Joba hitting his stride as season approaches (now with audio)
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Mar 31, 2009 
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The Yankees confirmed that Joba hit 96 today and was at 95 throughout his start.
“I could feel it out of my hand,” Chamberlain said. “It felt better. There are some when you force it in and there’s others that come out of your hand great. There were some that came out of my hand, the swings misses with the fastball, I hadn’t got many of those in spring training. That’s part of just training your arm in the bullpen.”
Counting the game against Team Canada, Chamberlain threw 20 innings this spring and struck out 20.
His overall line this spring: 20 21 13 13 11 20.
His last three games:
13 12 4 4 6 14.
That’s a 2.77 ERA over the final three games and he has a tune-up appearance on Sunday. Unless you also want him to walk on water, thats pretty good. The Yankees are doing the exact right thing. Put him in the rotation as the No. 5 starter, watch his starts, build up his innings and let him develop. That is what you do with 23-year-olds with that kind of arm.
They’ll give him a 10-day break around the All-Star Game and monitor him closely. If he is honest with the team about how he feels, it should work out well. There will be ups and downs, of course. But at the end, he’ll be that much closer to being a top-tier starter.
UPDATE, 5:26 p.m.: Here’s Joba talking about his start:
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I think he has the potential to start, then come out of the bullpen to relieve himself. Then walk across his own water.
Of course, I’m a Yankee fan, so my expectations may be a bit high.
When will the Joba debate end? People are saying that he shouldn’t start because his ST hasn’t been fantastic. The guy has 4 pitches. You don’t waste that kind of pitcher in the bullpen.
joba will come out of the pen in playoffs.
I think Cashman is also nervous. This team has great potential but we play in a brutal division and we have to make the playoff this year. There is a lot of pressure/stress on everyone this year.
We’ve had great teams on paper in the past too that ended up being disappointing, Cashman is just keeping it in perspective. Every year, the team looks good in Spring and the chemistry is the best it has ever been— it isin’t indicative of what will happen in the late summer, as we’ve seen
Dawson award winners:
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
What if he’s an All-Star?
I’d rather the talking heads argue about this than A-Rod’s indiscretions.
arod going under the knife really shifted the focus back to baseball, wonder what will happen when he returns?
“arod going under the knife really shifted the focus back to baseball, wonder what will happen when he returns?”
Really? I’ll give you 3 guesses and the first 2 don’t count.
Hopefully Burnett has taken him aside and said how important it is to take care of yourself when you’re young. Joba has the potential to be the next AJ Burnett or the next Roger Clemens (minus the ped’s) hopefully he treats his arm like a gift from god.
might depend what kind of start they get off to. a good one might put him in the background. a bad one could add to the misery.
something tells me joba will replace mo someday.
Pete…of course Joba can walk on water. We want him too, and he can. Why else would Ricky Bobby pray to 6 Pound 8 Ounce baby Joba? He’s Jesus, only…better.
if you asked cash right now, where will joba be come october, he of course wouldnt answer, but assuming the front 4 are healthy, wouldnt he be in the pen? by then his inning limit will be exceeded. any thoughts?
Does Mike still think Jober’ should be in the pen?
By something do you mean Francesca?
M. F “sox have better bullpen because Pap and Okijima”
Didn’t Okijima Tank Last year????
replace Mo as a Yankee great?
if posada doesnt hold up, yanks are in deep trouble
joba seems like a natural to replace mo.
-Joba- Melancon seems like a natural to replace Mo.
(pending actual performance)
Say no to joba in the pen
What makes people think the pen will not be “shut down” if Joba isn’t there? Just because there are no house hold names? And before we start talking about the Sox pen being better lets just wait and see how it plays out. You never know with bull-pens.
A lot of variables will determine if Joba is in the pen in October.
His innings limits, Has one of the other relievers stepped up and assumed the 8th inning role and is trustworthy, or is a comitte all year, How do Andy/Burnett perform etc.
Logic would dictate that Joba would have reached his IP limits and would help us better in the pen in a short series. Are they really going to put Andy or AJ in the pen unless they are awful this year?
Okajima
did not tank last year but I seem to remember something going on with him last year
They won’t shut Joba down once he hits his innings limit; they’ll put him in the pen. By October, Phil Coke’s arm will be dead, Damaso Marte will be hiding under a table somewhere and Brian Bruney will be looking for the strike zone.
Meantime, continued success as a starter, young man.
“I think he has the potential to start, then come out of the bullpen to relieve himself. Then walk across his own water.”
