Odds and Sods

Reporter’s wet dream Hank Steinbrenner has once again satiated a lustful media with a cantankerous sound bite about set-up man Joba Chamberlain, stemming from a disappointing 10-10 start.

“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him” Steinbrenner told The New York Times. “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a set-up guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”

Yankees GM Brian Cashman reiterated that Chamberlain would most likely finish the season as a starter, but would remain in the bullpen for now.

Conventional wisdom seems to support their decision, mostly because Chamberlain would presumably have a greater impact by pitching more innings in a starting role.  But, is this necessarily the case?

It is quite an assumption that Joba would automatically replicate his reliever form in the rotation.  In one-inning stints, he has not had to conserve energy, go through lineups more than once, or have to pitch strategically.  He could adapt perfectly, but there is no guarantee.

He could be another Eric Gagne who was a mediocre starter but dominant in the closing role.

The number of innings argument is also not entirely cogent.  For instance, in a five-game stretch, a starting Joba could have the best start possible, perfect game and 27 strikeouts.  But, he could only have an impact in one game.  The Yankees could go 1-4 over that stretch.  His effort could also be worthless if the Yankees score 15 runs.

But, as a reliever, say Joba pitches 3 innings in 3 appearances over the course of the five games.  In each game he holds leads, for Rivera to save in the ninth.  He may only pitch 1/3 the number of innings, but he has the potential to impact three times as many games.

Another factor should be the Yankees’ need.  Their starting pitching sparks no fear in opposing batters.  Does adding a third inexperienced starter into that rotation, presumably in Mussina’s spot, really affect the overall rotation that much?  Is that potential positive effect worth relying on Farnsworth and Hawkins in key setup situations?

The Red Sox faced a similar situation with Jonathan Papelbon entering the 2007 season.  He was a devastating closer in his rookie season, saving 35 games while allowing just seven earned runs in 68 1/3 innings.

Papelbon’s potential as a starter attracted the Red Sox ruminators to test him in the rotation.  However, he returned to the closer’s role and not coincidentally the team went on to win the AL East and the World Series.

Don’t mess with success is a tired but true maxim.  If someone has a truly elite gift at something, why tinker with it? Joba is a dominant reliever and the perfect heir apparent to an aging Mariano Rivera.  He could be the Yankees answer to Papelbon for the next ten seasons.  Why remove a square peg from a square hole because you can squeeze him into the round one with a little whittling?

The Odds and Sods MLB Power Poll (Apr. 20)

1. Boston Red Sox (13-7)

They have won four straight and have been ruthless at Fenway Park, despite the doldrums of a pedestrian Papi.

Kevin: Perhaps the burial and subsequent unearthing of the Red Sox t-shirt in the new Yankee Stadium is having some sort of positive effect. More likely, though, the big Red Sox Machine is clicking on all cylinders and Boston looks like the team to beat.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks (13-5)

The Diamondbacks have six regulars with an OPS of .862 or better.  It will be interesting to see if they maintain that as the season progresses.

Kevin: Remember when the Diamondbacks won the West despite scoring fewer runs than their opponents last season? Thus far, Arizona leads the Majors in runs scored by 14, and its team ERA of 2.80 is tops as well. The Brandon Webb-Dan Haren combo has been as expected, and the return of a healthy Randy Johnson makes Arizona a very dangerous team.

3. Chicago Cubs (12-6)

The Cubs outscored the Pirates 29-9 in a weekend sweep.  They seem to be the team the experts saw at the beginning of the season.

Kevin: The Cubs are the best team in the Central, hands-down. Derrek Lee is en fuego (.356, 7 HR), and Kosuke Fukudome (.317, 13 runs, 3 SB) has been a great addition to the lineup.

4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (12-

They have been solid.  Though, I am still not sold on their offense.  They don’t get on base.  Their double play combo of Macier Izturis and Erick Aybar has a combined two extra-base hits in 108 at bats.  Back to back road series against Boston and Detroit should show their mettle.

5. New York Mets (10-7)

The Mets have been carried thus far by their starters.  They will hope Beltran, Delgado and Reyes heat up with the weather.

Bottom Five

26. Texas Rangers (7-12)

The Rangers have lost eight of their last ten.  For them to stay respectable, they can’t blow solid outings by their starters.

27. San Francisco Giants (8-11)

The Giants currently have five regulars sporting a sub .300 OBP.  If Barry Zito can feel shame, he should make out his game checks to Tim Lincecum.

Kevin: It should tell you something that the Giants’ 8-11 start is considered a pleasant surprise by this longtime fan. Every day ahead of the Dodgers in the standings is a good day.

28. Detroit Tigers (6-13)

The best starter for the Tigers this season (the only one below 6.00 ERA) is Jeremy Bonderman.  He is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA and a mere 10 K in 22.2 innings.  45% of MLB players picked the Tigers to win the World Series, proving that at least 45% of MLB players are idiots.

Kevin: The Tigers may rank near the top of the game in talent and experience, but so far those intangibles haven’t translated into victories. We’ll see if Curtis Granderson’s return is the boost they need.

29. Houston Astros (7-12)

Chacon and Rodriguez have combined to allow just 14 earned runs in 49.1 innings combined over eight starts, for a total record of 1-0.

