Next up: The real lineup
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Mar 14, 2010 
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Joe Girardi never said it explicitly, but he gave plenty of hints about his preliminary opening day lineup, and we’ll see it in action on Tuesday.
“Obviously you have an inclination going in, what you think it might be,” Girardi said. “We’re doing some things to move guys around, but Tuesday is going to be pretty close to what it’s going to be, probably.”
We already know Derek Jeter will be leading off, with Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez batting third and fourth. Yesterday, Girardi indicated a strong preference for Nick Johnson in the No. 2 hole.
“If you’re going to hit a left-hander fifth, you prefer to have a switch-hitter sixth,” Girardi said. “Then maybe another left-hander seventh, and then a switch-hitter eighth, and then maybe another left-hander.”
Which left-hander will be batting fifth?
“That’s probably where (Cano) will be Tuesday,” he said.
Sounds like this is the lineup the Yankees are leaning toward. Things can change in the final three weeks of spring training — Girardi was careful to say that several times — but this should be the lineup that “could really resemble” the opening day lineup.
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF/LF
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner LF/CF
Here’s the Girardi audio. It’s primarily about the lineup, and Cano in particular. It’s from this morning, so there are no game details.
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Minutes from NCAA selection show.
Melancon on the bubble???
Haha. I’d say he’s still on the bubble, but making a strong push. I feel like his RPI is very good.
My final four, UK, KU, Syracuse, West Virginia.
My Cats win and as every year the Cats win final four the Yankees win the series.
Great RPI, but apparently some of the voters are unconvinced.
I can’t believe this CBS clown Seth Davis is saying the Cal Golden Bears will not be in the field.
I say they’re a #8 seed at the lowest.
Love Robbie in the 5 hole.
Looks like the Yankees are expecting big things out of Cano this year and expect him to hit a lot better with RISP batting out of the five spot. I think it will be big year for him.
Can anyone remember the last time the Yanks, or any team, had their three outfielders batting 7, 8, 9?
great to see Cano in the 5 hole. its about time for him to take on a bigger role in our line up. also takes some pressure off granderson, then swish and brett will turn over the lineup nicely.
Frank,
You’re welcome for the team you have this season. Enjoy it while it lasts, since you’ll end up forfeiting it all by the time Cal is gone.
I know I am in the minority on this , but I would Switch Alex and Tex. Other than that, perfect.
Personally looking forward to this 2011 lineup:
1. Jeter – SS – R
2. Crawford – LF – L
3. Tex – 1B – S
4. A-Rod – 3B – R
5. Cano – 2B – L
6. Posada – C – S
7. Montero – DH – R
8. Swisher – RF – S
9. Granderson – CF – L
But this is a matter for another day – go Yanks in 2010.
Pokey
March 14th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Frank,
You’re welcome for the team you have this season. Enjoy it while it lasts, since you’ll end up forfeiting it all by the time Cal is gone.
LOL forfeiting games is not a big deal when you win it all.
Ohio State 2 seed with Syracuse. Interesting
love it, little risky and concern for robbie
Pokey, Cal might not make it into or out of the first weekend, so what do you think is going to happen to Kentucky and when???
Tough draw for the Catamounts.
Kansas St. second seed in the west not a tough number 2 for Syracuse
Pitt 3rd in the west this will be hardest challenge for the Orange
Jets fans, your team just signed LT for 2 years.
LT a JET wow. Who cares he is old!!!
Odd, a certain pompous ahole was quick to rip me a new one for saying Cano should bat fifth.
He’s oddly silent now.
Frank,
Our NCG appearance officially never happened, and whatever you win will end up back in the NCAA office storage closet too. Trust me, Cal is the devil.
Nick,
I was talking about Calipari, not the Cal Bears.
Ah, Calipari… yeah, that makes a lot more sense. He does tend to leave a trail of tears, huh.
Last time Vermont played Syracuse in the Tourney they took them down. WVU should have been a number 1, not Syracuse who has lost 2 in a row.
Nick,
Tears, NCAA violations and shells of programs, yes.
The Ohta Faction March 14th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Odd, a certain pompous ahole was quick to rip me a new one for saying Cano should bat fifth.
He’s oddly silent now.
—————
If that comment is directed at me, you obviously don’t know my reputation very well on this board.
I, of course, really hope Cano succeeds in the #5 hole. I just have my doubts whether he will or not since he’s never stepped it up before when given a bigger role to fill.
BTW, no need for the childish stuff.
No lohud bracket this year? giuseppe franco gonna make one? or is anyone wanna start one?
So, no GTLU for 2010?
# Frank & Beans GO BiG BLUE CATS March 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
No lohud bracket this year? giuseppe franco gonna make one? or is anyone wanna start one?
