Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Melky Cabrera CF

Brett Gardner OF
Jose Molina C
Eric Hinske OF/1B/3B
Jerry Hairston IF/OF

CC Sabathia SP
A.J. Burnett SP
Andy Pettitte SP
Joba Chamberlain SP

Mariano Rivera CP
Phil Hughes SU
Damaso Marte SU
Brian Bruney MRP
David Robertson MRP
Phil Coke MRP
Mark Melancon (my guess as of Sept. 1st) MRP
Alfredo Aceves LRP

———–

If the Yankees were to make it all the way to the World Series (I really hope so!!), then I would replace that extra middle reliever with a position player (which I’m guessing would be Ramiro Peña). Trust me, when playing games in the National League, having 5 options off of the bench really comes in handy.

Here are some more of my thoughts regarding the postseason roster:

Do the Yankees need a third catcher?
-My guess would be no, for they have a third catcher on the roster already: Jerry Hairston. This, of course, would only be out of emergency.

Should they take the extra reliever or the extra position player?
-It all depends on whether or not they can switch players in and out between series. If so, I would go with the extra reliever to begin with. All of the ALDS and ALCS games would be played against American League teams, and I highly doubt the Yankees would need 5 bench players on the roster (not including the DH). However, if they happen to go all the way to the World Series, THEN I would take the extra reliever off the roster and add a fifth bench player. If that were to happen, my guess would be Ramiro Pena gets a roster spot. As for the extra reliever, that is still yet to be determined, we’ll have to see how things play out in September.

What about the long reliever? Do they need one?
-Oh, you mean Sergio Mitre, Anthony Claggett or Chad Gaudin? Nah, no thanks. I’ll take Aceves over those guys any day of the week. Just my two cents.

For that 25th and final spot, you could either throw Coke or the loser of the Bruney/Robertson battle a bone, or you could add Cervelli just to have insurance at C. That or you could go in the complete opposite direction and add an extra set of wheels in the form of Guzman or Jackson.

Mo, Hughes, and Aceves are locks.
For my lefty, I’d lean Marte because of his experience coupled with Coke’s recent issues.
It’s good to have a longman, so either Mitre or Gaudin are in. I’d lean Gaudin because of his strikeout potential.

Finally, you have an extra arm. Right now, this is Robertson’s spot to lose. He’s been striking everyone and their mother out, which is big in the playoffs. The only real candidate I see who can bump him is Bruney. If Bruney has a good September, you have to give him the spot because of how dominant he can be when he’s on. Melancon is also a wild card. If he gets in enough games in September and looks strong, he could edge someone out.

If a player is injured, he can be replaced by anyone in the organization, even if that person is not on the 40-man as of 8/31 midnight. They would have to be placed on it to be activiated, however, which may necessitate another roster move.