Joba Headed to Tigertown

Joba looked like Oliver Hardy, but pitched like Stan Laurel.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday morning that Joba Chamberlain and the Detroit Tigers agreed to terms on a free agent deal. ESPN's Buster Olney later added the details, one year at $2.5MM. He'll serve as a set up man for another free agent signee, Joe Nathan.

Chamberlain's days as a Yankee came to a close when the team didn't make him a qualifying offer after the end of the 2013 season. It meant the end of a career in pinstripes - one that took off like a rocket on lift off, but peaked early and then nosedived back to Earth.

In between there was Tommy John surgery, rules, midges, triple digit fastballs, nasty sliders, a DUI and a related insult of Yogi Berra, a "shush" incident with Mariano Rivera, a trampoline mishap, numerous cans of Red Bull, a cheesy mustache, a great father/son story, and non-maximized potential.

It didn't get much better for Chamberlain after his 2007 debut. Yankees fans had heard about the blazing fastball and a great arsenal of pitches, but seeing was believing.

The Yankees needed bullpen help in the summer of 2007 so the former first round pick (41st overall in 2006) was recalled from the minors. He made his debut at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 7 and threw two scoreless innings in a 9-2 Yankees win. Nervous, excited, and amped up, he walked two and struck out two.

Two days later he struck out four of the six batters he faced. The legend of Joba was born. He pitched 24 innings in his first season with a remarkable 34 strikeouts and six walks. He allowed a single earned run for a 0.38 ERA, won a couple of games and picked up his first Major League save. The "Joba Rules" were also instituted to protect his arm, but they didn't have much of impact until the following season.

He pitched out of the pen to begin and end the 2008 season with 12 starts in between. A year later he was a full-time starter, but couldn't match his prior success. From there it was injuries and ineffectiveness to the point that he couldn't be trusted in key situations.

Now he's got a clean slate with Tigers' first year manager Brad Ausmus.

Joba: Performances That Go Thud in the Night

M’s Thump Joba and Yanks

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Ian Snell • joba chamberlain • Joba Rules • Ken Griffey Jr. • Seattle Mariners • Yankees 9/20 recap • Yankees vs. Mariners

The Yankees have plans for Joba Chamberlain, I’m just not sure what they are. I’ve been critical of how Chamberlain has been handled in the second half and my thoughts haven’t changed any. No confidence can be gained from the outings Chamberlain has had since the Yankees started limiting his innings and pitches. And yesterday’s showing against the Seattle Mariners was a complete disaster. Chamberlain got hammered for five runs in the 2nd inning and gave up seven runs total in a three inning stint. The result was a lackluster 7-1 Yankees loss and a lost road series.

The Yankees threatened against Ian Snell (5-2 since joining Seattle) in the 1st inning, putting two runners aboard with no one out. But Snell retired Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, and Hideki Matsui to escape the jam and the Yankees offense flopped like a fish after that. The Yankees would manage just five hits on the day, three of them byTeixeira.

Chamberlain retired the first two hitters of the game, but then gave up back to back doubles to Jose Lopez and Ken Griffey Jr., and an RBI single to Adrian Beltre for a 2-0 M’s lead. Things went from bad to worse an inning later with Griffey punctuating the 5-run outburst with a 3-run home run. It was Griffey’s 16th home run of the season, the same output as his 1989 rookie season, and 627th of his career.

Game Notes

On the bright side, Sergio Mitre tossed five innings of 1-hit ball in relief.

The Yankees begin a three game series tonight with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The AL East lead has been reduced to 5 1/2 games (ahead of Boston), but the magic number is just one to clinch a playoff spot.

Time for Another Night of Joba Mishandling

Joba Chamberlain will get his 3 innings, if he's lucky, tonight when he faces the Tampa Bay Rays in 10-15 minutes.

It's aggravating watching this mishandling of a fantastic talent. This falls on the shoulders of Brian Cashman and Nardi Contreras, the masterminds behind the Joba Rules.

