In what is proving to be the biggest battle in the Yankees’ rather routine spring camp, righties Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are scuffling for the fifth starting spot.

The debate has raged among many. The pro and cons of each have been discussed silly. The Yankees are hoping to settle the situation within the next two weeks.

Indications are many in the Yankees organization – general manager Brian Cashman included – would like to see Chamberlain claim the role. They are determined to develop a young starting pitcher and feel Chamberlain has the stuff.

Hughes was once the leading candidate, but injuries derailed him for a time, limited his innings and helped to push him to a bullpen role last season.  Hughes, to his credit, accepted the only big-league role available and ran with it.

Despite that, he is a starter, and a good one. Certainly his stuff plays down from bullpen to starting, but Chamberlain’s seems to even more.  Hughes, to me, also seems to have a better command of his arsenal as a starter.

I like the way he approaches the game. Remember that game in Texas in 2007, when he was pitching a no-hitter before going out with an injury. During that season, Hughes was 5-3, 4.46 in 13 starts with a strikeout/walk ratio of 58-29 and American League batters hit just .235 against him.

The Yankees are talking about limiting Hughes’ innings again this season. That works against him in his quest to claim a spot in the rotation.

Chamberlain, on the other hand, has been swinging in Joba Rules limbo for a few years now, The Yankees first toyed with him being a reliever in 2007.  He made 31 starts in 2009, recording a 9-6, 4.75 mark with a strikeout/walk ratio of 133-78. American League hitters batted .274 against him,

To be fair, a lot of Joba’s starts were limited by the constraints he was under. Yet, he seemed to have an inning or period in every start in which something went awry.

Is it a lapse in location, or a lack of concentration?  When Chamberlain comes out of the bullpen, neither is present. He goes out and seizes the moment.

Hughes has shown he can be an above-average big-league reliever. Joba has shown he can be a great big-league reliever.

I saw plenty of both when they were in the minors. I’ve also seen the two throw in the majors. Both have the talent to succeed either in the starting rotation, or in the bullpen.

Neither pitched well in their respective first Grapefruit League action.  For Hughes, who wasn’t awful, location was an issue.  Chamberlain was rocked, but he was coming off a bout with the stomach flu.

To me, having watched both for the last few years, the intangibles Hughes brings to the table make him the favorite in my book. Chamberlain has both closer’s stuff and a closer’s mentality.

I’ll get a chance to see both first-hand in Tampa in about 10 days.  Yet, the Yankees really can’t lose either way.

Tags: Brian Cashman, Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes