The Joba Saga Just Won't Go Away

Joba Chamberlain

As the Yankees enter 2010 the team is pretty much set.
The infield spots are rock set in stone;
1b-Texiera
2b-Cano
SS-Jeter
3b-Arod
The OF is now also set, even though the roles and positions could change slightly with Granderson switching to LF and Gardner switching to CF. Also, Winn could potentially get some ABs as a LH if Gardner struggles;
RF-Swisher
CF-Granderson
LF-Gardner/Winn vs Lefties
DH and Catcher are also settled;
C-Posada
DH-Johnson
The rotation has 4 spots settled with AJ, CC, Vasquez and Andy. Throw in Mo closing and there is only two spots of significance left up for debate; 8th inning reliever and 5th starter. This is why the Joba saga just won't go away. If Joba starts and succeeds and 8th inning is a struggle you will here the talk that Joba needs to go to the pen. If the 5th starter struggles with Joba in the pen you have to question why the Yankees suffered through Joba rules only to give up on them so quickly.

With noting else to really debate on this team the radio waves and newspapers will be flush with recycled arguments in both directions. Is there anything that can save us from the same old story here? I don't think so, there is the possibility Joba can dominate as a starter and Phil will do the same in the 8th inning but even then you will hear the whispers. If either struggle the whispers become a roar. So Yankee fans prepare to roll your eyes through months of the Joba debate (again!), hopefully THIS is the last year and next year we can move on to bigger and better things. But as we approach 2010 come to the realization that the Joba debate is here to stay.

Joba Hurt?

Joba Chamberlain

I know the results were good tonight and the radar gun even lit up 95 a couple of times but this is still not the Joba we saw last year. Here are the pitch fx numbers;

Avg fastball Speed - 92.76
Max Speed - 96.3

Not bad numbers but compare that to last years starts;

Best Avg FB Speed - 95.51
Worst ang FB speed - 94.57
Total Avg FB as starter - 95.00

Best Max Speed - 99.6
Worst Max Speed - 97.8
Average Max Speed - 98.86

So where is the other 2 mph? Those 2 are what take him from a very good pitcher to a once in a generation talent. His average FB as a starter last year would put him second in the majors behind only Justin Verlander while his 2009 average only puts him in the top 20. So the question that needs answering is why the drop in velocity? Is he hurt? Is it poor mechanics? Whats the deal with Joba?

Red Sox Fan Mocked Joba At Strip Club On Night Of DUI

Joba Chamberlain

In case you were wondering what Joba was doing the night he got popped for DUI, here are the details.

Apparently, Joba was being mocked that night by a guy at the "Night Before Lounge" in Lincoln, Nebraska (pictured right) because he played for the Yankees. 

Of course the guy was a fan of, you guessed it-- the Red Sux(I honestly cannot stand people who root for that whack ass team).

I don't know if this altercation at the strip club had anything to do with him 

getting a DUI, but if it did, Joba needs to learn to get a little bit of a cooler head.  You can't let Red Sux fans get you riled up. 

Katie Strang/Newsday.com:

Before he was stopped and detained on suspicion of DUI Saturday morning, Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain was provoked and goaded by a fellow patron at the Night Before Lounge, a strip club in downtown Lincoln, according to two witnesses.

Chamberlain, 23, who was accompanied by a group of friends, was approached by a man who mocked him about playing for the Yankees.

"Somebody said to him, 'If you played for the Red Sox, you wouldn't be sitting here right now,"' said Gary "Bo" Bohaty, who owns the Beacon Lounge, which is next door to the Night Before Lounge.

"It got a rise out of him," Bohaty said. "Joba turned his head and said, 'What did you say?' and the guy yelled it again."

A member of Chamberlain's party engaged in some minor pushing with the man who confronted Chamberlain, but Chamberlain himself didn't get physical, according to a manager at the Night Before Lounge who wished to remain anonymous.

The manager, who said Chamberlain comes in quite a bit, described him as "a very nice guy." Chamberlain paid for a $145 tab incurred by six people and left a $100 tip before leaving about midnight.

Chamberlain was then pulled over by state troopers on suspicion of drunk driving and speeding. 

Joba's Court Date

Joba Chamberlain

Joba is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 17 for his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving over the weekend.

His blood-alcohol content level was 0.134 at the time of his arrest; the legal limit in Nebraska is 0.08.

