Twenty-five names
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 05, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
The roster debates will continue until official word comes down, but here’s my guess on how the Yankees look in the first round:
Pitchers (10)
CC Sabathia
Andy Pettitte
A.J. Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Alfredo Aceves
Dave Robertson
Damaso Marte
Phil Coke
Phil Hughes
Mariano Rivera
Position players (15)
Jorge Posada
Mark Teixeira
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Johnny Damon
Melky Cabrera
Nick Swisher
Hideki Matsui
Jose Molina
Eric Hinske
Brett Gardner
Jerry Hairston
Freddy Guzman
Francisco Cervelli
Comments: I don’t have nearly the concern about catching Molina with Burnett as some people do. Yes, it’s a step down in your lineup but Molina will hit three times; it’s far more important that Burnett throw his 100-plus pitches to the guy he’s most comfortable with behind the plate. … Of the bench players, Hinske figures to see the least amount of time. The Yankees have two guys (at least) they’d pinch-run for in Matsui and Posada, while only one they’d (maybe) pinch-hit for in Cabrera. Hinske is mostly there to pinch-hit for a pinch-runner. … Having two lefties in the pen is more important if the opponent is the lefty-heavy Twins. Chad Gaudin could jump in if the Tigers are the opponent.
Sam -
I guess Bruney could fill in for Marte if its the Tigers? And I would feel awful for Gaudin who did everything possible to make the roster. I’m glad I’m not Joe Girardi, that’s all I can say.
So Joba bumps Bruney…IMO this is the roster, with the only exception being Marte, which Bruney and Gaudin could be being discussed.
Bruney instead of Marte.
Sam,
I SO agree with your take on Molina over Posada if that makes the pitcher more comfortable. How many times have we heard and seen that pitching wins playoff games, not offense?
Sam, I totally agree re: AJ and Molina. If AJ is more comfortable with Molina behind the plate, you’ve got to start Molina in that game.
Girardi has some tough decisions to make about the bullpen. I certainly don’t envy him.
For some reason, Girardi has said he likes having two lefties in the pen. But if one of them is Marte, what’s the point? He has not been good this year. Coke can be iffy, but overall, I have more confidence in Coke.
The two lefties could indeed cost Gaudin a spot. Shame…
Which is the better lineup with Molina catching – does it include Posada as DH or Matsui as DH? Or does it totally depend on who’s pitching against them?
Why not 11 pitchers and you carry one less catcher, making it Cervelli. I like him but in the postseason pitching is too important. We have a healthy Posada, a healthy Molina and I’ve read Hairston can step in to catcher if needed. I’d carry Gaudin instead of the third catcher and decide between Marte or Bruney depending of the one-playoff game winner.
Gaudin has pitched better than Marte, Bruney & Joba. He’s earned his way onto the roster. Not saying that’s what they’ll do but he deserves to be there.
I know I’m in the minority here, but I totally disagree with giving Molina the start when AJ pitches. The difference between Jorge and Jose at the plate is just too large.
How many times did Bobby Cox not start Javy Lopez when Greg Maddux pitched in the playoffs?
I like it Sam. I might take out Cervelli and add Bruney or Gaudin but that’s it.
I don’t think Burnett should pitch to Molina, the catcher makes no difference. A.J. has pitched well to Posada and Molina. He’s also pitched poorly to both guys as well. When Burnett is pitching badly he will get frustrated at whoever is behind the plate, Posada or Molina.
The guys who don’t make the roster – are they allowed to sit in the dugout, or the clubhouse, or are they banned?
Is it worse to be playing all season (or part of a season) for a team and then sit in the dugout knowing you’re not going to play, or not even being able to be there?
I know these are not questions of great import, but I do tend to think about these kinds of things.
Sure, Gaudin can jump in against the Tigers — but you don’t have him on your roster.
Too bad if Bruney gets the short end of the stick. Things would’ve been a lot different if he hadn’t fallen so far down the depth chart.
I’m okay with 10 pitchers because worse comes to worse, a starter could throw an inning.
Just need Gardner in the outfield whenever possible. Hopefully we’ll get an early lead, and he could come in as a defensive replacement.
I like the late innings flexibility on this team. If they have the lead through 6, or even 5 innings, they are ging to be very tough to beat. Between the outstanding bullpen arms, and still having matchup lefties, they should be able to lock down just about any lead. Also, they can go for defense late in games by having an outfield of Guzman, Gardner, and Melky. That gives them a lot of range in the outfield. Not to mention the speed dimension on the bases in late game situations that Guzman/Gardner can provide.
