By GEORGE A. KING III

Last updated: 12:36 pm
September 29, 2008
Posted: 2:17 am
September 29, 2008

BOSTON - The debate that will not die was on the table in manager Joe Girardi's office yesterday while the Yankees and Red Sox waited for the sky to stop crying over Fenway Park.

Starter or reliever? Yup, on the final day of a very disappointing season, Joba Chamberlain's job description was the topic filling the cramped room. That was before Chamberlain almost blew Mike Mussina's 20th victory in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. He was lifted after giving up a walk and ground-rule double in the eighth inning, getting charged with two runs, in the Yankees' 6-2 victory over the Red Sox. In Game 2, the Red Sox won 4-3 in 10 innings.

"A lot depends on what happens in the winter," Girardi said of the Yankees' planned dive into the starting free agent market, where CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are atop a short list of aces followed by Ben Sheets. "Wherever we put him will be a big plus for us."

Chamberlain, who was out from Aug. 6 to Sept. 2 because of rotator cuff tendinitis in the right shoulder after he was converted from reliever to starter, didn't reach the 140 innings the Yankees wanted him to.

Girardi said it's possible next year the club could be creative in finding a way for his innings not to double. The Yankees' statistical analysis points out pitchers who exceed the previous year's innings by a large number are more prone to injury.

They could skip Chamberlain in the rotation and try to keep him to about 25 starts instead of 33.

They also could keep him in the bullpen where his 140 innings would impact more games.

Chamberlain, who told general manager Brian Cashman that he wanted to start before the conversion was made on June 3, said he would be willing to perform in either role.

"It will come down to what is best for the team," Chamberlain said. "I will talk to Joe and Cash, I value their opinions immensely."

In a dozen starts Chamberlain is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA. As a reliever he is 1-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 30 appearances after giving up two runs in the eighth inning. Since coming off the disabled list he has a 2.38 ERA in 10 games.

Because Chamberlain was injured as a starter the debate includes what will be easier on his body.

"I believe we can keep him healthy in both spots," Girardi said.