As I've stated before I have no issue with protecting Joba's arm, but the manner in which it's done doesn't make sense. There's no way Joba will have an effective start (as we have also stated before, Joba would likely only get one start in a seven game series and none in the division series) in the playoffs if he's pitching just a smattering of innings here and there.

There's absolutely no way that Joba can gain any confidence in this type of arrangement. He should be pitching out of the pen and go back to the rotation next spring. <-- Period

Joba Rules Don't Rule

We got a look at the new "Joba Rules" yesterday and I personally don't like them. Let me preface the following by saying I totally agree with protecting a guy's arm. There is solid evidence that a significant innings increase can cause damage to a young arm. On a side note, pitchers wouldn't have to be babied in the minors and majors if they weren't abused in little league, youth baseball, high school, and college.

That all being said, I do not like the current variation of the "Joba Rules". Joba left Sunday's victory over the White Sox after throwing just 3 innings and 35 pitches. It appears to be a true innings limit and not a pitch count. What is the point of having Joba start and throw 3 innings? Come October how do you expect him to make a playoff start and give you any length? As it stands now, Joba would likely only make one start in the ALCS and World Series, should the Yankees get there.

You might as well put Joba in the pen right now. Use him twice a week or once a week and let him throw in the pen in between. I say this, because it's a waste right now. You're in the middle of a pennant race, why burn your bullpen by automatically pulling your starter after 3 innings? (If he throws only 24 pitches, you're still going to pull him after 3 innings?) It doesn't matter if the rosters are expanded, you want guys you can trust to come into the game and not have to empty the bullpen if the starters have back to back bad outings.

Joba's appearances have been shaky enough and removing him after 3 mediocre innings is no way to boost his confidence or help the team.

And one more thing, Michael Kay mentioned on Sunday's broadcast that Joba must be relieved that the shackles will come off next season. Who says they will? If Joba throw 150 or 160 innings this season, who is to say he won't be limited to 170 or 180 next season. Then again the Yankees could change the rules again in September- that's how poorly they've handled Joba the last two seasons.

Joba Needs a Relocation Program

Real estate is all about "location, location, location", and Joba Chamberlain didn't have any tonight against the Texas Rangers. Chamberlain, pitching for the first time in eight days, couldn't hold a 4-0 lead and the Yankees lost to the Rangers 10-9 when a 9th inning rally fell just short.

The long rest between starts was an effort to abide by the "Joba Rules" so that Chamberlain wouldn't exceed the innings limit the Yankees have set for him. It would also enable him to be used as a starter in the playoffs, should the Yankees make it there (hey, nothing is a given). But tonight Chamberlain continued hisstruggles in front of his home crowd (3-3, 5.13 as opposed to 2-1, 3.15 on the road) and couldn't locate his fastball, or for that matter, any of his other pitches. The result was adisastrous 5th inning that turned a 4-2 Yankees' lead into a 7-4 deficit.

Just as the Rangers had scored both runs with two outs in the 2nd inning, they did all their damage with two outs in the 4th. Chamberlain retired Ian Kinsler on a pop up and struck out slugger Nelson Cruz, but then walked Ivan Rodriguez. A barrage of singles (five) followed, as the Rangers blooped, lined, and grounded their way to lead (we can already hear Joe Girardi saying the ball wasn't hit that hard - it won't work Joe). After Chris Davis' single put two aboard, rookies Elvus Andrus (3 RBI) and Julio Borbon brought home the tying and go ahead runs with base hits. Michael Young and Josh Hamilton then chipped in with RBI hits before Chamberlain finally got Marlon Byrd looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the misery. Chamberlain's last pitch was his 96th, and 44th in the inning.

It still appeared the Yankees might win the game or at least send it to extra innings when they rallied for four runs against Jason Grilli and Frank Francisco in the 9th inning. But with runners on 1st and 2nd and no one out, and Nick Swisher at the plate, Girardi called for the bunt. After fouling a pitch off, Swisher, who has three sac bunts this season, bunted into the air for an easy out. Another fundamental mistake, this time with base running, then ended the game. Pinch-runner Jerry Hairston Jr. strayed too far off of 2nd base and was doubled off when Melky Cabrera lined out to shortstop Elvus Andrus.

