Some posters have listed the problems that Phil had pitching in the past seasons. Literally, he stunk in 2007. Pitched while he was injured which did not do him any good or the team. Darn, I keep forgetting to look at what year Phil entered the Yankee system, 05, 06.

The point I am trying to make is that Phil has been in the Yankee system longer than Joba. Joba breezed through the minors in 07 and was brought up the end of 07. Phil and Kennedy were back in the minors. Joba has never, ever been sent down. Should have been last year for rehab after returning from DL instead was put back in the pen.

Joba did/does shine. No one can deny that. He was doing great last year. He beat Beckett in Boston 1-0. (Molina catching) In that game he walked 1, didn’t allow a runner past second base and retired his last 10 batters, 5 on strikeouts. The week before he went 6 2/3 innings in a 10-0 win over Pittsburgh.

This year, again against Boston, gave up four runs in the 1st inning, then proceeded to strike out 12 batters (still team high) and could have continued but was taken out. Lost the game. Detroit, struck out Michael Cabrera with the bases loaded. He and Posada fell all over themselves complimenting one another. Joba won the first game to end that bad slump and w/in the same time frame pitched a so-so game that was won. There have been some good times this season. Some of you just plain choose to forget it.

I have heard Joba’s interviews and they have been very articulate. It is only in the past 2 interviews that he has been an angry person. What highly compettive person wouldn’t be. But all people remember all those two interviews and not the others. Remember AJ also was hissy in an interview. NO ONE IS PERFECT!

a. can’t speak to his conditioning as I was not personally there and neither was anyone on this board.

b. attitude – no one in recent years has hit or been hit by the media as much as Joba. Those of you who live in NY area know more about this than those of us not in the area. Does he do appearances? Are they charity related? Team related? Do you know.

c. uncoachable – again none of us are there. I would hazard a guess you are relying on SJ44′s expertise. Some one pointed out earlier – how do you know that was SJ or the person who impersonates him. I posted last week to SJ that he was hot and cold on Joba.

Final point: Joba fully deserves the chances that Phil was given by management to “right” himself. Remember how long each has been in the system. This should not be a contest between Joba and Phil. Think of it as development of two pitchers for the top of the rotation for the future of the Yankees. Unless, of course, there is another “flavor” of the month next year.

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Agreed, doesnt mean a thing

I mean, it does take time to assimilate change. Perhaps he is working on things and the results aren’t there yet.

Apparently he was coachable before.

I will believe that he may have let his conditioning go a bit in this off-season. Between his own DUI, whatever other personal things were going on, plus he was making some personal appearances, he may have let it go a bit. It happens. Not good, but it happens. I wouldn’t give up on the guy so easily.

It’s frustrating, annoying, disappointing, name your emotion, but I wouldn’t say Joba’s at the bottom of the scrap heap yet, and I’m not comfortable making grand statements about the state of his being.

Next year the Yankees will lose approximately $52M off the 2009 Payroll if they trade Swisher and let the FA go:
Johnny Damon $13M
Hideki Matsui $13M
Xavier Nady $6.55M
Andy Pettitte $10M (Incentives or $4.5M)
Nick Swisher $5.4M
Jose Molina $2.125M
Eric Hinske $1.5M

Also, after 2011, the Yanks lose Igawa’s $4M

So by my estimation the Yankees would be sitting at about $176M on 40 Man roster. If they add Wells & Halladay it would go to $213M which includes salary upgrades scheduled. I have the 2009 Salary per COTTS at $214M now. There seems to be room for these guys (Wells & Halladay) IMO.

Gammons also said the Red Sox wouldn’t trade Penny unless they can get a top prospect like Justin Smoak.

His credibility sinks every day. It really is a joke at this point.

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What team would be stupid enough to give away a top prospect for an over the hill oft injured Brad Penny.

It’s a business, and businesses are about money. Halladay will be dealt to whomever relieves the Jays (who are between owners) of the most payroll. I really think it’s that simple. The money involved will trump the players that go in return.

I say Yanks should go for Halladay and Rios. Not Wells.

Forget Phil for a moment, though – if Joba is uncoachable like SJ has suggested, I do think that’s a problem.

Joba now has a history of shoulder injury.

While Hughes has an injury history of his own, none of them concern his arm.

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That’s a good point. Didn’t even think about it.