Why Hughes as the No. 5 starter is the right call

Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced today that Phil Hughes will be the team's fifth starter. Hughes, who beat out Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves, and Chad Gaudin (but really only Joba) for the last starter spot, joins C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez in a formidable rotation.

Both Hughes and Joba had a legitimate argument for the No. 5 spot. Both have struggled in brief stints as starters, and both have looked their best coming out of the bullpen. In two months, Hughes could be relegated to the 'pen with a 9.00 ERA and Joba could be shaking off the dust and starting.

But for this moment, Girardi made the right call.

Why? Because though Hughes' stuff is slightly less devastating than Joba's, he has the potential to be more consistent (as evidenced by just two walks allowed in 13 innings this spring training). Because Joba's bombastic temperament makes him far more suited to relief pitching (think Jonathan Papelbon). Because at their respective bests, Joba has been better than Hughes in the bullpen. And because I think Hughes has more sterling performances in him than embarrassing ones.

That's the short version. In next week's season preview, I'll lay out my full rationale. Either way, the onus is on Hughes now.