Yankees Acquire Aroldis Chapman

In a shocker Monday afternoon, the New York Yankees acquired Cincinnati Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman for four prospects. Chapman was close to becoming a Los Angeles Dodger until the Cuban born reliever was accused of physical abuse by his girlfriend. In addition to reportedly choking his significant other and pushing her into a wall, Chapman also fired eight shots in the garage of his Miami-based home. Though police were called, no arrest was made.

The Yankees agreed to send third baseman Eric Jagielo (26th overall pick out of Notre Dame in the 2013 draft), second baseman Tony Renda, and right-handed pitchers Caleb Coltham and Rookie Davis to Cincinatti. Coltham appeared in 12 games for the Yankees this past season.

Chapman is in his third year of arbitration eligibility and can become a free agent for the 2017 season. The four-time All-Star has averaged better than 15 Ks per nine innings over the last four seasons, with a  high of 17.7/9 IP in 2014. His fastball has been clocked as high as 105 mph. Chapman has averaged 36 saves per season over that same stretch.

The move could mean that the Yankees current closer, Andrew Miller, could be used as trade bait. The fellow left-hander signed a four-year, $36MM contract prior to the 2015 season. Miller recorded 36 saves and rang up 100 strikeouts in 61.2 innings.

With Dellin Betances, the Yankees could have a three-headed monster out of the pen and insurance in case Chapman leaves as a free agent. In all likelihood though, Miller will be given his traveling papers in exchange for starting pitching or a solid bat.

Yankees Add Their Thorn(ton) to Their Flowers

Don't mix up your Thorntons!

At Jacoby Ellsbury's intro press conference last week, manager Joe Girardi said that Ellsbury would "no longer be a thorn in our sides, but a flower in our clubhouse." It was funny and extremely weird.

Tuesday afternoon the Yankees got some thorn back in the the person of left-handed reliever Matt Thorton. The 37-year old lefty agreed to a two-year, $7MM deal to replace Boone Logan in the bullpen.

Originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners, Thornton was acquired by the White Sox in a steal of a deal in March of '06 for outfielder Joe Borchard.

Borchard had once been a highly ranked prospect, but his Major League at-bats never matched his minor league output or his scouting reports. Thornton, meanwhile, became a steady reliever in the White Sox bullpen. He was especially outstanding for three seasons from 2008-2010 as a set up man who would get an occasional save opportunity when the team's closer was unavailable.

Thornton has appeared in 60 or more games in eight straight seasons, including this past year when the White Sox dealt him to Boston in mid-July for minor leaguer Brandon Jacobs. (Coincidentally, Jacobs was part of the three team deal that sent Mark Trumbo to Arizona. Jacobs joined him as the player to be named later in the deal.)

Command is key for Thornton to be successful. During the aforementioned three year period, Thornton struck out 10.3, 10.8, and 12 batters per 9 innings pitched. During that time period he walked less than three batters per nine innings. Since then, Thornton's K's have dropped while his base on balls have risen as have his hits per inning. His 6.2 strikeouts/9 IP last year was the lowest of his career.

With left-handed relievers hard to come by, the Yankees made a decent move to replace Logan. He did very well against left-handed hitters last season, but don't expect an All-Star performance.

Girardi's Choice Of Joba Seals the Deal

Joba's fist pumping days are a distant memory.

The Yankees have a worn out bullpen, no one is questioning that. What is being questioned is why Joe Girardi continues to call on Joba Chamberlain in crucial situations. Thursday night the one time phenom quickly turned a 3-1 deficit into a 6-1 blowout that was punctuated by an Adam Lind 3-run home run. Final score, Toronto Blue Jays 6 Yankees 2.

It was another devastating loss in a devastating season. With Texas and Tampa Bay on the verge of a four game split, the Yankees have found themselves running in place while the Orioles and Indians inch closer to reeling in one of the wild card teams. The Yankees now sit three back of Texas (four in the loss column) and four behind the Rays (five in the loss column). Cue Frank Sinatra singing, "the end is near". Except, Girardi should not have done it "his way".

Obviously it wasn't all Chamberlain's doing; Hiroki Kuroda once again looked 68 instead of 38. He "held" Toronto to three runs in six innings, but it could have been a lot worse considering he gave up eight hits and walked four.  The Yankees offense sputtered again with journeyman Todd Redman looking like a Cy Young candidate. The 28-year old has beaten the Yankees twice in the last three weeks.

