Yankees Should Turn to Former Red Sox Hurler for Rotation Depth

Reports out of New York have been anything but positive in regards to the health and comeback status of former ace Chien-Ming Wang.

Wang himself appears openly troubled and pessimistic about toeing a rubber before the 2010 season, and the Yankees should not be leaving the lights on in anticipation of his return.

While the front end of the rotation has been nothing short of electric over the last month, the back end has a fray in its stitching that could eventually lead to a gaping hole.

The old adage states that a “stitch in time saves nine,” implying that an early fix always prevents problems from escalating into an unstoppable avalanche.

Much like the threat of Global Warming, the Yankees rotation is experiencing some setbacks and changes, but the issues have not yet begun sounding the alarms.

Contingency plans should already be in effect, but the recent surge of success in the Bronx has clouded the eventual need for rotation depth.

Whether or not you are a devoted fan and supporter of Joba Chamberlain’s position as the fourth starter, the impending issue is one for you to be concerned with.

Chamberlain’s unwavering innings limit has once again come under discussion within the Yankees organization, and GM Brian Cashman has admitted it is a concern moving forward.

Once Chamberlain reaches 130-140 innings pitched, he will be forced to vacate his spot in the starting rotation in favor of the bullpen—as he is capped at around 150 innings.

Cashman made it clear that this philosophy has not changed whatsoever since the preseason, and that “no new wrinkle” has been added into the dreaded “Joba Rules.”

With the uncertainties surrounding Wang, Chamberlain, and Sergio Mitre’s statuses, manager Joe Girardi has expressed his own valid worries about the back end of the rotation.

This of course does not even include any resurfacing of the arm injuries that derailed the second half of Andy Pettitte’s 2008 season—almost forcing him into an early retirement.

So the burning question remains…what is the ultimate solution? Cashman offered the possibility of Alfredo Aceves permanently thrust into the rotation, as well as one other startling conclusion.

After hearing the words, “Kei Igawa has been pitching very well in Triple-A, so I can’t say you won’t be seeing him this year,” my ears inevitably began to emit a stream of blood reminiscent of Niagara Falls.

While Aceves would likely perform admirably in a permanent role as a starter, he has been far too valuable to the resurrected Yankee bullpen. The ‘pen has been as reliable and important as any facet of the team, and this option should be of the “last resort” variety.

The more prudent solution lies in a pitcher New York is rather familiar with—a pitcher who once stood on the other side of baseball’s most storied and passionate rivalry.

The Yankees should look to acquire Cincinnati Reds hurler Bronson Arroyo.

Arroyo has pitched well in the AL East, is an innings eater (even when he is beaten up early), has playoff experience out of the bullpen, and already has 10 wins on a bad team in 2009.

Do not let his bloated ERA fool you, as he allowed 18 earned runs over 6.2 IP in two deplorable starts. When removing these performances from the equation, Arroyo is an impressive 10-7 with a 4.13 ERA.

The Yankees need a dependable veteran presence in the fifth starter role, and someone they know can provide length.

Arroyo is on pace for his fifth straight 200 plus inning season, and he has pitched seven or more innings in 45 percent of his starts (9-for-20). He is exactly the kind of pitcher New York needs, and can be had for a package of mid-level prospects.

The Reds would be happy to get his salary off of the payroll and open the spot to another talented young arm, and Arroyo is the kind of pitcher that misses throwing meaningful games.

The move will not cost Cashman and the Yankees the likes of Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero, Phil Hughes, Chamberlain, Austin Romine, or Zach McAllister.

It is a proposition that creates a win-win scenario, and provides Cashman with a “nothing to lose” opportunity.

While other teams battle for the services of Erik Bedard, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Jarrod Washburn, it is time for New York to fly under the radar and snatch up Arroyo.

The Yankees cannot wait until Chamberlain’s limit is reached and Mitre hits a rough patch before analyzing their pitching status, and Arroyo is just the man to ease their concerns.

