The question of who will be the Yankees fifth starting pitcher is sure to be a hot topic until a decision is reached later this Spring. The leading candidates are the obvious suspects, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, followed by Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin (in no specific order).

Early spring training starts aside, who is better suited to be the Yankees fifth starter? I don’t think I’m going out on the limb by saying that the spot will be given to either Joba or Hughes. The Yankees have visions of one of them being a starter this season, although, could you imagine how good their bullpen would be all season if they had both guys in there? They’d lock down the 7th and 8th innings before handing it off to Mariano Rivera. This was the case in the 2009 postseason and although Hughes didn’t pitch well then, I’d still be extremely content with having them both in the bullpen this coming October. 

The NY Daily News wrote a good article about Alfredo Aceves winning the starting spot and having Joba and Hughes in the bullpen. Although I can’t see it happening, the Yankees would turn their baseball games into six inning games. With Joba and Hughes working out of the bullpen, the Yankees may rarely lose games when having a lead after six innings. It would similar to 1996 when the Yankees were almost unbeatable when they had a lead after six innings. Mariano pitched the 7th and 8th innings and John Wetteland closed the door in the 9th. 

The argument of whether Joba or Hughes is better suited as a starter in 2010 is a tough one. Neither player has started more than 50 games in hus major league career. Looking at it from a relief pitcher standpoint, both pitchers have had success as a setup man in the bullpen during his careers. Phil Hughes’ 2009 regular season 8th inning dominance says he could be the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, while Joba Chamberlain’s prior bullpen work and single-inning arsenal says he could be the heir apparent to Rivera. Both guys have shown that they can be great pitchers out of the bullpen. Neither pitcher has had enough starts in his career to say how good of a starter he can be. Joba has spent more time in the rotation than Hughes. He’s showed signs of brilliance at times, while other times he ‘s anything but dominating. Joba can be more dominating in a one or two inning relief appearance where he can let it fly compared to a start where he may hold back a little because he knows that he’s going to have to pitch six innings. 

The Yankees need to figure out a permanent roll for Joba. He’s went through “Joba Rules” and, bluntly, has been dragged around by the Yankees. He’s either going to be a starter or a reliever. They have to make a permanent decision eventually so the kid can get his mind right and know his role, present and future, with the team. 

I hate to say it, but Joba is best suited as a reliever and the eventual replacement for Rivera as the Yankees closer. I hate to say it because it makes “Joba Rules” seem like big waste of time. They pampered him and put him on strict inning limits for a year and a half and then end up sticking him into a one or two inning relief role. I also hate to say it because having Hughes as the fifth starter means there will be a set of “Hughes Rules”. Similar to the inning limits Joba had, Hughes would have them too. Having a pitcher in the rotation who has inning limitations puts pressure on the other pitchers in the rotation and also puts pressure on the bullpen. 

But if it’s to be done than it’s to be done. I’m in favor of the better starter winning as long as the decisions become permanent for the well-being of these pitchers’ arms. Also because I’m sick of them pitching with limitations. I want one of them to become a permanent starter and not have it take four years of flip-flopping between the rotation and bullpen before they can start 32 games and pitch 200+ innings. Joba’s at that point now where there will be no limitations for him as a starter. The Yankees have finally got Joba to this point and he may wind up in the bullpen. 

I’m thinking a bit ahead here, but say Hughes becomes the fifth starter this year and Joba goes to the bullpen. Then in 2011, Rivera is still pitching, Andy Pettitte retires, and the Yankees do not re-sign Javier Vazquez, leaving two starting pitcher spots open. Do the Yankees then re-insert Joba back into the starting rotation? Would he have to go through “Joba Rules” all over again? Give the kid a permanent roll and stick to it. If he becomes a reliever this year, then that’s where he needs to be in the future with the Yankees. Rivera isn’t going to pitcher forever, but if he does pitch for two more years, don’t just throw Joba back into the rotation until Rivera retires. Leave him in the ‘pen as Rivera’s setup man and then let him take the reigns when Rivera’s legacy comes to an end. 

I’m excited to see Spring progress allowing us to get a better feel of who will win the fifth starter spot.