Sorry, that’s a sympathetic “too bad”, not a “too bad, so sad”.
Doreen,
Now that is a tough call. Matsui has been on fire. With the game on the line, I want Matsui over Posada. But starting DH? That’s tough. Will we see Girardi go with Posada to compensate him somewhat for not catching or just base it on matchups? I’m hoping he goes for the kill every, single game and leaves the other factors (loyalty, rewards, compensation, ego) out of it.
What a job for a manager…
I’m not sure about Marte, Bruney most likely. Otherwise I agree.
I guess the outfield defense scares me most. Even Gardner out there doesn’t inspire me a whole heck of a lot, at least on balls that he dives for.
In this respect, I think playing at a stadium with open air and real grass would be best.
For the YES-less or anyone who didn’t see the BP show yesterday, fun interview with the “old guard”.
http://web.yesnetwork.com/medi.....id=6959287
When does the roster need to be decided?
I sense alot of nervous posters while reading the comments !.
Calm down guys! We won over 100 games. IF i’m Girardi i don’t mess with the Formula .
Lets rock and roll !
I can’t find a reason on why we should carry all 3 catchers???????
This is where Girardi’s bullpen management during the regular season will pay off. Nobody’s been overused, and the longer playoff series schedule can only help.
If things don’t go according to plan, then that means something catastrophic happened anyway. No sense worrying about that in advance.
I was thinking of taking of Cervelli and putting Pena on the roster, but I like the idea of adding the extra pitcher (Gaudin).
Hopefully nobody not named Aceves, Hughes and Rivera will pitch out of the pen anyway.
Thanks, pat. I’m a “yes-less” fan.
Eric,
Yes, if everything goes according to plan, the starters go 7 innings+Hughes+Mo=Yay!
Isn’t Pena=Hairston? And I think Gaudin is added in the next series. The whole “Who’s the 4th starter?” thing.
I don’t trust marte in any situation, at least bruney still throws hard and has been pitching better lately. Gaudin or Bruney instead of Marte especially against the tigers.
Pat-thank you for that link that was great! Sadly, I am YES-less.
I thought Marte had a sore shoulder?
Can’t remember where I read that in the last couple of days. Maybe it was in a Josh update from Tampa?
“Isn’t Pena=Hairston?”
I see it as Hairston > Pena. He plays the outfield and hits better, too.
I like this roster…. I think Joe G likes that he can have 2 speed racers of the bench… I think Sam has it right with Molina as well.. He might not even have to bat a third time.. and if he can give you one sac bunt… thats all gravy…
I think you send Gaudin to Tampa to work for a week and if it gets as far as a game 4 in the ALCS… you can add him to the LCS roster and have a game 4 hybrid start of Gaudin/Aceves.. each going somewhere between 2 and 4 innings each…
So I go in trying to get tickets and my wait time is 14 minutes. After the wait then I had an interesting message that there were no available tickets. Interesting that I did my search right at 10:00am.
DT-if I remember right, I think it was Mitre that had/has the sore shoulder.
“I am curious to see what the lineup looks like if Girardi does indeed opt to have Molina catch AJ. Will it be a day off for Jorge? Or do we lose Matsui in the lineup? Tough call, and I’d imagine it will have to do with who is pitching for the other team.”
doreen -
i pretty much expect to see molina catch burnett simply because he’s been catching him for the last 6 weeks or so. burnett is used to him at this point .
what i’m wondering about is whether girardi wants cervelli on the roster so he can make more moves with molina and posada. cervelli would just be there for emergencies, but it would free girardi up if he wants to micro manage and i think he will tend to do that in the postseason.
i really think the wheels will be turning with girardi, much more than the regular season.
m,
I know that’s totally unrealistic about the bullpen. You know we’ll see Coke at some point in a high pressure situation. I don’t mind having Robertson come in either.
As far as Hairston=Pena…yes and no. I can see Hairston coming in as a defensive sub in the eight or ninth…replacing Damon and/or Swish. Pena I think of as an emergency replacement. (Only if somebody gets hurt.) It allows Hairston to sub in for outfield defense even if Pena is already in the game.
Joe
October 5th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I can’t find a reason on why we should carry all 3 catchers???????
The only reason I can think of is if Girardi is planning to have Molina catch AJ and DH Posada that game. If you pinch hit for Molina and moved Posada behind the plate I think you would lose the DH so having the extra catcher would help.
