TAMPA — Joba Chamberlain agrees with Yankees GM Brian Cashman that the reliever has to earn a spot in the bullpen.
“That’s the approach you have to take always, in baseball and in life,” Chamberlain said yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “In the game of baseball and the game of life, tomorrow is not guaranteed.”
When informed Cashman told The Post on Sunday that, “anybody with [minor-league] options is not a lock for anything,” Chamberlain agreed.
“I think it’s awesome that our front office takes that approach,” said the 25-year-old reliever who has three options remaining and could be sent to the minors.
“Everybody should have that approach, because there is always somebody behind you trying to take your job.”
BUSHES: JOBA-JESUS IN TRIPLE-A
Manager Joe Girardi opts to look at how Chamberlain performed in August and September instead of his entire 2010 season, when he posted a 4.40 ERA, experienced stretches of inconsistency and was replaced in the late innings by Kerry Wood.
“When you look at Joba’s last two months, they were pretty good,” Girardi said.
In 26 appearances in the final two months, Chamberlain went 2-0 with a save, posted a 2.19 ERA, allowed 18 hits in 24 2/3 innings, walked five and fanned 22.
“But this is a game that no matter who you are, you have to prove yourself all the time. Joba pitched well the last two months. He needs to carry that over just like anyone else in our bullpen. As we know, the better you pitch, the deeper you pitch in the ballgame.”
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Hank Steinbrenner
joined brother Hal
in signing Rafael Soriano
to a three-year, $35 million contract, even though Cashman believed that was too much money to pay Mariano Rivera
‘s set-up man.
Now, Hank believes getting Soriano gives the Yankees a huge edge in the pen.
“We have the best bullpen in baseball,” Hank boasted.
Steinbrenner doesn’t believe CC Sabathia
will opt out after this season or use it as a ploy to get an extension. He also pointed out the starting pitching questions the Red Sox have.
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The Yankees announced the signing of Andruw Jones
for one year at $2 million with a chance to make $1.2 million in performance bonuses. … A slimmed-down David Wells
is not attempting a comeback. Instead, the two-time former Yankee is in camp as a special pitching instructor. Wells didn’t rule out a future as a pitching coach — possibly a rover — but he said he enjoys broadcasting for TBS. Not in camp this year are Mickey Rivers
and Graig Nettles
, who have served as instructors. … Pitcher Hector Noesi
isn’t expected to report today for the first workout due to a visa problem in the Dominican Republic. Noesi is a fringe candidate for one of the two spots in the rotation.