[Lefty Noob]

The AP is reporting that the Yankees could have RHP Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen to start the season. Good move?
Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain could start season in bullpen before moving to rotation - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[azrael492]

He could end up like Papelbon. A good starting pitcher that is too good out of the pen to take him out. He was almost unhittable after his callup. I would like to see what he can do starting though.

[alex83]

i think it would be good to ease Joba into the lineup...i mean the whole issue last season was that he was good but they wanted him to build up to be a better pitcher...so it would be a mistake to throw him in at the beginning of the season and think "well we gave him a season to warm up, now he's going to be amazing"...so at least this way if he is still in the bullpen for maybe a month then he can be eased into becoming a starter

[legend]

That tells me they have no confidence in Hawkins and Farnsworth to get to Rivera.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by alex83

i think it would be good to ease Joba into the lineup...i mean the whole issue last season was that he was good but they wanted him to build up to be a better pitcher...so it would be a mistake to throw him in at the beginning of the season and think "well we gave him a season to warm up, now he's going to be amazing"...so at least this way if he is still in the bullpen for maybe a month then he can be eased into becoming a starter

That is how Santana got into the Twins rotation. He was in the bullpen for a couple years then he got a start after the break and didn't lose all year.

[ThePundit]

You have to trust that betwen Dave Eiland - the new Yankes pitching coach who coached Joba in the minors and Joe Girardi will do the right thing.

[bears9]

I think moving Joba to the bullpen is the best move for the Yankees, Rivera is getting old and they need a closer of the future.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by bears9

I think moving Joba to the bullpen is the best move for the Yankees, Rivera is getting old and they need a closer of the future.

That's not happening. He's going to be a starter.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

That's not happening. He's going to be a starter.

I think that is the right move. He could be part of a great rotation for years to come with Hughes and Kennedy. They alreay know he can pitch relief and succeed, so they can put him back if he can't cut it as a starter.

[mervinout]

joba becoming the closer is as important to this team as joba being the ace. He can pitch in more games, and remember wen rivera was in his prime, ninth inn was locked down like the angels now. I want joba to become the closer eventually. But if he becomes the starter so be it.