Uh oh. Sounds like something Manny did in the outfield…
Okijima and Delcarmen had great years last year
Masterson was lights out for them in the pen
They acquired Ramirez who had a 2.70 ERA last year and Saito who was the best closer in the NL the last 3 years.
Their pen is loaded.
Yeah but how fast is his fastball? Inquiery minds want to know.
Iv never seen a pitcher that people are so concerned about his fastball as they are Joba. Youd think he only has one pitch ala Rivera.
Pitching in the AL East is gonna be easy though
Never compare what a pitcher like Saito did in the NL to what he could do in the AL East. As all of you know, the NL West certaintly isn’t the AL East in terms of opposing batters…
Glad Joba seems to have pulled himself together. I love him and his stuff. To be honest, he’s my favorite Yankee and I have absolutely no worries about him in the regular season.
Torch
March 31st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I think Cashman is also nervous. This team has great potential but we play in a brutal division and we have to make the playoff this year. There is a lot of pressure/stress on everyone this year.
We’ve had great teams on paper in the past too that ended up being disappointing, Cashman is just keeping it in perspective. Every year, the team looks good in Spring and the chemistry is the best it has ever been—- it isin’t indicative of what will happen in the late summer, as we’ve seen
======================================================
We’ve not had great teams, not even on paper, because we’ve had no pitching since 2003.
We now have starting pitching and last year’s pen, which was very good. We’re stacked. That hasn’t been so for six years. Can’t win without pitching. Doesn’t matter what your lineup’s like.
“To be honest, he’s my favorite Yankee”
Hmmm. Im surprised, TEIXEIRAMVP? Maybe a name change is needed. JOBACYYOUNG?
bodhisattva-We did too have great teams on paper. In ’04 we’re world series favorites, you talk about one or two thing swinging our way, we’re talking about # 28 or more.
I agree, though, that our pitchig’s the best it’s been in yrs.
LOL, S.O.S., Tex was my favorite of the new signings. I’m showing my support.
Teixeiramvp
March 31st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
bodhisattva-We did too have great teams on paper. In ‘04 we’re world series favorites, you talk about one or two thing swinging our way, we’re talking about # 28 or more.
I agree, though, that our pitchig’s the best it’s been in yrs.
======================================================
The oddsmakers are never a reliable barometer.
We DIDN’T win the WS in 2004, we didn’t even get there. We had no lefty starter vs. Boston’s lineup, which killed us, and we were starting KEVIN BROWN in Game 7. KEVIN BROWN.
I stand by my story: we’ve had no pitching since 2003.
Tex,
We may say we had a “great” LINEUP on paper certain years, but that’s an important distinction.
bodhisattva-We didn’t get threr, but on paper we should have.
You’re right about the lineup too.
there, not threr. Sorry.
Gotta go now. Interesting discussion though, hate to leave.
No more paper championships!
Not really.
There were mitigating factors –
Rivera’s personal tragedy, flying back and forth to Panama, wore him down; Posada throwing to the wrong side of second base, not bunting on Schilling and not running on Schilling and Wakefield; Torre’s Paul Hackett approach to managing…
BUT if we had had a good lefty starter, we would have won. And when you’re reduced to KEVIN BROWN….did you not know Game 7 was lost before it started? I sure did, even though I made my death march to the Stadium. And I’m an optimistic fan.
I felt I helped this poor guy in front of me, though, who was in tears. I told him, ‘It’s not the present that matters, but your place in history.’ He seemed to take it to heart and even cracked a smile.
“You’re RIGHT!” he said, delighted. It was small, but it was something.
Cashman said 3 teams are interested in Melky…
^^^
Incidentally, I wouldn’t trade an ALCS win for Phil Hughes being a Yankee. If we’d had Pettitte (whom we should have kept), there’s your lefty and we’re going to WS.
In retrospect, I’d rather have Hughes for the next decade. What’s 27 when you have 26, in the historical scheme of things?
No more paper championships!
But, Mrs. Matsui just entered a beauty contest, Nick!
Eric, where was Cashman’s interview? Did he have anything else interesting to say?
Well played, Tom! You turned the tables on me.
“Cashman said 3 teams are interested in Melky…”
My first reaction was: Scranton, Trenton, and Tampa… but then I realized he’s out of options.
“Never compare what a pitcher like Saito did in the NL to what he could do in the AL East. As all of you know, the NL West certaintly isn’t the AL East in terms of opposing batters…”
—————-
I don’t think that has much to do with it in this case. Saito missed alot of bats and put up elite #s at times.
