From Michael S. Schmidt:
“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now,” Steinbrenner said Sunday by telephone. “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”I don't know if they need him there "now," but I agree then need him in the rotation eventually. We all want a Josh Beckett type ace; Joba Chamberlain has the stuff to be that ace. The Yankees MUST give him an opportunity to start sometime in the near future, and if these comments from Hank are any indication, it's going to happen sooner rather than later.
Steinbrenner said the Yankees were working on easing Chamberlain into the rotation, but he would not be specific on a timetable. The Yankees’ brain trust had wanted to limit Chamberlain’s innings by having him spend at least part of the season in the bullpen. “The mistake was already made last year switching him to the bullpen out of panic or whatever,” Steinbrenner said. “I had no say in it last year and I wouldn’t have allowed it. That was done last year, so now we have to catch up. It has to be done on a schedule so we don’t rush him.”
He also thinks Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will be fine once the "get plenty of starts" and that Mike Mussina "needs to learn how to pitch like Jamie Moyer.”
I agree again, although I don't know if Mike Mussina does, and that's what matters.
Hank also said that “The starting rotation is not what I would have chosen at the beginning of the year, but that is not a big news flash to anyone.”
11 Comments:
I can't wait to see Hawkins and Farnsworth serving up meatballs in the 8th.
It sounds like a good way to limit Rivera's innings by limiting save situations.
Well if they really meant that it doen't matter if they win this year they'll carry through with this. Big mistake, unless Bruney can be dominant all year and if they can trade for Huston Street or Marte to pitch the 8th. Hopefully Humberto Sanchez can come up in July and be this years Joba
Surprisingly insightful thing for him to say about Mussina.
Bruney stinks.
I love the Mussina comment, I was cracking up when I read it.
I have to agree with these other posters. We can not move Joba into the Rotation until we have a viable option for the 8th inning. In fact, we could use a 7th inning reliever. I would not mind Ohlendorf/Albaladejo in that spot if they could find a long reliever. Bruney won't last forever, and Farnsworth/Hawkins are way too inconsistent.
The 8th inning is NOT even close to as important as the 1st - 7th.
Albaladejo, or Bruney may be able to do it, then there is always someone from the minors who could be placed in that role.
Hawkins and Farnsworth like Mike mentioned, are NOT viable replacements, so I don't think we need to worry about seeing them blow games (at least not in the 8th).
I also like anonymous' idea about trading for Street or Marte. As long as they don't get ripped off that's what they should do - trade for one of them and then move Joba to the rotation.
Cashman said Joba's staying in the pen(for now). And Farnsworth throws 100mph too, why not put him in he rotation too, Hank?
Dan,
You can't compare Joba to Farnsworth. Last time I checked Farnsworth's slider wasn't that good and he doesn't throw a changeup or a curve like Joba.
And like you said Cashman said he's staying in the pen FOR NOW. The for now is the important part. Joba will most likely be in the rotation at some point this season.
One thing I should add is that I still don't like the idea of losing him for several weeks in the minors while he works on becoming a starter, which is why I would have had him in the rotation to start the year.
it was a joke
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