But with the game on the line, with a lead still in reach, Girardi pushed the wrong button...again. A quick look at Joba just since August 1, shows that the Yankees were better off bringing in anyone from the bullpen other than Chamberlain.

8/2 - Entered with Yankees down 5-2 to San Diego; turns it into a 6-2 game. Final score, Padres 7-2

8/10 - Entered with Yankees down 6-2 to Detroit; two on and one out. Gave up 3-run home run to Torii Hunter to put game out of reach. Final score, Tigers 9-3

8/15 - Entered with Yankees down 7-1 to Angels; gave up back to back hits to make it 8-1. Final score, Angels 8-4

8/16 - Entered with Yankees up 10-3 on Boston; loaded the bases in the 9th. Girardi has to go to David Huff for the final out. Final score, Yankees 10-3

9/1 - Entered with Yankees down 4-3 to Baltimore; two men on with one out. Allowed 3-run home run to Adam Jones. Final score, Orioles 7 Yankees 3

9/5 - Entered with Yankees and Red Sox tied 8-8 in the 10th inning. Gave up a pair of hits including Shane Victorino game winning single. Final score, Red Sox 9 Yankees 8

9/6 - Entered with Yankees trailing Red Sox 10-8 in the 8th inning. Intentionally walked David Ortiz, threw a wild pitch, unintentionally walked Mike Napoli, walked Daniel Nava to force in a run, and allowed RBI single to Stephen Drew. Final score, Red Sox 12 Yankees 8

Chamberlain has spent much of the year extending the other team's lead or diminishing the Yankees lead. Brian Cashman made a huge mistake in not giving Chamberlain away for whatever he could get. The Yankees will make no qualifying offer to Chamberlain, which means they will not receive a draft pick when the one-time three digit thrower leaves via free agency after this season.

It's Miller Time

With a shortage of manpower in the bullpen, the Yankees have recalled Jim Miller from Triple-A Scranton. The right-hander signed as a free agent this past off-season after a solid year with Oakland in 2012.

Miller spent the entire time in the minor leagues, despite an average of 13.1 strikeouts per 9 innings and less than a hit per inning. He'll help spell a pen that is without Shawn Kelley, David Robertson, and Boone Logan.

Betances Demoted in a Huff

Dellin Betances struggled as a starting pitcher in the Yankees organization so it was decided he would become a reliever. The improvement was drastic and it earned a promotion to the big club. Unfortunately, a four run 9th inning against the Angels Tuesday night earned him a trip back to Scranton Thursday.

The Yankees recalled left-hander David Huff, a waiver acquisition from the Cleveland Indians in May. Huff had one poor inning with the Bombers - a run, hit, and two walks - before he was sent to the RailRiders. Since his demotion, Huff has started in 12 of his 13 appearances for the International League franchise. He had a 1-6 record despite a decent 3.84 ERA. He also struck out 8.5 batters per 9 innings, but gave up more than a hit an inning.

To make room on the 40 man roster, David Phelps was moved from the 15- to 60-day disabled list. Phelps was in the midst of rehabbing a sore forearm. He's had a setback and it's possible he may not pitch again this season. He's not eligible to be activated until the first week of September.

Yankees First Half Report Card: The Bullpen

Valedictorian of his class.

The Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are in the midst of the rubber game of a three game series Sunday night to kick off the post All-Star break portion of the season. Remarkably, this is the first time that the Yankees have visited Fenway Park this season.  It's also the first time in a long time that neither Derek Jeter nor Alex Rodriguez have been in the Yankees lineup for a game against the old town team.

Both starters were roughed up, especially the Yankees CC Sabathia, who saw a 3-0 lead go bye bye. So what better night is there to post the first half grades for the Yankees bullpen.

(Note - statistics are as of the All-Star break)

Mariano Rivera - I might as well start right at the top. There's no reason to go into a lot of detail here; it's been talked about, written about, gifts, videos, the greatest retirement tour ever. Mariano is human, believe or not, as evidenced by the two blown saves in 32 chances. Has anyone ever had a quieter 30 saves, even with the hoopla surrounding his retirement tour? And 30 saves by a 43-year old at the All-Star break? 

It's hard to believe, but just how outstanding he has been seems to have been a bit overlooked by the media. "He's the same old Mariano" doesn't quite cut it.

Grade: A+

David Robertson - DRob's off the field endeavors (High Socks for Hope) get a bit lost among the stars in the Yankees clubhouse, and his on the field performance tend to as well. While he may never be the Yankees regular closer, he's one helluva set up man.