**UPDATE (3:40pm):

Joe Giradi has reached out to Joba and had this to say (courtesy of Pete Abe):

“I have spoken to Joba and he made it very clear to me that he made a mistake. We certainly don’t condone his actions, but he is part of the Yankees family and I believe he learned a valuable lesson which he can grow from.”

***P.S.-  That picture is of the Wood County Court house in the city that I am going to school in Bowling Green, Ohio.  

It is a really, really cool building that was built with old oil money when Bowling Green had a short-lived black-gold boom in the 1890's.  The hand's on the clock in the picture are like the second largest working metal clock hands in the nation or something lol.  

Anyways, there is your daily dose of worthless knowledge.

Joba: "I Intend To Focus On Pitching"

Joba Chamberlain

Well, Joba has released the obligatory apology for his drunk driving situation. I hope that he learns his lesson and moves on with his life.

It was a stupid thing to do, but no one is perfect. Who knows, this incident could save a life down the road.

Here is the apology via Sports Illustrated:

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the fans for an error in judgment and for putting myself in a difficult situation," Chamberlain said in a statement released by his agent, Randy Hendricks. "I intend to properly resolve this situation, and do not intend to be in such a situation again. My goal is to focus on pitching for the Yankees in the 2009 season."

Joba Nailed For Drunk Driving

Joba Chamberlain

Lincoln Journal Star:

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was arrested for driving under the influence early Saturday morning, the Journal Star has learned.

The Nebraska State Patrol pulled Chamberlain’s car over for speeding on U.S. 77 near Old Cheney Road south of Lincoln shortly after 1 a.m., according to Deb Collins, spokeswoman for the patrol.

The officer detected an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and saw an open container of alcohol on the front passenger seat, Collins said.

Chamberlain was taken to Cornhusker Place Detox and was lodged on charges of DUI, open container and speeding, according to Collins.

Chamberlain was driving a 2006 dark-colored BMW 75i with Nebraska dealer plates.

Attempts to reach Chamberlain and Yankee GM Brian Cashman on Saturday were unsuccessful.

Joba, Joba, Joba.

Come on now, dude.  Just stop and think about the ridiculous of it for a minute. You are the future of the New York Yankees pitching staff, and you are out driving drunk. Didn't you learn anything from Jim Leyritz?

First of all, you have the freaking money to pay for a damn cab. Why on earth would you ever get behind the wheel of a car when you are drunk!?

There was no one in Lincoln, Nebraska who could have picked you up from wherever you were? You are Joba Chamberlain man, there has to be someone.

Ahh...when will these stupid superstar athletes ever learn to just call a cab, a limo, or a freaking helicopter if they have to be somewhere and they are drunk.

I just don't understand it. Thank God no one was hurt.

Cashman: "Joba Will Be A Starter In 2009" (Duh)

Joba Chamberlain

Don't know if anyone caught this, but apparently the organizational plan on Joba Chamberlain is to develop him as a starter for the 2009 campaign (wait, you mean there were other plans?!).

As per Kat O'Brien of Newsday:

As some of you noted, Brian Cashman said on WFAN that they plan for Joba Chamberlain to be a starter all next season.

He confirmed that to me in an email.

If health is not a concern, they want Joba in the rotation.

Of course, we have known this all along. But a confirmation from Cashman is a good thing.

Chamberlain: "Everything Feels Fine Now"

Joba Chamberlain

Via Yahoo! Sports:

Joba Chamberlain plans to start a throwing program next week and expects to rejoin the New York Yankees’ rotation this month.

Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. The right-hander saw Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, one day after an MRI on the rookie’s ailing shoulder.

“I’ll be throwing in a week. I’ll probably throw the beginning of next week,” Chamberlain said Friday when he arrived at the Yankees’ spring training complex. “Everything feels fine now.”

The 22-year-old was removed from Monday night’s start against Texas in the fifth inning with stiffness in his shoulder. He never thought the problem was serious.

“No. Not at all,” Chamberlain said. “It would have been different if I wasn’t still throwing 99 (mph). It was a different feeling that I never had, so I just wanted to make sure.”

When asked if he would be ready to start again for the Yankees by Sept. 1, Chamberlain said “I’ll throw way before that in a game.”

Joba Will Visit Dr. James Andrews For Further Diagnosis

Joba Chamberlain

Anthony DiComo:/MLB.Com:

Joba Chamberlain has received some results, but no answers.