The issue is his health, not a league change. The Dodgers didn’t even want this guy back. I figure they knew his situation as good as anyone.
Cashman himself brought up in the interview that they were just as excited for Weaver and Vasquez as they were for this pitching staff and all the players loved it, they need to see how it plays out on the field, not on paper.
I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in Cabrera’s fielding issues today. I’d have to think thay the strong winds had a lot to do with it. The game had three errors on catches to the outfield and three misplayed flies into hits. Dickerson and Bruce are good outfielders.
I love the Marte hate around here. For the last few years many were clamoring for the Yanks to get him somehow, we need a lefty out of the pen. Now we have him and resign him for 3 years and he doesn’t pitch well in the spring and people are bashing him and saying what a terrible re-upping by Cash. We have both Coke and Marte, that’s a great luxury to have. Marte isn’t close to 100% yet, but once he rounds into shape he’ll be an asset this year.
just noticed the Red Sox get to play 6 of their 9 games against the Angels, who have played the Sox very well in the regular season in recent years, in the first 5-6 weeks of the season when the Angels will be without their 2 top starters – Lackey or Santana.
just an observation – hopefully doesn’t mean much
Bad Scooter,
exactly.
some people aren’t satisfied with anything. give them exactly what they want and they will find a problem with it.
Yeah, I noticed that too. Luckily, we play 4 with the Angels in early May too.
Joba sounded good huh?
Seemed to grasp what he needs to do i.e making the most of his bullpen sessions.
He’s got the talent. If he can match that with a supreme work ethic, maybe one day he’ll be picking up the check when he and CC eat out together.
Boston Dave and Bad Scooter – this is why spot, isolated public opinion polls are a bad idea.
Oh what a long week it’s going to be. Please hurry, regular season, I think everyone (here) is far beyond ready.
you can say that again Nick…
hurry up and get here
Any predictions for the season opener? Last year I went to opening night at the stadium and saw a Wang/Halladay duel end in a 3-2 Yankee win. I remember cause I went to the third game with Hughes pitching and it was another 3-2 Yankee win. This year I can’t make it to Baltimore so anything can happen. My guess 6-3 for the good guys.
Phillies have released Geoff Jenkins. Wonder if he ends up in Detroit or San Francisco?
Jeff Keppinger traded to Astros for a player to be named later
“Oh what a long week it’s going to be. Please hurry, regular season, I think everyone (here) is far beyond ready.”
No Nick!! Not until we secure first place and are spring training champions. It seemed to help the Rays last year and im going out and buying that t-shirt.
09 PRE-SEASON CHAMPS-NUFF SAID
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....=neyer_rob
Rob neyer on joba
Fran- Cashman said on WFAN that 3 teams inquired about a trade for Melky… Cashman also stated that he doesn’t intend on trading Melky.
Apparently, as soon as Detroit releases Sheffield, Philadelphia has interest in him.
Thanks Eric.
My error….both releases are final.
“Fran- Cashman said on WFAN that 3 teams inquired about a trade for Melky… Cashman also stated that he doesn’t intend on trading Melky.”
There is a reason he’s called STEALTH. He’s gone.
S.o.S.: Good point, I forgot there was a prize yet to be won. FYI, I announced earlier this afternoon that my Jorge Posada bobblehead was off his double-secret probation thanks his namesake’s sensible statements about Joba. It will be good to start the season with everyone pointed in the right direction.
Any word on Nady? He apparently got hit on the elbow during today’s game…….thanks!
The camaraderie of the pitching staff has me very encouraged (second only to Posada’s continued good health).
Imagine Kevin Brown or Randy Johnson gathering w/the three other idle starters as a sign of support to watch someone else warm up? It would literally have taken psychotropic drugs and hypnotic suggestion to achieve this type of zen.
If Jorge holds up, this is an absolute war machine.
“I announced earlier this afternoon that my Jorge Posada bobblehead was off his double-secret probation thanks his namesake’s sensible statements about Joba.”
??? What statement?
From Pete’s game thread update:
“We just spoke to Joba and Jorge Posada. Joba was pleased with his outing with the exception of not being able to go deeper in the game. Posada, who once believed Joba belonged in the bullpen, said that the pitcher “proved me wrong.”
“He’s our fifth starter and I’m happy with that,” Posada said. “It’s for the betterment of the team.”
March 31, 2009, 4:59 pm
Dickie V: Yanks Are Awesome, Baby!
