The Papelbon Theory

You have to give the Red Sox some credit, they have established a brand new sports theory that has emerged in just the past couple of years. The Pabelbon theory is a simple one really, a prospect goes in a different direction then what was expected, what do you do? Well, in the case of the Red Sox you have to give them credit because they picked the right option. When young stud Jonathan Pabelbon started to show great promise in a closer role, the Red Sox where given a tough decision in the 2006 offseason. Go with the original plan of making him a starter, or make Papelbon the full time closer? The Red Sox made the right choice to designate him to the full time closer role. Now the Yankees need to make the same decision.

How about Joba Chamberlain? This kid is amazing, and the exact same situation as Pabelbon was in. Last year he excelled out of the bullpen as a Mariano set up man. But this guy has the perfect makeup for a closer. Let's get one thing straight, I will not blame the Yankees if they make Joba a starter, he will be a great starter as well as closer. Now it's a bit different with Joba because he would not be the closer this year, while he might be a better fit then Mariano right now, Moe is the greatest closer in history. No one can deny that, and I think as long as he can he has earned the right to be the closer. But the problem in the past with the Yankees bullpen has been two things.

1: Moe's age. Let's face it, he is not in the prime of his career anymore. While he can prop ably give you 35 saves and below a 3.50 ERA he will blow a couple of saves. He is past the immortal stage of his career and you can't expect a three up three down last inning every time. He is the greatest and has earned himself a spot on the Yanks roster as the starting closer for as long as he wants it.

2: The bridge to Moe. In the championship years the Yankees had someone who could take the ball in the 7^th or 8^th and give it to Mariano in the 9^th. The Yanks have not had that for years and now they do. Joba is as good as you can get when it comes to set up men. He will be a closer eventually, but for now I would love to see him in a set up man role.

So while if Joba was a starter it would not be the worst thing that could happen to the Yankees, I just see him as a future closer as opposed to a starter. He has the intensity of an unmatched human, his stuff screams short term, big out scenarios.