Joba Chamberlain Needs to Drop Anchor on Mariners’ Weak Offensive Fleet

Joba Chamberlain has sparked a debate more perplexing than determining “who framed Roger Rabbit,” “what happened to Amelia Earhart,” or “how many licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop.”

Fans, scouts, and analysts will continue to argue whether Chamberlain is best suited as a reliever or starter, with nothing short of unequaled dominance and stardom likely to quiet it.

Chamberlain has become the personification of a Rubik’s Cube—evolving into an even more confusing puzzle as you seemingly get closer to finding a solution.

In 14 starts thus far in 2009, the former phenom has struck out more than six batters just one time. He surrendered four first inning runs in that start, and the Yankees were never able to recover.

Though pitching better in the month of June, Chamberlain has been far from dominating his opponents.

He was rescued in a putrid performance against the Mets in which he walked five and threw 100 pitches in just four innings. He then followed that start by allowing 11 baserunners against the Washington Nationals—the worst team in all of MLB.

Luckily for Chamberlain, his next opponents are the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners are performing admirably in an improved American League West, but are doing much of it with smoke and mirrors—especially on the offensive end.

Seattle currently sits at 29th in MLB in runs scored, 26th in OBP at just .315, and 25th in OPS. They also rank just 19th in home runs with 72, which would be much worse if one player (Russell Branyan) did not have virtually 30-percent of them.

Ichiro Suzuki leads all of MLB in batting average at .372—managing to lift an otherwise poor team batting average up to 13th in the league at .261.

It is time for Chamberlain to show the kind of put-away fastball and slider he utilized in 2008, as well as show better location early in the count.

He needs to deliver a steady diet of 93-95 MPH fastballs and unhittable sliders—ensuring that the Mariners are left “sleeping with the fishes.”

The Mariners are a very difficult team to strike out, and a high total in tonight’s game would go a long way in showing Chamberlain’s overpowering nature has not gone the way of the dinosaur.

Similar to the Atlanta Braves lineup that Chamberlain defeated in his last start, the Mariners have just three truly dangerous hitters.

Nate McLouth, Brian McCann, and Chipper Jones have been replaced by Jose Lopez, Branyan, and Ichiro—with the rest of the batting order leaving much to be desired.

Chamberlain cannot knock the opposing pitcher out of the game with another line drive tonight, so he might actually have to out-pitch Mariners starter Brandon Morrow.

Ironically, Morrow is another stud reliever-turned-starter prospect with an electric arm, and it will be exciting to see the two face off in Yankee Stadium.

All eyes will be on Chamberlain (what a surprise) as he toes the rubber at home—a place where he is pitching to a 0-2 record, 1.55 WHIP, and 5.18 ERA in 2009. He has also walked 21 batters in just 33 IP at Yankee Stadium.

Chamberlain—as well as Wang—will need strong showings over the next few weeks in order to continue to hold off the suddenly electrifying Phil Hughes.

The quest for reacquiring respect and fear begins tonight for Chamberlain—against a team and a lineup he should do nothing but toy with.

The Yankees FINALLY Return Joba Chamberlain to an Eighth Inning Role

The great Joba Chamberlain debate has raged on for years, rivaling other conundrums of past and present history.

Coke or Pepsi? Boxers or briefs? Paper or plastic? To be or not to be?

The “bullpen or starting rotation” question may never be settled with regards to Chamberlain’s ultimate future, but last night’s effort may have helped New York arrive at a temporary decision.

Chamberlain was sent out to pitch the eighth inning of a close game on Monday night, trying to preserve a victory for a Yankees starter who pitched magnificently over the first seven.

Haunting nightmares of a 2007 ALDS gone bad were revisited by the arrival of the same midges that once shook the confidence of the Yankees reliever.

This time the bugs did not travel alone, as a flock of seagulls blanketed the outfield grass like an eerie sequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

Chamberlain was able to maintain his composure this time around, determined to not repeat his October meltdown.

He proceeded to effortlessly coast through the inning 1-2-3, like he had done so many times before in setting up for Mariano Rivera. Does this sound familiar?

