Ed: I love you brutha but chalk this up to another thing we disagree on.

Cound me squarely in the Goose Gossage camp that Joba should be a set-up man and then take over as closer (more on that here).

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but that’s just the way I see it!

No matter what I love the guy and I actually like the Yanks’ chances of having a decent rotation this season (so long as everyone stays healthy)

Ed, what if Joba excels as a starter and Mo happens to break down?

Told ya I’d come around Ed. I’m actually growing tired of B/C, they need to find a way to moderate Chalk’s drivel over there. Enough is enough.

I’m all for Joba getting a chance as a starter, but I think there needs to be a continengy plan in place. I know it’s a taboo subject amongst the fanbase, but we to prepare for the eventuality that Mariano isn’t going to be on the mound forever. I mentioned before that Joba’s delivery gives me cause for concern, but this can be modified to minimize risk.

Regards the A-Rod issue, I wonder whom the players are more frustrated at, Alex or the media ? Jeter seems to be getting tired of answering the same questions repeatedly and I imagine it will only be a short period of time before other players and coaches get tired of the broken record as well. For Alex, I think the best thing for him to do is just come out and perform. Eventually the media vultures will find another carcass to pick over.

I was just checking out Ed’s first post here, but wanted to throw my 2 cents in about Joba. If I were the Yankees, I would put Joba in the ‘pen. However, I would only do this if Girardi is going to use him in the “relief ace” role that Bill James has talked about, where he’ll come into the most high leverage situations (bases loaded in the 5th, 1 out man on 2nd in the 7th) and pitch for 2 to 3 innings if called for. If Girardi is just gonna use Joba as a strictly 8th inning guy, regardless of game situation, I think he’d be better off staying in the rotation.

Maybe it’s my Mets fandom coloring my perception, since we’ve had a solid rotation the past two years, but to say our bullpen has been weak would be a gross understatement. For what it’s worth, this is how I’m hoping Jerry Manuel uses JJ Putz this year, minus the pitching more than 2 innings part.

Alex’s press conference just finished awhile ago and the talking heads on MLB network are still offering commentary so I’ll throw my two cents in.

In my opinion I think Alex handled it well. The media seems to be salivating over his potential for demise which is pretty much what I would expect from them. What exactly do they expect Alex to do ? Throw himself over the podium sobbing hysterically ? He has already addressed this issue more then ANY other player and no doubt will continue to do so. What more do they want from this guy ? There are 103 players who were also implicated in this affair, where is the collective outrage amongst the media over this ? It’s easy to single out Alex because at times he appears to set himself up for it. I’m curious to see how the mainstream media will react when other players names are leaked, especially if it involves former / current members of the beloved Red Sox.

just have to say i vehemently disagree that Joba should be a reliever. i’ve gone over the reasons too many times to count, but they can be found throughout the PA archives.

other than that: welcome!

Fantastic move and best of luck. The top Rays crap was beginning to grate on my nerves. B&C had a lot of interesting writers, but DC was starting to monopolize the site.

Unlike DC, you could actually fill it with talent! Just don’t go off on a fau-hawks tear, please. Quality, not quantity.

you over here as well, Coops… seems I’m not the only one who grew tired of reading the same nonsense every day from Chalk.