Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
June 13, 2008
Changing Jobas

My latest column at SportingNews.com looks at Joba Chamberlain's value as a starter and reliever.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:35 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

If Joba becomes a starter with an ERA over 4.50, then he'd be a complete failure as a starter. With his ability and his number of above average pitches (not to mention his 98+ mph fastball), people are looking to him to become a #2 or #1 pitcher, not just an average #3.

Posted by: sabernar at June 13, 2008 11:54 AM

David, in that column you do not mention leverage.
Is that because set-up men do not in general pitch in especially high-leverage situations? Or is it because you didn't want to add further complication to your analysis?

My sense is that the Yankees believe Chamberlain *could* be one of those 'elite starters' you mention at the end of the piece, and as you say, if he is then there is no question he adds more value in that role than he could from the bullpen. If he turns out to be a kind of average third starter, then I think the best move would depend on other factors -- does Hughes turn out to be close to his promise, or more like what he showed at the beginning of this season? What about Kennedy? What starters are available next season? And so on. Chamberlain could always be moved back to the bullpen if he doesn't turn out to be a very exciting starter.

Posted by: James at June 13, 2008 11:59 AM

When I did a short piece on the Yankees rotation last week, it was quickly apparent that Joba is definitely not starter material. At least not quite yet.

Posted by: Biggest Fan of The Century at June 13, 2008 12:37 PM

I am not sure how anything can be "apparent" after just two starts.

Posted by: dave at June 13, 2008 07:20 PM

Joba and Jose Veras took a step together tonight toward silencing the critics.

Posted by: James at June 13, 2008 10:39 PM

... and Farnsworth!
Or really, 1/3 Farnsworth, 2/3 bad managing by the Astros.

Posted by: James at June 13, 2008 11:17 PM
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