The eighth inning has always been Chamberlain’s personal sanctuary—a place as comfortable and relaxing to him as a Tempur-Pedic mattress.

The Yankees had finally seen all that they needed to see.

Their talented young hurler was best cut out for a setup role, especially if the team could get such rock-solid pitching out of its starters.

The starter who put New York in a winning position on this day, however, was in fact Chamberlain himself.

Will Chamberlain be a starter or setup man for the Yankees in 2009? The answer that manager Joe Girardi would like to hear is “both.”

In going eight innings while allowing just two runs on four hits, Chamberlain was able to perform admirably in early innings, while also preventing the underbelly of the Yankees bullpen from being exposed.

The most impressive statistic of the evening shows that he recorded 20 of his 24 outs via a groundball or strikeout.

For a power pitcher who likes to throw fastballs up in the zone, allowing just four balls to be caught outside of the infield truly epitomizes his dominance.

Chamberlain followed up two very disappointing starts with possibly his best of the season, which has inevitably caused the emergence of yet another pitching query.

Which two of Phil Hughes, Chien-Ming Wang, and Chamberlain will occupy the final two rotation spots once we reach the All-Star break?

This question may not be answered for quite some time, but the Yankees thoroughly enjoy having to address it.

After all, wouldn’t every team love to have the “problem” of having to choose between three successful young starters?

Chamberlain looked calm and collected in his return to the eighth inning on Monday.

However, it appears that he will only get there again in the near future if he also pitches the first seven.

The Yankees Can Forget About Chien-Ming, Right? “Wang!”

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang has had much more than just a tumultuous season in pinstripes.

A 0-3 record and 34.50 ERA turned a former ace into a rejuvenation project filled with fear and uncertainty.

The unexpected and full-fledged collapse left the Yankees organization stirring for answers—only to find more questions the deeper they dug.

Would Wang ever again regain the form of years past? Had he simply had his confidence forever shattered like the sad story of Rick Ankiel?

Did compensations for a recurring foot injury ultimately lead to overexertion of his pitching shoulder and elbow?

Golf enthusiasts refer to the persistent nightmare as “the yips,” describing the sudden and complete inability to perform even the most simplistic of mechanical tasks.

It usually starts with a missed putt or a wayward drive of the tee, but before long a golfer is left praying for a way to simply make decent contact.

In the midst of a battle with “the yips,” a golfer would rather wind up and throw the ball down the fairway than even attempt to address it with a golf club in hand.

Wang was experiencing the baseball version of the psychological phenomenon, suddenly prevented from utilizing the pitch that single-handedly paved the road for his success—a painfully heavy sinker.

Virtually nothing could be done to rediscover or repair mechanics “gone rogue,” as mental anguish seemed to be at the epicenter of the pitching issues.

New York released a very rational and sensible explanation for the happenings, highlighting Wang’s incapability of driving off the mound with his formerly injured foot.

Subsequent compensations in mechanics put added pressure on his hip joints, while also preventing him from getting on top of his patented sinker.

Whether or not the story is 100 percent true will remain a mystery, but it was far too logical to bother questioning.

After all, an injury is much more comforting for a fan base to hear than “he may need time in a mental health facility.”

On Wednesday night, Wang finally delivered a sense of optimism to Yankees Universe that all hope was not lost for his 2009 campaign.

It finally appeared as though it would be Wang’s fastball that would be rapidly sinking, as opposed to the prospects of his Yankees career.

Wang pitched two strong innings in relief against a very talented Rangers lineup, and closed out the game without allowing a single baserunner.

He struck out two Rangers, including one of the hottest hitters in MLB in Nelson Cruz. Cruz had recently produced 5 HR, 10 RBI, and a .462 AVG during a seven-game hitting streak.

Wang also generating two ground balls, proving that the depth and tilt on his sinker are beginning to round back into form.

There is a lot to still be concerned about, and two innings clearly is not enough of a sample size to deem Wang “cured.”

Yankees fans were looking to anything as a sign of progress, however, and this certainly qualifies as such.

