Last night, via Newsday‘s Ken Davidoff, we learned from Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, that the final spot in the club’s 2010 starting rotation will be decided by a five-man contest this spring, one that features Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin, and Sergio Mitre. Still, given practical concerns (i.e., Hughes’ innings limit and Chamberlain’s lack thereof) as well as the important matter of a recent starting track record, it appears as though Joba Chamberlain will be in the lead for that role, at least initially, with Phil Hughes serving as the Nebraskan’s foremost competition. Chamberlain, however, does not appear to be overly concerned by the situation.
According to the NY Post‘s Mike Puma, Chamberlain, who will report to Tampa next week in order to effectively prepare for the upcoming season, will be training as a starter, because “[t]eam brass has told him to have that mindset.” When asked about the spring competition, Chamberlain stated, “I’m going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot. Nothing is guaranteed.” This is, of course, exactly why the Yankees have promoted the fifth spot in the team’s rotation as an up-for-grabs affair, one that will ultimately be awarded to the most effective arm in Spring Training (although I don’t think anyone truly believes that the competition is totally “open”). Chamberlain, who spent the majority of the 2009 season as a starter – he was more frustrating than brilliant – is headed to Tampa weeks in advance in order to prepare for the season and seems eager to prove himself. If you ask me, it looks as though the competition idea is already beginning to pay dividends for the Yankees.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
“Last night, via Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, we learned. . . ”
Chris, are YOU one of the 35 people who actually subscribed to Newday.com? Steve S.(Quote)
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Chris H. Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Haha, that bit was actually off Twitter. With Newsday, surprisingly, I’ve never encountered any problems accessing their stuff but I’m not registered there. Not sure what the deal is. Chris H.(Quote)
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Jamal G. Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Are you an Optimum subscriber? I f so, we get Newsday’s content for free. Jamal G.(Quote)
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Chris H. Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Oh, ha. Yea, I think that’s the case then. Thanks, Jamal. Chris H.(Quote)
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I think the only question regarding the rotation now is whether or not Hughes is the 6th starter of in the bullpen. Matt Imbrogno(Quote)
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JMK aka The Overshare Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I’m surprised this isn’t brought up more often. It’s my belief (and to my knowledge, yours as well) that the “loser” would be best utilized in a role that would allow for a high number of innings and the opportunity to develop secondary pitches; while this may hamper the short-term flexibility by not having an “ace reliever,” it offers much more upside for next year and beyond. Detractors say it’s wasteful; they need to face MLB hitters, and besides, Hughes can start next year and he’ll be fine. I think one more year of him not throwing 120 innings and working primarily with is fastball sets back (however incrementally) the chance he makes his ceiling—him reaching his ceiling should be our primary motivator because ultimately, a Hughes at the front of the rotation is significantly more valuable over the course of 5 years than him as a set-up man next year, a meh starter with innings limits and unrefined secondary pitches in two years, and maybe figuring it out in year 4 if he were to reach the ceiling. By then you’ve paid big money in arb. without having gotten the possible return you could have.
I’m rambling. My bad. JMK aka The Overshare(Quote)
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Ken (O.R.) Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Nah, you’re not rambling at all!
It’s one of those damned if we do and damned if we don’t things….!
Putting him in the BP, because we need him? Are fans saying we don’t have anyone else that can set-up for Mo? We shall see…what is wrong with the other guys, are they all duds?
Sending him back down, will stifle his development because he needs major league hitters? I don’t think so, he goes down works on his stuff 3/4 of the year, comes up for the push or in case of injury…if we need him.
Sounds ok to me, I’d rather see him start next year in the rotation. Cutting his innings this year MAY set him back to innings limits, maybe not. Some say yes, others disagree…myself, I don’t think so but, it’s not going to help him refine his other pitches if he isn’t using them.
Now, that is rambling… Ken (O.R.)(Quote)
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