As you’ve probably heard, Phil Hughes has ousted Joba Chamberlain as the fifth starter for the New York Yankees to start the 2010 season. Having been a member of Camp Joba and now looking stupid for what I said, I’m obviously not overly enthused about the decision.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy for Hughes; he deserves to get the chance to prove himself as a starting pitcher, but as I’ve said before, so does Joba. Joba played by the rules, let the Yankee brass toy with him, and now what does he have to show for it? The promise that he might get to start next season? That’s gotta be tough to stomach.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that the Yankees have Joba penciled in as a starter for the long term, but I just don’t feel too comfortable about that. It would be a very pleasant surprise to find that the Yankees send him to AAA to keep his innings up, but I’m extremely doubtful they would do that given that he will be pitching one inning on Saturday.
If Joba wants to ultimately take over for Mo if/when he eventually retires, I’d feel a little bit better about the whole situation on strictly non-baseball reasons, but it doesn’t even appear as that’s the case. I could be wrong here, but I’m under the impression that Joba’s stance all along has been that he wants to start. I’m aware that there was a report last week that Joba had jokingly said to Mo that he was ready to take over the reigns, but a) I don’t trust a report like that from the clubhouse in spring training and b) it could be exactly what it seems, a joke.
Getting past my Joba-love, I’m very excited for the season to start and to see Hughes starting. Only ten days ladies and gents.
So how do you feel about the Yankees’ decision? Let me know via poll / comments section.
Eric
Sal