Robertson was selected to the AL All-Star game two years ago when he finished 4-0, 1.08 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, and 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. After scuffling at times last year (still averaged 12 K's per nine IP) with his performance and health, DRob has improved on some areas of his 2011 performance. He's still averages 12 K's per nine IP and has put up a WHIP under 1.0 in 41 relief appearances.

Grade: A

Joba Chamberlain - Has there been a Yankees relief pitcher in recent history that has created more headaches than Joba Chamberlain? I'm not going to go in summarizing the rise and fall of Joba, but we know that some past issues are due to injuries, the"Joba Rules" and other nonsense the Yankees front office created.

But just like someone who has a bad beginning in life, sometimes you have to pull yourself up by your cleat laces and get things done. Such is not the case with Joba, who comes off very down to earth one minute and then undeservedly arrogant the next. He has not been the type of pitcher that has earned the level of respect he believes he has coming to him.

Is there any situation in a game that you trust Joba in at this point?  He allows inherited runners to score, he lets the opponents lead get bigger, and the Yankees lead get smaller. It's time for Joba to try to find success somewhere else.

Grade: F

Boone Logan - The tall left-hander is a bit of enigma, he looks incredibly solid one second (strikes out Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau with the bases loaded) and very ordinary the next. Joe Girardi has been very careful with not overworking his bullpen like his predecessor Joe Torre did, but Logan is the exception. He appeared in 64 games in 2011 and 80 last year, and that's not counting how many times he got warmed up and didn't enter the game.

It was no surprise that he reported to camp with a cranky elbow this year. It carried over to the start of the season with a shaky April, but Logan bounced back strong in May. In fact, he struck out 25 batters and walked just two in 15.1 innings over May and June combined. In July, opponents have just a .111 Batting Average on balls in play (BAbip). All that said, I still have difficulty trusting him in big spots...or small ones.

Grade: B

Shawn Kelley - Was a surprise pick up this past off-season. With the Mariners trying to improve you would think they would have held on to Kelley, who made only $600K last year and had a solid season. On top of that they dealt him to the Yankees for Abe Almonte, a non-prospect.

Kelley has been a strikeout machine in pinstripes with an average of 13.2 per 9 innings. He quickly gained Girardi’s trust and has become invaluable in high leverage situations. If David Robertson gets the closer's role next season, Kelley is the likely replacement as the 8th inning guy. Then again, he could fill the closer role instead of Robertson.

Grade: B+

Preston Claiborne - The 25-year old came out of nowhere to be an integral part of the bullpen early on. The bloom has come off the rose a bit over the last month, but it doesn't take away what Claiborne did in May and the first half of June. Namely, he gave up just one run in 15 appearances.

For now Claiborne will likely be doing mop up and non-crucial work until if and when he gets back on track.

Grade: B- (very close to being a C+)

Adam Warren - I have to admit I never saw this one coming. Warren looked horrible in his debut last year and looked like he was the target in a game of whack-a-mole in spring training. But since the regular season began it has been Warren doing the whacking of opponents in the long man role.

Warren has amassed 43.2 innings in 16 appearances, half of which he has finished, and has compiled a nearly 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio. It's doubtful he'll be a starter again (if he remains in the organization), but he can certainly fill a valuable role in the bullpen.

Grade: A-

Pie Gets Rid Of The Hughes Blues

Tonight's game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees started out well enough, but Phil Hughes put the Yankees in a 5-0 hole midway through the game. Hughes is thankful to get a no decision tonight after the Yankees bullpen held the Orioles in check and Nick Swisher capped a dramatic comeback with a 10th sacrifice fly for a 6-5 Yankees victory.

The Yankees chipped away against starter Jake Arrieta and cut the Orioles lead to 5-4 entering the bottom of the 9th. DH Jorge Posada greeted closer Kevin Gregg by drilling his first pitch over the outstretched glove of Adam Jones in right-center field for a game tying home run. Posada has seven hits this season, five of which are home runs.

Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless 10th and would earn the victory when the Yankees got to left-hander Mike Gonzalez in the bottom of the inning. Mark Teixeira drew a lead off walk and red hot Alex Rodriguez followed with a rope double to left to put two runners in scoring position with no one out. Buck Showalter went against the percentages and decided against intentionally walking Robinson Cano to set up a force at any base. The former Yankees skipper got a break when Cano lined out to short, but Swisher's fly to right scored Teixeira easily when Nick Markakis' throw traveled well up the 3rd base line.

