Dugout Central suggests Joba Chamberlain should be used as a pure reliever this season, soaking up 25% of the Yankees relief innings. The idea is to make him a two or three inning fireman rather than just as a setup man that transitions into a starter.
My good friend Jim Storer suggested a mixed role, where Joba starts once every ten games, and in between is used in the setup role.
All of these plans have their merits, but I really think Joba’s role is going to be dictated by the success or failure of Mike Mussina. My bet is that Mussina is through, and by the end of April the Yankees won’t have a choice but to replace Mike in the rotation with Joba. Then at some point, the Yankees can give him two weeks off to control his innings while testing out one of their better minor league prospects.
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That’s funny that you think Moose will be done by April considering Baseball Prospectus and Bill James think he’ll pitch at least 150IP’s with a mid 4 ERA. Haven’t seen Marcel’s projections yet however.
One thing I will guarantee – he will not start once every ten games then pitch out of the pen in between. He worked last year as a set up guy and used 2 pitches – if they want him to start he’s going to have to come up wand use 2 more pitches – if they want to use him as a set up guy he’ll stay fatball/slider.
Stranger things have happened Ray, but I’ve yet to find a fan in NY that thinks he is capable of holding a spot in the rotation. And no, Joba will definitely not be starting once every 10 games. Definitely on Joe G’s agenda, but he is cuffed by the powers that be.