Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Heyman: Joba May Join Pen In October

Based on what Brian Cashman has said, and the Yankees handling of Joba Chamberlain, I came to believe that he would be a starter in the postseason. Today, Jon Heyman tweeted this:
those of us who think joba's a reliever may get our wish in the AL playoffs, when he may join mo, hughes in pen.
I don't really mind moving him into the pen for the playoffs, but then who is going to be the Yankees fourth starter? Right now, Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin are the only other options, neither of which are good options.

12 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I think ALDS Joba will work out of the bullpen because in a 5 game series you might not need a 4th starter.

NLCS Joba will start game 4.

Greg Cohen said...

That's definitely a possibility.

Anonymous said...

I think that is what they are going to do. Joba is going to start game 4 of the ALCS.

They are stretching Joba out. They are planning to build him back up to a 6-7 inning pitcher by the end of the regualar season. They are not doing that just for no reason.

I suspect if Wang was healthy Joba would of been the 5th starter and worked out of the bullpen as a 1-2 inning pitcher during the postseason.

But now they need Joba to start game 4 of the ALCS and they will probably use him as a long man in the ALDS if one of the other starters struggles.

Liam Gallagher said...

I don't mind this at all. We've seen CC and AJ in the past pitch on short days rest and Pettitte is a postseason pitcher so it works out.

Anonymous said...

I think the playoffs are gonna rest on A.J.'s shoulders. He can make or break a world series.

-G

Brian Danuff said...

I think putting him back in the bullpen is a horrible idea!

The thing I point out a lot to people who want Joba back in the pen, is they need to realize he's not the 100mph pitcher we loved in '07. He's changed. You can actually mess up his head by putting him back in the bullpen during the playoffs, which is even more pressure packed than the regular season. Then if the Yanks advance to the ALCS you tell him go be a starter again? Do you really want to ruin his career?

I understand there is a chance this works, but I don't think it's a good idea at all.

Brian Danuff said...

Plus, he may not be that effective anymore in the pen.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Yankeeboy. We have a Joba in Phil Hughes. Let Joba start in the postseason and get some experience to help towards the future dynasty we are building here. He can become what pettitte was in the 90s for all we know.

-G

Brian Danuff said...

Exactly G.

Anonymous said...

@ yankeeboy

you are right Joba velocity last year out of the bullpen after his injury was lower too. He might need this entire year to rebuild his arm strentgh.
Look at David Robertson all of a sudden he just starting throwing 94-95 mph when he has been hitting 90-92 mph the last two years. Young pitchers and velocity is weird thing. I wouldn't be surprised if Joba velocity came back next year.

Let Joba start game 4 of the ALDS and have Sabathia on full days rest start game 5 if necessary. The yankees are really messing with his head.

He hasn't pitched out of the bullpen the whole and now in postseason they want to throw him in the pen is so stupid.

Game 1- Sabathia
Game 2- Burnett
Game 3- Pettitte
Game 4- Chamberlain
Game 5- Sabathia

Brian Danuff said...

Thanks Anon. You make a great point too with Robertson.

Greg Cohen said...

Robertson may be done for the year... Check out the most recent post above.