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By show of hands, who actually believed into the ridiculous hype of this rush job regarding pushing Joba Chamberlain from eighth inning fixture to starter? Exactly.

I’ve gone on record as saying moving Joba to the rotation is a mistake which could prove costly for the Yankees this year. The way the organization has mishandled this move is a joke. What exactly was the rush? Giving the 22 year-old Lincoln, Nebraska native basically a two week window to go from setup to starter makes about as much sense as the Bulls hiring Doug Collins two decades later out of the TNT broadcast booth.

The Yanks should’ve been more patient and stretched Chamberlain out a few more relief outings to build up his arm.

End result against Toronto ace Roy Halladay last night:

2.1 IP, 2 R, ER, 1 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 62 pitches (32 strikes)

Not a very pretty line. In fact, Joba needed 38 pitches to escape his first inning permitting a run.

It’s going to take time for the former 2006 first round supplemental pick to adjust back to being a starter. Last year, he won eight games across the minors before being shifted to the pen to setup for Mariano Rivera. The difference was the organization made certain to give him enough stints before recalling the fireballer to overwhelming success.

Anyone who’s looked at this season’s Pinstripe edition can see that pitching is an issue. However, by subtracting Joba from the pen, it further weakened the seventh and eighth innings which now fall on the shoulders of Kyle Farnsworth along with bust LaTroy Hawkins. There’s also inexperienced guys such as Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez. Hardly reassuring options for a mediocre club which dropped its third straight and saw their pig pen implode a second game in a row turning a one-run game into a Toronto 9-3 laugher at The Stadium.

So what’s the plan exactly? Does the organization eventually elevate relief prospect Mark Melanchon from Double-A Trenton where he’s having good success? Don’t expect it anytime soon.

It’s hard to fathom who’s calling the shots here. Hank Steinbrenner voiced his displeasure about Chamberlain’s role wanting him to start. But is it best for the team right now? Chien-Ming Wang is a reliable seven inning starter. Vets Andy Pettite and Mike Mussina can go six. Darrell Rasner has proven to be effective thus far able to pitch deep into games while keeping the ballclub afloat. How many innings on average can Chamberlain be expected to go? Tough to gauge. His command must improve if this gamble is to pay off.

Here’s another question for Yankee brass. Why mess with Joba when Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy should be returning for the second half? What exactly is the plan when either comeback? They’ve been starters their entire pro careers which means that’s a numbers problem.

Unless the Yanks are planning to move Rasner to middle relief, it’s an issue. Why move Rasner if he continues to fare well? That’s what the Bronx zoo is like these days where you’re on an emotional rollercoaster trying to figure out what they’ll do next.

Frankly, this team isn’t that good and deserving of their 28-30 last place record seven behind Tampa and six and a half behind Boston. The Jays are showing signs even without Vernon Wells four out and they’ve got much better pitching than the Bronx Bombers.

So, is it going to get any better? Probably not for a while. Especially with a relief corps providing comedy for opponents.

This is what Joe Girardi signed up for and what Joe Torre got away from. Which Joe do you think is smiling these days?