Either way, there’s no need for three catchers on a playoff roster.
“Which is the better lineup with Molina catching – does it include Posada as DH or Matsui as DH? Or does it totally depend on who’s pitching against them?”
I would say Matsui would be the DH. If Molina is catching and the Yanks are down by a few runs, then Posada can always pinch hit for Molina and take over the catching duties. If Posada is DHing and is needed to catch for some reason, then the Yanks would lose the DH and the pitcher would have to hit/be pinch hit for.
“DT-if I remember right, I think it was Mitre that had/has the sore shoulder.”
Thanks Erin.
Maybe I just got my M+M boys mixed up…..
Anyone else having any problems printing their tickets?
Likewise, I don’t see a problem with Molina. Jorge is a weapon, but he can pinch hit for Molina later in the game if they need offence, and by then they should have Burnett out of the game. The real key is to have AJ pitch well.
I am not a fan of having Marte on the roster, but if they need lefties they don’t have a lot of options.
“but it would free girardi up if he wants to micro manage and i think he will tend to do that in the postseason.
i really think the wheels will be turning with girardi, much more than the regular season.”
Agreed. If we’ve learned one thing from Girardi these last two years, its that he likes to micro-manage and play matchups moreso than gut feelings. Of course any managing style is great if the team wins.
I agree with Sam with regards to Molina catching for AJ and the numbers show there is a staggering difference. A good article on the situation was done on Baseball Reference.
http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=2755
Molina has hit well under .200 since coming off the DL in July. He is actually worse than having a pitcher batting ninth because he is a terrible bunter. I laughed when Girardi had him attempt a squeeze a few games ago since he seemed to have given up on having him bunt at all. Of course, he whiffed and at one point in the at bat Gardner was lucky to survive a rundown play.
Molina kills the lineup. He would have killed the rally yesterday if the pitcher didn’t boot his dribbler back to the mound. Saying he only bats three times misunderstands the nature of scoring in baseball and the significance of rallies as opposed to individual at bats.
Cervelli is a fine defender and very good bunter. He should have been given a chance in September to prove he could be the second catcher.
Eric,
I love Jalapena, but I like the “flexibility” of having the 3 catchers. Late inning moves can be made. (yes, I know Hairston’s the ER catcher, but he hasn’t done it since high school I think).
Swishy and Hinske could play infield in a “break glass in case of emergency situation”.
I’m just thrilled that we’re spending the first day after the season talking about lineups instead of CC & AJ. I don’t even think Tex was on the radar yet. Anyone want to dig up the first threads of the offseason last winter? I know there was a lot of talk about Derek Lowe.
Posada has an OPS+ of 130.
Molina has an OPS+ of 49.
Think about that. 130 vs. 49.
If AJ can’t pitch to Posada (and I don’t believe it), then the Yanks ought to get rid of him in the off season and find a pitcher who can.
I think the wheels will spin in close games. Verlander will be tough, if it’s the Tigers, and so far it looks like he’d pitch game 2 versus AJ, so right there you know that that has the potential to be a “thinking manager’s game,” so to speak, because of all the situations that can arise. Close game; Molina catching; perhaps needing a run late – small-ball style. Could be a great game. And of course, you have Leyland, who is wiley himself, no?
But in games where’s it pretty much the norm (i.e., Posada catching), I don’t think there will be as much going on.
Of course, we do have to wait and see how the games unfold. How many post-season games actually go according to (Yankee) plan?
Cervelli’s a good kid, but Molina’s a vet. Yes, he shortens the line up, but when he gets a hit it’s likely to be a double. haha.
I think I’ll call him the “Leaning Tower of Pisa” in homage to his Italian heritage and irritating habit of falling over the plate during his at-bats. Does that drive anyone else crazy?
“Yes, it’s a step down in your lineup but Molina will hit three times; it’s far more important that Burnett throw his 100-plus pitches to the guy he’s most comfortable with behind the plate. …”
this can be debated later , but was it smart to have gotten burnett used to molina instead of posada when it was known in advance that burnett would be starting two games out of a possible five in the first playoff series ?
if molina during the regular season had to catch one in five games as the back up to rest posada( which he does), i would have had him catch the four or five spot so posada could have caught almost all the post season games.
only if molina catches burnett and the yankees lose those games will this be an issue. hopefully if and when molina catches burnett the yankees win, but if they don’t the second guessing will be there.
of course, at this point if girardi has posada catch molina and the yankees lose that’ll be
second guessed too.
of course, if posada caught the guy who would start 40% of a short series all year then it wouldn’t be an issue would it ?
personally, at this point though, i’d start molina with burnett for burnett’s first game and see what happens.