By Tyler Kepner
SARASOTA, Fla. — You might think that with the Final Four in full swing, Dick Vitale would have nothing on his mind but college basketball. Yet there he was Tuesday morning at Ed Smith Stadium, behind the right-field wall near the Reds’ offices, looking for the Yankees.
Vitale lives in Sarasota and attended plenty of Rays’ games in St. Petersburg, long before the Rays were good. So he’s a true baseball fan — but he couldn’t identify Phil Coke when he walked by.
“Hey, No. 48!” Vitale called out. “Is Derek Jeter here?”
Coke replied that, no, Jeter was not here. When Vitale asked for Jorge Posada, Coke replied that he was here, but not nearby. Vitale then asked for Joe Girardi, and he asked for Coke’s name.
It turns out Vitale needed a deliveryman, and Coke was his guy. Vitale had a few autographed copies of his new book he wanted to pass along, and Coke happily obliged. Vitale gave him his own personalized copy in appreciation.
“To Phil,” he wrote, “Go Yankees baby! God Bless, Dick Vitale, H.O.F. ’08.”
Meanwhile, the Yankees beat the Reds, 6-3, improving to 21-10-1 this spring.
“Did we clinch the Grapefruit League title?” one player said in the clubhouse. “Let’s party!”
““He’s our fifth starter and I’m happy with that,” Posada said. “It’s for the betterment of the team.””
Hmmm. I wonder what Hughes feels about that. A few years ago Posada said Hughes had the best stuff in spring. He sure loves those young guns. Good reason to bring back the bobblehead. Keep an eye on it though just in case he slips up.
LOL I can only imagine Coke’s reaction with Vitale approached him with his loud voice
Not to worry, S.o.S., he’s still on regular probation. One slip-up and he’ll be lucky to get to watch Baseball Tonight.
well if cashman wanted a utitly guy outside of the system jeff keppinger got traded to houstom
Posada might have thought Hughes had the best stuff, but the James P. Dawson Award does not lie.
“Posada might have thought Hughes had the best stuff, but the James P. Dawson Award does not lie.”
Nick-So Posada is a damn lier!! It didnt take long for him to come off the circle of trust. Back to probation.
I must be really excited about the coming season.
Even the subtext of my posts are getting caught in the Lohud filters!
I know it is only Spring Training BUT … I believe A-Rod must be somewhat disconcerted with the Yankee won/loss record since he went down. – just a thought
Now, now, we may be harsh in Bay Area Yankee Fan HQ, but we’re also fair. Posada will not be punished for past statements. He has an (almost) clean slate for the 2009 season. I hope he knows what to do with it – this time.
“Did we clinch the Grapefruit League title?” one player said in the clubhouse. “Let’s party!”
So who said this?
Why not pick up Sheffield as a utility player? He could be a great bat off the bench like Darrell Strawberry
Aruro Lopez..OF in 65 ???? GB7, do you remember this outstanding Rookie do Spring Training….
“Why not pick up Sheffield as a utility player? He could be a great bat off the bench like Darrell Strawberry”
One reason. He wouldnt ever win the Nieves award(best clubhouse guy ever).
m1kew
ARod should be very pleased that the team is able to manage without him. Why would he want to return to a team that’s already 10 games out in May? No one has ever accused Arod of being a selfish player. He plays hard and has always given 100%. He’s made some dumb decisions off the field and he’s choked in some pressure situations. But let’s not make him out to be a selfish player who’d want to see the team fail just to make himself look more important.
““Did we clinch the Grapefruit League title?” one player said in the clubhouse. “Let’s party!”
So who said this?
———————————————-
Hopefully not Joba as tomorrow he’s set to stand tall before the man.
Sheffield was unhappy in being an every day DH. He wants to play the field. Why would he be happy as a utility player? And trust me, you do not want an unhappy Gary Sheffield.
He’s making 14 million without even playing. He’s not desperate to take any job just to be on a team. He wants to play every day and play the field.
JOJO -
Exactly! I was going to say, and so I will add, that he’s probably saying – wow – I can’t wait to join them – we won’t lose a game!!!
Meanwhile, the Yankees beat the Reds, 6-3, improving to 21-10-1 this spring.
“Did we clinch the Grapefruit League title?” one player said in the clubhouse. “Let’s party!”
===============================
Celebrate!
Sheffield as a utility player? Might as well add Ayman al-Zawahiri to the roster whil we’re at it.
Anyone has the link to the SI cover with CC on there?
[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2vv0v29.jpg[/IMG]
http://tinypic.com/r/2mai5z/7