Pinstripes may not be as slimming as once thought

As reported earlier, Joba Chamberlain arrived at Spring Training looking heavier. He claims that he’s in the best shape that he’s been in in a couple of years, which may very well be true as reporters have said he looks bigger only in the chest and shoulders, but, even if that’s not the case, does it matter?

There have been plenty of pitchers who were/are overweight and still managed to mow batters down, so as long as he can still bring the heat I personally don’t care if he’s fat. Apparently, neither does Joe Girardi:

"I’ve watched him throw. I’ve been very happy with the way he’s throwing the baseball. Weight can be a tricky issue sometimes. You’re evaluated on how you pitch, and a lot of times, if you’re not pitching well, they’ll say you’re too heavy or you’re too light. If you’re pitching well, no one says a word. It’s the same guy.You think about what it says (that he’s heavier), but Joba is going to be pretty much evaluated on how he pitches. That’s the bottom line, and we’ve been very pleased in what we’ve seen so far. The little adjustment he’s made with his hands seems to really help. He looks better throwing bullpens now than he did last year."

Maybe Joba’s not just blowing smoke when he says he’s in great shape if what Girardi says is true.

Joba:

"I would probably say that I’m in better shape than I have been in a couple years. The running is great. I mean, running’s never easy, but it’s something that I don’t dread every day. It’s a peace of mind for me when I run."

Reports have him listed at 230 pounds, but some people say he’s bigger than that. Regardless, if he can do his job does it matter what he weighs? I ask you, reader(s?) of Yanks Go Yard, do you care if Joba is a fatso?