If we play the Twins we should add Brian Bruney and Chad Gaudin to Sam’s suggested roster and drop Joba Chamberlain and Freddy Guzman. The Twins have more lefthand hitters and I think games with them will be higher scoring affairs and we won’t need a 2nd pinchrunner.
If we play the Tigers we should add Brian Bruney and Chad Gaudin to sam’s suggested roster and drop Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte. The Tigers don’t have as many good lefthanded batters so I don’t feel the need to keep Marte on the roster. Because of Detroit’s pitching I think the games will be lower scoring and I see the need for a second pinchrunner. I am simply more confident in Brian Bruney than I am of Joba Chamberlain at this time. I think it would be wise to leave Joba off the postseason roster and let him clear his mind for next season when he won’t have to live by the Joba Rules anymore.
Not putting Gaudin on the roster would be a huge mistake. And as much as I hate the idea of Molina catching, if AJ is pitching the game well, it won’t matter, and if he is choking, Posada is coming in to PH for him anyway.
m -
I never noticed that about Cervelli.
Molina looks like he put on some weight to me, but he’s always been large, so maybe it’s just me. I agree, that Molina is the vet and gets the call, not Cervelli. However, Cervelli is great insurance and not a liability if he is needed. And it would be great if there is an extra-inning affair that he would be available to save the stamina of the two “old guys.”
Hey pat, thanks for the link to the video. I didn’t get a chance to see it yesterday. It was really worth the time to watch it. Very heartwarming. And they’re right, we’ll probably never see anything like it again – 4 guys brought up through the ranks, spending all (and in Andy’s case, most) of their careers together. It’s a great story.
Went on the website right at 10 and couldn’t get any 2-tix. So we started asking for 1 ticket. Got a few “no more left, so sorry” messages, but kept submitting for one ticket. Finally, got one ticket, field level. My husband got one ticket in a different field level seat. And we (through our season tix) had two tickets up in the Terrace level. All for Friday’s ALDS Game 2. So now we can take our kids. Just have to figure out how to supervise them from three different places in the stadium!!
Can’t get any for any of the ALCS games however.
Comments: I don’t have nearly the concern about catching Molina with Burnett as some people do. Yes, it’s a step down in your lineup but Molina will hit three times; it’s far more important that Burnett throw his 100-plus pitches to the guy he’s most comfortable with behind the plate.
————————————————-
Sam, Good thinking…I agree. Jose Molina would bat 9th in the order so its probable that he would only bat twice in each of the games that Burnett pitches. Whether the Yankees are behind or ahead in those games, when the AJ is replaced by a reliever we should immediately bring in Posada to catch and bat in Molina’s spot.
What the heck was Miguel Cabrera thinking?
Beyond selfish and stupid. His teammates and the organization must have been beyond angry.
http://www.freep.com/article/2.....-with-wife
what is the rule if a catcher gets knocked out of a series with a serious injury?
does cervelli get added the next game if posada or molina gets injured?
i assume that to be true, but i’m really not sure.
So who’s the starter in game 2?
sure aj pitched well to posada earlier, but as of late he clearly was not comfortable, and molina has caught all of his starts in the last month or so. even with molina we still have a better lineup than both detroit AND minny.
POsada can PH or DH. Maybe we even see Matsui in LF if it comes to it.
I purchased a 6 dollar playoff ticket, in 2009.
Not putting Gaudin on the roster would be a huge mistake…
————————————————
Joe, I agree!!! I have more confidence in Chad Gaudin and/or Brian Bruney at this time than I do in Joba Chamberlain.
Lori-I’m just jealous you get to go at all! Hopefully you’ll have a great time.
Cervelli MUST be on the post-season roster. He has 15th inning game winning walk off written all over him. He’s been the Yankees good luck charm all season and in my opinion reinvigorated this team’s spirit not once but 2x this year when they were staring deeply into the abyss.
randy l,
You don’t think Cervelli will already be on the playoff roster? You’d think they could be added the next series. I do know that an injured player that’s replaced has to sit out the next round.
Doreen,
But do you see it now? He tippy-toes/leans over and then he grabs some dirt.
