Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 22, 2008
Making the Transition

Alex Belth:

I'm no expert but it seems like it would be tough to switch Joba this season. I just don't see the Yanks being able to afford losing Chamberlain for six-to-eight weeks as he builds himself back into a starter in the minors.

I don't quite understand why Joba has to go to the minors to become a starter in the majors. There's a great example of this transition in the 2003 season of Johan Santana. They gave him some spot starts and a few longer relief sessions, and brought him along slowly once he was in the rotation. I don't understand why Joba should be any different.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:05 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

The Twins did it nicely with Liriano, as well. And I think Chad Billingsly and Zack Greinke were both able to make the transition from reliever to start last year without too much issue.

Posted by: TC at April 22, 2008 04:12 PM

Didn't Liriano blow out his arm that year?

Also, Greinke started as a starter in '07, switched to the bullpen for a half season, maybe less, then came back as a starter.

Posted by: gurk at April 22, 2008 04:42 PM

Shaun Marcum transitioned from middle relief to starting last season after 2 long relief sessions and 2 starts under pitch counts. In his first start he went 6 innings of no hit baseball before he hit his pitch count.

If they do put Joba into the rotation, he can still hold most teams to 2 - 4 runs for 5 -7 innings if he holds back a bit. Also, what if they put Hughes into the setup role?

Posted by: Andrew at April 22, 2008 05:28 PM

I dunno where Alex gets the idea that Joba will go to the minors. Great blogger and all, but it's clear Joba'll just throw some long relief outings to prepair him. After all, with Otto having to mop up for some terrible Phil/Ian outings, he could probably start for the Yankees.

Posted by: Yankee Fan in Chicago at April 22, 2008 08:07 PM

He got the idea from the reporting coming out of Spring Training this year. He didn't make it up. I remember Cashman even saying something to that effect.

I think it's silly and that he should be "stretched out" in the majors.

Posted by: Rob in CT at April 23, 2008 04:27 PM
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