Feinsand: Yanks considering a demotion for Joba

August 22, 2012 by Mike Axisa 30 Comments

Via Mark Feinsand, the Yankees are considering a demotion to the minor leagues for Joba Chamberlain given his recent struggles. The club is expected to get CC Sabathia back off the DL this weekend and they’ll need a roster spot.

Joba, 26, has put 20 men on-base in 6.1 innings since returning from Tommy John surgery and an ankle fracture earlier this month. His velocity is more than fine — averaging 94.2 mph according to PitchFX — but his command is nonexistent, pretty typical for guys coming off elbow surgery. The Yankees could send him down to Triple-A or even Double-A (to avoid the traveling circus) for the minimum ten days before recalling him when rosters expand in September. Ten days will do little to help fix his command, but it’ll keep him away from meaningful games.

Rich in NJ

They should consider the same wtih Nova.
- Dave M
  
  My thoughts exactly!
Eddard

Good, and tell him to take Ivan Nova with him. Jobber needs a lot more work and this is just another case of bringing a guy back too fast. We had a setback with Andy and now Joba. Probably should have traded for a bullpen arm. Phelps is needed in the rotation.
- joshfortunatus
  
  “Back too fast” is based off of what? Do you work for the team? No one’s saying he doesn’t need more work. Like Mike says, it’s typical to have issues with command coming back from TJS. He did well in his rehab games so keeping him down there would’ve done what, exactly? No one had any idea what he was gonna do until he got back with the team. He took his lumps, he works on his stuff and we move forward. I’m not saying it’s not a big deal, but to say he was brought back too fast is based off of nothing.
- jjyank
  
  Did they bring him back too fast? Almost all guys have control issues coming back from TJS. Strasburg has spoiled us all.
  - FIPster Doofus
    
    So has Wainwright.
    - jjyank
      
      Right, but still: exceptions, not rules.
    - http://riveraveblues.com Matthew Warden
      
      I’m not sure Wainwright really did spoil us. He was pretty lousy this year for most of the first half. It wasn’t until the second half of the season that he really regained some of his form. I think he’s about right on schedule for typical recovery time.
  - RetroRob
    
    True, and Strasburg actually came back last year, pitching in games. He’s two years removed from TJS.
    
    Another example is Joe Nathan, whom I’ve previously mentioned. His command was quite bad last year, which caused the Twins to remove him from his closer’s role and banish him to low-leverage innings when the team was well ahead or behind (the latter the more likely!). It wasn’t until late in the year he showed a return of command. Joba is in the same situation, but the Yankees have an option the Twins didn’t have — the minors.
DM

Even though it’s only 10 days, he can get regular innings down there without worrying about outcomes. If it’s gotten to the point where you’re afraid to use him on the big team, it would be better for him to continue to pitch down there.
- Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
  
  This.
C-Med21

I think Joba should be sent down and have Nova sent to the pen since 1-2 starts in the minors isnt gonna change much and its wasting an option.

In other news Big Bart was suspended for PEDs… Sorry this is off topic, I will never do it again :(
- DM
  
  Just the beginning of a new wave.
- Eddard
  
  That’s no surprise considering what he’s been doing after being out of baseball for so long. They really need to increase the 1st offense to 1 year and forfeiture of 100% of current contract, 2nd offense lifetime ban.
  - 28 this year
    
    Regarding that, I dont think MLB can change the suspension policy until the next CBA. I am guessing that the MLBPA wouldn’t allow a change to that policy without a concession in return.
  - DM
    
    I don’t think that would stop mediocre or aging vets from taking the risk. Of course the union could do something to help but we know they’ll just circle the wagons instead.
    
    And the drugs/methods will always be a step ahead of the testing.
- Ed
  
  You need to spend 20 days in the minors to use an option. I’m not sure there’s 20 days left in the minor league season. If they send him down now and call him back up 19 days later, it won’t use an option.
  
  Also, Joba has never been optioned to the minors. He’s got 3 options left and he’s one year away from free agency. Who cares if you waste an option. He’s also got to be close to the point where he can refuse a option, so saving those options is pointless.
  - Ed
    
    And as I clicked submit, I realized you were referring to Nova with the wasting an option bit. The 20 days still applies there, the rest not really.
Captain Crunch Sabthia

I would rather send Nova down and keep Phelps in the rotation a little while longer.
Darren

Let’s be clear. Sending him down to AA isn’t going to “fix” anything. It’s not like he has to find his release point, it’s that he has a goddamn NEW TENDON in his arm that takes some getting to used to.

So, it only makes sense if you think his replacement will be better than he will be. Which I don’t. Nova? hardee har har.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek/ Roadgeek Adam

“Ten days will do little to help fix his command, but it’ll keep him away from meaningful games.”

Wouldn’t just not putting him in action, a la Chad Qualls be wisest?

I think we should option Eppley for the week and bring him back in September. Speaking of our 38-39 combo, is it just me or has Clay Rapada been used a lot less these last couple weeks? I’ve seen more Logan than Rapada.
Nice Scheister

DFA Joba and Nova.
- jjyank
  
  Why would they DFA them?
  - Laz
    
    he’s just trolling.
  - Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
    
    “But I still have team control???”
    
    “NO! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!”
    
    Yeah, trolling for sure.
- Alkaline
  
  Is this in jest?
Frank

It might not be a bad idea for Joba to play winter ball this off season to get straightened out.
Laz

Just like I expected. I said that Joba wasn’t ready, reason being is that he was not striking out the minor leaguers. For a guy with that much experience that was striking out quite a few, that is too big of a part of his game, and when it’s not clicking you know something is off. Fastball velocity is not everything.
Travis L.

Is there a way to option both Nova and Joba, clear a 40 man spot for Kelvin Perez and bring him up from AAA? Phelps can stay in the rotation.
LiterallyFigurative

Maybe Girardi could use Joba in lower leverage situations, as he just needs work to get the kinks out. His arm is fine.

If the team has a big lead or deficit, then you bring in Joba and let him maybe throw two innings or so.