Bruney, Hinske added; Guzman, Cervelli off
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 28, 2009 
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The Yankees just released their World Series roster and RHP Brian Bruney has been added, along with pinch-hitter Eric Hinske. Pinch-runner Freddy Guzman and third catcher Francisco Cervelli were removed.
Dropping Cervelli indicates the Yankees may be scrapping the A.J. Burnett/Jose Molina pairing, and sticking with Jorge Posada behind the plate in every game. Adding Hinske makes perfect sense because pinch-hitters will be needed in the NL park when pitchers have to bat.
Bruney was left off the roster in the first two rounds but pitched in instructional league games in Tampa during the ALDS before traveling with the team for the ALCS. He last pitched on Oct. 2 (one scoreless inning against the Rays). With the potential for short-rest starts (and thus, potentially shorter starts) in the World Series, an extra arm in the bullpen is more valuable to the Yankees than a third catcher.
Good moves.
Will help in the game in Philly.
Bruney will come up big in this series…Write it down!
This also is a sign Gaudin is likely starting. We kinda saw the bullpen got a little thin in the extra inning game when everyone was used and just Gaudin was sitting and starting to warm up. Guzman wasn’t very useful. Gardner and Hairston can run and even Hinskie has some sneaky speed and can play infield/outfield corners.
The big question is now is does Matsui play the outfield in games 3 and 4?
They definitely can’t do Molina Burnett in Philly. That would leave Molina and the pitcher at the bottom of the lineup which would be a huge sacrifice for an unknown benefit.
Not to snark @ you, Sam, but this news is about 18 hours old.
“The big question is now is does Matsui play the outfield in games 3 and 4?”
Even if he does, it will be max couple of innings as a substitute late in the game if Yanks are behind and he has to pinch hit.
“Not to snark @ you, Sam, but this news is about 18 hours old.”
But not official, just speculation.
Finally a roster that makes sense. I have more trust in either Robertson or Bruney over Joba. Sad to say.
Congratulations to the Winners of “Guess the World Series Roster”. Out of 19 entries, 8 people guessed correctly. They are:
Doreen
Trevor
KF
Fran
Dave F
Vader
Ed H
Frank from Chatham, NJ
Congratulations to all!!!!!
Girardi lost faith in the bullpen so to address that point they add…the poster child for pitchers who cause managers to lose faith in their bullpens.
Ugh.
good moves, makes sense. Posada will likely catch AJ. We’ll see Matsui play some outfield in Philly. I like Hinske’s bat off the bench…he can hit in the clutch. Bruney should do well. Go Yanks. I see it going seven games. I think Lee has been pitching over his head against weaker hitting teams in the NL playoffs. Lackey is as tough if not tougher than Lee and we beat him too. And Rollins made the first error of the series by predicting in five.
@ William Buckner, everyone reported this yesterday. It wasn’t official, but it was common knowledge.
Well, Cervelli did have somewhat of a playoff moment when he caught Robertson’s superlative performance in the ALDS but I was really thinking that he would come up big at one point offensively much in the way Mathis did for the Angels. At least he’ll still be on the bench and in the clubhouse inspiring the Yankees with his great enthusiasm and positive attitude.
There seems to be a lot of differences in what news outlets are calling this World Series.
I have seen the following names for it:
The Amtrak Series
The Liberty Series
The Northeast Series
Personally, I think it should be called the Battle for Control of the State of New Jersey
What do you people think this series should be called?
I like these roster moves. The Phillies have the best lineup
the Yankees have faced in the post season according to many in the press. I remember having a conversation with a friend earlier this year when the Yanks lost a series to the Nationals. Many times teams play up or down to their level of competition. If that helps explain the loss to the Nationals then the Phillies should bring out the best in the Yankees. The Yankees certainly aren’t a cinderella team this year but it’s been apparent all year that they’re a team of destiny.
GGBG (Magic Number: reset to 4)
October 28th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Girardi lost faith in the bullpen so to address that point they add…the poster child for pitchers who cause managers to lose faith in their bullpens.