Oops. You’d think they could be added the next game.
If we play the Twins we should add Brian Bruney and Chad Gaudin to Sam’s suggested roster and drop Joba Chamberlain and Freddy Guzman. The Twins have more lefthand hitters and I think games with them will be higher scoring affairs and we won’t need a 2nd pinchrunner.
If we play the Tigers we should add Brian Bruney and Chad Gaudin to sam’s suggested roster and drop Joba Chamberlain and Damaso Marte. The Tigers don’t have as many good lefthanded batters so I don’t feel the need to keep Marte on the roster. Because of Detroit’s pitching I think the games will be lower scoring and I see the need for a second pinchrunner. I am simply more confident in Brian Bruney than I am of Joba Chamberlain at this time. I think it would be wise to leave Joba off the postseason roster and let him clear his mind for next season when he won’t have to live by the Joba Rules anymore.
————————————————————
Are you really more confident in Bruney than Joba??? I mean seriously? I know Joba hasn’t had a great year but when Bruney comes in the game, the opposong team has a RISP at home plate every time.
sure aj pitched well to posada earlier, but as of late he clearly was not comfortable, and molina has caught all of his starts in the last month or so. even with molina we still have a better lineup than both detroit AND minny.
————————————————–
tex’s friend,
You’re point is well taken. We can find statistics that suggest AJ has pitched well to Posada in the past, but its more important what is presently in AJ’s mind than what the stats say. Perceptions are reality!!! If AJ feels that he is going to have a problem with Posada then he isn’t going to feel comfortable pitching to him. That will affect his pitching in a way that will have a worse affect on the game than Jose Molina batting 2 or 3 times instead of Jorge Posada.
“So who’s the starter in game 2?”
the bigger question is are patrick and patrick in ct the same person?
randy l -
If Burnett had just stayed consistent, it wouldn’t be a problem, either.
You know, it seemed like at one point they were willing to try anything to get AJ out of the dumps.
But they did try Molina with Joba for a while. They tried everything with everyone. All the catchers have caught all the pitchers. I know nothing, so I wouldn’t even venture a guess as to comfort levels, etc. At least there is familiarity all around. And, really, none of us know for certain what Girardi is going to do yet.
K. The Mets shake up their coaching staff. They let go their 1st & 3rd base coaches, and will reassign Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Bench coach, hitting coach, and pitching coach stay the same.
They need to get rid of Omar, Manuel, and all the three primary coaches they’re keeping.
Do Valentine and the Mets have bad blood? If not, they should dump Manuel and get BV.
Do you guys think the Mets should get rid of Chester the Cheetoes Cat?
Are you really more confident in Bruney than Joba??? I mean seriously? I know Joba hasn’t had a great year but when Bruney comes in the game, the opposong team has a RISP at home plate every time.
——————————————————–
Joe, yeah, I am indeed more confident with Bruney. If you look at their last 10 outings, Bruney has been more effective than Joba. Also, Joba’s first inning tends to be his worse. That would be a disaster as a reliver out of the bullpen. I refuse to let yesterday’s outing in which Joba faced weak hitters like Reed Brignac, Fernando Perez and Gabe Kapler cloud my thinking.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8084
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7324
“You don’t think Cervelli will already be on the playoff roster?”
i really don’t know what girardi is going to do.
in the regular season you can get a new catcher in the next day.
if you can’t in the playoffs that kind of changes things.
someone on the blog will know the answer to whether you can replace injured players during a series.
it’s kind of dumb i don’t know this , but i really don’t.
it does change whether i’d want cervelli on the roster or not.
ESPNBoston.com
Jon Lester will start the opener against the Los Angeles Angels in Game 1 of the ALDS, followed by Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz.
If the series goes to a fourth and fifth game, Lester could be available to pitch on short rest and Beckett would be on his regular rest for the finale.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona made the announcement after Sunday’s 12-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the regular-season finale.
Francona, who said earlier in the day that Tim Wakefield would not be on the ALDS roster, said that other roster decisions still had to be made.
Daisuke Matsuzaka and and Paul Byrd were also passed over for starts.
The Red Sox don’t know yet if they’ll open against the Angels on Wednesday or Thursday.
No chance in hell they take that many position players. Cervelli will not be on the postseason roster. You can take that to the bank
I don’t have nearly the concern about catching Molina with Burnett as some people do. Yes, it’s a step down in your lineup but Molina will hit three times
——————
Sam, the problem is that he has shown repeatedly that he is an offensive black hole. He came up last week IIRC, with bases loaded and 1 out and couldn’t even get the bat on the ball. That would be critical in low scoring games – which is what you expect in the postseason.
