NEW YORK -- The issue, at least for a time, seemed dead. But when Jorge Posada stated Monday afternoon that he envisioned Joba Chamberlain as a reliever, he ignited a new wave of controversy surrounding the Yankees' brightest young pitcher.

"I'm so tired of it," Chamberlain said. "And it's going to be that way. People are going to have an argument or have a say about it, because I was successful as a starter during the year and I was successful in the bullpen. So it's going to be an argument until we finally figure out where I'm going to stay forever."

Chamberlain's remarks came in response to those of Posada, who earlier in the day told reporters in Manhattan that he pictured the 22-year-old Chamberlain pitching out of the bullpen.

"I see him as a reliever," Posada said. "I think his body is made up for a reliever. He's 22 years old. I don't think he's going to be able to put in that workload of having 200 [innings] every year, even at a young age."

The issue has been a touchy one for the Yankees since Chamberlain burst onto the bullpen scene last August. Working almost exclusively with a plus fastball and a sharp, breaking slider, Chamberlain dominated the American League out of the 'pen down the stretch. His assignment there, however, came only in deference to strict innings limits that New York had imposed upon him.

Chamberlain had been a starter his entire life, and so the Yankees announced this May that they would shift him back into the rotation -- a plan that lasted until he suffered a bout of right rotator cuff tendinitis in early August. Along the way, Chamberlain's 3-1 record and 2.76 ERA as a starter convinced critics that he could handle the job, but his shoulder woes -- especially viewed in conjunction with an injury-plagued college and Minor League career -- sparked concern that he could not endure so many innings.

The issue lay dormant as Chamberlain remained inactive, and following his reinstatement from the disabled list, Chamberlain settled back into the bullpen and produced a 1.80 ERA in four outings.

Overall this season, he is 4-3 with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts and 24 relief appearances.

"It's going to be what's best for the team in the long run," Chamberlain said. "But it's your career. And you have to be a part of it. You have to take action and understand that you do what's best for yourself, but the end goal is to win a championship."

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Posada on Monday became the first teammate to offer a direct opinion on the issue, stating his preference that Chamberlain remain in the bullpen. And given Posada's status as one of the longest-tenured Yankees, his opinions carry weight -- even if New York is not likely to act upon them.

"I think it's too early to discuss that," manager Joe Girardi said. "We're going to get through this year, and then we'll sit down. Some of it depends on the offseason and what happens in the offseason. But for right now, we still envision him as a starter."

"He's been around the game, but that's his opinion," Chamberlain said of Posada. "I'm not going to fault the guy for having an opinion. We all have our own opinions."