—————
Not me. Not a basketball fan at all. College or pro.
There’s only one “LT” in this town.
http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivaul....._large.jpg
Can someone explain to me how a team that plays in the east can be a west seed? I really don’t get this.
Hi Doreen – How was the driving today?
My final four is UK, Nova, CUSE, Kansas Revised.
Joe from LI -
I made the decision not to go today. Have to go tomorrow, though, and it’s STILL going to raining! At least maybe the wind will subside, and it’s been less rain, so maybe not so much flooding. What a crummy several days!
****
UK is not United Kingdom, right???
“LT a JET wow. Who cares he is old!!!”
——————————————-
he is 30.
and i’ll take Tomlinson, over Thomas ‘fold like a lawn-chair’ Jones, any day
Like I said, #8 seed for Cal at the worst… and that was the worst. Bring it on, Pitino!
@Doreen: teams don’t all get to play in their home region.
I don’t have much faith in Cano in the #5 spot, so I hope if this experiment is a failure, Girardi will be flexible enough to make a change. I definitely like NJ in the 2 hole.
Here you go I made one up for everyone.
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen.....yID=375025
@Nick -
I guess I know that; I just don’t understand…
Do they put team where they have the potential to win or the potential to lose? What’s the rationale?
wow. Brady Quinn traded to denver.
the Browns go from too many QB’s, to no QB’s. They must really like Brett Ratliffe
My hope for the upcoming season…..
If folks want to take potshots at the regulars here, nobody can stop you.
But, at least grow a pair and don’t change your name a bunch of times when you do it.
If you don’t have the guts to stand behind your opinions or potshots under one name, it’s gutless and worthy of whatever you have to say being ignored.
Doreen,
I’ll try to explain. Apparently they do it to balance the bracket. Gonzaga going east again because they weren’t able to secure a top-4 seed(again).
Special request:
Please, starting with the coming game thread, could the current score be added with each update?
Sometimes a quick look at the blog is my only way to know what’s happening with a ST game in progress. All the frills on game threads are nice, but it would be good to be able to find the basic stuff, too.
Thanks!
All the teams have the potential to win or lose. :;
But the idea, as m said, is to try to make all 4 brackets roughly equally competitive.
LT is used goods, he has been a step slow for 2 straight seasons, bad signing for the Jets
Just finishing the Rivera feature now (yes, I started reading it this morning). I guess Rivera thought Tomko was a better pitcher than artist:
Some day he hopes to find an artist who can put his childhood baseball memories on a page or in a painting.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....z0iC7vbb6p
Betsy,
Have faith in Robbie, but if he can’t do it then they will make the proper adjustments. I have a feeling Cano finally makes that leap this year.
Blake, I would love for that to happen because Robbie is so talented. He’s a good kid, to boot – and he works hard.
Jeter
Johnson
Tex
Alex
Robbie/Granderson
Posada
Robbie/Granderson
Swisher
Winn
Cervelli, Pena, Thames, Hoffmann
@m & nick
Okay – they want competitive regions and they sort the teams accordingly.
Chip, did you have Brett Gardner deported??
Does anyone know a way to search this blog for a specific past comment?
Gardner is a lock to make the team.
@Doreen: I think it would also be logistically impossible to have a 65-team tourney but have all the teams be in regions close to their own home sites.
Doreen
Also the best team in each region plays the worst team. #1 vs #16. The #2 seed plays the #15 etc. Here is a bracket
http://www.cbssports.com/colle.....ewable_men
@Doreen: they also try to match up teams by appropriate nicknames too, when possible. So you have the Missouri Tigers playing the Clemson Tigers in the firt round in the East region even though neither team is in the East.
Erica you know about control f right?
Tarheelyank
March 14th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Erica you know about control f right?
**************
Yes, but I am looking for something that was said a few weeks ago and I don’t remember the date
the last couple of days show that registration is needed.
folks, they’re the defending world series champions. like people have said all winter, the number 12 bullpen guy and the backup outfielder aren’t going to make a big difference.
as long as the top 4 guys in the lineup hit, opposing pitchers are going to be very scared.
21 days till we find out
Beside Google, I think Randy had a neat trick. I cant remember how he did it.
Was it something I said, Erica?
I keep all my Damon zingers in a file.
Tarheelyank
March 14th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Beside Google, I think Randy had a neat trick. I cant remember how he did it.
************
I know! But where is that guy when you need him?
Erica, randy has some trick that I can’t remember to find past comments by the name of the commenter… I think. I forget what it is, though. And I don’t think it worked as well with certain names, like “m”.
