Joba: “This is the best I’ve felt in spring training”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 22, 2011 
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Joba Chamberlain gave up a home run today. He also threw his fastball in the mid-90s, struck out two and came through his first outing in more than a week without any pain in his strained oblique.
If tomorrow were Opening Day, would the most talked about middle reliever in all of baseball be ready for the season?
“One thousand percent,” Chamberlain said. “I’ve probably never felt this ready as far as physically and my secondary stuff and also being able to rely on my fastball when I need to. You have to make adjustments when you’re in this game a long time. I learned that the hard way when I got beat around a little bit. You have to be able to make those adjustments. These guys are too good in this league to not make those.”
The adjustment for Chamberlain has been a back-to-basics approach. He’s not trying to throw the ball hard — leading to ugly mechanics — he’s letting his back side do the work, and the velocity is coming easily.
“Being at 95 right now, really easy, I don’t think I’ve really let any loose yet,” Chamberlain said. “That’s a good sign for me. The inconsistency in my velocity is just my mechanics.”
It’s been an odd spring for Chamberlain. First he showed up with the setup job given to someone else. Then there were all the questions about his weight. Then there was the oblique injury that he seemed to never really consider an injury.
“Maybe odd in that sense,” Joe Girardi said. “Not odd that there’s been a lot of attention for Joba. Seems like very spring since I’ve been here there’s been a lot of attention surrounding Joba, whether he’s a reliever or the bullpen or whatever his role is. This year it’s been a different kind of attention. Hopefully this injury gets behind him and he can get back to doing what he loves to do.”
Chamberlain is always an upbeat guy, and today was no different. He said he didn’t feel he had any more to prove than anyone else in that clubhouse. He has a spot on this roster, he feels healthy and he’s ready for March 31.
“Once I warmed up and got ready, I knew there wasn’t going to be any problems,” he said. “This is the best I’ve felt in spring training.”
Here’s Chamberlain, complete with his fake outrage when a cell phone rang mid-interview. It wasn’t mine.
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Associated Press photo
Best he’s looked in ST as well since before the shoulder injury.
joba threw well, best part he froze roberts with a fastball, when roberts was looking for a slider. needs to mixed it better
blake March 22nd, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Best he’s looked in ST as well since before the shoulder injury.
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Except for the hair. He really needs a haircut.
cgrand14 thanks EVERYONE for the well wishes. We’ll check some things out tomorrow and know more then. Have a great night!
Jerkface March 22nd, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I have to go see Wicked, if anyone knows stats for broadway productions please let me know, I can’t get simple human enjoyment from anything without placing it into a spreadsheet first.
****************
I loved Wicked!
Didn’t know you were into Broadway Mr. Face
Erin March 22nd, 2011 at 6:09 pm
blake March 22nd, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Best he’s looked in ST as well since before the shoulder injury.
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Except for the hair. He really needs a haircut.
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Agreed.
Mullet = Not good
re: Andruw Jones – Isn’t this about time someone post Marcus Thames’ 2010 spring training stats?
I don’t have time. Gotta run.
jerkface -
For you:
http://www.freewebs.com/glinda.....nfacts.htm
I saw Wicked twice and would happily see it again.
jerkface,
I have no idea what this is supposed to represent, but it reminded me of Fangraphs a little:
http://statistics.allfacebook......196340/MAU
Pretty amazing how much press a middle relief pitcher gets.
” he’s letting his back side do the work, and the velocity is coming easily.”
Interesting approach.
Letting your Butt do the work instead of your arm, or your head.
There were many times that I felt that he’s done that in the past.
I didn’t think that was new.
He did look good today.
FB was really crisp.
By the way, did you all notice the “phrase” on his tattoo in the Pic above.
“Buffalo Clan”. I thought that was pretty cool.
jerkface,
Lastly, this:
http://www.socialbakers.com/fa.....ew-musical
Joba doesn’t need a haircut. It’s good for relievers to look a little wild with the hair.
He should bleach it platinum blonde and grow bigger chops.
I love Wicked
It came back to Chicago this winter, but I couldn’t get tickets.
A friend of mine has seen it about 5 times. lol
Rothschild seems to have gotten through to Joba. He’s got him focused on his mechanics. I especially like the backside comments. Lincecum Sr made the comment “pitching well the arm should feel like it’s just along for the ride”. We’ll see post season start, but Joba and AJ look a hell of a lot better and that’s all the coach’s fault.
Off topic:
Did anyone else think Prior looked really good today ?
jacksquat March 22nd, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Joba doesn’t need a haircut. It’s good for relievers to look a little wild with the hair.
