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It's Joba Time!

By extremebrian, Section Journals
Posted on Fri May 30 2008 at 8:29 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

"Hey Boss, I need to leave early on Tuesday."  

"How come...everything OK?"

" Yep, Joba is STARTING!!"

1 out of 3...things have to turn around for the Yankees and their trio of young pitchers.  Kennedy and Hughes are a combined 0-7 and sporting ERAs above 7.00!  If this is the future...anyone good in the 2009 free agent class?!?  But the fortunes can change and they will change on Tuesday night with Joba Chamberlain moving to the starting rotation.

Yes, Joba has only a handful of starts in the minor leagues and has less than a half season of major league experience...but all signs point him being the future ace of the staff (Yankee fans cannot take another year of Wang being the #1).  Scouts have already said that Joba's slider and fastball are one of the leagues' best.  Further developing his curve and breaking balls will only make his other pitches more dominant.  Joba provided a spark to last year's team and his move to the starting rotation will do the same for this year's ball club.  He brings emotion, fire, and determination (did you see the look in his eyes, the pulsating neck during his last relief appearance against the O's!) to a team struggling to move and stay above .500.
I know, I know, it is too early to anoint Joba as the savor, as the ace.  Such labels will put unnecessary pressure on the young man.  Such similar pressure may be the root cause behind the struggles of Hughes and Kennedy.  We also can't forget that his stamina must be built up and mental and physical adjustments need to be made to the role of a starter.  All is true, but if nothing else, Joba is bringing life to the 2008 Yankees and Yankee fans.  With Posada returning to the line-up and Giambi's mustache bringing power to the struggling offense the Yankees can again position themselves for a strong second half run.  And when the playoffs roll around this year, the Yankees will have their ace, a true ace, starting game one.  Not even the swarming gnats can stop Joba this year.