Though his fastball was only clocking at 90, Hughes retired six of the first seven batters he faced and threw two scoreless innings. But in the 3rd, with one on and one out, Markakis drilled a home run into the seats right for a 2-0 O's lead. The Orioles manufactured another run an inning later when Luke Scott reached on a lead off double and came around on a ground out by Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds' sac fly.

Hughes would exit early for his third straight start when Markakis' 2-out double plated Cesar Izturis with the Orioles 4th run. Vlad Guerrero added an RBI single off Bartolo Colon to close out Hughes' night with five earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched. But Colon (3 IP), Joba Chamberlain (1.2 IP) and Rivera would blank the O's the rest of the way with a little help from the Yankee Stadium backstop

Chamberlain entered the game with runners on the corners and one out in the 8th and immediately uncorked a pitch in the dirt that went to the backstop, but the ball took a fortuitous bounce back to Russell Martin. The Yankees catcher threw to Chamberlain at home plate to nail the speedy Felix Pie (pee-ay) to keep it a one run game. Then it was time for some pie (p).

Notes

Alex Rodriguez has eight hits in his last 13 at-bats to boost his average to .412.

Injuries, Ineffectiveness Should Have Cashman Shopping | Baseball Digest

Wrote this piece for BaseballDigest.com; please click the link to read.

Injuries, Ineffectiveness Should Have Cashman Shopping | Baseball Digest

The moment Andy Pettitte left this past Sunday afternoon’s game with a groin strain, you knew that Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman would start to go through his mental rolodex.

Pettitte’s injury, which is expected to keep him out of action for 4-5 weeks, compounded an already difficult situation for Cashman, who knows he must re-tool the current bullpen if the Yankees are to repeat in 2010.

Rasner Rewarded for Success

Darrell Rasner may not be long from rejoining the Yankees, as a replacement in the rotation, or as a long man out of the bullpen. Earlier today, Rasner was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for this past week.

Rasner was awarded after winning a pair of starts and limiting Scranton's opponents to 1 run in 14 innings. It lowered his season ERA to 0.87. Amazingly, his ERA is only 4th best in the league.

Rasner is tied for the league lead in wins, is 3rd in innings pitched, and 4th in strikeouts. If Ian Kennedy feels hot breath on his neck, it's most assuredly Rasner's.

Rasner Rewarded for Success

Darrell Rasner may not be long from rejoining the Yankees, as a replacement in the rotation, or as a long man out of the bullpen. Earlier today, Rasner was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for this past week.

Rasner was awarded after winning a pair of starts and limiting Scranton's opponents to 1 run in 14 innings. It lowered his season ERA to 0.87. Amazingly, his ERA is only 4th best in the league.

Rasner is tied for the league lead in wins, is 3rd in innings pitched, and 4th in strikeouts. If Ian Kennedy feels hot breath on his neck, it's most assuredly Rasner's.

New Boss Same as the Old Boss

Patience has never been a trait of the Steinbrenner family, and Hank Steinbrenner has seen enough. A 10-10 start has him calling for Joba Chamberlain to join the starting rotation ASAP.

“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now,” Steinbrenner said Sunday by telephone. “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”

If it had been up to Hank, Joba never would have been in the bullpen last year either. Of course, he seems to forget the Yankees wouldn't have made the playoffs if the switch hadn't occurred.

“The mistake was already made last year switching him to the bullpen out of panic or whatever,” Steinbrenner said. “I had no say in it last year and I wouldn’t have allowed it. That was done last year, so now we have to catch up. It has to be done on a schedule so we don’t rush him.”

Boss Jr. still has faith in his other young pitchers and has some words of advising for his struggling veteran, Mike Mussina.

“I think once Hughes and Kennedy get plenty of starts and get Joba back, and with Wang and Pettitte, we will be fine,” Steinbrenner said, referring to the Yankees’ starters Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte.

He also said he thought Mike Mussina, who is 39, “just needs to learn how to pitch like Jamie Moyer,” the Phillies’ 45-year-old starter, suggesting that Mussina shouldn’t try to rely on his diminished fastball.

Somehow we don't think that's going to go over real well with Moose, not that we care.

“The starting rotation is not what I would have chosen at the beginning of the year, but that is not a big news flash to anyone,” Steinbrenner said.

The junior Stein may get his wish very soon.

