It is my opinion that Joba’s eventually destiny is in the pen.  But, it really bothers me that we spent two years d^$%ing around with him and his innings limits trying to make him a starter only to give up now.  Now that he has no restrictions, we are going to send him to the bullpen?!  He can finally go out and pitch without worrying about all the other crap.  I think he should get the fifth spot.  If he succeeds, great.  If by mid-season he’s still stinking up the joint, the experiment can be declared over.  Convert him back to reliever and that’s what he will be for the rest of his career.  If he’s in the bullpen to start the season… that’s it.  He will never have the “unrestricted” chance to prove himself as a starter.  I think he deserves that chance.

The problem with this is Hughes.  If Joba starts, Hughes is in the pen.  Does this hurt his progress?  If Joba fails, it’s not like you can say, “oh well, we’ll try it the other way” and convert Hughes back into a starter. That can’t happen until next season.  Okay, but how much does this really hurt the team?  We are talking about the fifth starter.  This guy is not going to start in the playoffs.  The Yankees have many capable arms to fill this role during the season without Joba or Hughes.