Around the Yankees' Universe, 04.30.09

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2009 7:46 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

Let's tour the Inter-Google to find out what is being written about in the Yankees' Universe this morning.

The Joba Chamberlain starter vs. reliever debate will probably never go away. Last night's performance gave the advantage -- for today -- to the starter camp. By the way, Joba now has a 2.85 ERA in 16 career starts. That's a pretty good statement right there.

"He's got such good stuff," Joe Girardi said. "I'm sure we'll debate this forever, but that's what we think he can do.

Beat reporter Peter Abraham has long been in the 'Chamberlain as starter' camp. he seized on last night's performance -- specifically one pitch Joba threw -- to further his case.

My thoughts: I have said this many times, but I will say it again. Initially I believed Chamberlain should stay in the bullpen and take over as closer when Mariano Rivera is gone. With Mo around this year and next year, though, Joba would be wasted in the bullpen. You have to find out if this guy can be a consistent, big-time starter.

Alex Rodriguez will play in a rehab game today. That means he could be back in the Yankee lineup in about 10 days. Meanwhile, in a reminder that the A-Rod soap opera is never far away, Selena Roberts' new book, "A-Rod," suggests Rodriguez' steroid use did not end when he came to the Yankees. Ugh!! That story isn't going away.
Mariano Rivera appears unconcerned about surrendering home runs in back-to-back appearances.
The Yankee bullpen has, obviously, been a disaster area thus far. Sweeny Murti wonders if the Yankees will regret not adding a veteran reliever, and takes a look at all the free agents the Yankees could have had. To be honest, it's not an impressive list.

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Roberts is a crazy bitch!

by nyc21 on Apr 30, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

the book

is coming out May 12th…Right around the time he’s back in the lineup
They’re playing at the stadium on the 15th

Talk about a media circus…could the timing be any better?

by holycowboy on Apr 30, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

You kind of have to wonder about the timing of this release … anyone know if this was going to be the time it was released all along? Seems very fishy to me.

by potroast on Apr 30, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

they were going to release it earlier, then A-rod got hurt. They rescheduled it for right around the time we was expected to return. No doubt it’s orchestrated.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

A 23-year old with a sub-3 ERA when starting...

is a rare commodity. I think it is a waste to have him pitching only 75 innings a year just because he is more effective when he is asked to pitch one inning. Who isn’t? I’m sure CC could kill out of the pen, why not have him pitch the 7th inning?

Also, the Yanks gotta hold firm on this. The Yanks need to make their decision now and stick to it. I imagine constantly switching between starter and reliever will have adverse effects on a young pitcher.

by XLII on Apr 30, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

I think they are holding firm

like anything else, the only thing fueling this debate is the media and the fans feeding off of that. The Yanks have been pretty adamant about leaving Joba where he is.

Like seemingly every starter, Joba needs some time to work out the kinds. He IS still 23, so he’s not gonna look polished all the time.

He had a bad few innings yesterday, and the game before against the SUX he seemed to be in trouble every inning. This was what caused his high pitch count.

To me its seems taht sometimes Joba thinks he’s still in the 8th inning and he tries to strike out guys and get them to chase pitches.

The only thing hurting Joba right now is that he doesn’t pitch to contact. He just needs to throw strikes. Maybe he should learn from Hughes and try to develop a cutter (tho learing from Mo and Andy would be better….)

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 30, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

But when Joba's on

as he showed yesterday, he’s really as good as advertised.

He wasn’t even on for most of the game either, it only seemed that after striking out Cabrera and then the Yanks struck for 7 runs that he really started to pitch.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 30, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Off topic - new stadium seats

A Phillies fan stopping by hoping you guys can answer a question for me. I got tickets to see the Phils come to the new stadium for Friday the 22nd. I’m sitting in Outfield Terrace 329, row 6…I’ve heard some things about obstructed views – any of you know if that section is legit.

How you guys liking the new stadium overall?

by dp45 on Apr 30, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

You won't be able to see a sizable portion of RF

by BigSlim on Apr 30, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

damn.

thanks for the reply. do you know what is in the way in that section – looking at the seating chart it looked like it would have been fine. i guess ill be missing the right corner of right field, but i dont really know.

im sure this complain as already been echoed here before but, i dont know how you make a new stadium these days and still have obstructed views. i guess thats why i paid $15 under face value on stubhub for them.

by dp45 on Apr 30, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

In 329?

‘Slim,’ look at the Stadium map. There are no obstructed views in 329 — http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ticketing/seating_pricing.jsp. In the bleacher seats in Section 239 yes, but these are terrace seats down the third-base line. ‘dp45’ will have a beautiful view of the action.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 30, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

thats what i like to hear

thanks ETV. i thought the spot looked good. looking forward to the game even more now.

by dp45 on Apr 30, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't link to it directly

but there’s a “3D Seat Selector” that lets you scope out what the view from your seats would look like… don’t know how true to life this is… but it looks fine to me.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/new_stadium_seat_selector.jsp

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

card carrying Bochy Hatter

by natteringnabob on Apr 30, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

No one on Murti's FA reliever list knocks my socks off either.

No reason to panic. Unlike last year, I think that we now have a rotation that can usually be expected to go deep into a game. Once Bruney’s off the DL, you have him and Coke as the righty-lefty setup tandem. Not quite Nelson-Stanton yet, but the potential’s there. And Melancon has looked pretty awesome to date.

by django48 on Apr 30, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

exactly

I think the pen could round out nicely once all these pieces are put together.

by potroast on Apr 30, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

True

I like Melancon. I say leave him alone right where he is.

Also, Girardi needs to let Dave Robertson take over for Alabadejo for the time being, yesterday was a disaster.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 30, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Regarding last nights game,

was anybody else as annoyed as I was by ESPN’s announcers, especially Sutcliffe, constantly harping on Joba’s velocity? Does anyone really expect Joba to throw with the same intensity as a starter as he did in the bullpen? They were like a broken record last night. You can be an effective starter and sit and 92mph. My major concern was his control
issues and he seems to be sorting that all out.

by FrankDiscussion on Apr 30, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

no matter what anybody says

Joba has a 2.85 ERA as a starter in about…15 starts?
hard to dispute that, even with a 93 mph fastball

by Brian5517209 on Apr 30, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta agree

with you guys. Velocity is not the most important thing for a starter. Damned few guys can be power pitchers throwing 97+ for 7 innings or more every game over a long period of time. A few have been able to do that—Nolan Ryan, Clemens, etc. Point is those types come along about once in a generation. Mid 90s 92-95 is plenty fast if more importantly it has movement and location. Scouts go ga-ga over velocity because they believe it’s the one thing they cannot teach or develop. Philosophy is if the young guy has the speed they can teach him everything else.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on May 1, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions