Joba still a starter - for now
People continue to speculate that Joba Chamberlain will begin the season in the Yankees' bullpen -- most recently in an MSNBC article that hit the 'net today. Just to make sure nothing has changed, I checked in with Brian Cashman, who confirms that everything is status quo.
"All I've continued to say this winter is that he's a starter, we look at him as a starter and we're going to prepare him as a starter this spring," Cashman said on Friday.
From that point is where matters become murky. Like projected rotation mates Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, Chamberlain has a strict organizational innings cap – one that the Yankees refuse to divulge publicly. Cashman admits that the Yankees will be unable to slot Chamberlain into a five-man rotation without at least getting creative.
"Because of this stage in his development, he's not going to be able to pitch for six months in the rotation without exceeding his limit," Cashman said.
Among the options the Yankees are considering, Chamberlain could pitch out of the bullpen for a period of time – including starting the season in relief, where he could join Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins in helping to set up for closer Mariano Rivera. New York could also open the year with Chamberlain in the rotation and later skip him a turn through, or adjust to accommodate him with a six-man rotation.
"All of those things are up for discussion," Cashman said. "(A six-man rotation) is not something that you want to do, but it's something you might do for a period of time."
Meanwhile, can you believe it? Carl Pavano is in Tampa and throwing.
I returned to New York from Washington on Friday morning (the Acela train is really such a smooth, enjoyable ride) and am really looking forward to kicking back a little. This is my last weekend up here before heading down -- first to D.C. to check in on our friends Roger & Mac again, then on to Tampa -- so I'm hoping to cram all my goodbyes into a 48-hour period. We'll see how that works out.
I hate to say what I'm about to say, but I think I have to after reading this post How far along is Pavano, in regards to his rehab? If Hughes/Kennedy and Chamberlain are all going to be following strict innings limitations, Pavano could potentially help fill the innings void. As hard as it is for me to swallow after I say that, with 3 of our main starters looking at innings limits, it's going to be hard to come up with the arms to pitch all those innings. We can't tax the bullpen so much, like Mr. Torre was so apt at doing. God that's a tought thing to say and some may think sacrilegious, but he is under contract for $11mil this season, might as well attempt to get something out of that. Right?
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Do the Yankees have any interest in giving former 1st round lefty Sean Burnett a look see? Aside from aging Andy Pettitte I don't see a good lefty prospect in the system. I was a little disappointed that the Yanks didn't draft any lefties this year, as several good ones were out there. Jack McGeary didn't go until round six and he signed. Overall the Yanks had a good draft in 2007, but was hoping they would at least take a flier on some of the lefties available. I like the good group of young righties we have and maybe a guy like Sean Burnett could blossom with a fresh start with the Yanks.
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$40 Million To Play Catch ???
It is distrubing to read that Cal Pavano has arrived at the Yankees minor-league complex, in Tampa, this past Friday...
He played catch for 12 minutes in a restricted area, and did not talk with reporters...
With all his injuries, (and, very slow recovery from all of them), over his three years with the Yankees, it seems like the "12 minutes" of "playing catch" was the longest pitching stint Pavano has engaged in during all his time here...
The $40 Million that the Yankees wasted on Pavano, has resulted in only 19 starts, and a 5-6 (W/L record). At that rate, Pavano has taken $8 Million from the Yankees for each win. Since he has one more loss than the 5 wins...doesn't it seem like Pavano owes the Yankees some money?...
I think the time has come to end this misery...
Release Carl Pavano, NOW !!!
He has disgraced the Yankee uniform enough [already] !
Jimmy27NYY
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
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Pavano is toast, a bad memory waiting to fade away. (Of the 3 WS Champ Marlin young SP only Becket has panned out beyond, Burnett and Pavano have been burnt out. A lesson re too many innings too soon? See also Cubs' Prior and Woods.)
Regarding innings limits for Yanks SP in 2008, if you do the math, the Yanks would be in great shape if they could get 200+ innings from Wang and Pettitte, and 150 innings each from Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy and Musiina.
Undoubtly, there will be injuries and more than six SP over the course of the season. (Take a look at SP IP stats for 2006 as extreme example.) So some of those SP IP will be taken up by some combination of Karstens, Rasner, Horne, Marquiz, (Sanchez?), McCuthen, Phillips and/or others.
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BTW if you look at the Yankees Minor League innings leaders for 2007 as Marquez 155 IP and Horne 153 IP, their Organization guidelines are no "mystery."
BTW in 2007 Kennedy threw 167 (149 Minors and 19 MLB) innings before being shut down and not included on post season roster.
If you question the wisdom of such innings limits for early 20 yo's, review the injury history of Cubs' Prior and Wood.
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Jimmy, Pavano will not be "released" because they have insurance paying off some part of this fiasco. But he will be soon transferred to the "60 day DL" freeing up the spot on the 40 Man Roster. (probably for Horne or Ensberg.) Unlikely that this "tragic" 2007 Opening Day SP will ever pitch for Yanks' again.
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Errata, meant above take look at 2007 (not 2006) as extreme example of SP IP distribution.
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tigernyc,
Yeah, I realize the reasons why the Yankees will not actually "release" Pavano...I guess it was the image of him arriving in Tampa, playing catch for about 12 minutes, rushing by all the reporters without saying anything,[or, even wanting to take any questions], then probably heading to the nearest golf course to get in a quick 18-Holes before dinner!...
I should revise my comments to state: Carl Pavano Should Never Pitch Another Game [ EVER ] For The New York Yankees!!! PERIOD!!!
It should be an interesting Spring Training with all the good young pitchers on the Yankees battling for the remaining 3, [or, maybe 4] spots open on the Pitching Staff!...
A Carl Pavano at spring training is a "major distraction" that Yankee Management should not let happen!
The original "American Idle" should bring his "act" elsewhere!
Jimmy27NYY
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
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I'm sure Pavano won't be at Spring Training. Still, he could serve some long relief role if by some miracle he does recover in time.
I'll tell you one thing, I get the feeling he'll get hurt again, won't suit up for us ever again, and will ride of into the sunset with our 40 mil.
If some team gives him a minor league contract next season, good luck to them.
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A minor league contract or even a low base/more incentive-laden deal should be Pavano's only option after this year. I have been more than disappointed with his lack of performance or appearance, as has the rest of the Yankees' family. However, a lot of pitchers come back better after TJ surgery than before. Some of Pavano's injuries were freak incidents (the car accident, the butt injury haha), he still may have plenty left in the tank. Plus, he hasn't really pitched in 2ish years, so his body should be well rested and what not.
I know this wouldn't happen, but Pavano should pipe his pride and come to the Yankees, asking for a low $base contract to prove they didn't make a TOTALLY bad decision. The Yanks do look like idiots with the deal, although it wasn't a totally bad deal (better than Carlos Silva getting $12mil per from Seattle) when it was done. He should take a low contract and try to prove he's got something to offer.
Maybe that's a little much to handle, but who knows. I don't know what was more of a flop, Pavano's deal or Clemens' last deal :-/.
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Didn't Pavano have rotator cuff surgery, and not TJ surgery?
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If Pavano is under contract for this season, he should report to Spring Training just like everyone else. At the least he should compete for the contract he signed. If he doesn't make the team after this Spring, then see ya. He doesn't deserve free money. People have said that a spot in the starting rotation is Mussina's to lose. The same should apply for Pavano. Does anyone besides me think Joba should remain the set-up guy?
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