) and not differentiate between normal soreness and serious injury. And the pitch counts turn them into 5 inning guys. A serious waste of their considerable talents.
Anthony,
I couldn't agree with you more. This is ridiculous and it makes the Yanks look like a bunch of Keystone Cops who can't get out of each others way. As a fan of this great franchise, I find it embarrassing.
The kid has been throwing a baseball as hard as he can for a very long time- let him do it!
Let me set the mood:
The year is 2015. Yankee principle owner George S Patton Steinbrenner (Hank's kid) says that the Yanks are finally going to start the season with Joba in the rotation. The 30 year old Chamberlain says, "IT'S ABOUT TIME! I was starting to rot out there in the pen and this team is wasting my talent"!
Yankee general manager Biran Cashman, Jr says, "my Dad's patience has paid off. He brought Joba around slowly so we should be able to get 2 solid years from him in the rotation".
Stop the insanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)
Seriously, he is an Ace in the making...quit making him a starter/reliever/starter/reliever/reliever/starter.......let him start and prove unable to handle the rigors associated with starting, then put him back in the pen...
Please lets groom Joba as the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, he simply was spectacular out there this season, and that was the origional pan to begin with. Ace closers are alot harder to find than starters. Mr Steinbrenner, as a fan for fifty two years, keep Joba in the pen.
I agree with those who want to make him the next Mariano...
But MAKE A DECISION!
He can clearly start or relieve and the Yankees seem Hell Bent to make sure he can do neither
Make sure to baby him and not let him pitch and allow the Edwar Ramirez's and Jose Verases of the world wear down because they have to pitch every day
Say it with me...
BABYING PITCHERS AND DOING PITCH COUNTS DOESN'T WORK!
It destroys pitchers and a great investment for the team
It's moronic and the only examples of it being done shows teams blowing out their pitchers arms from RESTING THEM
But by all means... as a Red Sox fan... PLEASE waste this great talent
Sully,
Stop making sense...except for the closer part ;-)...rest is for wimps!
Well he'd be a great closer
And he seems like he'd be a great starter
And next year will be year #3 of not knowing what the hell he is!!!!
(Nice come from behind for my boys today... if YOUR boys do their job, we'll be closer to a division title)
Kinda scary rooting for the enemy aint it? ;-)
Maybe we could do a "Green Acres" Theme regarding Joba...you know...
The Starter!
The Closer!
Yes, I am bored and sick...........
_
WHYYYYYYY??????
http://reportell.com/index.php?view=article&catid=43%3Asports&id=134&option=com_content&Itemid=71
I think most of the regulars on here have read enough of my posts to know that I'm against Joba staying in the pen. Once again I'm forced to point out that some jack @$$ with too much free time is enjoying posting as me.
I've said all season long, if Rivera were walking away after this season then making Joba the closer would be the right move. But he's locked up for another few years so you're wasting Joba as a set up guy until Rivera's contract runs out.
Joba has pitched dominantly as a starter - read that again. He hasn't pitched well or ok or alright but dominantly. To want to waste that in middle relief is insane, pure and simple. Almost as insane as Cashman's current yo-yo philosophy.
Chip.
He posted as "Diane" too...don't let it get you down, I am sure I will be next....whatever life goes on...
I do agree its a waste to use him as a setup man, he clearly has the talent to be an Ace.....you know the one we have been trying to trade for or pick up via FA?
Chip...
I will never understand why having a dominant 8th inning guy is insane
But you are right in that he has pitched dang well as a starter and could develop into a 2 or even a 1.
But sh*t or get off the pot