Joba Chamberlain is going to be a starting pitcher soon ... and we finally have definitive evidence. After Joba tossed 35 pitches tonight against the O's in mop-up duty, his manager proclaimed the the "process has begun." Several things had to happen for this turn of events, and the most significant is that the Yankees just aren't winning. Phi Hughes and Ian Kennedy didn't do their part, Mike Mussina started badly and sucked last night, and the "New Boss" Hank has been complaining enough that Cashman and Girardi finally were scared enough to make the transition a reality.
Fantasy Spin:
It's going to take several weeks, but Joba's upside is most certainly worth the wait. As Tom Petty taught us, the waiting is the hardest part ... and he wasn't lying. Joba as a starter will eventually be an elite one. He's got better make-up and stuff than both Kennedy and Hughes, in addition to the fact that he's developed much more pedigree and confidence in his service time to this point. Not many of the hitters he's seen have seen his full arsenal of pitches, either. There's no reason to think he's going to go through a down period. Go get this man now if he's available via your waiver wire, and he is in nearly a quarter of all fantasy leagues.
Also realize the offense in the Bronx has been suffering without Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada. ARod is already raking in his second day back and Posada will be back soon enough. The other guys will come around as well.
I actually tried to make this post short so you didn't waste time before grabbing Joba.
It matters that much. Get outta here and make the move.