I’m hoping Cervelli makes the roster if for no other reason than I have a huge crush on him. LOL But I tend to think he’ll be on it, especially since it seems like Molina will be seeing some starting time.
randy l.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:10 am
“So who’s the starter in game 2?”
the bigger question is are patrick and patrick in ct the same person?
=======================================================
There are a few Patricks posting. Patrick, Pat M., and Patrick in CT are different people.
So will Andy or AJ start game 2?
I think we need 3 catchers if Molina and Posada are going to be run for in late innings.
“Having two lefties in the pen is more important if the opponent is the lefty-heavy Twins.”
except as a team, the twins hit better vs. lefties (.786 OPS) than against righties (.767 OPS).
the main guy you do neutralize with a lefty is kubel (.648 OPS vs. 1.008 against righties). he oftentimes even sits vs. southpaws.
m
Francona going off the menu with his pitching choices in the 5 game series.
So much for Dice K being bigger and better than ever.
Gaudin has earned a spot over Bruney or Marte.
However, in a short series with 2 middle/long relievers in Joba & Ace already set. Gaudin becomes less valuable.
You need a 2nd lefty (Marte) to match up “w” LH hitter in a key spot late in a game. Or you need a strikeout hard thrower (Bruney) in a pressure situation.
If Joba throws like he did yesterday, Yanks only need 6 good innings from starters & then turn it over to Joba, Phil, & Mo.
If its Twins, I’d take Marte. Tigers = Bruney.
randy l,
A quick search resulted in this:
http://www.detroittigersweblog.....ity-rules/
Where is Uncle E?????????????
pat,
2 surprising things there. Lester over Beckett? Is that how they lined up in the regular season? I mean, isn’t Beckett some kind of postseason god? And the other is Bucky over Dice. Dice-K (unfortunately) contributed to their 2007 run. That means Bucky gets game 3 at home. That will be the interesting one.
As for who I’d like to face in any ALCS. It might be the Angels. Just the prospect of losing to the Sox in the ALCS would be horrible. But the Angels are better than the Sox and there is the cross country trip and we do play well at Fenway. We’ll revisit this one later.
If the opponent is the Tigers, you will definitely see Bruney or Gaudin on the roster, maybe both… take off Cervelli and Marte.
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time a team carried 3 catchers in the postseason, unless one of them played multiple positions (Inge).
There shouldn’t be any need for ten pitchers in a 3-of-5 series let alone 11. On good, deep teams “deserving” players will always be left off the post-season roster, it’s unavoidable.
That said, I would take three catchers or an 11th pitcher before Guzman who doesn’t run nearly as well as Gardner and always seems to just barely make it.
As for AJ, the single most important thing in post-season is the comfort and effectiveness of your starting pitching. If he thinks he’s better with Molina and recent results back it up then by all means, make him happy!
Nice flexible roster. The only real change from the start of the year is no Wang sitting in the number 2 or 3 spot. We would have crushed in the first half (like we did in the second half) if Wang was healthy.
There isn’t a team in baseball that wants to face the Yanks. Now they need pitch well and keep raking…we can win so many different ways, that’s what makes this team so special.
The whole Lester over Beckett thing is a real mystery to me too. I wonder just how worried they are about Beckett’s back?
The reason to cary three catchers is to be able to pinch hit or pinch run for Molina while having Posada as the DH. If Posada became the catcher after Molina is pinch hit or run for the team would lose the DH.This way Cervelli can replace Molina.
I’m hoping Cervelli makes the roster if for no other reason than I have a huge crush on him.
=====
Oh.
Perhaps picking Lester over Beckett is more of a nod to their catching (throwing) situation. Lester being a lefty is more likely to keep runners close.
m -
I will have to watch for the Cervelli thing.
Interesting pitching line-up for the RS. I had heard they might put Lester first, and it makes sense. He’s been their most reliable starter all season. Beckett and Buccholz have had their share of “inconsistencies” this season. Not surprised at Bucky over Dice-y K. Wakefield I guess is just not effective right now, and against the Angels would be deadly – he wouldn’t be able to field his position. And Dice-y K also has a propensity for putting runners on base, and for the Angels that’s like manna from Heaven.
I think Francona did a good job setting up that rotation, given who they’re playing.
