NYP: Joba Is Going to Stay in Bullpen for Playoffs

Well this isn't unexpected, but it's still surprising. From the New York Post's Joel Sherman:

Should the Yankees advance to the ALCS, they are leaning heavily toward using Chad Gaudin rather than Joba Chamberlain as the Game 4 starter, The Post has learned.

--snip--

The Yankees want Chamberlain available to impact multiple games as a reliever rather than be a questionable starter for one game. Even if Gaudin were to have a short start, the Yankees have Alfredo Aceves and possibly even Chamberlain to eat up innings in long relief.

In addition, with an off-day scheduled after ALCS Game 4, the Yankees could empty their pen in support of Gaudin, and still have all of their relievers available for a Game 5. There also is a scenario if the Yankees were to sweep this Division Series they could use three starters with CC Sabathia working once on short rest.

Well there it is. If they get to that point, let's hope that Gaudin's starts aren't too short or too bad. It's great and all to have such a deep bullpen, but if you're starting pitching performs, when do you use these guys? CC on short rest makes some sense as well, but they've worked so hard to keep him on regular rest after his lack of success last year on short rest in the playoffs, do they really want to do that? As a short-term move, though, I can live with this. Joba, Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera can all be extended and really shorten a game for the Yankees. It also lessens the wear and tear on Joba's arm, as less postseason innings for his season should be an added benefit of this move.

The reason I am surprised is that Joba has pitched well against the Red Sox this season so if they're the opponent, it seems like it may backfire. The one thing that may ease the fears of Joe Girardi? Gaudin has a 2.64 career ERA in 30.2 innings against Boston. It's not much of a sample size, but it'll have to do if the Red Sox are the opponent.

Paul--who is an ardent Joba-to-the-'pen supporter--probably feels like he won the argument, but I think this is just a temporary move for the playoffs. Hopefully we'll see Joba and Hughes in the rotation next year...with renewed confidence...and World Series rings.