Chamberlain had an MRI on his stiff right shoulder on Tuesday in New York, and though the Yankees would not reveal the results of the testing, they have made plans for Chamberlain to receive a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Alabama.

"I think we're all hopeful," manager Joe Girardi said. "We hope that we don't miss him very long, and we'll get him back on the mound as soon as he can."

Girardi has confirmed that he will miss at least one start.

It's Just A Stiff Right Shoulder...

Joba Chamberlain

Joba is apparently only suffering with a "stiff right shoulder" according to Micheal Kay of the YES Network. I am sure they will have some tests done on it and I will update as soon as I found out more. But for now...it looks like a crisis is averted.

Whew...that could have been very, very bad.

Joba Chamberlain Exits Game In 5th With Apparent Injury

Joba Chamberlain

Joba Chamberlain left the game Monday evening after allowing five runs on eight hits with an apparent injury to his pitching arm.

The injury could possibly be a heat related cramping of the arm, but there is no word from Yankees training staff yet.

Joba struck out five and walked two before exiting the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

How is Joba's fastball doing?

Joba Chamberlain

One of the big questions with Joba moving to the rotation was how would his fastball velocity be affected by the additional innings. The premise being that Joba the reliever was going at maximum effort for 1 or 2 innings and Joba the starter would not be able to maintain that level of effort.

So we start with Joba's velocity as a reliever which was third best in baseball at 95.8 miles per hour on average.

As a starter Joba's fastball actually rates a little better, tied for first in baseball among starters but down a bit at 94.9 miles per hour.

But what about his velocity late in games?His late start against Oakland ended like this;
95 mph Fastball
96 mph Fastball
100 mph Fastball
98 mph Fastball

Joba is the real deal as a starter or a reliever. He stuff translates well to starting or relieving.

He is the kind of prospect that comes along once every 20 years. Wherever he is it is something special to watch.

A Reminder Of Why Joba Has Rules

Joba Chamberlain

When Joba is only able to pitch 70 pitches on Tuesday and you know he can throw more, take a deep breath and remember why the Yankees have Joba Rules.

Justin Sablich/NY Times:

Another year, another season-ending injury for Mark Prior.

Prior’s attempted comeback for his hometown San Diego Padres ended with the news that he will need surgery to repair a tear in the anterior capsule of his right shoulder.

“I can’t imagine how frustrated he is,” Padres Manager Bud Black said. “It looked like everything was on course. Then to have this happen I’m sure is extremely frustrating. I’m upset for him just because there was such confidence from him about how he felt.”

Prior seemed destined to become baseball’s next elite starting pitcher after going 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 2003 for the Chicago Cubs. Now 27, he has not pitched a major league game since Aug. 10, 2006.

“How good was Prior? The best thing you can say about him was that he never showed promise as a Cub. He skipped promise and proceeded directly to great,” writes Morrissey. “He seemed to go from rookie to staff ace in a blink of an eye. There was no time for promise. He was too good for potential.”

Joba The Ace

Joba Chamberlain

I don't know if I am the first to use this term, but I am going to patent it now...Joba The Ace.

Perfect.

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News:

Starting next week, there might be some new Joba Rules.

After Andy Pettitte eased his way through the sixth and recorded the first two outs in the seventh, Joe Girardi made what is most likely his last bullpen call ever to the electric Joba Chamberlain.

Chamberlain entered the game and gave up a two-out single to Mora and then walked Markakis, throwing six of his first eight pitches for balls. Joba battled back to strike out Millar to end the inning, throwing 13 pitches to record one out.

Chamberlain then came back for the eighth, the inning in which he has made his reputation since entering the league last August. Other than mixing in a couple of curveballs, Chamberlain looked like his vintage self, setting the Orioles down in order, striking out both Ramon Hernandez and Jay Payton to end the inning.

After throwing just 28 pitches in the game, Chamberlain ran out to the bullpen before the bottom of the ninth, finishing off his day's work with another 22 pitches.

Chamberlain was scheduled to throw 50-55 pitches Wednesday night, which would line him up to throw 65-70 early next week. With Ian Kennedy on the disabled list, the Yankees could turn to Chamberlain to take his place in the rotation, starting Monday or Tuesday.

Chamberlain came back for the eighth, the inning in which he has made his reputation since entering the league last August. Other than mixing in a couple of curveballs, Chamberlain looked like his vintage self, setting the Orioles down in order, striking out both Ramon Hernandez and Jay Payton to end the inning.