Things certainly started out well on the night as the Yankees began their six game homestand. Mark Teixeira drew a 2-out walk from starter Kevin Millwood and Alex Rodriguez blooped a single to right. Hideki Matsui ripped a double down the right field that took a funny hop, allowing A-Rod to follow Teixeira home for a 2-0 Yankees lead. Jorge Posada then deposited his 16th home run of the season into the right field seats and the Yankees were rolling. Unfortunately, the Yankees pitching never got on a roll.

Game Notes

Derek Jeter had another multi-hit game (2 hits), putting him within 18 hits of tying Lou Gehrig's franchise record of 2,721 hits.

Brett Gardner's recovery from a fractured thumb is going well and he hopes to be activated sometime within the next week.

Joe Girardi has already announced that Joba Chamberlain will pitch next on his normal five days rest- Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.

Yankees Ready Themselves to Affect Wildcard

Let's Get Wild

With a 3-2 win over the Oakland A's last night, the Yankees completed their very successful west coast swing with a 5-2 record. They flew to Boston last night to start a series of games that will directly impact the AL Wildcard race.

After a 3-game series in Beantown the Yankees will return home to face the Texas Rangers for 3 games. With a victory over Toronto last night, combined with the Rangers loss to Minnesota, Boston moved back to a 1 game lead over Texas in the WC standings. The two teams conclude those respective series tonight with Texas heading to Tampa Bay for a big 3-game series with the Rays.

Pitching match up for Boston series.

Friday - Andy Pettitte vs. Brad Penny
Saturday - A.J. Burnett vs. Junichi Tazawa
Sunday - CC Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett

On paper, the match ups clearly favor the Yankees, but games aren't played on paper and anything can happen in Fenway.

The Rangers series starts Tuesday night and we believe the pitching should look something like this:

Tuesday - Joba Chamberlain vs. Kevin Millwood
Wednesday - Andy Pettitte vs. Derek Holland
Thursday - Sergio Mitre or Chad Gaudin vs. Dustin Nippert

The Yankees could switch things up too to give Pettitte and extra day's rest and have him go on Thursday rather than Wednesday.


The Joba Rules

Joba Chamberlain sat down with Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland, and now has a clear picture of what the rest of the season holds for him. Chamberlain will get 6 more starts during the regular season, though Eiland said Chamberlain could get additional starts at the end of the season if 1st place and/or Wildcard are still on the line.


Billy Wagner?

The Mets have placed their former closer, Billy Wagner, on waivers as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery. Considering he's owed about $3.6 million for the remainder of this season plus a buyout for next year, he's not likely to be claimed. But once he goes through waivers, he could very well be dealt and you have to wonder if the Yankees would be interested.

The two left-handers in the Yankees arsenal are Phil Coke, who has been up and down, and Damaso Marte, who will probably be activated tomorrow despite the fact that his stuff isn't really up to snuff.

It wouldn't be a bad for the Yankees as long as they don't have to give much up, especially if they have to absorb most of the salary. If someone does claim Wagner, it would be hard to imagine the Mets, still smarting from the Madoff scam (whether they want to admit it or not), pulling him back off of waivers.

An Elite Win

It wasn't that long ago that it was unlikely that Mike Mussina would ever make another start for the Yankees, let alone win his 250th game. He did just that yesterday, as the Yankees overcame a 3-0 deficit and beat the Blue Jays 7-5 at a sun and fan filled Yankee Stadium. Mussina (11-10) became the 1st pitcher in major league history to win 250 games without the benefit of a 20 win season. He gave up those 3 runs to the Blue Jays in the 2nd inning, but shut the door on them after that, retiring the last 9 men he faced. Jose Molina lead the comeback with a 3-hit, 3 RBI day.