Wang’s importance has been downplayed slightly in the recent past, as Phil Hughes has pitched dominantly over his last two starts.

Do not be a strictly nearsighted fan, and do not disregard how vital Wang is/could become to the Yankees ultimate successes.

In the event that Joba Chamberlain is forced back into the bullpen or AJ Burnett suffers an injury, Wang could be the difference between a playoff birth and scheduling tee times.

Let’s hope the result is not the latter…as Wang’s “yips” would likely worsen if he was lead onto a golf course.

Joba’s Intensity Reborn: Troubles Quickly Transition into Fist Pumps

After loading the bases in the third inning, Joba Chamberlain appeared one pitch away from a disastrous outing.

Chamberlain had already walked three batters, thrown just 43-percent of his pitches for strikes, and trailed 1-0.

One gutsy pitch sequence later, he had retired the Tigers' hottest hitter (Miguel Cabrera), and returned to the dugout with a newfound confidence.

It would ultimately be the last wrinkle in a memorable performance.

For the first time in 2009, Chamberlain brought something out to the mound other than a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. He brought the intensity and passion that made him the untouchable reliever of years past.

Though not resorting to tribal screams and Mike Tyson uppercuts, Chamberlain was again able to take the training wheels off of his fastball.

The added passion not only bumped his 4-seamer up into the mid-90s, but also returned the downward tilt to an increasingly deceptive slider. A pitch all too simple to lay off of in recent weeks, his slider became as tempting as an apple in the Garden of Eden.

Chamberlain’s final line read 6 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 3 BBs, and 6 Ks. Regardless of his disappointing start, he ended up hitting the strike zone with 57-percent of his pitches. His latter inning dominance, however, could not possibly be reflected in a box score.

The transition from increasingly mediocre to unhittable took no longer than seconds, as if Chamberlain had snuck into a phone booth and emerged donning a red cape.

Following a seven-run outburst in the top of the fourth by New York, Chamberlain retired the next nine Tigers in order while striking out four.

It appeared as though the Tigers lineup was caught with their pants down, unsure of how to handle the swaggering right-hander. A confused and timid expression was suddenly replaced with a stern and intimidating glare.

If not for a heart-stopping ninth inning, whispers of a bullpen transition for Chamberlain could have been quieted for at least another week.

Even an 8-1 lead was not large enough for New York’s “enigmatic eight,” however, as Jonathan Albaladejo and Mariano Rivera rapidly turned a laugher into an 8-6 game.

Rivera held on to literally “save” himself and the Yankees, although he will not be credited with one in his stat line.

A 0-for-4 beginning to a difficult road trip has now become a series victory in Detroit. Two young and underpaid hurlers have silenced critics of an underachieving starting rotation, and New York can return to the Bronx once again above .500.

It remains to be seen if we have witnessed the start of a reassuring trend, or a simple calmness within the eye of the storm. Either way, fans should be able to sleep much more soundly tonight as their heads hit their pillows.

WARNING: Joba to the Bullpen Uproar About to Begin

Cue the doomsday music, and prepare for a passionate backlash from the mainstream media and an increasingly pessimistic fan base.

Joba Chamberlain's first start at the new Yankee Stadium did not go anywhere near as positive as everyone in the organization had hoped.

Chamberlain's final line included just 4.2 innings pitched, 6 hits, 5 runs, and 5 walks.

It was an all-around dismal performance, and one that will certainly not quiet the debates of where his powerful arm truly belongs.

After a week of inconsistency and failure throughout the Yankee bullpen, anyone not named Brian Bruney or Mariano Rivera should begin to look over their shoulder.

Chamberlain's role may ultimately depend on how successful Phil Hughes' initial minor league outings are.

If Hughes is purely dominating to begin the AAA season, manager Joe Girardi will have a lot of decisions to make.

I tend to fall somewhere between the middle and top end of patience as far as Yankees supporters are concerned, but the rest of Yankees Universe may not be so kind.

