Right after the All-Star break, Joba had a few very good starts in a row. In fact, it was probably the best he pitched all year. During his hot streak, they kept saying on YES how he went home to Nebraska during the break and relaxed, recharged and refocused, and they kept attributing his sudden turnaround to his visit at home, where he decided to just be himself and have fun. I think it might be a load on nonsense. He started pitching great when his name came up in a trade rumor for Doc Halladay, and he continued to pitch well until the trading deadline had passed. Once it did, and he realized he wasn't going to Toronto, he immediatley reverted to his old ways. Tonight, he blew a four run lead against Texas, threw a ton of pitches, and was gone by the fifth inning. Pehaps it was the thought of the trade - not Nebraska - that got him fired up and on a roll. Just a thought ...
8 comments:
I could see how the thought of a trade to the Blue Jays might do that. Too bad he couldn't sustain it.
Well, then maybe Cashman can start another trade rumor so he'll pitch better down the stretch.
You may be right. If so he needs to go. That kind of pussy attitude belongs in Boston, not New York.
They have to be like CC and "want the ball"...there are pleanty of other people who want a shot, give it to them!
This weekend, the Yankees announced that they just changed the so called "Joba Rules". He will pitch every 5th day in the rotation, however he may only pitch 5 or 6 innings depending on his pitch count. I find this absurd! We have been seeing a mediocre pitcher in his early 20's being treated like a Golden Child. In my 35+ years of watching baseball, I have not seen a player coddled like our Little Joba. It's time to take the gloves off to see what this kid can really do before the playoffs start. My opinion is that 5 1/3 Joba (as I call him) needs to come back to the WBS Yankees until he can actually learn how to pitch. He goes too deep into counts on almost every batter he faces therefore escalating his pitch count. He puts a burden on the bullpen every time he pitches. The anticipation of one of his starts actually effects the way the Yankees approach the 2 or 3 games before his start. This should not be a factor. He is not ready to be a starting pitcher in the Major Leagues if he has this kind of negative impact on the team. The "Joba Rules" have got to go to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton along with Joba. He is simply not ready.
It's a great point ... the wear on the bullpen is never talked about. I wonder if Joba himself is embarrassed by it all?
Quote from Joba from NY Daily News:
"You've got to realize what they're trying to do is protect me for a long time. It's humbling for me to know they care that much about me. I feel great, but I also understand this is a process."
Back on August 29th I posted a few comments on Joba and the "Rules". My nickname for Joba in this post was 5 1/3 Joba. Well that name has changed to 2 innings and 2 runs later Joba. However, as I reflect on Chamberlain and the "Joba Rules" I can only think of how does a starting pitcher actually get prepared to start a game that he knows he will only pitch 2 or 3 innings in? He knows up front that he cannot get a win and isn't that what a starter goes out there for? At this point, let's stop picking on poor Joba and start blasting the Yankees for placing such restrictions on what was a promising young pitcher. It's time for them to make a committment to Joba Chamberlain by letting him pitch. The only decision at this point should be to start him and treat him like a starter or get him back in the bullpen like he was in 2007. In Joe Torre's book he reflects on the 2007 season and state's that he had full faith in the Chamberlain/Rivera combination to close games. Of course, now we have to throw Philip Hughes into the bullpen mix which makes this decision even more difficult. Hughes has been virtually "light out" as the setup man for Mo.
So, what DO the Yankees do with Joba? The answer is "Who the hell knows?" Playoff time is right around the corner and Joba cannot be in the rotation. I think it is safe to say he will be relegated to the bullpen. But how do they use him? Joba will be totally confused coming out of the bullpen. I can't see him being used unless it is a blow out.
In my opinion, the Yankees have done more harm then good with "The Joba Rules".
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