Kevin: The Astros have the offense to compete, but the pitching staff is suspect at best. And with longtime ace Roy Oswalt on pace for a 6-plus ERA and 25 losses, things could go down the tubes fast.

30. Washington Nationals (5-14)

The scary part is that they have this record when their starting pitching has actually been decent.

Kevin: The walk-off home run to usher in the new stadium seems like a very long time ago. A nine-game losing streak is part of a current stretch in witch the Nationals have lost 14 of 16.

Kevin’s other writing can be found at All on the Field.

If you would like to cast votes for the Odds and Sods MLB Power Poll please e-mail me at tyduffy@gmail.com.

Jonathan Papelbon is a closer.  He struts purposefully to the mound with palpable intensity.  His eyes glare forward with a look that chills the knees ­– two parts testosterone and one part crazy.  He slings his ferocious fastball toward the plate.  He knows, the batter knows, everyone watching knows this game is over.  That is a closer.

Joe Borowski is not a closer.  He ambles to the mound.  He gazes with a stupid stare displaying every ounce of fear.  The only certainty is with the hitter.  Tonight it is Manny Ramirez.  He knows the mediocre fastball is coming.  He knows he is going to hit it 400 feet to win the game.  He holds back a smirk before the pitch leaves his hands.

Every team has a guy who pitches the ninth inning, but only a few teams have a closer.

Borowski led the American League with 45 saves last season, casually impressive.  Among the top ten AL closers, he was dead last in WHIP (1.43), ERA (5.07), Earned Runs (37), Blown Saves (8), and Opponents’ OPS (.768), not so impressive.

Teams look at one number with closers, saves.  Borowski has three 30-plus save seasons, therefore, he becomes designated as a guy who can close.  No matter how bad his other numbers become, teams still give him a chance. 

Cleveland was good enough last season to win the Central, withstanding Borowski’s eight blown saves.  Because the team won with him, he automatically gets designated a winner, though he did nothing to help the Indians win last season.

Why designate a closer if you have no dominant pitcher? 

The mere suggestion of closer by committee seems a nightmarish flouting of conventional wisdom.  It notably failed once – with the 2003 Red Sox – and has been scoffed at ever since.  However, teams should not dismiss the idea out of hand.

Unless you have a Jonathan Papelbon, a J.J. Putz or a Joe Nathan, the numbers prove that sending the league average pitcher into the situation would be as good of an option as most “closers” and a better one than guys like Borowski.

Designating a “closer” where non exist is detrimental.  It creates a cordon sanitaire for the ninth inning, forcing the manager’s hands in save situations.  For a club without a dominant presence, it would be far better off playing match-ups and going with the hot hand, as they would in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning.

Jonathan Papelbon can win you a World Series, but Joe Borowski intimidates no one.

This will hopefully be a semi-weekly feature over the course of the baseball season.  If you would like to be a part of our panel, e-mail me at tyduffy@gmail.com

Top 5

1. Diamondbacks - Winning Streak
2. Red Sox - Epic Journey
3. Cardinals - Pujols Rage
4. A’s - Road Warriors
5. White Sox - Played Tigers

Bottom 5

1. Giants - No Offense
2. Tigers - Dontrelle’s Woes
3. Nationals - Losing Streak
4. Rangers - Nonexistent Pitching
5. Astros - Clemens Return?

Red Sox Nation President Jerry Remy has released his “Five Point Plan” to “serve” Red Sox Nation during the 2008 season.

1. Appointment of Governors

The Red Sox will appoint governors for every U.S. state as well as foreign territories where there are Sox fans.  This is just what Red Sox fans needed, more meaningless self-important titles.  

The governors will be “appointed” not “elected,” preventing someone like Bill Simmons from getting a forum.

These vital officers will organize viewing parties in their state, at their own effort and expense and send feedback to Remy at their own discretion.  

Awesome!  

2. Two-year Census

Red Sox Nation will perform what they are terming a “two-year census” to allow fans to send ideas to Remy.  All ideas “will be considered” and “the best” will be presented to Red Sox Management.  

How this is a “census,” an official count or survey of a population, is unclear.

3. Kid Nation Captains: presented by Hood

Red Sox Nation will appoint “Kid Nation Captains” who will represent “Red Sox Kid Nation.”  These kids will be “entrusted” to “develop” and to “implement” a community service program, funded by Hood.  

Developing a connection with kids should be “of utmost importance” to the Red Sox, since none of them can afford to go to a game.

4. New Red Sox Nation Program Benefits

Yes, pay them to become a card-carrying member of Red Sox Nation, and you could be eligible for sweet prizes, like spending a day with the World Series trophy.  Awesome!

5. Community Program/ Ticket Give

Jerry Remy will provide “some tickets” to “deserving individuals” who would “not ordinarily have the means to purchase” tickets.  Presumably, these will be those with compelling stories for NESN rather than the bottom 99% of the tax bracket who can’t afford tickets.

Ok, so we have the “fan’s representative” Jerry Remy, a Red Sox employee, presenting his “Five Point Plan” for the fans that costs the Red Sox no money and extorts more money from fans who already cannot afford to go to a game.  This plan is then reported uncritically by the Boston Globe, which is owned by the New York Times Co., also a part owner of the Red Sox.

I’m starting to think Hammerin’ Hank has a point.