How about these thoughts?
If Molina is going to catch AJ in game 2 and game 5, then the 3rd catcher may be needed. Molina is not getting more than 3 ABs in any game.
It may depend on who the Yanks face. If Minni then I’d go with Andy for 2 and 5.
If the Tigers, I go with AJ for 2 and 5.
“There are a few Patricks posting. Patrick, Pat M., and Patrick in CT are different people.”
pat m is a no brainer.
i want to know which patrick is the pain in the butt who i’ve sparred with for two years
Noreaster
October 5th, 2009 at 11:40 am
The whole Lester over Beckett thing is a real mystery to me too. I wonder just how worried they are about Beckett’s back?
====
I think this is the one the Angels take, even with their suspect bullpen.
If Boston had HFA, I might be singing a different tune, but they do not, and their offense is such a product of that ballpark. The irony is, all year the Yankee-hating media has accused the Yankees of having the ballpark advantage.
No one even bothers to examine why Boston is such a mediocre team on the road, and such a “Monster” at home. Hmm….
bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
October 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Oh.
***********
I was joking, of course. Crush aside, I think he’ll be needed if Molina will be starting games.
i should have said ” who pat m is is a no brainer” .
Doreen, your thought on picking Buckholz over DiceK make sense. I could see DiceK getting run to death on too…Wake is just done for this year.
I think someone has brought this up before, who knows if there will even be a game 5?
And if there is one, who catches could depend on how game 2 went (assist to randy l on that one, I think).
And we still don’t know who will pitch game 2, even though I think it should be AJ.
Coney was put on the spot yesterday, but he didn’t hesitate to give the nod to AJ over his good pal Andy.
I actually feel bad for Wakefield (as badly as a Yankees fan can feel for a RS player, that is).
From Boston.com,recapping the Twins game.What’s wrong with this sentence?
“Carl Pavano (14-12) pitched on 3 days’ rest,giving up 4 runs striking out 7 in 5 2/3 innings.”
This rogue(dishonest worthless person) needs to stop fronting as a pitcher!!
bodhisattva, I forgot about the loosing record Boston has on the road. I’d really like to see Boston knocked out early this playoff (not that I like having to go to the West coast), but perhaps I am getting ahead of myself…lets find out who we are playing in the first round!
The nod for AJ in game 2 has to do with home/road splits, right? And AJ does best at YS? Pettitte would do well either place, so you really do have to bend to AJ here, though I wonder if I’d rather have Andy with 2 starts over AJ. (Hopefully game 5 is unnecessary – and the Yankees have won the series.) Coney said he thinks AJ will really take the to spotlight of YS. He has in the past, so we’ll see…
I feel Sorry for Matsuzaka,he’s a better pitcher than laptop.
“If a player is injured, they can be replaced during the series using the rules stated above. If the player is replaced they cannot come back in the current round, nor can they play in the following round.” from the link m provided
thanks m-
that means cervelli can be added immediately the next game if an injury happens to posada or molina.
i wouldn’t put cervelli on the playoff roster then.
the reason is he’ll not likely play and will take up a roster spot for nothing.
No need to feel sorry for DiceK, he showed up fat and out of shape this year. His lousy year is totally on him…
These games are the games we signed AJ for. Let’s hope he shows up for them and battles, even without his best stuff.
randy l.
pat m is a no brainer.
i want to know which patrick is the pain in the butt who i’ve sparred with for two years
====================================================
Well, my last name also starts with M (McPherson)
My wife would call my a pain in the butt as I do spar with her and others.
No, I’ve only been posting since about May of this year.
Always been Patrick from CT.
Now, who’s starting game 2 for the Yankees ?????????????????????????
No chance in hell they take that many position players. Cervelli will not be on the postseason roster. You can take that to the bank
——————————————————-
The Yankees may indeed carry 3 catchers in the playoffs if:
1. They intend to have Jose Molina catch AJ when he starts and then have Posada replace him when AJ leaves. I can see a scenario where Molina will catch AJ until the 7th inning and then Posada replaces him as the bullpen comes on. If, in the 9th inning Posada gets on base and the Yankees need to pinchrun for him they could do so and let Cevelli catch the rest of the game.
2. The Yankees intend to carry enough pinchrunners that they can consume one for Posada as the need arises. That means they would carry both Guzman and Gardener.
thanks patrick from ct-
that clears that up.
it’s burnett isn’t it.
girardi is not likely to throw a lefty 4 out of five games is he?