Luis Vizcaino gave up a 2-run HR to Matt Stairs (his 20th) in the 8th, but Joe Torre called on Joba Chamberlain with 2 outs in the 8th and the rookie came through again, retiring all 4 batters he faced, 3 by strike out. He celebrated his 22nd birthday with his 1st major league save. On Friday, Torre, GM Brian Cashman, and minor league pitching guru Nardi Contreras participated in a conference call to discuss amending the "Joba Rules" (unlike Michael Kay, we're not going to go into the details of them again). Ordinarily, Chamberlain would have not have been able to pitch on Sunday after throwing 2 innings and 30 pitches on Friday. But everyone realizes they can't use Mariano Rivera and Luis Vizcaino every game, and they'll need Chamberlain to pitch more regularly in the post-season, so why not groom him for that role now.

Molina, Johnny Damon, and Derek Jeter stroked RBI singles off Dustin McGowan (11-10) in the bottom of the 2nd, to answer the Jays 3 in the top of the inning. In the 6th, Robinson Cano put the Yankees ahead with an RBI single, and Doug Mientkiewicz and Molina added RBI singles as well. Molina drove in the final run with a double in the 8th.

The victory moved the Yankees back to 1.5 games of the Red Sox in the AL East, but Ed Price of the Star-Ledger reported this morning that a source close to the situation said that if the Yankees clinch the Wild Card, they will call off the dogs and prepare for the post-season. The Yankees cite 2005 as an example of chasing the division to the wire and then beating physically and mentally beat in the playoffs. The Angels beat them in the 1st round of the ALDS that year.
The Yankees reduced their magic number yesterday to 2 to clinch the Wild Card spot, with the Tigers hanging in with a victory over the Royals.

...

Derek Jeter was having a disastrous September, but has now put together a 10-game hitting streak. He's 21-48 (.438) during the streak, which has left him just 3 hits shy of his 6th 200 hit season.

Jose Molina has given the Yankees what they have been looking for, a catcher who was not only reliable defensively, but could swing the bat some too. Molina was hitting just .224 when he was acquired from the Angels, but the .242 career hitter is batting .321 (17-53) as a Yankee. He's also got an .811 OPS.

photos courtesy of AP

An Elite Win

It wasn't that long ago that it was unlikely that Mike Mussina would ever make another start for the Yankees, let alone win his 250th game. He did just that yesterday, as the Yankees overcame a 3-0 deficit and beat the Blue Jays 7-5 at a sun and fan filled Yankee Stadium. Mussina (11-10) became the 1st pitcher in major league history to win 250 games without the benefit of a 20 win season. He gave up those 3 runs to the Blue Jays in the 2nd inning, but shut the door on them after that, retiring the last 9 men he faced. Jose Molina lead the comeback with a 3-hit, 3 RBI day.

Luis Vizcaino gave up a 2-run HR to Matt Stairs (his 20th) in the 8th, but Joe Torre called on Joba Chamberlain with 2 outs in the 8th and the rookie came through again, retiring all 4 batters he faced, 3 by strike out. He celebrated his 22nd birthday with his 1st major league save. On Friday, Torre, GM Brian Cashman, and minor league pitching guru Nardi Contreras participated in a conference call to discuss amending the "Joba Rules" (unlike Michael Kay, we're not going to go into the details of them again). Ordinarily, Chamberlain would have not have been able to pitch on Sunday after throwing 2 innings and 30 pitches on Friday. But everyone realizes they can't use Mariano Rivera and Luis Vizcaino every game, and they'll need Chamberlain to pitch more regularly in the post-season, so why not groom him for that role now.

Molina, Johnny Damon, and Derek Jeter stroked RBI singles off Dustin McGowan (11-10) in the bottom of the 2nd, to answer the Jays 3 in the top of the inning. In the 6th, Robinson Cano put the Yankees ahead with an RBI single, and Doug Mientkiewicz and Molina added RBI singles as well. Molina drove in the final run with a double in the 8th.

