Send Joba to Scranton

I touched on the New York Yankees 5th starter competition in my "Yankees Spring Battles" post on March 3rd. Now that we're deep into spring training's third week, the picture is starting to look much more clear. The Yankees must do what not many are considering: send Joba Chamberlain to AAA Scranton.

Why? There are a multitude of reasons. First, the Yankees spent the entire 2009 regular season grooming Chamberlain to to be the starter he wants to be, and the team wants him to be. To give up on that while Joba is just 24 years old would be premature.

Second, if the Yankees keep Joba in the majors, along with Alfredo Aceves and Phil Hughes (who are both pitching well and deserve to be on this team), they will be forced to trade both Sergio Mitre (who has also looked good) and Chad Gaudin. If Joba goes, only one of those pitchers will have to go (likely Gaudin).

Third, everyone thinks Joba should go to the pen so the Yankees can groom him to replace Mariano Rivera as closer. I don't know what you think, but to me, Rivera is showing no signs of slowing down. He could easily pitch 5 more years, and at that point Joba will be 29.

And finally, Joba's simply not pitching well. Much better pitchers (Roy Halladay comes to mind) have been sent back to the minors after spending a few years in the bigs. And frankly, Joba needs to be knocked down a few pegs. He still has the potential to be a front-line starter, but he's not the phenom he once was, and I think the early success has gone to his head.

Remember, the chances of the Yankees going the whole season with 5 starters are very slim. So here's my solution: finally take the innings limit off Chamberlain, and have him start opening day in Scranton. And keep him there until two things happen: he starts dominating AAA hitters and the Yankees have a need. That will probably happen sooner than later, but if it's not until September, so be it.

Then, perhaps next season, GM Brian Cashman's master plan can finally come to fruition: both Hughes and Chamberlain in the 2011 rotation ready to unleashed, with either Javier Vasquez and/or Andy Pettitte leaving as free agents.

And if you think the Yankees bullpen will be weak without Joba, think again. The Yankees made it to the World Series last season with Chamberlain playing the role of mediocre starter. You could even make the case the Yankees will be better this season starting Joba in AAA, with David Robertson filling the 8th inning role vacated by last year's 8th inning man, Phil Hughes.

So will Joba be exiled to Scranton? Doubtful. But it sure makes a lot of sense to me.