BRADENTON, Fla. – Can Joba Chamberlain rule without Joba Rules?
That’s one of the many questions the Yankees must have answered positively if they are to contend in the AL East.
To the surprise of nobody, the Yankees yesterday said before their 12-9 victory of the Pirates that their gas-throwing right-hander was going to open the season in the bullpen, because there was no room in a rotation that remains loaded with questions.
Assigning Chamberlain’s high-octane fastball and filthy slider to the pen was the smart play. Chamberlain was dominant setting up Mariano Rivera last year in a seven-week stint, and the fact is that no matter what the Yankees say about Kyle Farnsworth, he can’t be trusted in the clutch. Right now, they also have five healthy starters, so the decision is an easy one.
Eventually, Chamberlain will work every fifth day as a starter. But don’t expect the 22-year old to move into that role this year.
“He is a back-end guy, that’s how I would classify him,” Girardi said of Chamberlain, who will work in relief today and Saturday then appear in consecutive games in the final week of spring training. “It’s a combination of innings and success, where he fits best. As an organization this is the best place for him to start this year.”
Girardi learned a long time ago there is no reason to make promises to players in March, because sometimes they can’t be kept in April. So, he didn’t anoint Chamberlain his eight-inning arm. Nevertheless, it’s a lock that if there is a one-run lead to protect on Opening Day, Chamberlain is going to bounce out of the bullpen.
Unlike a year ago when Chamberlain was converted from minor league starter to minor league reliever then worked in the big league pen, he will be free of the Joba Rules that carefully monitored his availability.
This year, they aren’t in affect.
“There are no restrictions, just common sense,” Girardi said.
“As a competitor you want to pitch as much as you can,” Chamberlain said. “They won’t sell as many (Joba Rules) T-shirts, but I have to be prepared and have my spikes on.”
Chamberlain accepted the news from general manager Brian Cashman, pitching coach Dave Eiland and Girardi with a shrug of the shoulder.
“I had an idea (about the bullpen) and the starters are doing a great job, right now this is best for the team,” Chamberlain said. “I have no preference, just help the team and look at the big picture. I will try and do my best in whatever role it is.”
Only a fool would believe Chamberlain will be able to match over six months what he accomplished in seven weeks when he was 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA in 19 games. In 24 innings, he allowed 12 hits, walked six and fanned 34. Nevertheless, that won’t stop Yankees fans and media loudmouths from expecting Chamberlain to be almost perfect.
“He set unfair high expectations, the expectations are off the charts,” said Girardi, who believes Chamberlain’s high-strung personality is grounded enough to handle the valleys that every pitcher experiences.
“It’s going to happen,” Chamberlain predicted of the down times. “It’s not easy. It’s not how you handle the success last year, it’s how you handle failure.”
The Yankees look at Chamberlain’s four-pitch arsenal and believe he could be their ace for a long time. Nevertheless, they made the right move yesterday in leaving Chamberlain where he was last year, because until Chamberlain surfaced, the bridge between starter and Mariano Rivera had too many rotten boards.