***********
LOL. But keep in mind, Bruney actually looked pretty good the last few weeks of the regular season.
good moves, having guzman was pointless..they already had Cervelli, Gardner, and Hairston to run.
I’m afraid of seeing more of Marte out there against Philly, yikes.
Erica
darn that Cervelli, he mesmerized me w/ those dreamy eyes into putting him on my roster guess
LETS GO YANKS !!!
Erica – always OPPC
October 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
There seems to be a lot of differences in what news outlets are calling this World Series.
I have seen the following names for it:
The Amtrak Series
The Liberty Series
The Northeast Series
Personally, I think it should be called the Battle for Control of the State of New Jersey
What do you people think this series should be called?
***
The World Series.
It doesn’t need some stupid nickname.
“darn that Cervelli, he mesmerized me w/ those dreamy eyes into putting him on my roster guess ”
Yeah, me too, kate! I want a do-over!
Let my official nervousness begin.
Erica, I am glad you bounced back from your disastrous shower routine in Game 5 of the ALCS. Any recommendations for Game 1 to insure victory?
Erica-I’ve heard a few people call it the Sopranos Series, which kind of ties into your control of New Jersey.
I almost wish that they had kept Cervelli and dropped Molina, but I guess you have to go with experience in the postseason.
Bruney’s lack of control scares me, but he is very good when he is on his game.
For those who are worried about Marte, fasten your seat belts. We are going to see a lot of Marte with all of the lefties in the Phillies’ lineup.
“What do you people think this series should be called?”
How about “The Yankees’ 27th World Series Championship”?
Guys . .don’t sweat Marte. I really don’t get nervous when he comes in . He’s pitched well.
@Erin
LOL. But keep in mind, Bruney actually looked pretty good the last few weeks of the regular season.
————————————————————
There’s a “yeah, but” in there.
Think about it this way: There is no way he comes in in a tight game over Mo, Joba, Hughes, Robertson, or Aceves right? So he’s the 6th righty out of the pen? His role should be Mop up man…Sacrificial lamb…something like that.
Given that we’ve seen Girardi go to the bullpen like it owes him money, I bet we see Brian Bruney in a big spot at some point.
And that scares me.
A lot.
Glad to hear that they’ll try Posada with AJ. Clearly the presence of Molina behind the plate doesn’t guarantee success for AJ, so you might as well use that extra roster spot for an arm. It’s stupid to lose a roster spot (no other reason to carry Cervelli) and use your second string catcher all because a pitcher needs his guy behind the plate.
I dont get the Sopranos series. The Sopranos have nothing to do with Philadelphia. Unless its because they show the Turnpike in the opening credits. Anyhow thats a really dumb name. Stick with the World Series!!
I think both moves make sense…good work Yanks!
Maybe this gives Swish some more motivation to get going? I like that Joe has stuck with him but I’m curious if any of you see the potential to start Hinske over Swish in right. It takes away a switch hitter early in the game, but may add some versitility on the bench as a swith-hitting PH. That said, I guess Hinske adds more pop off the bench when it’s needed. I get you don’t make your bench stronger at the expense of the starting rotation, but neither guy is a defensive wiz-kid and Swish has been struggling. My guess (and personal preference) would be that Swish stays in the lineup, just curious what others think.
austinmac
October 28th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Let my official nervousness begin.
Erica, I am glad you bounced back from your disastrous shower routine in Game 5 of the ALCS. Any recommendations for Game 1 to insure victory?
*******
I will shower when I feel trouble looming (I went wrong in Game 5 with the second shower. Overkill). And be ready to write my polite letters to the Yankees.
I also won a Pirate Big Bird at a fair on Sunday afternoon. I put him on the couch during Game 6 and he sat and watched next to Yankee Snoopy. That seemed to be good luck. I am ready to repeat
if sabathia wins the first games,i think girardi will still have molina catch burnett.
i would prefer this simply because molina and burnett are used to each other at this point.
if molina catches burnett as i expect he will , burnett had better pitch better than his last start or else there will be a change in his next start.
i”m not forgetting what a stinker burnett had in his last game and i don’t think girardi is either.
