The Yankees bullpen has been the one constant question mark since the start of the season. Even the great Mariano Rivera gave the fans agita for about a two week stretch. Going forward Joe Girardi must establish roles so that he can maximize the talent of this group. Unfortunately, the injury to Brian Bruney has put the situation into flux and possibly left the Yanks an arm short. In the past acquiring a veteran arm to set up Rivera would not be a tall order. The Yanks have the prospects and money to entice most non contenders into parting with their expensive closer or set up man. Will that be the case this year? We already have heard that they don’t want to expand payroll. A bigger question is whether there is a reliever out there worth giving up a chip for? Can the answer be internally by converting Hughes, Wang, or Chamberlain into the eighth inning bridge to Rivera?

Gary Armida suggested going to a retro pen by pitching Aceves or Hughes in multi inning stints. This would take away the uncertainty that Veras, Robertson, Tomko, Coke, and (insert name here) bring daily. It was almost a second starter concept. Realistically we know that may be too radical for most modern teams to embrace. You don’t turn your back on specialization after it has become such a big part of the game. That leaves me to again bring up a very unpopular idea: Joba to the eighth inning.

I know this angers people, but it’s what may be best for the team this year. In the long run 2009 is about the Yankees winning and Joba’s development shouldn’t supersede that. I am not suggesting this because of last night’s start or denying that he has the potential to be a top of the rotation talent. This idea is simply based on the fact that I believe the Yankees have a very good shot at going to the World Series. You could argue that it’s their best chance in five years. Are you willing to let bullpen uncertainty derail you?

I select Joba over Hughes and Wang because he has proven that he can be a dominant set up man. Hughes has proven that he can go deep into ball games during his short career. Wang, if healthy, has a repertoire more suited for the rotation than one inning relief stints. The Yankees rotation gives you enough length that some nights you will only need Joba and Rivera to close out games. Bottom line: The less innings that the other four bullpen arms give you the better.

This will also be an asset to the aging Mariano Rivera. We saw earlier this year a very bad stretch from Rivera. It scared Yankees fans into what life is like with a mortal closer. What makes you think that can’t happen again? If Rivera is overused I bet it just might. Joba is the only other pitcher that I would trust closing out games. Even the staunchest “Joba the starter” supporter has to be intrigued by that thought.

I am not suggesting abandoning Joba Chamberlain as a starter forever. I understand the progress he has made since he was put into the rotation last year. This has to be the last year you yo-yo him from rotation to pen. When you didn’t acquire an established bullpen arm to set up you put yourself in this predicament. Right now the Yankees don’t need a five inning fifth starter. They need someone who can be a consistent bridge to Mariano Rivera. No one on the Yankees or Scranton roster has proven to be up to the task. Joba would be more than just that – he would be a second closer. Creating a seven inning game with this Yankees starting rotation will put you heads and shoulders above the rest of the American League. However, without it, you might be headed for another season of disappointment.

Tags: Brett Tomko, Chien Ming Wang, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Jose Veras, New York Yankees, Phil Coke, Phil Hughes