Joba And Hughes Talk After Their First BP Sessions

In case you didn't know, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes had their first bullpen sessions of 2010 today down in Tampa. As you might expect it drew a lot of media attention and questions regarding their battle for the fifth spot in the rotation. Here's some of what they had to say via Anthony DiComo:

"I don't think any jobs are going to be awarded on our [bullpen sessions]," Hughes said afterward.

"You're not going to win the job today," Chamberlain agreed. "But what you do today is going to dictate what you do tomorrow and the day after."

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"As much as I say it's not going to be won the first day, he's still standing there," Hughes said of Girardi. "You want to make some impressions."

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Yes, Girardi told both Hughes and Chamberlain not to compete with each other this early in the spring. But as Hughes said, he's still standing there.

"He was a competitor himself," Chamberlain said. "If someone told him that, he'd probably let it go in one ear and out the other."

"It probably is human nature, but you can fight it as much as possible," Hughes said.

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They are also committed, regardless of the outcome, to feature both men on their pitching staff for years to come. In what capacity is all that remains to be seen.

"I love it," Chamberlain said. "I wouldn't have it any other way for our team. Pushing each other makes the team better."

The best thing for Yankees fans to take from these quotes is that both players seem to understand the situation and are putting the team first--that's always the most important thing. While I still think Joba will land the job, it's very good for both of them to compete like this. It won't be the last time, that's for sure, and hopefully one day they're both battling to be this team's ace.