Joba Throws 40 Pitches--No One Scores

Joba Chamberlain

Anthony Dicomo/MLB.com:

This "Joba Plan" suddenly seems like an awfully smart idea.

The whole point of Joba Chamberlain converting from a starter to a reliever in the Major Leagues was so that he could help the Yankees, instead of wasting away innings in the Minors. And on this day, he did just that. Chamberlain pitched two shutout innings in relief of a shaky Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi hit a three-run homer and the Yankees cruised to yet another victory on Saturday, a 12-6 decision over the Mariners.

Chamberlain entered the game in the sixth inning with the Yankees clinging to a one-run lead, and he proceeded to retire the first three Mariners he faced in order. From there, he completed his prescribed workload in stride, pitching two shutout innings in all.

In those two innings, Chamberlain threw 26 fastballs (15 strikes), 11 sliders (seven strikes) and three curveballs (no strikes).

His 40 pitches his most in a big-league game.

It's Official--Chamberlain Will Join Starting Rotation

Joba Chamberlain

Frankly, I am surprised it took this long...

Tyler Kepner/New York Times:

The Yankees began Joba Chamberlain’s transition to the starting rotation on Wednesday, when he worked the final two innings — 35 pitches — of the Yankees’ 8-0 victory against the Orioles.

There’s no announced date, but the plan is under way. Chamberlain will start this season, and he may not even need a minor-league stint to get ready. The Yankees, for now, plan to stretch out his arm in the majors.

In doing so, the Yankees are rejecting the idea of keeping Chamberlain as a setup man and then making him Mariano Rivera’s successor as the closer in 2011, when Chamberlain will be 25. In explaining the move, General Manager Brian Cashman said Chamberlain had always projected better as a starter, a role where he could use his four-pitch repertory. He said there was no input from ownership on the decision, and that this has been the plan all along.

“We haven’t forgotten the ability that he’s shown from one through seven or eight innings as a starter, and how he maintained it,” Cashman said. “It’s hard to forget, if you had a chance to see that. And because of that, we’re sticking with the program we’ve had in place now for quite some time.”

Cashman continued: “Joba was asked to do something for the best of the franchise last year, and he did it exceptionally well. We’re going back to the purpose that we drafted him and the projections that we had on him.”

The phrase that stuck with me of those comments is this: “if you had the chance to see that.” I traveled to Trenton last July and I did have a chance to see Chamberlain start. And I was awed by the possibility of what he could do as a starter.

Joba May Stay In The Bullpen?!?

Joba Chamberlain

Ed Price/Newsday:

Joba Chamberlain may not be converted from reliever to starter this season, Yankees manager Joe Girardi conceded today.

"That's possible, yes," Girardi said of keeping Chamberlain in the bullpen all year.

The statement seemed a departure from the previous portrayal of the Yankees' plans for Chamberlain. Now, instead of the move being inevitable, it will be based more on need.

"It's not a preset decision, I can tell you that," Girardi said. "It's a decision that is based on a lot of different things. And we'll continue to discuss it and continue to look at our needs."

"We've seen to somewhat work out the fourth spot (with Darrell Rasner)," Girardi said. "We need to get Ian (Kennedy) going. That's the bottom line. Yes, I believe we have enough starting pitching. But we have to get Ian going, and we have to keep the other guys going, that's the bottom line. And we have to keep them healthy."

Q&A With Joba Chamberlain

Joba Chamberlain

Bryan Hoch/MLB.Com:

MLB.com: What is it about playing in New York that stands out in your mind?

Chamberlain: I think it's the tradition and everything that goes along with being a New York Yankee. You hear about it, and being a baseball fan, you understand. But when you finally put the uniform on, you realize it goes further than this uniform. It definitely makes you feel privileged to wear it.

MLB.com: What do you think has been the biggest influence on your career?

Chamberlain: I think it's just never relaxing. Last year I didn't have that opportunity because I got called up [to each level] a month apart. It was never being satisfied, and trying to get better, and asking questions. It's one thing to get here, but it's another thing to stay here. I try to come in and get better every day and try to learn something.

MLB.com: Any one person stand out in your development?

