On Friday, when asked about Joba Chamberlain, who recently lost the fifth starter competition to fellow teammate, Phil Hughes, Yankee GM, Brian Cashman, offered the following. “What we did was, we finished off [Joba’s] development program,” Cashman said. “We have choices with him. He can start if we need him to start, he can relieve if we want him to relieve. So I don’t feel it’s a waste at all. We completed the mission on him, and what will be, will be.” Now, if Joba is expected to join the Yankee rotation in 2011 – many Yankee fans believe that, though I am a bit more skeptical – with no rules attached as the program is, according to Cashman, over, will 200-plus innings be an actual goal?
Joba pitched just under 170 innings in 2009 – regular and postseason included – and will likely toss just under 90 innings in 2010. Is he simply going to slot back into the rotation a season from now after logging such a small amount of innings the year prior? This “development program” seems remarkably haphazard and distinctly unmethodical.
Consistent innings and a steady role are extremely important for pitchers. This build-him-up, scale-him-back, starter, reliever sort of approach – it is not even an approach, really – in my opinion, is hardly constructive developmentally. I think the Yankees know this, however, which is why, as Billy Eppler suggested, Joba could remain in the bullpen beyond the upcoming season.
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7 Responses to Joba's so-called "development program"
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I agree with you Chris. The set up looks like he is a bullpen guy. And for Cashman to say the mission is complete (great quote by the way. I didn’t see that one anywhere.) is upsetting. The mission may be complete, but it can’t be considered a success. What was the mission, to make him a swing man? Guess what Cash, they have Acevas. Boom, mission completed, and that didn’t take two years. It’s ridiculous to me. The problem is his value is low and isn’t getting any higher as a bullpen arm.
I don’t even care about 200 innings. I would take 165-170 high quality, circa first 100 last season innings, over 200 innings. There are many examples of how this is a disaster in the making (bouncing a guy back and forth), with Morrow and Heilman being two of them that quickly come to mind. I’m so worried that at this point I just wish they would stick him somewhere, ANYWHERE, and keep him there. The investment that once wouldn’t get Johan is now at an all-time low.
Chris, if you’re just “a bit more skeptical” you can count me as a total disbeliever. We learned over the weekend that two of the key guys (Eiland/Eppler) who will have input in Joba’s fate are flat-out B-Jobbers. I have reason to believe Girardi is as well, since he made the call on who’s the 5th starter and seems to always be pushing Joba to work harder. I have also heard Gene Michael do radio interviews where he thinks Joba belongs in the bullpen as well.
If that many voices in the organization think he belongs in the bullpen, I can’t imagine Cash falling on his sword and overruling so many of his key lieutenants. Especially after what just happened this spring. Even Cashman’s denials were nothing definitive, quite the opposite. He just said what he always says, that they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. I still think the book is closed on Joba for all intents and purposes. So many people would have to change their minds to make it happen, you’re almost discussing a regime change.
to be fair though stick has also said he still feels joba can be both starter and reliever. At least thats what he said on wfan
I could be wrong but I interpreted Eiland’s remark as they wouldn’t be switching his role within the season not as being definitive about his role in future years. Eppler’s to me was more definitive. I wish the interviewer had grilled him more rather than simply commenting “interesting.” If Pettite and Vasquez were to both leave after this year, is it that hard for even doubters to think maybe Joba would get another chance at starting?
I take Cashman mostly at face value here. He knows that he may have two starting openings next year (and that’s assuming Hughes locks down one with his performance this year) but he also knows Mo is a free agent after this year. I think he really values the flexibility he has with Joba right now. As far as the “developmental program” goes, I do think the kid gloves would be off in 2011 if Joba starts. He turns 25 this year and next year would be his 5th in the majors. Aren’t you eligible for free agency after your 6th year? I don’t think they’d manage his innings that carefullly and only get one year of unrestricted innings before free agency.
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