Tonight Proves Joba Belongs In the Bullpen

I was reading online some people that feel tonight was vindication that Joba Chamberlain should be in the starting rotation. I think it's the opposite. He should be in the bullpen. Tonight proved that and let me explain to you why.

First of all, he only pitched 3.2 perfect innings. 3.2?!?! What type of durability is that? David Cone pitched 9. David Wells pitched 9. Don Larsen pitched 9. Joba can't even go 4. Even Mike Mussina went 8.2 perfect innings one time. But he never won a World Series (sensing a theme??). Joba is 23 and should have proven himself by now more than this! If he's not a dominant front-line starter now, when is he ever going to be?

Listen, I don't care what you say about "starting pitching winning championships", Mike Francesa and I agree that the most important thing a team can have is a dominant middle reliever. In 1996, the Yankees won the World Series and Mariano Rivera was the set-up man. What's more scary? A dominant frontline starter or knowing that Joba is sitting in the bullpen.

We can move him off of starter because we have other options. Even if Hughes or Wang suck, we have Kei Igawa. I think he was the minor league pitcher of the year last year. And we have Cassey Fossum. He was once traded for Curt Schilling and Curt Schilling is a great playoff pitcher. But Joba can't be Curt Schilling as a starter. Curt Schilling would have gone at least 9 innings today. Only 8 for Joba? What type of front-line starter is that?!

So here's how it would go: Hughes for 5 (or "UZE" as I like to pronounce it), Joba (or "Jobber") for the 6th, 7th, and 8th, and The Great Mariano for the 9th. Joba could pitch 3 innings every day. So you're claim that he's more valuable pitching 200 innings as a starter is bogus. Pitching 3 innings every day, he would throw 486 innings. Now tell me what's more valuable? Pitching 200 innings or 486 innings?

Also, if he was in the bullpen, he'd be pitching less innings a game which would give him less chance to give fistbumps. And who wants to see that unprofessional display of emotion on the mound? I rather a guy not care about pitching than do that crap. That's not the Yankee way. Plus he's too emotional to be a starter. What if he cries on the mound? What will happen then? THERE IS NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!

Where was I? Oh back to Joba in the 'pen. Listen, now Sweeny Murti agrees with me. And it has nothing to do with the fact that Mike talks his ear off every day about it. It's about being logical. Mariano Rivera is 39 years old. Let me repeat that: 39 years old. He's FINISHED! Who is going to replace him when he's done later this year? And what about Boston? If Joba is in the bullpen we can use him against Boston because we can't have a reliever near 100 out there against the Sox. He gave up the game in April. APRIL! What is he going to do in October if he can't seal the deal in April? We need a ready replacement.

What you don't understand is that it's not about the statistics; I don't care about stupid facts! What I care about is intangibles! That's why Derek Jeter is such a great player! Do you see those jump throws he makes? Imagine now that we not only have Jetes' jump throws but Joba scaring people in the bullpen. I don't care that Jobber has an ERA of 3.20 since he's become a starter. What does that prove? It's only statistic! Oh...and what does Nick Swisher know about the "Joba-meter definitely leaning towards starter"? The guy has a mohawk!

But here's why tonight proved it to me. I don't care that he hasn't been throwing hard in the first innings and that may be important as a reliever (he'll be able to turn the switch...he's done it before!!!!!), but just look at his 8th inning tonight. Joe Girardi is grooming him for the 8th inning by pitching him there tonight. Joba looked great as a set up man tonight, pitching a beautiful 8th inning, 1-2-3, and hitting 98 on the radar gun. All that counts is the 8th inning! And tomorrow he should be there and end this travesty! Now get me a Diet Coke so I can tell you why Mike Francesa and I don't like the New Yankee Stadium.


(if you didn't realize already, I'm totally kididng)