Joba vs. Phil: “Loser” to AAA

This debate is starting to pick up some momentum and, with the start of Spring Training around the corner, it does not figure to let up any time soon.  The best (or worst) part about this competition is that there are multiple layers for fans to mull over.  Of course, you have the primary discussion of who is going to win the 5th starters job.  Yea, I know the Yankees say that Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin, etc. are in the mix too.  Haha, I don’t believe that for a second and I doubt that many other people do either – if anybody.  If I had to choose, I think Joba will/should win the job because he has more MLB experience in the starting rotation than Phil Hughes.  I’m not going to have a heated argument with someone who feels Hughes should win it though – either way, we’re going to have a talented young starter in our rotation.  Let’s pass by that racket for the time being because, the real issue is going to be when we start discussing the destination of the 6th starter to begin the year.  This is where my intensity level rises.  I am firmly entrenched in the camp that supports one of the two starting the year off in AAA.  There are two main reasons why sending the 6th starter Triple-A is a good idea.  Primarily, we are going to have an opening in the rotation next year.  Secondly, instead of just working with two pitches in the pen, ALL of the secondary pitches can be developed – essential to becoming a legit starting pitcher.

Let’s start off with the big picture.  At the end of 2010, Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez are both going to be free agents.  With Andy Pettitte, you never really know.  He, in a way, does a significantly less annoying and less obnoxious version of the “Brett Favre”.  I hate making that comparison because I like Andy but, at least he hasn’t ended the past three seasons by serving up a brutal walk-off home run.  Anyway, there is a good chance that we will have two spots to fill heading into 2011.  Sabathia-Burnett-JoPhil will occupy three of them.  In steps the 6th starter.  No drama, no “rules” – just a seamless transition.  Who knows what happens with the remaining vacancy in the rotation but, it would certainly be nice to only have to target one guy.

While I listed it as secondary, the benefit of Joba or Phil improving his pitches and working a starter’s worth of innings could be considered the most important thing about working in Scranton.  I don’t care what anybody says (unless it’s Brian Cashman or someone else pulling weight in the Yanks’ organization), Hughes and Chamberlain are starting pitchers until they prove otherwise.  End of story, end of discussion, final answer.  In order to fulfill their role as starters to their greatest potential, they need to have a diverse arsenal of pitches – enough to survive three or more turns through a lineup.  There has already been enough said about the fact that they each need work on their secondary offerings – not uncommon for young pitchers of course.  With that said, it is not hard to understand why working in the Major League bullpen – the stance of the opposing camp – would be detrimental to long-term development.

The way I see it, the decision to send Joba or Phil to Triple-A is not only a necessary one but also one that is not terribly difficult.  Sure, it would be nice to have one of the two youngsters mowing down the opposition in the ‘pen this year but, we have to consider what is also best for the squad over the next several years.

Tags: Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes