WHY WE CAN'T FORGET ABOUT JOBA CHAMBERLAIN

With so much discussion about who the Yankees could sign or trade for this off season there is one Yankee pitcher who fans may be forgetting about; Joba Chamberlain. From everything I have read and even from Joba's own tweets (@Joba_62) he has been busting his ass and will be back better than ever in 2012. In fact, Brian Cashman said very recently:

"He (Joba) wants it yesterday. He's working his tail off."

That's certainly good news to hear. I mean, it looks like the earliest Joba could be back on the roster in early summer, but I don't think we can underestimate just how valuable he will be again for the Yankees. And, it certainly isn't unusual nowadays for these pitchers who have Tommy John surgery to come back stronger than before they were injured.

So when Joba does make his return, what do the Yankees do with him? Obviously a lot has to do with who the Yankees add to the rotation this winter. But I think it would be safe to say that Joba's role won't be as a starter. Before Joba got hurt this season he really found a home out in that bullpen as one of the setup men to Mariano. And with the emergence of David Robertson and, Rafael Soriano getting it together as the season went on, throw a healthy Joba back into the mix, the Yankee bullpen will once again be the best in MLB. Can u imagine how sick our bullpen will be again? Even if the Yankees do not add one single player to the bullpen here is how it might play out...

• Hector Noesi: Noesi proved he could give us a spot start when needed and certainly could be considered a very good long man for 2012. It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with him this off season. I mean, if we don't pick up a big name starter do the Yankees give Noesi a chance in Spring training to win a spot in the starting rotation?
• Cory Wade & Luis Ayala: For the most part, Wade & Ayala both had very solid seasons as middle relievers. They surprised a lot of people and I think they keep their roles in 2012.
• Boone Logan: Logan has really become a target of many Yankee fans. Heading into this season I was one of his critics. But as a lefty specialist, I think Logan did a decent job this year and I think he improved as the season went on. Lefty batters only hit .260 against him. Look, I get frustrated as well when Boone would come in against a tough left handed hitter and give up a hit, but for the most part Logan actually did a really good job and got the big out when needed.
• Rafael Soriano, David Robertson, and Joba Chamberlain: Even though Joba won't be back in time for the start of the season, RaSo and DRob are the two best set up men n MLB, period. There is no better combo in the game.
• Mariano Rivera: The all time Saves leader will once again close out our games. Mo is the last guy we will ever have to worry about.
  

I am really looking forward to Joba's return to this Yankee team. I hope his rehab continues to progress and he comes back even stronger. Once the Yankees throw a healthy Joba back into the mix, fuhgetabou'it!

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23



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