The Yankees are two games away from the playoffs and it's time to take a hard look at the roster these bad boys in pinstripes will be throwing out and I will speculate my 25 man roster. Also important to mention the Yankees have already wrapped up the number 1 seed and home field throughout (except the WS thanks to an AL meltdown).
Starting Pitchers
CC Sabthia, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia, & AJ Burnett.
I think the first 2 are 100% clear cut number 1 and number 2 starters. I think Garcia gets the 3rd spot because he's been great this year, screwing up less lately than his competition, and has a playoff moxie going for him.
AJ is an anomally but again, he's been there in the past and he has worked out the kinks lately and should at least earn 1 start before we throw him outta the rotation.
Relief Pitchers
Rivera, Robertson, Soriano, Hughes, Wade, Logan, and Ayala
I'm tempted to think the Yankees will add Laffey or Valdes to get a second lefty on the roster but then again those guys have not been reliable this year and I'd rather Wade or Ayala with their stats in big situations against lefties regardless of the matchup situation. Robertson Soriano and Rivera are clearly the big 3 and will get most of the big outs, but Phil Hughes might find himself in a 6th or 7th or extra inning situation where he is needed as well. Altogether a very good pen we have here.
Starting Offense
Martin, Tex, Cano, Jeter, Arod, Swisher, Grandy, Gardner, Chavez
Here's to the assumption we play Detroit first and see Verlander. We'll have our lefties playing and that means Gardner for sure and likely Chavez. A great lineup top to bottom with speed, switch hitting ability, power, production, and rarely a plus but in this case it definitely is, age. This is a veteran team. There are no 22 year old rookies in this starting roster and that's good when playing meaningful October games.
Bench
Montero, Andruw Jones, Posada, Nunez, Golson
This and the relief staff are the hardest to predict (oddly this year starting pitching is difficult too) but I think this is the bench i'd go with. You have to have a backup catcher and you kind of have 2. You don't ideally want to see Montero or Posada get too many at bats behind the plate but both are serviceable there and can handle it if Martin is not able to catch every game (I somehow think he will). You have the right handed bats in Jones and Montero to complement the lefites in Gardner and Chavez who should be used interchangeably when its a L or R pitcher starting. Golson over Dickerson because of speed and defense. I doubt that spot will get any at bats so all I want is a 9th inning defensive switch for a Swisher or Jones, or a guy to run for Montero, Chavez, Tex, or Swisher late in games. Golson gets the nod for speed and defense. I think Posada has to be on the team because he's been there before, he's been better lately, he is a switch hitter and has the propensity for big hits, and another big reason that no one wants to discuss, the potential backlash.
We know all about the beef between Joe and Jorge which dates back to their early playing days and includes this year's debacle. Joe will take enormous heat if Jorge is left off, and it will taint a legacy that will surely end this year when Jorge retires or takes his talents elsewhere (he's a Free Agent and we aren't resigning, trust me). I want to see Jorge win another title as a Yankee even if it means that the 25th spot is a tad bit worse for it. I doubt it will play it's part in the game too seriously and I think Jorge will actually be useful for his playoff experience and his power bat. For all that and more, he's on the squad.
Last spot is Nunez over Pena. I think it's obvious but for extra clarification, he's faster, a better hitter, been playing all year, and his defense has improved. Sure Pena is probably a better fielder. I say probably because he is supposed to be the better fielder but even he has struggled with the glove this year. But yea he is a better fielder and will likely provide more value as a defensive replacement late in the game but who is he replacing? Arod, Jeter and Cano all have enough speed and good D skill that they should be playing every inning of every game. Nunez/Pena spot is for an emergency if someone were to get hurt or as a pinch runner. As a runner, Nunez is better. If one of the two of them has to play the whole game because god forbid Jeter left in the 2nd with an injury, I'd want Nunez. It will be a few at bats and that could be the difference. I want the guy whos played 100+ games with us and to the tune of .260. That's a legit threat as a backup infielder. Pena's .111 average and 20 games played doesn't belong on the field.
So there's the 25, 4 starters, 7 relievers, 9 starting hitters, and 5 back up hitters. A solid group and one ready for the run to begin this Friday. I cant wait!! Only a few things left to ponder, will we play Detroit or Texas and who will win that last wild card spot? Should be a fun week/weekend.
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