Chamberlain: I try to take a little bit from everybody. I think I learned a lot from the hitters, too, talking to Derek [Jeter], Jason [Giambi] and Alex [Rodriguez]. I used to hit, but not at this level. You're talking to three guys that have done it, and I have it from a pitcher's aspect of how you stay in your game and do what you do. I think you have to go to the other side and ask those guys what they recognize and what they look for. I don't want to be in that comfort zone of just looking at it from a pitcher's side.

MLB.com: What are some of your hobbies and interests away from the stadium?

Chamberlain: Other than hanging out with [my 2-year-old son] Karter, I like to spend time with my family. I like to travel too. Last year I went to Puerto Rico, Arizona, and Las Vegas. I'd never been to any of them. There's opportunities to talk to kids and sign autographs and enjoy what you did on the field. Hopefully, this year will be my first year traveling overseas. I might get to see Chien-Ming in Taiwan, and my buddy Rick VandenHurk on the Marlins is from Holland. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to go spread my wings for a little bit.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW

Moose Cruises, Joba Confuses, Mariano Defuses

Joba Chamberlain

Bryan Hoch/MLB.Com:

Hank Steinbrenner may not have been shy about his phone calls, but the more important event for the Yankees was hearing those Moose calls.

Mike Mussina won his fifth consecutive start Wednesday night for the Yankees, who snapped a short two-game skid by limiting the Rays to one run over 6 1/3 innings. Robinson Cano had four hits, including an RBI, and Bobby Abreu also drove in a run, leading New York to a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.

The resurgent right-hander was sharp once more, mixing his pitches and spotting his offspeed stuff with command over an 87-pitch performance, scattering five hits. Mussina walked one and struck out four, lowering his ERA to 3.99. The performance came hours after manager Joe Girardi held the first closed-door clubhouse meeting of his tenure, and on the same day that Steinbrenner issued comments criticizing the club's sluggish 19-21 start.

Mussina started the seventh inning and recorded the first out, but was lifted after a walk to Evan Longoria, earning a mixture of Moose calls from the Tropicana Field crowd. Cliff Floyd greeted reliever Ross Ohlendorf with a single, and Dioner Navarro shot a run-scoring hit up the middle, but Ohlendorf escaped the inning when Gabe Gross lined to Derek Jeter for a deftly turned double play, nabbing Floyd off the bag.

After scoring just twice in their previous 24 innings entering the game, the Yankees touched Rays right-hander James Shields for runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Hideki Matsui rapped a two-out double up the gap in left-center and scored on Cano's single to center; in the fifth, Morgan Ensberg led off with a single, moved up on a sacrifice and scored on Abreu's two-out double.

Dude, You're David Dellucci...'Nuff Said

Joba Chamberlain

The Newark Advocate:

David Dellucci is a clown. I watched the game with a couple Indians fans today and even they think he is "bush". What do you think...

Cleveland was trying to sweep the Yankees in a series of three or more games for the first time in nearly two decades. The last time the Indians did, they completed it by beating Tommy John on April 9, 1989 — John, by the way, turns 65 in two weeks.

Mike Mussina (5-3) won his fourth straight start and earned his 255th career victory, holding on for five innings. Setup man Joba Chamberlain won his rematch with David Dellucci and Mariano Rivera closed for his ninth save.

Cano’s homer finished Paul Byrd (1-3) in the seventh and Betemit, subbing for Rodriguez, met reliever Masa Kobayashi with a drive over the center-field fence.

The only drama after that came in the eighth when Chamberlain faced Dellucci. On Tuesday night, Dellucci rocked the hard-throwing reliever with a pinch-hit, three-run homer.

Girardi later talked to Chamberlain about his penchant for shaking off his catcher’s signs. This time, Chamberlain again shook off Jose Molina, then got Dellucci to swing over a slider for strike three.

Chamberlain, as usual, gave an exaggerated fist pump and hollered after fanning Dellucci to end the inning.

“That’s who he is. He’s not showing anyone up. He’s going to show emotion,” Girardi said. “He didn’t look at Dellucci. He looked into our dugout.”

That’s not exactly how Dellucci saw Chamberlain’s celebration.

“It is what it is. If he wants to yell and scream after a strikeout, I guess that’s what gets him going,” he said. “It’s May baseball. The home run was in a much bigger situation. I didn’t dance and scream.

“If a hitter did something like that, it would be bush. It’s kind of interesting how a pitcher gets away with it.”

Said Chamberlain: “It didn’t matter who it was, I just wanted to get them out.”