He should bleach it platinum blonde and grow bigger chops
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Ewwwww
Andruw Jones was acquired to start occasionally against left-handers and for outfield depth. He’s looked terrible this spring but he’s signed and on the squad so he’ll get his shot. We don’t have any other options in the right-handed hitting, good glove outfield position. We’ll see what happens as the season goes on.
Bad ST means nothing – witness Thames (not that I needed any proof).
Betsy-
Let’s hope so because Jones has shown plenty of that.
Look at Doreen! The STAT MAVEN!!!
WCYF…..I thought the signing of Jones is going to pay off quite well but then again I was selling the merits of Randy Winn right about this time last season…..
Interesting to hear Joba state that there was never an injury to his shoulder (as Cashman indicated), but that it was always just about the mechanics. Validates what many have been saying for over a year…i.e., Eiland didn’t get it done, and Joba still has the ability.
If he shows continued mechanics consistency, he will be crashing down the door to start late this year or next spring.
MTU, plenty of what? I’m giving Jones the benefit of the doubt………some players just have bad STs; it’s often not a precursor to anything, the same way a good ST is often not a precursor to anything
A bad spring means nothing but at the same time Thames has nothing to do with Jones…..just means he could have a good season, doesn’t mean he will do as Thames did. We’ll see how he does…..hopefully well in that role.
Pat M–I would much rather go with Greg Golson than Andruw Jones, but then again, I didn’t care for Thames coming out of camp.
I just like the way Golson plays defense, and have hope that a year with KLong would do him wonders.
Betsy-
Plenty of nothing.
I was just kidding anyway.
The last two years, Jones has started the season pretty well, and fizzled out in the second half. We’ll soon see if that pattern holds.
Pat M – that’s why they play the games right? I hope Jones tears it up or at least isn’t a liability.
Pat M.-
I don’t usually do predictions but here’s one for this year.
If “El prodigio” (banuelos) stays healthy he will be ranked in the top 10 prospects in all of baseball by next year.
I’m bein’ conservative. I’m actually hoping for top 5.
Blake, I know that………I don’t have to use Thames as an example. I’m just saying that a bad ST very often means nothing; I could have listed a ton of examples.
Bojo -
I just love Google. You can find almost anything. I knew there had to be stats on something like Wicked. LOL
blake….I whiffed big time of Winn but I nailed it on Thames ….I still think Andruw Jones will have a good impact in 2011…..Shame that SJ isn’t around right now to give his usual eyeball spring training observations as he has in the past
Betsy,
True……but his swing looks awful. I believe Andrew said the reason he signed with the Yankees is because he thought he could get a lot of playing time with them…..Im a little curious how he’ll react if he doesn’t. Again, I hope he does great and proves me dead wrong…..
Pat M,
Hope so….I’ve been wrong once or twice before myself
I was very much against Thames but that worked out, he proved me wrong and showed that not only is he a good guy but a useful ballplayer. Hopefully Jones does the same.
Stuckey, there are 2 elements to arbitration/years of control:
By keeping a player in the minors for 20 days in the year he is called up, the team gains an extra year of control over that player.
By keeping a player in the minors for something around 2 months the team avoids the possibility of being a super-two, which means the player has an extra year of arbitration instead of being paid the league minimum.
THe Yankees MIGHT make moves to avoid the first, because it means an entire year before dealing with free agency, but they almost assuredly won’t make a move based on the second, because they dont care about arbitration.
Golson would be a poor substitute IMO, if Jones career flames out, we’ll should go out and get someone. Unlike pitching and catching — we’re not exactly stacked in major league ready minor league outfielders who can hit. You never know, both Granderson and Gardner have had injuries that took them out of the lineup for a good amount of time.
As I say, the Yanks seems to show a lean towards going with the glove for the back-up slot, in recent years.
****
stuckey
That’s because Posada had a poor glove. It is a different dynmamic with Martin as the starter with a strong glove.
In any event it is not like they even had the option in years past to carry a quality hitter at BUC.
Starting catchers that can hit are hard to find let alone backups.
Poor logic stuckey. I expect better from you but since it is still ST ill give you a pass
Pat M. March 22nd, 2011 at 6:32 pm
WCYF…..I thought the signing of Jones is going to pay off quite well but then again I was selling the merits of Randy Winn right about this time last season…..
*****************
In case anyone was wondering, I would have preferred Johnny Damon
Any injuries to report from our Yankee camp today ?
