New York Yankees: Joba Chamberlain Meets Tommy John
June 9, 2011 · Rick Weiner · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
That’s right, Yankee fans: Joba Chamberlain and Tommy John are about to become well acquainted.
Throughout the Twitter universe, Yankee beat writers including Mark Feinsand from the New York Daily News and Joel Sherman of the New York Post are reporting the worst.
Yankee relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain has a torn ligament in his elbow and will most likely require reconstructive surgery, forever known as “Tommy John” surgery.
With a bullpen that is already without Pedro Feliciano, Damaso Marte and Rafael Soriano, this news could not have come at a worse time.
Expect to see more of Lance Pendleton, Hector Noesi and Amauri Sanit than anyone, the Yankees included, would care to see while Brian Cashman figures out his next move.
Rumors abound that the San Diego Padres are nearing the time when they will finally trade their closer, Heath Bell.
Would the Yankees pay the sure-to-be-steep asking price to bring Bell back to the city his career started with, albeit in Flushing?
ESPN’s Buster Olney adds that other relievers could be available sooner rather than later, including:
Mike Adams and Luke Gregerson of the San Diego Padres.
Grant Balfour and Michael Wuertz of the Oakland Athletics.
Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs.
The Yankees have been down the Wood road before, having acquired him from the Cleveland Indians last season. I would say it’s possible, albeit not probable, that Wood would welcome a return to the Bronx for another run at a World Series championship.
If the asking price is not steep for the others Olney named, they would all be reasonable options to shore up what was expected to be a strength for the Yankees this season.
Perhaps the Yankees will give the Kansas City Royals a call and see what they want in return for Joakim Soria.
Would the acquisition of any of these pitchers make you feel better about the Yankee bullpen?
Is there another arm out there that you think Cashman should target?
Let’s discuss them in the comments.
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