Joba Chamberlain - at the One Quarter Mark

[405z06]

Agreed.

Johan Santana was one of those pitchers that began in the bullpen and then moved to the rotation.

Santana started in the pen because he wasn't ready for the major leagues, but had to be kept on the ML roster or be sent back, per the Rule V draft rules. The following year, Johan was back in the minors for development. Apples vs Oranges, imo.

[The Cow]

Agreed.

Johan Santana was one of those pitchers that began in the bullpen and then moved to the rotation.

Santana started in the pen because he wasn't ready for the major leagues, but had to be kept on the ML roster or be sent back, per the Rule V draft rules. The following year, Johan was back in the minors for development. Apples vs Oranges, imo.

Ok then how about Francisco Liriano, yeah he started in the pen and then was moved to the rotation and had a monster year. Its not as if Joba has been a reliever his entire career he was a starter last year in the minors until he was moved to the pen.

The Cow

[Yoda]

Agreed.

Johan Santana was one of those pitchers that began in the bullpen and then moved to the rotation.

Santana started in the pen because he wasn't ready for the major leagues, but had to be kept on the ML roster or be sent back, per the Rule V draft rules. The following year, Johan was back in the minors for development. Apples vs Oranges, imo.

I think there is some similarities in the way they were brought up. Liriano and Billingsley also started out in the pen and transitioned into the rotation mid season.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

By later in the year when they realize that in order to keep up with the Red Sox they need to actually have starters who are effective, they will move him in there and stop messing around with people who continually get hit hard.

[The Cow]

By later in the year when they realize that in order to keep up with the Red Sox they need to actually have starters who are effective, they will move him in there and stop messing around with people who continually get hit hard.

Don't you mean when they realize that to catch the Rays they need to...

The Cow

[jfg]

It's not that hard to get a player ready to start from the bullpen. You work him up in pitches in the bullpen and give him extended innings when the opportunity is there. If they started doing that now he'd be ready by June and keep him available for important innings. If it's managed right it should work out just fine.

[sblinyy]

I think he is in the right place in the bullpen for now. I mean hughes and kennedy started in the rotation and look where they have ended up. Give the kid some more time, the rest of the year IMO. Then put him in the rotation next year.

[Montana]

Just to add to the discussion, he had another great outing today, striking out the side....(while walking one).....taking over the American League lead in holds, by racking up his 10th.

[neoforce]

Anyone who follows the Yankees closely will be shocked if Joba isn't in the rotation later this year.

The arguments in this thread have been beaten to death on the cafe. On one side, is the fact that he is best setup guy the Yankees have and they need him for the eighth or they will lose a lot of late games. On the other side is that you can find someone for the eighth and a dominate 4 pitch guy has to be a starter to get maximum value of the most innings pitched. (which by the way, is the side I'm on.)

Whichever side you personally feel is correct, the Yankees have consistantly made statements that they beleive he has to have a shot to start. Which is why those of us who follow the Yankees closely are expecting him to start.

Based on Hank Steinbrenner's comments there is no way Joba stays in the pen all year. ...

I think this is the real driving force that will put Joba into rotation this season. Hank is really shaping up to be like the early version of Steinbrenner Sr. ...

I kind of disagree with this statement. I don't see Hank like George. George was bluster and action. Unfortunately for the Yankees, that action was often not very smart. Hank seems to be bluster and retreat. Hank says something then takes it back. For example, when he said Joba in the rotation NOW, he later said Joba in the rotation based on the plan of his baseball people.

As has been discussed in other threads, I'm one of the Yankee fans here who are pretty happy with the direction of the Yankees front office under Hank/Cash/Joe G. Now given the way the team is playing, it could always blow up with Hank becoming the George of old. But right now at least it doesn't seem to be headed that way. Which to me is a good thing.

[neoforce]

I posted my comment above about Hank not being George before my morning routine of walking out to get the newspaper and starting with the sports section. And what should I find but an article that you can read online that says the same thing about Hank. Here is the URL: http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/200 ... t_air.html

From Steve Politi, columnist for The Star-Ledger which is the largest newspaper in North New Jersey:

...his last name is Steinbrenner, and he is speaking, so we dedicate back pages in the tabloids to his declarations and lead our evening newscasts about his ruminations and spend hours of sports radio programming dissecting his every word. ...

Except have you noticed something when he finishes?

Nothing happens.

... He pretty much has had the same impact on things as the average Bruce from Bayside.

Which begs the question: Why are we getting all worked up every time Hank opens his mouth?

Maybe we just miss his old man. The angry shouts from George Steinbrenner were the stuff of legend.