MVN - Most Valuable Network

The Eight Inning Options

After last night’s game, the Yankees revealed that they have started the process of stretching Joba Chamberlain out so that he can take a spot in the starting rotation. I wholeheartedly agree with this move for a variety of reasons. Firstly, a great starter is more valuable to his team than even the most dominant reliever, and Joba has the kind of potential that is typically associated with frontline starters. Furthermore, Joba’s development seemed to have become a bit stunted in the bullpen, as he has been walking more hitters lately. This probably can be attributed to irregular work as well as a change in mindset as a member of the bullpen. Being that Joba knew that he would be spending only one inning on the mound, he had started to refrain from throwing his slider for strikes, preferring to hope that hitters chase it out of the zone. If it would cost him some extra pitches, so be it. As a starter, he will be forced to be more economical with his pitches, which will make it necessary for him to return to using his breaking pitches in the strike zone. Finally, in the unlikely event that Joba turns out to be a bust as a starter, he can always be returned to the bullpen role that he has excelled in. To me, it is a low risk, high reward move, and the Yankees should be commended for sticking to their plan for the future regardless of the fact that no clear eight inning replacement has presented itself. I would guess that the stretching out process will take about a month, so the Yankees have that period of time in which to determine who will be pitching the eight inning, whether it be by committee (as Pete Abe suggests) or one pitcher. Let’s run through the options.

Trade- Huston Street

Street would be a great fit, but Billy Beane seems to be asking for the kitchen sink. With the amount of internal options the team has, I doubt they would make a rash move and cave to Beane’s demands. if none of the Yankees current options perform well, expect to see a Cashman-Beane staring match at the trade deadline.

Not A Good Fit- Dan Giese, Steven White, Jeff Karstens

Giese and White are both having stellar seasons at Scranton after never really being given a chance to make the big club out of spring training. Karstens looked like a front runner for a roster spot early in the spring, but began to struggle and then had an injury that has him currently rehabbing, although he should be ready in a month. These three are not likely to pitch the eight inning, as they all profile as long relievers. However, that is not to say that they are unaffected by the latest developments. If Ross Ohlendorf proves to be the choice to replace Joba, one of these three may be asked to fill the long relief role vacated by Ohlendorf.

Not Likely To Be Given The Chance- Jose Veras, Chris Britton, Scott Patterson

Patterson should have made the Opening Day roster after having an incredible spring, but was left off and proceeded to struggle in Scranton. However, he has pitched much better of late, and may be an option for a less pressurized spot in the bullpen. The mystery of Chris Britton continues, as the team does not seem to believe in him and refrains from giving him a chance in any game in which the outcome is still in doubt. Veras does not seem to excite anyone either, and I doubt the Yankees would be willing to hand him an important role.

Minor League Starters- Alan Horne, Dan McCutchen

Horne is currently rehabbing, and has not pitched much this season. However, he is widely regarded as the Yankees best pitching prospect currently in the minors, and has the kind of power stuff that could play well out of the bullpen. Horne sports a strong fastball and an impressive curveball, which would make him a nice fit for a late inning relief role. However, he also has a solid slider and changeup, and Yankees may be reluctant to hinder his development by moving him from a starting role. McCutchen, on the other hand, is a decent bet to end up in the bullpen. He has three very solid pitches, but does not strike out many batters due to his lack of one truly great pitch. He does feature plus control, which is something that recent members of the Yankee bullpen have lacked. However, McCutchen was just promoted to Scranton, and I doubt they would move him to the majors that rapidly. Furthermore, the Yankees insist that they are going to continue developing McCutchen as a starter, so it will be interesting to watch him over the next few months.

Minor League Relievers- Mark Melancon, JB Cox, David Robertson

Robertson will probably be left in Scranton all season, as he has struggled with his control a bit since being promoted from Trenton. David has jumped from Low-A to AAA in a little more than a season, and has finally met his first real challenge. He was a closer in college and throws fairly hard. He is definitely part of the future in the Yankees bullpen, but I have doubts that he will contribute in 2008. Melancon and Cox are a different story. Presuming both are healthy, I have no doubt that they will be given a chance to win spots in the Yankees bullpen at some point this summer. The only question is if the Yankees will hand the eight inning role to a pitcher coming off major surgery. Melancon was heralded as the heir apparent to Mariano when he was drafted, and he has displayed the power stuff that has lead to such lofty expectations. He began his post rehab work in Tampa, where he started slow but quickly displayed his strong fastball and power curve, and is now pitching well at Trenton. Cox started the year rehabbing at Single-A Tampa as well, and has already jumped to Scranton. His stuff is not as hard as Melancon’s, but he complements a solid, moving fastball with a plus slider, a good changeup, and excellent command. If not for his injury, he would probably be in that eight inning role right now, and Joba would have been in the rotation all along. As it stands, I believe Cox and Melancon will both play an important role in the back end of the Yankees bullpen before this season is over.

Currently In The Pen- Kyle Farnsworth, Latroy Hawkins, Edwar Ramirez, Ross Ohlendorf

To be honest, the only one of these options that intrigues me is Ohlendorf. Hawkins has shown himself to be incredibly inconsistent, mixing outings where he strikes out the side with performances where he allows 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Similarly, Kyle Farnsworth has shown some improvement, but he continues to be undependable in a big spot. Edwar has looked good thus far, but I cannot shake the fact that he seems to be pitching with exactly the same stuff and approach that got beat up last season. In regard to Ohlendorf, the Yankees have messed with his development by turning him into a single inning reliever and then using him as a long man. I would like the Yankees to currently send down Jose Veras, call up Giese or White to be the long man, and make Ohlendorf the designated 7th/8th inning pitcher. Let’s see exactly what this kid can give us in one inning increments, rather than the uneven, slightly abusive usage pattern that he has been tortured with this season.

The Verdict- Ultimately, the Yankees have about a month to figure this all out. I think they will use some sort of combination of the four pitchers in that final group until they believe some of the minor leaguers are ready. Then they are likely to throw the young guys at the wall and wait to see who sticks. Joba needs to be in the rotation, and the Yankees have plenty of options to replace him in the eight inning. Someone will grab that job, and the team will be better for it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 7:24 am and is filed under Off the Facade. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.