3rd straight World Series appearance for Hinske.
8 hours and 55 minutes until Game 1!!!!!!!!!!
MR OCTOBER, New York and Pennsylvania are on opposite sides of Jersey…I agree it’s pretty dumb regardless and the world series can stay the world series…
Peepee Hands
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
3rd straight World Series appearance for Hinske.
*******
He must be good luck. I say we offer him a lifetime contract
MR.OCTOBER
October 28th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I dont get the Sopranos series. The Sopranos have nothing to do with Philadelphia. Unless its because they show the Turnpike in the opening credits. Anyhow thats a really dumb name. Stick with the World Series!!
****************
I don’t get it either. I think you’re right about the Turnpike. I didn’t ask.
just curious, were any of you ladies the one that got busted offering sex for WS tickets on Craigslist? I’m assuming no (i think she’s a Phillies fan) but figured I’d be sure. (and no, I don’t have W.S. tickets to offer)
GGBG-I get your point. I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing much of him anyway. I think they just needed some insurance in the pen since it seems like Gaudin is going to get a start.
MR.OCTOBER
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
GREEN BERET-
Last I heard the Yankees believe this guy can play anywhere on the field and he was learning the outfield. (except cf)
Girardi likes guys like this. Pena and Russo can both be super utility guys that can play all over, lay down bunts, and steal a bag. Yankee brass really like Pena a lot and Girardi obviously likes Pena.
————————————————————
Russo has played 7 games in the outfield in 2008 and he’s not playing winter ball. I don’t see how he’s learning to play the outfield. They’re trying to get Pena some outfield innings, though. Russo isn’t even average in the field at any position. He’s also not exactly Gardner on the bases. Like I said, they have among others, Eduardo and Luis Nunez getting close and they are both better, especially, Eduardo, who has a little power and a lot of speed. The best of the infielders are 2-3 years away in Staten Island and Charleston.
dropping cervelli does not mean that molina won’t catch aj. girardi said this explicitly in his interview with francesa yesterday. gaudin is going to have to be ready to start a game this series. moreover, because they stretched him out, he’s not available games 1 or 2. they need bruney to help fill gaudin’s role of being the last line of defense out of the bullpen in case of an extra inning game in game 1 or 2 or another extra inning game. but they can still start molina with aj, pinch hit posada in the 6th or 7th, and then leave posada in there. as girardi said in the interview, teams carry two catchers all year long, pinch hit for one, and don’t worry too much that the second catcher will get hurt. it’s just a risk you have to take. unlikely posada would get hurt after coming in the game. if he did, hairston would have to catch.
Swish has really worked on his defense, and has had a couple key plays. I don’t see Girardi replacing him w/ Hinske as a starter. I see Hinske as a PH w/ Gardner as PR/defensive replacement (w/ Melky moving over of course)
does this mean Andy is probably only going to start 1 game in the series?
Game 4 – CC
Game 5 – Gaudin
Game 6 – AJ (normal rest)
Game 7 – CC
Bruney’s been better in relief this year than Chamberlain has. He’ll get his innings in against the right handers. Marte and Coke have limited any damage by left handers. The bullpen is like years better than Philadelphia’s and better than the Yanks have had in years.
Erin
I agree that is why they did it. I just question how much insurance Bruney provides
“Peepee Hands
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
3rd straight World Series appearance for Hinske.
*******
He must be good luck. I say we offer him a lifetime contract”
—————-
Joe Torre was offered a contract that gave incentives if he made the World Series.
Perhaps Torre should sign Hinske to the lifetime contract.
Boston Dave – 4 wins til 27
October 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
does this mean Andy is probably only going to start 1 game in the series?
Game 4 – CC
Game 5 – Gaudin
Game 6 – AJ (normal rest)
Game 7 – CC
******
If this comes true, I would pitch Pettitte Game 6.