Noreaster
October 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
bodhisattva, I forgot about the loosing record Boston has on the road. I’d really like to see Boston knocked out early this playoff (not that I like having to go to the West coast), but perhaps I am getting ahead of myself…lets find out who we are playing in the first round!
=====
Man, tomorrow’s going to be fun! I have an unconventional work situation, so I don’t have to leave my home tomorrow and can watch that one-off while I work.
What’ll be even more fun is if we take Game 1. Thursday then stretches out wonderfully, with an Ommegang in hand, three games to watch and one already in the bank.
.
That’s livin’.
Gaudin has earned a spot over Bruney or Marte.
However, in a short series with 2 middle/long relievers in Joba & Ace already set. Gaudin becomes less valuable.
——————————————————
Uncle Tito,
Although the Yankees appear to prefer the longer LDS schedule (which would not require a 4th starter) Mother Nature might interfere. Its possible that a few rainouts could alter the schedule and we might indeed need a 4th starter. If that happens I’d rather have Gaudin available to start than Joba or Aceves.
randy l -
If they replace the injured player, the injured player will have to miss the next round, as well. So it would have to be at least a semi-serious injury to risk losing Molina or Posada for the 2nd round. I assume, however, that they could be re-added for the WS, if they made it that far.
It’s interesting stuff, though, strategy wise. Do you add a 3rd catcher to use in possibly 2 games or fewer as a backup/insurance? Who does he keep from the roster? An 11th pitcher. You shouldn’t need 11 pitchers in the first round.
Oh, Joe, we need to know!!!!
bodhisattva, Lets hope for a stress free October (and November)!
Here, here Noreaster. Unlikely, though
.
Great move having 3 catchers. Start Molina with AJ. He gets 2 ABs. Pinch hit for him in 3rd AB. Then bring in Cervelli for an inning or two (good defense). Posada on the ready late innings if we need a hit. And the old man stays fresh for game 3.
You need at least another pitcher in there. If they were to go into extra innings, they will be short of arms.
Take either Jerry Hairston Jr. or Freddy Guzman out and put in Bruney or Gaudin.
Why would you even consider pinch hitting for Melky? He has more clutch hits and late inning RBIs then just about anybody on the team.
Cervelli isn’t needed and Gaudin should be on the roster. What if the first game is rained out and you need 4 starters or a game goes a few innings and has a long delay? This is October. You cannot take a chance on the pitching side for an “if” on the offensive side.
I do not believe he will leave Bruney home.
My take is Joba comes up big enough, 7th inning big, that he stays there for the ALCS and Gaudin gets game 4.
Hinske should be the odd man out.
I don’t see how you leave Pena off the roster in favor of Guzman. I just don’t get it.
Sam, has a team EVER taken 15 position players and 10 pitchers to a postseason series?
How long have you been watching baseball?
“I don’t see how you leave Pena off the roster in favor of Guzman. I just don’t get it.”
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Pena does make the roster. I know Guzman provides speed, but Pena deserves to be on that Roster, & personally IMO Pena plays much better D than Hairston. But, I also know Girardi loves speed, & Guzman can provide that.
I think Marte is on roster if we play Twins but not if we play Tigers. In that scenario it is a choice between BRuney or Gaudin. I think Bruney gets the nod over Gaudin in ALDS since we can use Ace and Robertson for multiple inning stints. BRuney becomes a 6th or 7th inning reliever with COke. JOba is used as a 7th innning reliver and in worse case scenario could be a swing man if there is an injury with one of our starters. Hughes and Mo nail down 8th and 9th inning spots respectively.
Ideal scenario is for our starters to go 6-7 innings and keep our pen available for 7-8-9th innings.
I am not that big on Guzman. I know that Yanks love his speed but Pena can actually swing a bat and gives us late inning defensive help and can pinch run. Is there that much of a difference in speed between Guzmann and Pena to have that the sole factor in picking one over the other?
I am not that big on Guzman. I know that Yanks love his “speed but Pena can actually swing a bat and gives us late inning defensive help and can pinch run. Is there that much of a difference in speed between Guzmann and Pena to have that the sole factor in picking one over the other?”
I agree, I know Guzman is fast, but Pena can run too. I think Pena much more beneficial. He’s not a power hitter, but he has some nice hits at the plate. He can play D, & PR. However, they are likely to receive little playing time, if any at all. I’m not seeing a big difference in Guzman.