Joba Goes Back To Where It Makes Sense

Despite the Yankees claiming that Joba Chamberlain would have a chance at being part of the starting rotation come the beginning of the season, he is back where he dominated last season and where it seemed pretty obvious from the start that he would end back up; the bullpen.

Joba does have starting stuff, with four major league pitches. Joba has control of a monster fastball which reaches around triple digits and a vicious slider which he showcased in front of the world near the end of last season. He also has a curve and change which is said he will incorporate more this season as he comes out of the pen to keep them sharp. Not to mention that it alsmost makes it unfair for hitters to have to look for two other nasty pitches when the two he showcased already are nearly un-hittable.

It seemed obvious Joba was staying where he was last season when the Yankees didn't make any big off-season bullpen signings other than LaTroy Hawkins who really just replaced Luis Vizcaino who went on to sign with the Colorado Rockies this winter.

It is clear that the Yanks wanted to put Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy into the rotation as their fourth and fifth starters. On the other hand, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte were all givens to start this season.

It may be the best for both teams if Chamberlain comes out of the pen, despite the Yankees insisting he will be a starter. The Yankees seem to have the most inning concern for Chamberlain, but who is expected to pitch around 150 innings. That, as is well documented, is much more than a normal reliever, which means that Joba could come in basically two of every three games for two to three innings without fatiguing. He is also by far the best set up man the Yankees have had since Mariano Rivera held that position.

Joba should be being prepped to be the next closer. Don't forget, although Mussina's days are numbered and Pettitte probably doesn't have too many more years to go, the Yankees are no short when it comes to young starting pitchers. The Yankees have extremely high hopes for Humberto Sanchez and Andrew Brackman who are all but penciled into their starting rotation for a year or so from now. The Yankees also have highly talented youngsters such as Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez and Steven Jackson who can also start.

This isn't to say that the Yanks are shy on possible big talent relievers as they have quite a few such as Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, Daniel McCutchen, Dellin Betances, Mark Melancon, and others. However, would you rather your best be in the game in the most crucial parts of the game every two or three days or would you rather have them pitch once every five days? You want your best in when it counts, and that is exactly what they would be doing with Chamberlain.

The Yankees, like most teams need to sure up their bullpen, which is one reason why Brian Cashman has been trading for good young pitching. However, with Joba in there, they have someone who has the potential to be one of the best relievers ever and can be one of the best closers ever if given the chance.

Look at the rival Red Sox. They wanted Jonathan Papelbon to start, but between fatigue and the fact that he has been so dominant out of the pen, he has taken over as the Red Sox closer for years to come.

You don't have to look too far back as a Yankee fan to see a similar story. Look at Rivera. He has dominated as a reliever and closer since 1995 and will start a three year contract this season that may bring him to retirement in 2010. Mo was also supposed to be a starter, so why can't we see Joba have the same success over the next 15 years and help bring more championships to the Bronx?

Chamberlain being used as a set-up man and eventually a closer may not be what he or the Yankees originally expected, but this move could prove to result in something better than either ever expected.