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March 19, 2008
Not-So-Breaking News! Joba To The Pen
Via Dan Graziano -
Yes, Joe Girardi just informed us that Joba will be working out of the bullpen, starting tomorrow in Dunedin and also when the season starts. All five of the other starting pitchers are healthy, and none of them has ever spent two months as the best setup man in the American League, so it falls to Chamberlain to go to the bullpen and work the late innings (along with LaTroy Hawkins and -- gulp -- Kyle Farnsworth) in front of Mariano Rivera.
"I think it's going to be debated for a long time -- should he start or should he relieve," Chamberlain said. "But at the end of the day, it's about what's best for this team. It's not about Joba Chamberlain."
Asked if he thought this move was the best thing for the team, Chamberlain said, "Absolutely. No question about it."
Do you know the best seasons by a member of the Yankees bullpen, all-time, by someone 22-years old, or younger?
Hal "Porky" Reniff in 1961 and Joba last year. That's the only two seasons where someone that young pitched well for the Yankees, in a season, out of the pen.
Ron Davis in 1979 and Brian Fisher in 1985 were good as well. But, they were 23-years old then - and not 22, like Joba will be this year.
If Joba Chamberlain excels for the Yankees out of the pen this season, it would be a special thing in Yankees history, for sure.
Posted by WW Staff at March 19, 2008 03:24 PM