They don’t need to give Molina work to commit to him as a once a week backup for a month, they didn’t give guys like Molina, Moeller, and Nieves time with the pitchers. Gustavo Molina has major league experience and does not need to gel with the staff as an expendable asset.
In my opinion.
“In case anyone was wondering, I would have preferred Johnny Damon”
Yo tambien.
however, you didn’t want Johnny D enough to take him on your fantasy team
please don’t hiss!
I thought Damon looked fairly athletic yesterday. He has aged relatively well.
I would expect the same thing from Jones this season as I do now even if he was tearing up ST.
I think Jones will have a positive impact on our club in 2011.
LGY,
What’s that?
The comparison between Thames and Jones may be that they are both streak hitters which may impact their performance in ST
E . R . California March 22nd, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Any injuries to report from our Yankee camp today ?
_________________
A poster named E R California was rushed to the hospital to help remove his head from his butt. Other than that, all is good.
blake,
.850+ OPS vs LHP, pretty good defense, decent replacement for short periods of time in case of injury to one of the OF.
LGY March 22nd, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Poor logic stuckey. I expect better from you but since it is still ST ill give you a pass
______________
I think we have all been lengthening him out too soon, and shouldn’t judge based on ST performance yet.
Where has our offense been past few games? Especially last night vs tampa. The offense was streaky and inconsistent last year
Joba with the chops and the hair and the pudginess is kind of reminding me of this guy…
http://veryaware.com/wp-conten.....elushi.jpg
Lgy,
I hope that’s what they get.
upstate kate March 22nd, 2011 at 6:59 pm
however, you didn’t want Johnny D enough to take him on your fantasy team
please don’t hiss!
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ARGH!
I was totally going to HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS at you
(I still think that was cruel of you)
West Coast Yankee Fan March 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm
I thought Damon looked fairly athletic yesterday. He has aged relatively well.
*****************
Johnny Damon is timeless
brownies March 22nd, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Where has our offense been past few games? Especially last night vs tampa. The offense was streaky and inconsistent last year
_______________
Blame Girardi. He obviously has been TRYING TO LOSE these games.
IMO all spring training stints are not created equal. The thing with a player like Jones is that you know there is a possibility that he may be approaching the end. Ideally, you would like to have seen some life and success in Florida. But! onward and upward, optimism rules.
I understand the optimism with Andrew….its Spring Training, why not…..a feeling I have isn’t really a great debate tool so……optimism can rule, that’s fine.
The more I think about it , the more I say why do we need Mitre?
He is there if all else fails that day.
At least, Garcia could be at the ready if Colon implodes.
Wouldn’t want Mitre as the 5th starter anyway.
A year ago the 33-year-old Andruw Jones batted .219 (42-for-192) with 11 homers and 25 RBIs against righties and .256 (22-for-86) with eight homers and 23 RBIs versus lefties.
For his career, Jones is a .255 hitter against righties and .261 versus lefties.
I just hope Jones does not play against every lefty they throw at us.
He was not signed to be a platoon player.
I decided to leave work soon.
Good night all
I’m still long on Joba.
“The boys in Vegas are holding onto a tough line on the SF Giants……We stole money from them last season but this season 88.5 is not so easy…”
That’s what winning the World Series will do… I might be a prisoner of the hype, but I think they win 90+ games this season. They get the services of Mark DeRosa this season, Pablo “Panda” Sandoval is looking much improved, and sooner or later they’re going to work Brandon Belt into the lineup.
Potential dark cloud: lots of innings on those young arms recently, could mean trouble. Or not!
But I like the over, it will make watching lots of Giants games more fun this season. Not so objective.
“A poster named E R California was rushed to the hospital to help remove his head from his butt. Other than that, all is good.”
This dip$hit has absolutely no self-esteem.
I’m not feeling warm and fuzzy about the Suxers. David Price vs. John Lackey.
I expect them to lose this game handily. That will make 6 in a row.
Then I look at their lineup and feel almost in a haze.
Crawford 211
Youkilis 211
Gonzalez 167
Drew 219
Varitek 174
WHAT?!?!?!
Annointed to win it all, this?
It’s bad. It’s very very bad.
Uh oh. 2-0 Tampa, good and fast.
My heart is breaking.
Where have you gone, Dom DiMaggio…
Why do you egg on the troll?
The long man is just a mop up man when all else fails, early.
That’s why Mitre has the job.
Not good enough to start, not good enough for middle relief.
Why waste a spot when Garcia can be ready if Colon fails.
You can always pick up a long man.
egg on a roll?
“Why do you egg on the troll?”
I feel sorry for all pathetic human beings, including trolls.
“I think I’ll bet on them having a winning record.”
————————
trisha,
Can I be on the other side of this bet with a large sum of money in the middle?
Reynolds just showed a great breakdown of Jeter’s new footwork and how he was blocking himself off last year and topping and coming around balls……I think the changes he’s made will really help him.
is there anything worthwhile in todays game, enough to watch the replay?
You can be on any side of any bet you want, LGY, as long as you find someone to bet with you. I never bet for money.
Sorry you weren’t around to seize the moment. I took bets with people who were.
Alas.
Nick in SF March 22nd, 2011 at 2:45 pm
“I think I’ll bet on them having a winning record.”
Can I please have the other side of that bet?????
——————-
Nick beat me to it
I think Jeter’s AVG will go up. I’m not sure about his SLG.
Patrick beat you to it too.
Alas.
# Rich in NJ March 22nd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I think Jeter’s AVG will go up. I’m not sure about his SLG.
===================================
He would get 85 rbis if he hit in the 6 hole.
mick I’m really thinking no. JMO
LGY, I would be happy to send you a photo of my winnings at the end of the season.
You will be able to open the attachment in lighting speed with your fancy 4G phone.
mick
Maybe, but that doesn’t dispose of the issue.
trisha anything about the great mitre i should see?
Rich,
I expect him to be closer to his career norms across the board……I know a lot of folks don’t but I really believe he just got in an awful funk last year mechanically that he couldn’t shake.
rich
if the issue is jeter hitting for power, he never did, always a situational hitter which is why #2 suits him
trisha,
What did you predict for the Orioles heading into 2010?
Erica in NY March 22nd, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Why do you egg on the troll?
__________
“egg on the troll”–is that a breakfast dish?
Joba is getting into Evan Longoria territory with the awful long hair/mullet thing.
mick
His career SLG is .837; last year it was .710.
Rich in NJ-
You weren’t the person I was referring too.
I would re-address the question, but I am too tired and I do wish to leave work
mick, other than an isolated K or two, probably not.
BoJo March 22nd, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Erica in NY March 22nd, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Why do you egg on the troll?
__________
“egg on the troll”–is that a breakfast dish?
***************
Hmmmmm….
Egg on the troll.. would that be like Devilled Eggs?
His career SLG is .837; last year it was .710.
===========
rich, so?
75 wins for the O’s this year.
tyanks,
Did you post anything new on your blog today?
LGY……Stay away from Erica and Nick when wagering…..
mick
Huh?
other than guthrie and matusz who can pitch for the O’s?
His career OPS is .837 not Slg……that would be impressive
rich
i dont get your point about jeter
Pat M. March 22nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
LGY……Stay away from Erica and Nick when wagering…..
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Erica plays to win
I didn’t feel the need to dignify the question with an answer.
But since it’s now screaming for a response here it is. The troll doesn’t need egging on, whether or not you’ve noticed. I’ve trashed the Sux ever since I can remember, whether or not you’ve noticed. And I will continue to do so.
Hopefully the grand inquisition a la trisha is over for the day.
does anybody agree with me on mitre?
Oooopps
Career: .452
2010: .370
I suck at multi-tasking.
mick, what is your position on mitre?
Mick,
Pretty much…..he’s drawing the short straw for me right now.
why the need to dignify the rs (my way of demeaning them) with harsh words, it takes too much energy.
mick
What made Jeter a HoF SS isn’t his AVG in isolation, it was his ability to hit for AVG with some pop, i.e., SLG.
That’s why the guy almost won two MVP.
# trisha – true pinstriped blue March 22nd, 2011 at 7:43 pm
mick, what is your position on mitre?
==========================
trish…answers to follow:
Erica, forget what I just said. You are under a ton of pressure at work and I’m sure it seemed like a legitimate question to you.
The simple answer would be that I’m having a little fun and he’s here no matter what.
mick March 22nd, 2011 at 7:42 pm
does anybody agree with me on mitre?
____
Only if you agree with me. Mitre traded with Garrison and R Sanchez to D’Backs with understanding we can get him back later if needed.
# mick March 22nd, 2011 at 7:29 pm
The long man is just a mop up man when all else fails, early.
That’s why Mitre has the job.
Not good enough to start, not good enough for middle relief.
Why waste a spot when Garcia can be ready if Colon fails.
You can always pick up a long man.
================
trish…i have more of the same if you want to see it.
Honestly Trisha-
When you make comments like that you bring yourself to his/her level. And you are a better poster than that
Put Mitre on the 15 day DL and then a rehab assignment at SWB. Then reassess.
Blake-
No one draws a short straw.
Let’s try to keep all 3.
Right now the depth is good.
Cashman and TOwers were about to pull off the first sign and trade that I can recall in baseball, so pulling off a rental deal might be their next feat. I would hope so.
“why the need to dignify the rs (my way of demeaning them) with harsh words, it takes too much energy.”
mick, if there’s one thing that takes no energy at all for me, it’s harsh words for the Sux.
Fran
No, I didn’t. I didn’t get to see very much when I went up to the complex because I got there late. I missed Soriano pitch but I got to see a little of Brackman and DJ Mitchell. Ray Kruml was doing a great job of getting on base and scoring runs and Pat Venditte pitched a rocky inning. Mitchell made a great play on a popup, he grabbed it barehanded just behind the mound and was able to throw the runner out at first.
That’s about it. I didn’t get any pictures.
trisha – true pinstriped blue March 22nd, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Erica, forget what I just said. You are under a ton of pressure at work and I’m sure it seemed like a legitimate question to you.
The simple answer would be that I’m having a little fun and he’s here no matter what.
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Thanks.. but I just responded before I saw this.
I am not trying to pick a fight. If its all in fun, thats one thing. His comments actually make me laugh sometimes. Its just I know you have great things to say. Reverse trolling just seems beneath you….
but joking is joking
“Honestly Trisha-
When you make comments like that you bring yourself to his/her level. And you are a better poster than that”
Trashing the Sux is in my blood. His presence just makes it more fun.
rich
jeter averaging 200 hits per has plenty to do with his HOF creds
10 HR a year is fine…
New thread
mick, if there’s one thing that takes no energy at all for me, it’s harsh words for the Sux.
==========================
trish…i get it….i felt that way once but must have got it out of my system….even at games now I rarely go with the boston sucks chant.
New tapestry ==>
tyanks,
That’s like a blog entry. Thanks
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Trisha,
Here’s a surprise. We didn’t make it to dinner tonight. Tomorrow I think.
I don’t know if Jeter will ever SLG .450 + again but I do think he can get over .800 with his OPS again….which would be very good for a SS. I like what I’ve seen so far this spring despite him not having a lot of x-tra base hits. He’s been squaring a lot of balls up and hitting hard groundballs when he hits in on the ground. He’s still trying to get his timing without the stride…once he gets it and is making consistent contact then he can start looking to drive the ball more. He’s not blocking himself off nearly as much as he was during the middle of the season last year.
mick, just saw it.
I’ve no idea what the Yankees have in store for Mitre, but I can certainly say he didn’t do anything to elevate his status today.
Put Mitre on the 15 day DL and then a rehab assignment at SWB. Then reassess.
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i can live with that
“Trisha,
Here’s a surprise. We didn’t make it to dinner tonight. Tomorrow I think.”
I love Ron. I really do.
MTU,
If there is a way to keep all 3 then great…if not then somebody has to draw the short one unfortunately
Only if you agree with me. Mitre traded with Garrison and R Sanchez to D’Backs with understanding we can get him back later if needed.
==================
for whom?
Trisha-
Maybe it’s the sibling rivalry thing ?
Erica-
Pick up a pint of B and J’s “Rocky road” on the way home. You had a traumatic, conspiracy experience this AM.
Good medicine.
I love Ron. I really do.
*************
Trisha,
Glad someone does
Blake-
It can be done.
mick, I am certain that due to the proximity of my home to theirs, taunting them will never leave my blood!
However, I have never chanted “boston sux” at the Stadium or fenway field. I have never gone onto a Sux forum and played the role of ungracious visitor. But this, this is my home. This is where I feel comfortable doing my schtick.
mick
The facts are otherwise.
what are you talking about rich?
MTU – definitely not it. Because there is nowhere I am more respectful of the Sux than with my family. And they are absolutely the same about the Yankees. But I guess I’m saying if I can’t trash them here, on a Yankee forum with other Yankee fans, with impunity, something is definitely wrong.
I’ve been to fenway when the Yankees play there and while I scream my brains out for the Yankees, I never boo or trash the Sux. I’m in their home.
I actually have a sense of propriety.
SLG matters, mick. If it drops as much as Jeter’s did last season and doesn’t return, it would say a lot about the direction of his remaining career.
rich, his avg dropped too, doesn’t mean he cant hit anymore…his slg will rise if he hits consistantly, last year was an aberration not a trend
Not necessarily.
we shall see my friend…i still believe….he has something to prove this year