Source: NY Times

New Boss Same as the Old Boss

Patience has never been a trait of the Steinbrenner family, and Hank Steinbrenner has seen enough. A 10-10 start has him calling for Joba Chamberlain to join the starting rotation ASAP.

“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now,” Steinbrenner said Sunday by telephone. “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”

If it had been up to Hank, Joba never would have been in the bullpen last year either. Of course, he seems to forget the Yankees wouldn't have made the playoffs if the switch hadn't occurred.

“The mistake was already made last year switching him to the bullpen out of panic or whatever,” Steinbrenner said. “I had no say in it last year and I wouldn’t have allowed it. That was done last year, so now we have to catch up. It has to be done on a schedule so we don’t rush him.”

Boss Jr. still has faith in his other young pitchers and has some words of advising for his struggling veteran, Mike Mussina.

“I think once Hughes and Kennedy get plenty of starts and get Joba back, and with Wang and Pettitte, we will be fine,” Steinbrenner said, referring to the Yankees’ starters Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte.

He also said he thought Mike Mussina, who is 39, “just needs to learn how to pitch like Jamie Moyer,” the Phillies’ 45-year-old starter, suggesting that Mussina shouldn’t try to rely on his diminished fastball.

Somehow we don't think that's going to go over real well with Moose, not that we care.

“The starting rotation is not what I would have chosen at the beginning of the year, but that is not a big news flash to anyone,” Steinbrenner said.

The junior Stein may get his wish very soon.

Source: NY Times

Snip Snip

Pitchers Chris Britton, Heath Phillips, Scott Strickland and Dan Giese were sent to the minor league camp last night. None of those moves was unexpected.

So now with 5 starters in place (Hughes-Wang-Moose-IPK-Pettitte) and 4 relievers (Mo-Joba-Farnsworth-Hawins), that leaves 3 openings in the pen. Figure Karstens or Rasner for the long man and Traber as the lefty specialist.

Which means everyone left is fighting for the final spot. Brian Bruney and Scott Patterson are the clear front runners. And while we would go with Patterson, particulary based on Bruney's past inconsistencies, we get the feeling Bruney will be the 25th man.

That would also mean that Jon Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jose Veras would be ticketed for the minors. Sean Henn is out of options and would have to pass through the waivers to be retained. However, Henn's shoulder is bothering him and it could land him on the DL.

Snip Snip

Pitchers Chris Britton, Heath Phillips, Scott Strickland and Dan Giese were sent to the minor league camp last night. None of those moves was unexpected.

So now with 5 starters in place (Hughes-Wang-Moose-IPK-Pettitte) and 4 relievers (Mo-Joba-Farnsworth-Hawins), that leaves 3 openings in the pen. Figure Karstens or Rasner for the long man and Traber as the lefty specialist.

Which means everyone left is fighting for the final spot. Brian Bruney and Scott Patterson are the clear front runners. And while we would go with Patterson, particulary based on Bruney's past inconsistencies, we get the feeling Bruney will be the 25th man.

That would also mean that Jon Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jose Veras would be ticketed for the minors. Sean Henn is out of options and would have to pass through the waivers to be retained. However, Henn's shoulder is bothering him and it could land him on the DL.

Make Lemonade

"What is what to do when life hands you lemons?". Scott Patterson might have thought he was handed a bunch of lemons when he jammed in his finger in a doorway three years ago. But being switched from a starter, where he struggled, to a reliever, where he has excelled, has given Patterson's career a new lease on life.

“I stubbed my finger in a door at my host family’s house in Lancaster,” Patterson said. “They brought me back slowly and said, ‘Could you work out of the pen?’ It was my first time ever doing that, and I just let it go for an inning. I was up to 90, 91, 92 miles an hour, and I was like, This could be good; let me stay here for a little bit.”

Patterson has put up a 1.47 ERA in 70 minor league games, all but one at the Double-A affiliate. This year Patterson has an excellent shot of going north with the big club this season.

“He’s made enough of an impression that we think he’ll help us at some point this season,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We don’t know where he’ll start, but he’s still here.”

The injury allowed Patterson to better establish his fastball (nicknamed the "Invisiball" by teammates because "no one hits it") and slow curve. His herky jerky motion adds to his repertoire by keeping hitters off balance.

Though he expects to start the season at Triple-A, Patterson's made a case for himself by not allowing a run this spring. Considering the way the pen has underperformed the last several years, he'd be a welcome addition.

Source: NY Times

Make Lemonade

"What is what to do when life hands you lemons?". Scott Patterson might have thought he was handed a bunch of lemons when he jammed in his finger in a doorway three years ago. But being switched from a starter, where he struggled, to a reliever, where he has excelled, has given Patterson's career a new lease on life.

“I stubbed my finger in a door at my host family’s house in Lancaster,” Patterson said. “They brought me back slowly and said, ‘Could you work out of the pen?’ It was my first time ever doing that, and I just let it go for an inning. I was up to 90, 91, 92 miles an hour, and I was like, This could be good; let me stay here for a little bit.”

Patterson has put up a 1.47 ERA in 70 minor league games, all but one at the Double-A affiliate. This year Patterson has an excellent shot of going north with the big club this season.

“He’s made enough of an impression that we think he’ll help us at some point this season,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We don’t know where he’ll start, but he’s still here.”

The injury allowed Patterson to better establish his fastball (nicknamed the "Invisiball" by teammates because "no one hits it") and slow curve. His herky jerky motion adds to his repertoire by keeping hitters off balance.

Though he expects to start the season at Triple-A, Patterson's made a case for himself by not allowing a run this spring. Considering the way the pen has underperformed the last several years, he'd be a welcome addition.

Source: NY Times

So it is Written So it Shall be Done

Joba Chamberlain has finally got his definitive assignment - the bullpen. Are only thoughts of why the Yankees prepped him as a starter for the first nearly 3 weeks of spring training games was the hope he would just come out and blow everyone away. He's done just the opposite this spring.

Even with an innings limit, we have to think the Yankees would have put Joba in the rotation had he stood out above Ian Kennedy or Mike Mussina, especially if the latter had continued to falter.

So now Joba, who had even begun to get frustrated with his status, can concentrate on bolstering the back of the pen. Joe Girardi said Joba will eventually be a starter, but backed off of earlier statements from the front office that it would be this year.

"I'm not saying this year, but I would say in the future," Girardi said. "I don't want to be locked into a timetable. Promises depend on performance, but in the future, we consider him a starter."

The Yankees have to be on the lookout for a veteran starter at some point. Whether it be a Freddy Garcia, Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, etc., the Yankees can't really be expected to win the division as currently constituted. But there's no doubt the bullpen just got a whole lot stronger.

Source: NY Daily News

So it is Written So it Shall be Done

Joba Chamberlain has finally got his definitive assignment - the bullpen. Are only thoughts of why the Yankees prepped him as a starter for the first nearly 3 weeks of spring training games was the hope he would just come out and blow everyone away. He's done just the opposite this spring.

Even with an innings limit, we have to think the Yankees would have put Joba in the rotation had he stood out above Ian Kennedy or Mike Mussina, especially if the latter had continued to falter.

So now Joba, who had even begun to get frustrated with his status, can concentrate on bolstering the back of the pen. Joe Girardi said Joba will eventually be a starter, but backed off of earlier statements from the front office that it would be this year.

"I'm not saying this year, but I would say in the future," Girardi said. "I don't want to be locked into a timetable. Promises depend on performance, but in the future, we consider him a starter."

The Yankees have to be on the lookout for a veteran starter at some point. Whether it be a Freddy Garcia, Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, etc., the Yankees can't really be expected to win the division as currently constituted. But there's no doubt the bullpen just got a whole lot stronger.

Source: NY Daily News

Starting Rotation and Bullpen your Biggest Concerns

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of days. We've been laid up with a bug again and threw our back out to top it off. In the meantime our poll has expired, and we thank the 69 of you who responded.

Not surprisingly, pitching is your biggest worry, both starting and the bullpen. 43% of you said the starting rotation was your biggest concern. While another 39% of you felt the lack of solid relief would be the Yankees undoing.

The Smörgåsbord at 1st Base received 7% of the vote, while defense (4%), Mariano Rivera (3%) and Joe Girardi (3%) rounded at the voting.

Stayed tuned for more polls and thanks again for participating.

Starting Rotation and Bullpen your Biggest Concerns

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of days. We've been laid up with a bug again and threw our back out to top it off. In the meantime our poll has expired, and we thank the 69 of you who responded.

Not surprisingly, pitching is your biggest worry, both starting and the bullpen. 43% of you said the starting rotation was your biggest concern. While another 39% of you felt the lack of solid relief would be the Yankees undoing.

The Smörgåsbord at 1st Base received 7% of the vote, while defense (4%), Mariano Rivera (3%) and Joe Girardi (3%) rounded at the voting.

Stayed tuned for more polls and thanks again for participating.