Should the Yankees bullpen continue to fail through the end of April, New York could be left with a considerable hole to dig themselves out of.

Chamberlain will be the victim of simply having one bad start. Unfortunately for him, it only takes one bad start to stimulate panic around a team with such high expectations.

Try not to read tomorrow's newspapers, as they will only feed into the conscious or subconscious fears that you already possess.

Attempt to take a deep breath and tell yourself that everything is going to be OK...even if you don't believe it right now.

Jorge Posada Left Impressed: "Joba Proved Me Wrong"

Yankees catcher and emotional leader Jorge Posada was very vocal in his beliefs regarding Joba Chamberlain's future.

Posada felt that Chamberlain belonged in the Yankee bullpen, regardless of the widely spread intrigue with transitioning him into a starting pitcher.

After a majority of Chamberlain's final spring start was crisp and dominant, Posada was left singing a slightly different tune.

"He's our fifth starter and I'm happy with that," Posada said. "He's been showing me and he's proving me wrong."

Chamberlain has finally earned the endorsement of a man as against the concept as anyone within the organization.

Though fatigue appeared to affect him during the sixth inning, Chamberlain proved he should be pitching every fifth day as opposed to at manager Joe Girardi's daily discretion.

Perhaps Posada has become as nostalgic for the glory days of the Yankee dynasty as the countless fans following the proud franchise.

One of his first playoff memories involved the most dynamic one-two bullpen punch in the team's illustrious history.

Mariano Rivera and John Wetteland were nearly unhittable in 1996, and were as much the reason for placing a ring on Posada's finger as anyone wearing pinstripes.

In fact, Wetteland earned World Series MVP honors that year, before he was ultimately replaced by his flamethrowing sidekick.

Seeing how importance the setup role can be, Posada has spent many nights salivating about a Chamberlain bullpen bridge to Rivera for a full season.

As I have mentioned before, I feel that Chamberlain has the confidence and skill set to become a top of the rotation starter or all-world closer.

The baseball world is well versed in his bullpen statistics, but he also performed very well in the rotation in 2008.

Chamberlain went 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 12 starts. He struck out an impressive 74 hitters in just 65.1 innings pitched.

It is up to the Yankees as to which becomes his permanent role, but I would prefer grooming highly touted prospect Mark Melancon to be Rivera’s heir.

In the event that Melancon cannot handle the closer role, a replacement can be found in free agency or through a trade.

The Yankees would then be able to slide Melancon into the setup role and recreate its one-two punch of yesteryear.

Whether Chamberlain’s arm will have the strength and durability to last a full season remains to be seen.

Either way, the Yankees know that Phil Hughes is waiting for his fifth starter phone call.

Should there be any issues or concerns, Chamberlain could be back to fist-pumping and cruising through 8th innings in no time.

Four-Leaf Closer: Mariano Rivera Starts Strong on St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is a celebration filled with green top hats, clovers, leprechauns, pots of gold, and plenty of Guinness for those over 21.

The Yankees received none of this, but were able to follow up four dominant innings by CC Sabathia with the debut of their best “re-leaf” pitcher.

Rivera’s entrance was exactly what we would all expect from a man whose only weaknesses are kryptonite and Edgar Martinez.

Coming off of “minor shoulder surgery”, which should be a term outlawed when referencing pitchers, Rivera was nothing short of spectacular.

He cruised through a 1-2-3 inning while collecting two strikeouts, looking prepared to close the first save opportunity at the new Yankee Stadium.

More importantly, Rivera was clocked anywhere from 90-92 MPH on most pitches. He is still building arm strength, and a velocity in the vicinity of last year’s during his first outing is fantastic.

Rivera’s mechanics were smooth as always, proving that he did not need to overexert himself to reach the 90s.

Although Sabathia may not allow Rivera to finish some of his games this season, it was exciting to see the two pitch back-to-back.

They are both strike throwing machines, without being wild within the strike zone. They can spot their fastball virtually anywhere they want, and will rarely go deep into counts.

