TAMPA — Unlike with the fifth starter’s job, the Yankees are comfortable going into the season without delineating a primary set-up man for Mariano Rivera.
It had been believed that if Joba Chamberlain failed to win the last rotation spot, he simply would become the main eighth-inning reliever. But manager Joe Girardi has said publicly that Chamberlain must earn that position, and several Yankees officials insisted to The Post that is not just said for effect or as a motivational ploy toward Chamberlain, a player the organization does worry about when he gets too comfortable.
Instead, early in the season, Girardi is leaning toward looking at multiple options and letting the results dictate how he proceeds. Is it best that Joba earn that role for now and for the future? Yes.
Nevertheless, the Yankees are comfortable waiting to see if Chamberlain seizes the opportunity. Why? Because they know they won 103 games and a championship last year despite not unearthing a primary eighth-inning man until June, when Phil Hughes was installed in the bullpen. Before then, Girardi was auditioning an uninspiring lot led by Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras.
The Yankees believe they have much more appetizing alternatives this year, with as many as four relievers they think can hand the ball to Rivera: Chamberlain, Chan Ho Park, David Robertson and Damaso Marte. Girardi very well could mix and match early. For example, if the Yankees face an eighth inning filled with lefties, Marte could be used for some or all of the inning. Also, Girardi strongly tries to avoid using any of his setup men more than two straight days, so he will want multiple options for the eighth.
“Guys will step up and let us know who should pitch in the eighth,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said.
Now, in general, believing that you have pitching depth in spring training sets you up to be an April Fool. Nevertheless, at the very least, the Yankees are much more fortified than last year when not just the bullpen was thin, but the collapse of Chien-Ming Wang left the rotation seemingly short-handed all year. This depth obviously encourages the Yankees. It also means Hughes and Chamberlain should not take anything for granted.
The Yankees will give Hughes some leash to grow because they see such future promise. His ability to pinpoint his fastball separated him as a starting candidate from Chamberlain and his further development of a changeup provided him a four-pitch arsenal (along with cutter and curve) that convinces the Yankees he is heading toward the top of a rotation. Even yesterday in allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Twins, Hughes encouraged the Yankees by hitting 94 mph three times, continuing to deploy a more than passable change and not panicking when his curve was absent early.
“Phil is more prepared than ever to start in this league,” Eiland said.
But Alfredo Aceves and, especially, Sergio Mitre are on the staff. The Yankees are fielding regular calls for Mitre, who re-established his credentials this spring with a strong curve-changeup tandem complementing fastball accuracy. He is there if Hughes stumbles too much.
Chamberlain, meanwhile, went 1-2-3 yesterday, his 87 mph slider an uplifting sign that his arm strength is coming. He mainly worked at 91 mph, but both he and the Yankees believe the adrenaline of the regular season will jolt the velocity upward.
But Chamberlain is not getting the eighth inning based on radar-gun readings. In particular, the positive vibe the Yankees had about Park’s arsenal as an opponent in last year’s World Series has translated to this spring. They admire his composure and command, and how his stuff has played up the past two years as a reliever. But Park has never been the main setup man anywhere or even a reliever in the AL.
So as much as the Yankees like Park’s three-pitch mix (fastball, curve, slider) and Robertson’s combo of fortitude and stuff, and Marte’s positive impression from last year’s playoffs, they really are best served if Chamberlain embraces this in-season competition and thrives.