Do the Yankees Have Room for Joba?

On the last day of the regular season, all eyes in Yankees Universe will be on Joba Chamberlain in his one inning of relief today. I think its strange that they would try this out on the last day of the year, after all what can you really learn from one inning? However, its clear the Yankees must be at the very least toying with the idea of putting Joba onto the playoff roster as a reliever.

We all remember the way Joba burst onto the scene in the bullpen as a dominating force. Essentially what Phil Hughes has been for the Yankees this year. If Joba can do what he did two years ago in the eighth innings, and Hughes and Mariano hold up, the Yankees essentially turn things into a six inning game. The idea of having that three headed monster at the back of the bullpen is certainly tantalizing. However, its important to remember that their is no guarentee that Joba can do what he did in 2007 and I'm not sure theirs room for him on the postseason roster.

It appears as if right now Joba, Gaudin, Bruney and Sergio Mitre are all battling for one or two spots. At least, that's the way Cashman seemed to describe it a couple days ago. I think you have to give Gaudin a spot. He has been significantly better than Joba for both the season and the past few months. Gaudin is used to being a reliever, as well. Not only can he be an effective reliever for them, it would be good to keep him fresh because if they make the ALCS they're going to need him. You have to put him on the roster.

Then the question is, do they really have one more spot to spend on a gamble like Joba? Its an easy call to go with Joba over Bruney or Mitre. Mitre has been terrible and Bruney would be an even bigger gamble in a big spot then Joba. I don't know if they have one more spot for Joba or if they're going to go with the speedster in Freddy Guzman. Personally, I love the idea of having Guzman ready to come off the bench and pinch run. In a tight game, a guy like that can turn around a series (Dave Roberts anyone?). Besides that, if the Yankees take the series with the extra off days, their bullpen should be more than rested enough. With Hughes, Mariano, and Robertson all rested I find it difficult to envision a scenario where you'd go to Joba in a big spot. I still have to stand by my earlier statement, sit Joba this October, and one inning in a meaningless game on the last day of the season is not going to change my mind.