Really, we're still debating this?

From Justin Sablich (hat tip to WasWatching):

Last off-season, readers of this blog and Yankee fans everywhere debated the fate of Joba Chamberlain, the dominant rookie reliever who helped the Yankees sneak into the playoffs in 2007. Despite his game-shortening ability as Mariano Rivera’s setup man, Chamberlain was converted to a starter for part of the 2008 season before tendinitis in his throwing shoulder sent him to the disabled list and eventually back to the bullpen.

You would think that after three months of everyone within the organization saying that Joba will be a starter, along with his 2.76 ERA and 10.3 K/9 in 12 starts last season, maybe, just maybe, this discussion would be put to bed, but then you'd be wrong.

Now with a revamped rotation for the 2009 season, a case can be made for keeping Chamberlain in the setup role. The Yankees simply do not need Chamberlain in the rotation the way they did last season

Should Pettitte return, is there any reason to believe (other than injuries) that the Yankees cannot survive with a rotation of C.C. Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, Pettitte and Hughes?

There are always injuries to a pitching staff, always. So no matter how good the staff looks on paper right now it's never bad have a deep rotation. Adding Joba significantly improves this or any starting rotation.

Also, if they don't sign Pettitte and for some reason decided to put Joba in the pen, then the Yanks will go into '09 the same way they went into '08; with two unproven pitchers at the back of the rotation. So that can't happen.

Chamberlain in the bullpen would most likely make each starting pitcher better by shortening his starts. Fans concerned about Sabathia burning out in September or Burnett breaking down over the long haul could rest a little easier.

Any good bullpen does this. Joba Chamberlain is not the Yankees only option. They have many good arms at the MLB and minor league level that can handle the bullpen. What they do not have is another Joba Chamberlain type starter to replace him if he goes into the pen. The 8th inning is not the most important inning of a game.

In addition to keeping others healthy, Chamberlain could be healthier by remaining a reliever. ... But his shoulder injury came about as a starter, and fewer innings could only help him keep his shoulder strong.

The kid was dicked around all year, moving from starter to reliever and back to starter. Maybe once he has a defined role, and can prepare properly for that role, he will be able to go through the season healthy as a starter. The Yankees should, and are going to at least give him a chance to prove that.

Are there real injury concerns with Joba? Absolutely, and if he goes down with another injury or two this year as a starter, then I could see the Yanks sticking him in the pen if they think that's where he can remain healthy. But for now I wouldn't let injury concerns hinder the development of what could be one of the league's best starting pitchers in a few years.

If the Yankees used Chamberlain to shorten games to six innings, is that really a waste of talent? It sounds more like an incredible advantage to me.

Is it an advantage? Sure it is. Having a good bullpen is always an advantage, but having four ace-type starters along with a solid bullpen - which the Yankees have with or without Joba - is an even greater advantage.