Let's put this to rest...

Hughes and Chamberlain should both be in the bullpen. They have both shown that their numbers are much better in the bullpen than as starters. Rivera cannot pitch forever (even if I wish he could) but until he retires the Yankees still need quality arms to bridge the gap between the starting pitchers and The Sandman. Hughes was dominant in the pen last year and Chamberlain was lights out in the bullpen in 2007. One of those two could eventually take over as the closer of the future, or they could eventually transition back into starting pitchers, but the best fit for them this next season is in the bullpen. We can put Mitre or Gaudin in the fifth starter spot and have Aceves, Hughes, and Chamberlain come in as relief pitchers. Aceves has proven that he can come into the game in a variety of roles whether that might be a long relief role, a short relief role, or he can even make a spot start here and there. Mitre and Gaudin are serviceable and could even surprise me with their performance this upcoming season but in the end it does not really matter. One of those two guys can likely win between ten and fourteen games for the Yanks strictly due to the Bronx Bomber's offensive lineup. I am giddy thinking about the strength of our bullpen with Hughes, Chamberlain, and Rivera as the seventh, eighth, and ninth inning guys! That would be amazing and I can only hope the Yankee brass can see what I see in the potential of these pitchers. Only time will tell I guess...