Joba Discusses the State of the Yankees

From Bryan Hoch:

Chamberlain said Wednesday at the Yankees' Minor League complex that it will be "an honor" to be a member of New York's starting rotation and proclaimed that big things are ahead for the Yankees, who will try to rebound after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

"We're always the team to beat," Chamberlain said. "We have that in our minds from the get-go. With the year the Rays had, people are going to look at it that they're the team to beat. We always come into camp knowing that we're always going to be hunted, just because of who we are."

"Bringing Andy back is going to be a bigger help than people realize," Chamberlain said. "He's been here, he's done it. A.J. and CC have been around the game a long time, but when you get to New York, it's a different level and different stage."

It's always great to see how important being a Yankee is to Joba.

As far as his sentiments about Pettitte, I couldn't agree more, that's pretty much what I've been saying all winter.

On the field, Chamberlain threw his fifth mound session Wednesday, the second time he has thrown his full arsenal of pitches. Chamberlain said that he is mentally preparing with goals of 200 innings and 30 starts in mind, though the Yankees may creatively stagger the rotation so he comes in lower than that.

Whatever the workload, Chamberlain said that he spent the winter focusing on strengthening his right shoulder by maintaining his regular program and adding new exercises.

"It's paying off right now. I feel great," Chamberlain said. "I probably feel a lot better than I usually have, strength-wise and how the ball feels out of my hand."

There's no way he's making 30 starts and throwing 200 innings, but I like seeing him have that mindset anyway, it will help him down the road.

And of course he was asked about A-Rod:

"[A-Rod's] always going to be there, and he's always going to be a friend forever," Chamberlain said. "You look at it that way and you understand what it's about, and you just go on."

"It's just being a human being," Chamberlain said. "Everybody makes mistakes. You also understand it's about being a man and about being a grown person. You just have to admit it and move on, and you become a better person for it.

"I've become a better person for everything I've gone through, and it gives you the opportunity to touch lives in a different way, in a more direct light. You're speaking firsthand and can actually say, 'This is how it is.' There's a little more validity behind it."