GGBG (Magic Number: reset to 4)
October 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Erin
I agree that is why they did it. I just question how much insurance Bruney provides
*************
LOL
“Bruney’s been better in relief this year than Chamberlain has.”
————
though I think Girardi still sees the Joba of 2007 out there in the bullpen.
“If this comes true, I would pitch Pettitte Game 6.”
————–
I would too except for the fact that it would be Andy on short rest.
It makes the Game 2 starter a little more interesting.
Do they pitch Andy in Game 2 so he can pitch Game 6?
If Pettitte only starts once (unlikely), he’ll be able to pitch out of the bullpen in games 6 and/or 7 to get out a string of lefties or to go long relief.
The key to this series will be GAME 1! If we win it today than the series is over! Promise! Game 2 will be a blowout like 10 to 4 (4 Er for Burnett)! Whose your daddy????
with a 2:0 Lead. Pettite will take care of the Phillies and Hamels will only last 3.2 Innings!
So it´s 3:0! 2004 won´t happen again!
But if we lose game one. Burnett will struggel. Martinez will hold us to only 3 ER. and we can only hope for Lidge struggeling!
randy l.
I disagree with you regarding Molina.
It seems to me that when Joe left Cervelli off the roster, he is indicating his plan to have Posada catch the entire series and have Molina there only as a backup.
I would be surprised if Jose even plays.
It
andy would be on short rest in game 2 — sunday to thursday equals 3 days rest
The Yankees have faced Lee many times. Lets get the scouting report down and knock him out. At least take pitches,and get him out early.
Didn’t Posada come in the last Burnett game and take over catching duties while AJ was still on the mound? It seems to me that the first inning yips that AJ had, being that it was with Molina catching, helped disspell the notion that AJ pitches to Molina better than Posada.
I think Guzman being on the roster for the Angels series made some sense because of the need for speed on the basepaths as a late inning threat was higher than the need for a power type bat. With this being nearly half NL rules, more bats are needed to cover for pitching changes/ pinch hitters. I think this was the plan all along even if it wasn’t talked about. You put the rosters together for each round, being that you have that luxury, so you balance it for the team you are facing.
As to who will start game 4, it will depend on the series record to that point and how each of the pitchers have done to that point. No sense getting ahead of themselves. I am sure they have their plans and know who they will go with for every scenario.
good point matt.
thanks.
It makes it seemingly unlikely, barring a rain out, that Andy starts more than 1 game.
No?
Mike,
the Yanks have faced Roy Halladay even more but if Halladay is locked in, the Yanks are in trouble.
I know the Yanks can hit Cliff Lee. I’m still a little worried that Lee is pitching his best baseball right now and presents a very tough matchup.
Lee mixes enough pitches in that effectively scouting him would seem to be tougher than most.
As to “World Series” names? How about number 27. Short, simple and sweet.
Boston Dave -
Good point . Being patient will be the key. Take some pitches and hopefully get into there bullpen
i’m not sure it’s unlikely. i think they need gaudin ready to start. but i still think there is a good chance that they go sabathia, burnett, pettitte, sabathia, burnett, pettitte, sabathia. They may decide that having bothing burnett and pettitte once each on short rest, when it’s each of their last start of the season, gives them a better chance to win than starting gaudin once. of course it depends on how the series is going. but that’s how you’d see pettitte start twice. if gaudin starts at all, then it will be pettitte starting only once and being available out of the bullpen in 6 or 7
Matt
The problem with planning to take pitches against a guy like Lee is that he throws a ton of strikes. If they go up there with the bats on their sholders, they’ll spend the whole night in 0-1, 0-2 counts.
That’s why Lee is a very good pitcher.
I have posted this before, but I get ignored when I actually talk about baseball, so here is another try.
I looked up the Yanks starting line up against Lee. Every Yankee has really decent numbers except Johnny Damon
and Cano.
