In the New York Post today, Joel Sherman cannily observes that the Joba Rules "morphed closer toward the Joba Suggestions yesterday. However, if they do not evolve further for the playoffs to allow the righty to work whenever needed, they just might unleash the Chamberlain Conflict within the Yankees' organization."
After Joba Chamberlain was deployed in yet another new fashion, with just one day off after a two-inning stint and to register a save, Mike Mussina strongly stated that the fireballing righty must be allowed to pitch daily in October.
"When you put on a uniform in the postseason, you're available every day," Mussina said. "That's just simply the way it is."
When asked if this represented a team-wide view, Mussina said, "I am pretty sure you can take a survey, and it would be the same opinion."
Which is why you don't run a franchise based on team surveys. Once you get past financial compensation, the players will always vote for (1) reserving roster spots for their best friends, and (2) winning
now (though not necessarily in that order). The question isn't whether it's appropriate to have "rules" for a young pitcher like Chamberlain. It's obviously appropriate to take good care of him, particularly considering that the Yankees look like contenders for as many years as we can imagine.
What we don't know is whether or not the rules really decrease the injury risk. For the moment, though, let's assume they do. But by how much? One could measure Chamberlain's impact on the Yankees' postseason chances, given various workloads. But unless you know the injury risk -- 1 percent? 3 percent? 17 percent? -- it's almost impossible to make a data-based decision.
So
Brian Cashman has to make what's essentially a "feel" decision. If the Yankees win the World Series this year
and Chamberlain is healthy next year, Cashman will look like a genius. Anything else, and he'll get the blame. Which is why he makes nearly $2 million a year (which is, when you think about it, far, far less than he deserves).
Rob Neyer