The victory moved the Yankees back to 1.5 games of the Red Sox in the AL East, but Ed Price of the Star-Ledger reported this morning that a source close to the situation said that if the Yankees clinch the Wild Card, they will call off the dogs and prepare for the post-season. The Yankees cite 2005 as an example of chasing the division to the wire and then beating physically and mentally beat in the playoffs. The Angels beat them in the 1st round of the ALDS that year.
The Yankees reduced their magic number yesterday to 2 to clinch the Wild Card spot, with the Tigers hanging in with a victory over the Royals.

...

Derek Jeter was having a disastrous September, but has now put together a 10-game hitting streak. He's 21-48 (.438) during the streak, which has left him just 3 hits shy of his 6th 200 hit season.

Jose Molina has given the Yankees what they have been looking for, a catcher who was not only reliable defensively, but could swing the bat some too. Molina was hitting just .224 when he was acquired from the Angels, but the .242 career hitter is batting .321 (17-53) as a Yankee. He's also got an .811 OPS.

photos courtesy of AP

Joba Gets 2 Game Suspension

The question remains whether or not Joba Chamberlain really threw at Kevin Youkillis. But apparently, Major League Baseball has made up its mind. Joba was hit with a 2 game suspension. He'll sit out Tonight and tomorrow's games with the Devil Rays...which he would have done anyway due to the "Joba Rules".

Joba Gets 2 Game Suspension

The question remains whether or not Joba Chamberlain really threw at Kevin Youkillis. But apparently, Major League Baseball has made up its mind. Joba was hit with a 2 game suspension. He'll sit out Tonight and tomorrow's games with the Devil Rays...which he would have done anyway due to the "Joba Rules".

Today's Yankees News

Learn more about Ian Kennedy. Ironically, it sounds like Kennedy is similar in thought processes to the man he's replacing, Mike Mussina. Source

Mike Mussina is not happy about being skipped in the rotation. Even though he admitted that he "doesn't what to do" out there, he feels his resume should keep him pitching. Source

The Joba Rules and why Brian Cashman is sticking to them. Interestingly enough, on last night's broadcast, Michael Kay stated that Yankees pitching guru Nardi Contreras is the person who actually set the rules for Joba Chamberlain's handling. Source

Joe Girardi did a, seemingly, great job as skipper of the Florida Marlins last year. But with a crop of injuries and ineffectiveness by the Marlins starters this year, people are questioning if Girardi's handling of them is the reason. Source

Today's Yankees News

Learn more about Ian Kennedy. Ironically, it sounds like Kennedy is similar in thought processes to the man he's replacing, Mike Mussina. Source

Mike Mussina is not happy about being skipped in the rotation. Even though he admitted that he "doesn't what to do" out there, he feels his resume should keep him pitching. Source

The Joba Rules and why Brian Cashman is sticking to them. Interestingly enough, on last night's broadcast, Michael Kay stated that Yankees pitching guru Nardi Contreras is the person who actually set the rules for Joba Chamberlain's handling. Source

Joe Girardi did a, seemingly, great job as skipper of the Florida Marlins last year. But with a crop of injuries and ineffectiveness by the Marlins starters this year, people are questioning if Girardi's handling of them is the reason. Source

Joba Rules

Joe Torre has indicated that discussions are underway to try to amend the so-called "Joba Rules". Currently the rookie right-hander must have 1 day off if he pitches 1 inning and 2 days off if he pitches 2 innings. He must also have 2 days off prior to pitching 2 innings. There are pitch count rules, etc.

But as Torre has pointed out, what's wrong with pitching Joba on back-to-back nights if he threw only 10 pitches the night before.

Source

Photo courtesy of AP

Joba Rules

Joe Torre has indicated that discussions are underway to try to amend the so-called "Joba Rules". Currently the rookie right-hander must have 1 day off if he pitches 1 inning and 2 days off if he pitches 2 innings. He must also have 2 days off prior to pitching 2 innings. There are pitch count rules, etc.

But as Torre has pointed out, what's wrong with pitching Joba on back-to-back nights if he threw only 10 pitches the night before.

Source

Photo courtesy of AP