One Snarky SOB

The Case for #5; A Tale of 5 Yankees

As news comes that the Yankees brass will announce their fifth starter by Friday, analysts all have to throw in their two cents. You know the saying; opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one. So on that note, I’ll make my case for who should anchor the starting rotation for the New York Yankees for the 2010 season.

As the Yankees top management convene and everyone tries to decide what is the best move for the Yankees I say there is one obvious answer; Joba Chamberlain. Now, I understand that he has had a rocky spring and he wasn’t amazing last season. I understand a lot of people are concerned he hasn’t stepped up to claim the spot. However, I say he is the only man for the spot. I will show you why by ruling out the other four players vying for the spot.

Phil Hughes has been called the favorite for the spot by some analysts. Putting Hughes in over Joba would be a huge mistake. Does anybody remember how frustrating the inning limit that Joba had last year was? It will be even worse doing it again this year. If there was 2 spots open for starters I would love to see Joba AND Hughes in the rotation. But, there’s not. And Joba will be able to pitch 200+ innings this year with no restrictions. If Joba fails and is not effective this season then you can still bring Hughes up to take the spot. He’d be in the exact situation as if the Yanks started him now. So where’s the benefit of not giving Joba his shot?

Alfredo Aceves has also done a good job to keep himself in the running for the spot. He has always been reliable in spot starts for the Yankees, and is a star in the bullpen. So why not give Aceves his shot? Well, one reason actually; Joba Chamberlain. Aceves doesn’t have the electric stuff that Joba has shown. He’s not going to strike out as many batters as Joba. But at the same time he’s not going to be AS erratic as we have seen Joba can be. But Joba won’t have the handcuffs on him this season. He has no reason to hold back his stuff in order to last longer in games. He doesn’t have to look over his shoulder for the manager to come out of the dugout after he reaches 60 pitches. Aceves would be my runner-up for this spot. But I just feel that at 3 years younger and with the potential of MUCH better stuff, Joba is the answer.

Chad Gaudin also has his supporters that he should be in that spot. Gaudin has been a starter before, albeit an unsuccessful one. He was probably the least impressive of any the five fighting for the spot. Unfortunately for him, he was waived by the Yankees today. I guess it’s time for those supporters to get in line behind a different candidate. Or maybe they’ll just go into hiding because he was a terrible choice to begin with. OR they could accept a job within the Mets organization, I’m just saying.

And the fifth candidate is Sergio Mitre. I don’t see much of an argument for Mitre. He has always been plagued by a ridiculously high ERA throughout his career. His WHIP is extremely high and he is giving up, on average, 12 hits per 9 innings pitched. His only positive is that he pitched 150 innings two seasons ago. I feel very comfortable in saying that he has no shot here.

So, Ladies and Gentleman the 5th starter for YOUR New York Yankees will probably be Phil Hughes. Hey, I never said I was right. I just felt like throwing in my two cents.