Send Joba to the Bullpen

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-Digger's Daily-

Joba Chamberlain exploded on the baseball scene back in 2007. The Yankees newest phenom dominated baseball late that September. In 19 games as a reliever, often setting up Mariano Rivera, Joba gave up only 1 run spanning 24 innings and 12 hits. New York fans went wild over their newest favorite player. He was nearly perfect until one buggy playoff night in Cleveland.

At first, Joba was handled over cautiously. Never allowed to pitch in back to back games or more than one inning per game. Yankees management was taking no chances with their rookie's golden arm. In 2008, the strategy was to let Joba begin the year as a set up reliever for Rivera. He was stellar in this role. The 2nd phase of their plan was to have Joba starting games for the rest of his career after the Midsummer Classic (All Star Game). Today, he started his 1st game of 2009 in Kansas City. Yes, he was effective (only 1 earned run in 6 innings) but the Yanks bullpen blew a late lead and the game 6-4.

I couldn't disagree more with the Yanks using Joba as a starting pitcher. In 49 career relief appearances, Chamberlain sports a 1.53 ERA, 78 K's in 59 IP. Unhittable as a bullpen specialist. Remember the most dominating of Yankees teams from the 70's thru now? All had a lights out bullpen. Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage kept hitters off balance. Rivera setting up John Wetteland earned a couple of titles. Joba setting up Rivera is as close to a lock as a team can get. Once Rivera retires, Joba is the perfect pitcher to fill his illustrious shoes.

Chamberlain has shown flashes as a starter. But, he's far far more dominant as a reliever when he can come into games and just air out his 99 mph fastballs. As a starter, he often labors and gets too deep in pitch counts. He's being mis-used. Obviously, the Yanks want Joba to dominate as a great starting pitcher for the next 10 years. To me he seems like two completely different pitchers. As a reliever, he strikes fear into batters.

New York finally has a solid rotation (Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Wang & Joba). Their bullpen is lacking even though they've tried for years to find a late game solution. Guess what? There's been only one winning formula since their last Championship. Joba + Rivera. Obviously, the Yanks brass isn't paying attention... yet.

Here's a crazy option for the Yanks. Use Joba in 7th & 8th innings. Leave the starting job to someone else. What good is it to the Yanks if Joba goes six strong ... then watches hopelessly from the dugout as NY's bullpen throws away game after game? Heck, at this juncture... I'd entertain signing Pedro Martinez to set up Rivera! Why not? Ok, he's far from my first choice. Point is, Yanks greatest option is to create baseball's best late inning 1-2 punch.

It makes very little sense for Chamberlain to pitch six strong innings if leads are blown resulting in losses. Either the current Yanks pen wakes up quickly (won't happen), or find another starter so this squad can shut down opponents with Joba/Rivera late in games. It's simple logic and most efficient use. Joba could become one of baseball's all time greatest relievers. At this stage of his young career... it's where he's needed most. It's time for the Yanks to put aside their stubborness and see the light.

(www.allworldallsports.com)