Jeter has .407 in 30 PAs
A-Rod has .333 in 20 PAs
Tex has .391 in 26 PAs
Posada has .286 in 22 PAs
Swisher has .333 in 24 PAs
Melky has .273 in 12 PAs
Matsui has .294 in 19 PAs
If you accuscore those numbers, you have the Yanks with a definite edge
new thread
matt,
I think you’re probably right.
A rain delay might solve this problem (though that would allow Lee, Pedro
, and Hamels to follow suit)
Who knows how well Lee is pitching right now. It is the NL. He wasn’t pitching that well when he left the Indians. Immediately he was unbeatable in Philly. Look at the how much better both hitters and pitchers did when they went from the AL to the NL this year. For example, Padilla and Giambi.
This will be a tough series but the Comet sees the Yankees in six.
All the way since ’65!
I’m glad to see Bruney get onto the roster. That being said, the Yanks will definately try to trade him during the offseason. His showering of Hank Steinbrenner with champagne did not go over well the other night.
I had Bruney on the roster. Erica made me take him off. She said sumtin bout 26 men, too many. Hmn. Rules, rules, rules. Or else I have the exact line-up!
Will Joey G.’s # be 28 next yr? What do ya think?
“Finally a roster that makes sense. I have more trust in either Robertson or Bruney over Joba. Sad to say.”
for all of the lack of trust that we “fans” have for Joba and for as “shaky” as he’s been this postseason according to the mediascribes who are all unhittable this postseason(lol) Joba has given up ONE EARNED RUN IN THE PLAYOFFS SO FAR!!!!
He’s also come through with a few big time punchouts in this series(Vlad in the ALCS and Cuddyer in the ALDS) to preserve leads late in those games that we eventually won.
Another case where the perception and the reality are not always the same
Cool. Hinske can make the last out of the World Series again this year!
Frank from Chatham, NJ
October 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
randy l.
I disagree with you regarding Molina.
It seems to me that when Joe left Cervelli off the roster, he is indicating his plan to have Posada catch the entire series and have Molina there only as a backup.
I would be surprised if Jose even plays.
actually you’re wrong and in fact Girardi implicitly stated that he could still catch Molina and Burnett without Cervelli being on the roster especially with Burnett starting game 2 in NY. If AJ goes in a game 5 in Philly then it admittedly becomes a much tougher call for Joe but i think he almost certainly will go with Molina in game 2 especially if we win game 1.
Imo he will keep the two together because the most important thing is AJ be in the right frome ofmind to offer his best performance and whether we like it or not AJ clearly prefers to work to Jose over Jorge.
Again stripping out the first inning of the game 5 in LA AJ has a postseason era of under 2.00 with Molina catching him.
Did Molina win a WS ring with the Angels in 2002?
“Finally a roster that makes sense. I have more trust in either Robertson or Bruney over Joba. Sad to say.”
for all of the lack of trust that we “fans” have for Joba and for as “shaky” as he’s been this postseason according to the mediascribes who are all unhittable this postseason(lol) Joba has given up ONE EARNED RUN IN THE PLAYOFFS SO FAR!!!!
He’s also come through with a few big time punchouts in this series(Vlad in the ALCS and Cuddyer in the ALDS) to preserve leads late in those games that we eventually won.
Another case where the perception and the reality are not always the same
——————————
big whoopee he only gave up 1 ER. that 1 ER blew a tie game in the 7th inning and he got smacked around in Game 5 too which his straight 93 mph mediocre fastball
“big whoopee he only gave up 1 ER. that 1 ER blew a tie game in the 7th inning and he got smacked around in Game 5 too which his straight 93 mph mediocre fastball”
yeah it’s because they’re humans not robots and the other team plays the game too. Sometimes you give ‘em your best and you get beat.
and one thing Joba doesn’t have is a straight mediocre fastball.Most all major league hitters if the can do one thing well is hit a fastball ask Broxton he’ll tell you.Joba has given up a few hits but what he has done sucessfully and including in these playoffs is bear down and make the pitch he needs to get out of the inning.That’s what we need him to do.
Has anyone ever gone back to back with striking out to end the World Series?