Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Not Surprising: Joba To Close If Mo Gets Hurt

This Joel Sherman article pretty much states what we all expected anyway; that if Mariano Rivera suffered a serious injury, Joba would be used as the closer. I don't see how the Yankees could look in any other direction if such a horror were to occur.
However, if Rivera were to miss a sustained period, three club officials verified that Chamberlain almost certainly would replace him. The officials admitted the subject has been discussed at the highest levels and conceded Chamberlain has the best combination of temperament and stuff - by far - in the organization to handle both replacing the legendary Rivera and coping with the stress of being the Yankees' closer.

The only reliever with even an outside chance to fill in during an extended Rivera absence is Brian Bruney, but one Yankees official said cautiously, "Let's see him handle the eighth inning first."
Bruney, himself doesn't seem too worried about getting that job done:
"I don't give a [spit] about that," Bruney said of proving the Yanks don't need Chamberlain in the pen. "I am here to help the team win a World Series. I am not Joba, so I am not worried about Joba. Anyone who thinks Joba should be in the eighth, that is their business. The team is counting on me in the eighth inning."

"Without sounding like Terrell Owens here, I know I have good stuff," Bruney said. "I have an upper-90s fastball, upper-80s breaking ball and a good changeup. People wish they had my stuff. But I have to attack the strike zone. The count has to be 1-2, not 2-1. If that means throwing 93 [mph], not 97, I have to do that
Just because he says "Without sounding like Terrell Owens," doesn't mean that what he said, didn't sort of sound like Terrell Owens. But he is right, he does have great stuff, especially for a relief pitcher, and there is no reason why Bruney couldn't succeed as a setup man. The only thing he needs to do is throw strikes and he'll be fine.

How did this go from Joba closing if Mo is hurt, to Bruney being a quality setup man? I don't know, you're going to have to ask Joel Sherman about that one. But Sherman does bring it full circle with this quote from Bruney about closing:
"My ideal situation is to be a closer," Bruney said. "I want that pressure situation. I want the toughest job. It not only pays better, but I like being out there with stuff on the line. I am not saying I want to take Mariano's job. I just see myself as a closer one day. That is why this [year] is such a big step for later in my career."

7 Comments:

Anonymous said...

See what makes me happy there is not only that they do have a "backup" plan just in case something happens to MO(GODFORBID).

But Bruney is CONFIDENT and kinda COCKY and that is something that could and will work to his/our advantage!!

Greg Cohen said...

That's true anon. Hopefully he brings that attitude to the setup role and dominates.

Anonymous said...

I beleive Joel Sherman wrote this. But this is a stupid article obviously if the yankees lose Mariano for the year they would put Joba as the closer.

Anonymous said...

I would love if Joba becomes the next closer for the yankees.

Greg Cohen said...

You're correct anon, it was Sherman, but I swear when I posted it it said George King.

Anonymous said...

You all say this is obvious. First of all if it didnt come out of Girardis or Cashmans mouth its heresay. Secondly its stupid. Joba is going to be one of the premere starters in the game. He has all the stuff to do it. If he is as suscessful as his potential there is no way they would put him in the bull-pen. Hey Sabathia would probably be good in the bull pen too maybe he should be the back up closer. Or I know Tex would be a good pinch hitter so lets put him on the bench. The reason Joba is starting is because he is a starting pitcher. The only reason he ever went to the bullpen was that he hadnt pitched enough innings in his career to put his arm through the stress of it all. Because some unnamed official says its so doesnt make it so unless cashman and Joe say so.
Lets look at it this way lets say its July and Joba is 10-2 with an ERA under 3 and Mariano pulls a hamstring. Are you going to put Joba in as the Closer? No way in hell that would happen. On the flip side if Joba doesnt live up to his potential and is 6-13 with an era of 5.75 then you have an arguement. But to make this prediction now is just the NY times looking for something to print.

Greg Cohen said...

Putting Joba in the closers role for half a year won't hurt his chances of being the big time starter he will eventually become. Plus the Yankees have to be able to compete. Losing Mo would significantly hurt those chances. Joba is the only guy who could replace Mo on the fly.