As it stands right now, I count 21 players who would be on the 25 man roster going into next year.
1-5)CC, AJ, Andy, Hughes, and Joba
6-14) Posada, Tex, Cano, Jeter, ARod, Melky, Granderson, Swish, and Gardner
15-18) Mo, Robertson, Marte, and Aceves
19-21) Cervelli, Pena, and Hoffman

That leaves 4 more spots for the bullpen, and allows Girardi to have a revolving DH (something I don’t agree with).

For all those bashing Gardner, I posted a comparison (complete with stats) yesterday between Gardner and Melky.
Offensively, they put up similar totals but accomplish them in different ways.
Melky is a better slugger, but Gardner gets on more and steals way more, making up for the lack of slugging.
Defensively, Melky has a better arm, while Gardner has better range. Maybe someone can show us some defensive metrics that can show if one is better than the other.
Saying one has more upside or more flaws at this point in their careers is not fact, but merely opinion. I like them both, but my opinion is if I could only have one, then I would go with Gardners speed either off the bench, or as a full time LF.

With that said, lets see what else Cashman has up his sleeve. (Hoping it’s Matsui!!!)

patrick-

i think the red sox are going to throw in the towel this year and take the position that they don’t have to beat the yankees to make the playoffs.

they just have to beat tampa, texas, detroit et for the wildcard.

let’s face it , the yankees are loaded with great players. the stars have lined up for the yankees.

they still have to put it together on the field for the regular season, but realistically it’s not too soon to be thinking about building the team for the post season.

last year they got lucky without a true #2 pitcher. barring another big trade or signing they’ll likely not have a real #2 again this year. hughes or joba may develop into this role in 2011-2012 but the yankees need to plan for this year if burnett is that #2 guy again in the postseason where it’s a crapshoot when he pitches.

perhaps hughes or joba will develop enough that one of them can come into a bad aj start early and be counted on to do a decent job.the yankees just can’t go into the postseason next year with no real back up for when bad aj shows up.

I understand that they didn’t give up much but why give up anything at all? They could have just waited. But they paid 3 million dollars for the privilege of saving the the Red Sox 3 million while allowing them to control where Lowell goes and giving the Red Sox a 3rd catcher to throw at the wall and hope to stick. It makes little sense.

BTW, if Granderson bats 5, A-Rod will never see a strike from a lefty again.

From Halladay to Smoltz,how quickly they lower their standards.Please Philly bring on Smoltz.

Maybe the hot weather in Texas will help their joints.

Max Ramirez did have declining value, and with Lowell they get a $2-3 million DH that can also play 3rd from time to time.

Sox really must have wanted room on the 40 man to be so desperate to make this deal now.

“doesn’t have to be offered back to Yanks; since he’s been outrighted off 40-man roster, he can refuse and become a free agent if offered back.”

http://www.baseballamerica.com.....ts/?p=7359

Bat Granderson behind Alex.