Over the last few days, there’s been a little bit of trade discussion surrounding Yankee reliever Joba Chamberlain. Mike touched on this yesterday and I’d like to expand on his value as a trade piece and to the team.
If the Yankees really could get Mike Olt or someone of his ilk for Joba Chamberlain, then there is absolutely no excuse for not executing the trade. But, that is not likely the case. For the Yankees to fetch someone of that caliber, they’d need to give up a lot more than just Joba. The thing is, that’s just not going to happen. As a reliever entering his contract year, he’s none too desirable, at least not right now. If the Yankees fall far out of contention at some point later in the year, say around the trade deadline, maybe they can flip him to a team that needs that one last guy to get it over the hump. Wouldn’t that be something for Joba? Come up in 2007 and help push the Yankees into the playoffs as a reliever, then do the same for another team in 2013? The chances of that happening, though, seem slim. Despite all their supposed and real flaws, the Yankees still have a good shot at making the playoffs. As such, Joba is more important to the team as a pitcher than he is as a trade piece.
As we’ve stressed over and over again during Spring Training–and as is true for most Major League teams–with a more-than-slightly-depleted offense, pitching will be paramount for the Yankees in 2013. And while he won’t be the set up guy, Joba is still an important piece in a deep bullpen. He will be able to pitch in almost any short relief scenario and with his arsenal, he can get both left handed and right handed batters out. Given the possibility that both Boone Logan and Clay Rapada could miss the start of the season, Joba’s value is increased. If that scenario goes down, Joba really does hold his value in his own hands. If he pitches well and the team falls out of it, he will be set up to go somewhere and compete. If he pitches well and the team does well, that’s a win-win for everyone.
This will most likely be Joba’s last season in pinstripes and it’s, perhaps, the first season in which he’ll be truly unrestricted and unrestrained. In 2009, he had to prove himself as a starter. In 2010, he had to reprove himself as a reliever. In 2011, he had to fight injury. In 2012, he had to come back from two major injuries. Now, finally, Joba seems free. Unburdened by injuries and free of any sort of expectations, perhaps this is when he puts it all together as a reliever and turns in a season that makes it even easier to forget about Rafael Soriano and his departure to Washington.
Jobs one of many Yankees in contract years–should be a good thing but he hasn't pitched well in quite a while–in the end probably won't be a big factor for Yanks
Joba,Bichette,Phelps and one of the of prospects for olt and a throw in?
Bichette? Does he have any value at all right now? I'd think you'd have to throw-in Williams or Sanchez or Heathcott as well to even get Texas to start bargaining.
Olt has never been able to hit past double a level. Not interested in him at all. Would take Castellanos from Detroit though.He's younger and can actually hit.
Olt hasnt seen AAA pitching so its no surprise he was overmatched when he came up last year. Small sample size. His defense is very good already though. Its a moot point as the Yankees wont be acquiring him. If the Yankees could get Olt I would be very happy. Hell any long term solution for the left side of the infield would make me a very happy man but its not going to come from Joba thats for sure
You are right on the mark. Texas would be foolish to trade Olt for Joba straight up. It will require a lot more than that. Texas has one of the best farm systems in baseball, and Olt is their #2 prospect, rated higher than Gary Sanchez and Slade Heathcott. I think you would need to include one of those 2 to get Olt.
Even is Joba is healthy, at 100%, Joba in his walk year isn't worth a whole lot. Too many questions on what you will get.
The more likely scenario is the Yankees keep him at the start of the season to see how it goes. If the Yankees surprise everyone and are doing well by the end of April, and Joba looks good, they keep him. If they are in last place, but Joba still looks good, then perhaps a trade for a second tier A-ball prospect.
At that point teams will know better how their bullpens are and who needs to be replaced – there may be a better market.
Of course if Joba stinks up the joint, then his value will be nothing more than a long-man/scrug.
I would not include Sanchez or Heathcott in a package for Olt. No thank you I dont care about the ratings.
The Yankee season will not be determined by it's pitching. Our offense will drive this season. Having or not having Joba will not make our season or break it.
Also – every rumor around Texas has them dealing Olt so this idea that he'll be that much more expensive than Joba is silly. Texas is chasing the Angels this year. They'll probably be neck and neck with Oakland again. They need bullpen help as much as we need offense and Olt is doing nothing for them while he's in AAA.
Olt is doing nothing for them while hes being blocked at 3rd. Sure he can play outfied but I would happily trade Joba and either Zoilo Almonte or Ramon Flores (who I like a lot more than most people) to the Rangers for Olt. The Rangers also have no long term solution behind the plate. A Joba and Romine trade for Olt makes sense to me. Romine is a defense first catcher who isnt expected to do much with the bat and has back issues. If Cervelli keeps playing like he has been this spring than odds are Romine isnt going to be much of an upgrade, if at all. Plus Cervelli, Romine, Stewart theyre all just keeping the seat warm until Gary Sanchez arrives anyway