The State of the Yankees Blowpen

Apparently, the debate has ended. The age old argument about Joba Chamberlain and what to do with his power arm was solved yesterday by two icons of sports journalism.

And, I have to say I feel uneasy about it. Two men who have made a living off unequivocally beating this young gentleman with their quills and ink, have both come to an agreement.

Both Mike Lupica and Joel Sherman think Chamberlain should start. Ol' Joel thinks Joba can be an anchor in the rotation for years to come, based on his brilliance from the other night against the New England Chowdah Heads.

I sit here and think as to why they lost that game against the Socks the other night. Sure, the starting pitcher kept them in the game, after a horrid first inning, but it was the lack of a decent bullpen that forbade the Yankees from victory the other night. The New York Yankees don't have a bullpen right now. They have a blowpen...

I think the world of Mark Melancon, Jose Veras, Jon Albawhateverthefack, Phil Coke, Damaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez and David Robertson. But they all suck. Especially ... Well, all of them. They all especially suck right now. Are we really holding our breath, waiting for Brian Bruney to come back and right the ship? Bruney is the answer?

Sure, I hope Melancon turns out to be a solid bullpen guy for the Yankees for years to come. He is another one of these 'top prospects' from a farm system that produced The Great Drew Henson, Eric Duncan and 'Ass Face' Ian Kennedy. That, and I have a bunch of his rookie cards (Bowman Chrome, if anyone wants to trade me any Kei Igawa rookie cards) I invested some money in hoping he would become the next Mariano Rivera.

But now, I wonder if we already have found our next Mariano Rivera. Could Joba Chamberlain be the heir to The Sandman's throne? We know how he performed as a 7th and 8th inning guy, and he has notched a save or two in his career. But can he withstand a full, 200+ inning season on his strapping, Midwestern-tough, farm-built body? He already has a small injury history, doesn't he?

I vote he goes to the bullpen. We need a lock down pitcher for the late innings, a bridge to Rivera.

And soon enough, a replacement for Rivera.

Starters we can find, hell the last few years it's been a revolving door of Shawn Chacons, Aaron Smalls, Carl Pavanos, Darrell Rasners, etc etc etc. With CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, possibly the Wanger, and a slew of farm kids (think Al Aceves) and cast-off signings (sign Pedro already, what the hell is $5mil to you guys!?!?!), the rotation should be fine when the offense comes around.

But if I have to watch one more lead get blown, or a 4-3 game turn into 7-3 because of a shitty blowpen, I'm going to scream.

Do you sit there and think Rivera will keep doing what he's doing for another two, three years?