It is Sabathia’s ability to control his pitch count that may lead to a few extra days off for the Yankees immortal closer.

Rivera is the lifeblood of the Yankee pitching staff, and has been for a decade. Any re-injury of his pitching shoulder could result in a lost season for New York.

However, the Yankees contingency plan in the event of losing Rivera is seemingly set in stone.

Citing three Yankee officials, the New York Post reported that Joba Chamberlain would again vacate his rotation spot to play savior.

Although it is the logical response following two untouchable years in the bullpen, it is interesting to attempt to dig into the Yankee mindset.

Does this mean that Joba will permanently become the Yankees closer once Rivera retires in a few seasons? Would an eventual trade or free agent signing be their preferred path?

There is one more inquiry that is even more intriguing.

Would the Yankees thrust Joba back into the rotation if AJ Burnett, Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, or Andy Pettitte also missed any significant time?

Joba needs to know where he stands.

He needs to be confident once and for all whether he is destined to be the next Curt Schilling or Mariano Rivera. He needs to know if he is a starter or a closer.

Joba is a starter heading into 2009, and Rivera knows it is up to him to keep it that way.

“Mo” has never let us down before, and he does not see a reason to start now.

Cano and Marte to be Re-Examined Today

Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte returned home as damaged goods from the World Baseball Classic last week.

After their Dominican squad lost two gut-wrenching games to the Netherlands, the Yankees were informed that both players required medical examinations.

Initial reports claimed that Cano's throwing shoulder and Marte's chest were to blame for the concerns. It was later determined that Marte's own throwing shoulder was the body part in question.

While neither injured Yankee seems overly worried about their eventual diagnosis, it is never comforting to hear about arm injuries during spring training.

Players tend to exert themselves too much early on, causing injuries such as Cano's "shoulder tendinitis".

His throwing arm is his lead shoulder at the plate, and lingering tendinitis can affect his swing in the months to come.

In Marte's case, the reasons for concern any time a pitcher experiences arm trouble are self-explanatory.

He is vital to the Yankee bullpen success in 2009, especially with Joba Chamberlain's permanent switch over to the starting rotation.

After doctors determine the timetable for Cano and Marte's healthy returns, the Yankees will have a much better idea of how worried they truly should be.

Too many prolonged injuries before opening day could be a crushing blow to the team's confidence and hopes of achieving a 27th World Series title.

Replacing Cano with Angel Berroa would further shorten the depth of the lineup and widen the gap between the Yankees and their division rivals.

Let's hope it never comes to that.

Joba Looks to Regain Confidence Tonight Against Cincinnati

Joba Chamberlain has been hailed as the future Ace of the Yankee pitching staff.

At the very least, he is considered the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera’s closer role.

Chamberlain has burst onto the scene in his first two big league seasons, capturing the hearts of the Bronx and haunting the nightmares of the league’s hitters.

The start to spring training in 2009 has not quite been as kind to him.

In two appearances thus far, Chamberlain has pitched only one inning as a result of his failure to retire a batter in his second outing.

He has given up seven runs on four hits and four walks. Also yet to strike out a hitter, his struggles have resulted in a dreadful 63.00 ERA and 11.00 WHIP.

There is absolutely nothing to worry about as of yet, as no injury news has surfaced. He has simply been unable to rediscover the mechanics and control that helped him reach the top of his sport.

The most important things for a pitcher to obtain during spring training are progress and confidence. Chamberlain’s regression with his location is more of a concern than his actual results.

His confidence has been far from swayed, however, and he claims that he “felt great” in his last start.

So long as he understands that the sky is not in fact falling, then the whispers of panicked and irrational fans will not affect him.

Chamberlain hopes to rebound tonight against a young and aggressive Cincinnati Reds team. Their lack of patience at the plate should help compensate for Joba’s lack of control.

While there is no reason to worry about the Bronx’s latest phenom, it would certainly be nice to see a much more ‘tidy’ performance out of him tonight.

It will only be a matter of time before we again see the fist pumps and tribal screams that have helped make Joba an immediate celebrity in New York.