Cashman plan is taking shape | thejobarules's Blog

Now that Joba will make his much anticipated first major league start tonight in Yankee Stadium, all Yankee fans (and talk radio whiners) are wondering how the Yankees will do in the 8^th inning of games in which they have the lead. Kyle Farnsworth will likely get the first multi-game opportunity, but although his 2008 season is much better than last season, he still makes Yankee fans cringe when the game is on the line. Check last night's action against the Twins. Many Yankee fans know that feeling as we remember Dave Righetti as closer in the 1980's where every 9^th inning was an adventure!

Since Joba was taken out of his 8^th inning role, Farnsworth has had 6 appearances. His ERA in those 6 appearances is over 6.00 and he has allowed 9 hits and 3 walks in those 6 1/3 innings. Farnsworth cannot seem to adjust to pressure situations. And he is NOT the present or the future for a back end Yankee bullpen spot.

But, the future for the Yankee 8^th innings center on their young arms in the minor leagues.

In about another month, or likely less, JB Cox (1-0, 0.00 ERA, .67 WHIP in 9 inn) or David Robertson (2-0, 2.25 ERA, 21K's in 16 inn, .169 AVG) will likely be brought up from AAA Scranton to help fill out the bullpen. Despite frequent battles with control, Robertson's performance has allowed him to be fast tracked (a la Joba) through the Yankee system when he started the 2007 season in Low A Charleston.

Both Cox (U. of Texas) and Robertson (Alabama) were elite closers in college and are being groomed to throw up to two innings - similar to Mariano Rivera in 1996 and Joba last season. Remember that Joba went two innings in 6 of his 19 regular season appearances last season. Plus, he went two innings in both of his ALDS games - Cleveland midges notwithstanding.

Cashman's plan all along was to get Joba in the rotation this season and bring up a few of the young, recently drafted arms to fill that back end of the rotation.

In addition to Cox and Robertson, there is Mark Melancon, currently in Double A Trenton. Melancon is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA and in 14+ innings has only allowed 9 hits while striking out 13. Melancon was also a college closer (Arizona), but he and JB Cox have been brought along slowly, both recovering from Tommy John surgery last season. All through spring training in the New York papers Melancon was being called "the next Joba" for his on field demeanor and bulldog attitude of going right after the hitters.

Did anybody really think that LaTroy Hawkins ($3.5 million this year) or Kyle Farnsworth ($6 million this year) was the bullpen answer? Or Chris Britton - the 285 pound Scranton shuttle? I like Edwar Ramirez, too, and his changeup, but the Yankee organization needs another Chamberlain type of youth infusion.

Late in this season the bullpen is going to feature at least one more of the live, young arms developed through recent drafts. Next season the entire bullpen will be full of home grown talent after Farnsworth and Hawkins are gone. Both of these veteran guys could actually be traded later this season!

Even though he has 8 wins this year, look for Mussina to maybe be traded later this season, too, probably to a NL contender.

It is interesting to note that Joba, Ian Kennedy, Robertson and Melancon were all premiere college pitchers taken by the Yankees in the same 2006 draft.

Cashman is working his pitching plan to the letter. Start Joba in the pen, and, so his innings can be limited, work him up to become a starter in June or July. Chamberlain's time has arrived. Very soon, it will time for the other young guns. The more I think about it, the Yankees are more likely going to give Joba's 8^th inning role to one of the young guns currently in the minors. The most likely prospect for this role would be JB Cox, who closed out the 2005 College World Series for the Texas Longhorns.

Cashman and Girardi will use the young guys in this role is to quiet the recent whiny critics who have ridiculed Cashman over the last several weeks.

Sort of a validation for Cashman after the recent calls for his firing.

Next season, when the Yankees rotation is without Mike Mussina or Andy Pettitte, and the bullpen save $10 million with Hawkins and Farnsworth gone, a few more of the recently drafted arms will be ready for the Bronx for a full season. The Yankees are building a deep pitching staff through developed players - both in the starting rotation AND the bullpen. The starters will be led by Joba Chamberlain, while the bullpen will be led by JB Cox, Mark Melancon and David Robertson - not by the likes of Hawkins and Farnsworth.

These changes could be performed a lot sooner.