Over the last few weeks, I have twice predicted what the Yankees roster will look like in the ALDS. Now that the regular season is complete, I think it is easier to have a grasp on the direction that Joe Girardi will go. I believe the Yankees will take 14 position players and 11 pitchers:
Position Players (14)
Jorge Posada
Francisco Cervelli
Mark Teixeira
Lance Berkman
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Brett Gardner
Curtis Granderson
Nick Swisher
Marcus Thames
Austin Kearns
Greg Golson
Eduardo Nunez
Pitchers (11)
CC Sabathia
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
AJ Burnett
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
David Robertson
Boone Logan
Kerry Wood
Sergio Mitre
Ivan Nova
The “bubble” players who I believe will make it are Kearns, Golson, Nunez, Mitre, and Nova.
Kearns has struggled mightily recently, striking out in seemingly every at-bat, but he has some pop which is otherwise lacking at the end of the bench. Nunez vs. Ramiro Pena is a toss-up, but Nunez has been given more opportunities lately and seems to have the inside track on the job due to his baserunning and bat. Golson provides some speed and defensive ability off the bench, and likely wins the last spot over Pena due to his greater level of comfort in the outfield.
Among pitchers, Mitre and Nova are the cream of a rather uninspiring long reliever/last man crop. Mitre has pitched well since the beginning of August, with a 2.78 ERA in 22.2 innings during that time period. As for Nova, the fact that the Yankees used him as a reliever on Saturday night rather than save him for a start on Sunday suggested that they were preparing him for the playoffs. Dustin Moseley, Chad Gaudin, and Javier Vazquez have all seemingly pitched their way out of contention. Royce Ring will likely be considered due to the Twins having a number of good lefty hitters, but I think his limited usage during the regular season makes him a poor choice.
What would your roster look like?
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10 Responses to Predicting The Playoff Roster, Final Take
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TIQ IQ
I guess it will Pena not Nunez as the utility infielder. Pena starting two of the last three games gives me the impression, Giradi wanted to give him some needed playing time.
Good picks. My main difference would be that I think they take only 10 pitchers for the first round, and probably Nova gets left off.
For the extra position player, I would guess it will be either Pena or Moeller. I really like the idea of a 3rd catcher with this team, but I think Pena is more likely.
Actually if it were up to me, I’d add both of them and omit either Berkman or Kearns, but that’s not going to happen.
I think Pena, Golson, and Nunez is redundant. Kearns is a better hitter than all 3, which is why I think he gets the spot despite his awful September.
we will carry kearns just in case we need a strike out..pena and nunez are infielders,how are they all the same?
Pena and Nunez are redundant. Kearns can actually hit. They shouldn’t exclude him because of a bad month.
I don’t think AJ is going to pitch in this series and if not then Moeller is a waste of a pick and shouldn’t even be considered, I agree with Mo that we also don’t need both Nunez and Pena make a decision on which you want to go and stick with it they are almost mirror images when it comes to roles on this club.
Kearns had a bad September but he definitely contributed and lets not forget how much effective he was than Berkman when they both first got here, were not leaving Berkman because he struggled then and we shouldn’t leave off Kearns now.
Golson is an interesting pick because he has speed and defense and we know how much Girardi loves a speed guy on the bench and I’m still not sold that Swisher’s knee is really healthy so he may need to be lifted late in games either on the bases or in the field with a lead.
Nova should definitely be on the roster he has shown he can pitch out of the pen and I really don’t see a scenario where he goes a full 3 innings in the postseason anyway so he won’t ever have to worry about the lineup turning over.
it was a no contact month ,not a hitting into bad luck month..if this guy hit a little’
. first place was a breeze. and listen to what you said ,a month…a pressure month..never would i want him up in the pressure playoffs..i rather carry miranda..he give’s a solid at bat. would you sit ,gardner, swisher or granderson. vs a lefty for kearns? if not why carry him..thames will be the DH.. for whom does he hit for? and when. golson give’s us more use, great speed in a pinch run spot, big arm and great glove for swisher late in the game..
(P.S. Well, I see that Cashman said he expects it’ll be 11 pitchers, as you said…….)
Moshe , my only change would be miranda for kearns, ring for mitre, a second lefty is a must…could be used early in the game for one hitter,then logan later on.. not burn our only lefty in a tough spot early
A second lefty who is god awful and throws 83 MPH no thanks.