TwitterUnfair
28 Feb 2013
Joel Sherman has always been a fairly level-headed voice for reason in the insanity that normally surrounds the Yankees. So, I am a bit surprised by his article this morning about the Yankees being tired of Joba’s “act”. I don’t know if the article was one that was planted by Yankee brass or if it is Sherman’s original thinking, but it strikes me a unfair and incorrect.
Let’s start with the ego part. Does Joba have a huge ego? Does he crave attention? Well most professional athletes have bigger than normal egos, it what helps them rise to the top of their game. I couldn’t begin to say if Joba’s ego is bigger than most or not. What I will say is that the two biggest egos in the history of the Yankees were George Steinbrenner and Reggie Jackson. Both of those guys have plaques hanging in Yankee Stadium (one of them has a ridiculously-sized one) so I don’t think egos are something the Yankees really worry about.
So what are they worried about? Probably the fact that they had three highly-ranked prospects and none of them developed into a frontline starter for the Yankees. They jettisoned Ian Kennedy in a trade. Phil Hughes is still trying to establish himself and then there is Joba. I have a feeling that if you administered truth serum to the Yankees they would admit that they blew it with Joba. They panicked when they turned to him in 2007 as a bullpen arm and then they started messing with him in 2009 to keep his innings down. Through his first 20 starts of 2009 he was 7-2 with a 3.58 ERA. Once they started messing with his innings he fell apart posting a 7.74 ERA over his last 11 starts. Those were the last 11 starts he would make as a Yankee. He moved to the pen full-time in 2010 to protect his arm, got hurt in 2011 and the rest is history.
In light of all of that can you blame him for saying he wants to be a starter? He was fairly good at it once and then there is the money aspect. Starters get big money in free agency, so do closers, but middle relievers do not. Joba knows that and he knows that the next contract he signs will be for a fraction of the amount he once thought he would get. I can’t blame him for being unhappy about that.
Feb 28, 2013 @ 15:03:58
Peter – I haven’t read the article, probably won’t until much later today. The only thing that I thought about Joba’s recent words were: why are you talking about this now? All you are going to do is stir the pot and create a negative image by spouting off like this at this forum.
The “better” way to handle this is to have your agent make the calls to Cashman and, when the time is right, to other GMs. I suppose that Joba can take the position: “they screwed up my early career with their Rules so I have nothing to lose by stirring the pot”. Which he obviously has done …
And yes, I agree – the kid has a right to be unhappy.
Joba never struck me as more than a brash young rock head with a good arm. He might be ready to start now – who knows? Our bullpen seems well stocked now, so what could it hurt to give the kid another shot at starting? Uh oh, I just opened the door to the “Joba as starter” debate. Oops.
Feb 28, 2013 @ 17:22:27
Mitchell
I have zero problems with that debate restarting, but we know the ultimate outcome. The Yankees are certainly not going to do anything that could increase his value right now.
Feb 28, 2013 @ 17:34:14
Peter,
If Nova can’t regroup and Phelps struggles or Hughes’ back keeps hurting or Andy falls apart and Pineda isn’t ready or never quite recovers, they might have to give Joba another shot at it, regardless of the increased value that would create for him. Winning matters for that club even if Joba is mouthing off.
Yep, Cashman can also be a rock head at times, but I suspect that even Cashman would change his mind if the team struggles the way it’s projected to in the AL East. There are already enough empty seats …
Feb 28, 2013 @ 17:39:06
I would say theses things have to happen-
1- Phelps/Nova rotation loser gets hurt.
2- Adam Warren gets hurt
3- Another rotation member gets hurt.
4- Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin are unavailable
Then you might have a chance of seeing it
Feb 28, 2013 @ 17:40:52
Or to put it another way….
Feb 28, 2013 @ 19:49:17
ROFLMAO – great !!!
Jeez, I’d forgotten about those last two guys. They *were* like gulls over the garbage dump, couldn’t ever get rid of them.