Here’s an interesting article from Joel Sherman of the NY Post:
Unlike with the fifth starter’s job, the Yankees are comfortable going into the season without delineating a primary set-up man for Mariano Rivera.
It had been believed that if Joba Chamberlain failed to win the last rotation spot, he simply would become the main eighth-inning reliever. But manager Joe Girardi has said publicly that Chamberlain must earn that position, and several Yankees officials insisted to The Post that is not just said for effect or as a motivational ploy toward Chamberlain, a player the organization does worry about when he gets too comfortable.
Instead, early in the season, Girardi is leaning toward looking at multiple options and letting the results dictate how he proceeds. Is it best that Joba earn that role for now and for the future? Yes.
So, not only is Joba no longer a starter, at least for the foreseeable future, he might not even be the setup man this season. Given Joba’s work in that role in previous years, and his work as a starter last season, this fate seems somewhat remarkable to me (is Joba really just a run-of-the-mill, middle reliever?). Such a possibility is a realistic one, though, given the strength of the arms – David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Chan Ho Park, Damaso Marte – that currently surround Joba and compliment closer, Mariano Rivera.
Despite Sherman’s report, I still think Joba will end up walking away with the eighth inning job, as it seems strange for the Yankees to award it to anyone else. However, even if he is provided the job, Joba might just be on a short leash early on this season (nothing seems guaranteed).
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11 Responses to Joba might not be the setup man
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TIQ IQ
“Is it best that Joba earn that role for now and for the future? Yes.”
The problem has been all along that a position is just handed to him. He shoulda earned his way thru AAA, but now he can earn his way where he goes in the pen. If he does well, he gets promoted.
He should be on a short leash until he demonstrates he can be lights out in whatever role he winds up in. He’s not enough of a scuffler to get 6 innings out of him when his stuff not’s on, which is why he’s not starting. I’m amazed people don’t see this.
If he has issues in the 8th inning we have Robertson who can back him up. Nothing should be handed to him, I don’t know why we got into this mode of Joba as the chosen one. The dude has done nothing to demonstrate he should be handed any role on a WS contender. We’re not the Royals or Marlins.
He’ll get his innings. The idea that 8th inning is automatically more important than the 6th or 7th is a bunch of BS. Who really cares. I’d rather see him used as multi-inning guy, kept somewhat stretched out to remain in the mix as a spot starter candidate. They don’t seem inclined to do that though so he’s likely a 7th or 8th inning guy. Whether he pitches mostly in the 7th or 8th seems pretty unimportant to me.
I’d be much happier if Joba was a long man than if he was just the eighth inning guy, I think.
I’d be happier with him going to scranton. I understand they just don’t want to hand him things but yet they handed him the 8th inning role in the playoffs last yr
I see where you’re coming from, but his appearances would be pretty sporadic, which isn’t good. As TBCOD said above, starting in SWB is the best option.
I’d use him as a middle reliever if he’s in the majors. He shouldn’t have any appearances less than 2 innings.
If Joba doesn’t get his velocity back, there is no reason to think he’s a better option for the 8th than David Robertson.
They’ve been saying this for a week now. I’m not sure I buy it, but I can understand that maybe they believe Joba needs to grow up a little, and that means focusing, and paying attention. If he can’t handle competition from Mitre, Aceves, and DRob, he doesn’t belong here.
Robertson is a very underrated pitcher. He’s very good and is probably better than Joba right now. Its not 07 or even pre-injury 08 any more.
Well as of now, Robertson has a 12.71 era and a record of 0 – 2. Joba is under 3.5 with more strikeouts per inning pitched than any Yankee. Joba is clearly looking like he will be the set up.