@nick in SF
So basically, they should just name the regions A, B, C & D. Sounds like geography is the last consideration.
m
March 14th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Was it something I said, Erica?
****************
No………….. not you
(I say mysteriously)
When is GTYR? I can’t wait.
Google kinda/sorta works… there is a particular commenter who once (or at least once) used a particular derogitory term on this site, and I was able to find the comment by typing in that commenter’s name plus “lohud” plus the term. But that’s pretty hit/miss.
lol, gotta retype that.
I’ve used the “search” function for this site, but it’s p-oop.
Ugh..dook got a 1 seed. Worst season ever…
Nick
I have Brett opening the season in Scranton so the Yankees can get a solid look at Hoffmann & Thames. Both of which they lose if they aren’t on the 25 man roster.
Doreen,
Did you see the bracket? It’s geographically impaired. Right off the bat, I see New Orleans site is in the East bracket.
http://espn.go.com/mens-colleg.....nt/bracket
@Doreen: well, mostly, but they do reward the overall #1 seed by placing it in its home region. So Kansas is the #1 in the Midwest. I think they try to do that with most of the top-seeded teams, but it doesn’t always work out perfectly, and in general I think they pay attention more to giving a team its ‘proper’ seed than putting it in a particular region.
Also, there is a pod system, in which opening round games in one region are actually played in another region. For example, 4 teams in the West bracket are opening in Buffalo, NY, 4 are opening in Milwaukee, and 4 in Oklahoma City. And 4 in San Jose, if they know the way.
I was just recalling a day not too long ago, when I posted a line up guess very similar to the one Chad posted above and a certain poster told me I was very wrong. And that Girardi would never put someone slow at the top of the line up.
I wanted to see how close my line up guess was. And keep it for future reference.
Does anyone know how Randy does it?
Okay, I’m putting you Duke haters on notice. Will not tolerate any derogatory comments. haha.
m
March 14th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
When is GTYR? I can’t wait.
***********
I think you mean GTYODR-
I hadn’t thought about it. Soon, I guess
Btw-
Happy Pi Day Everyone!!!!!!!!!
blake
only until they get beat. But it looks to be an easy road for them $%#@@##’s
m, the New Orleans site is in the East bracket and the South bracket. Again, it’s the pod system. So even though Kentucky is the #1 seed in the East region, it opens closer to home.
They don’t automatically lose Thames though, he could take a MiL assignment, although it is highly unlikely that he would. But then again, it’s a bad job market for corner OF/DH types, so who knows.
Good news everyone- I found it!!!!
Everyone can rest easily now
I was a little off, but not too bad
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/201.....nt-1243278
Thanks, Nick.
Pat M, blake, and Tarheel Yank are quickly tumbling down my LHYBPIMLTM list.
Erica, I don’t even have to click on that link to guess which commenter told you how wrong you were…
Brett Gardner opening the season in Scranton?
Um, I just don’t know how to respond to that.
He’s not Rickey Henderson or even Brett Butler and never will be. Hell, he might not be anything more than a fourth outfielder. But I don’t see how he’s not a lock to make the team.
Simply because of the speed factor and Girardi LOVES him, there’s no way Hoffmann makes the team over Gardner.
m, I might have a few things to say about Duke as well, but I really have to concentrate on Cal beating Louisville before thinking about the 2nd rouch matchup…
Chip, the only problem with your Gardner/Scranton notion is its disconnect from reality. He hasn’t even lost out on the starting job yet…. he will not be opening the season in Scranton.
If I’m wrong, an apology will be forthcoming.
@nick in sf -
!!!
m -
i haven’t looked at the brackets yet. They’re on the tv right in front of me, but I can’t pay attention for some reason.
Hey, I’ve filled out brackets for the last 3 years with no clue about who to pick. I’ve lost miserably each time. This is not exactly my forte!
erica -
congrats!
m-
Now, that an acronym I think you’ll have to explain!
I am now googling curse words in hawaiian.
m
March 14th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Thanks, Nick.
Pat M, blake, and Tarheel Yank are quickly tumbling down my LHYBPIMLTM list.
*************
LoHud Yankee Blog Posters I Might Like to Meet????????
(I am the BEST!)
@Doreen, you can see it here:
http://espn.go.com/mens-colleg.....nt/bracket
It’s a lot clearer that way.
And I know what m’s acronym means. I used to be #1 but I took a big tumble.
Nick is willing to give up pole position?!
Nick in SF
March 14th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Erica, I don’t even have to click on that link to guess which commenter told you how wrong you were…
***************
Hmmmmmmmm- So there is no opprtunity for an easy $25 here?
(and yes, after a few crafty moves and a couple of crashes, you had moved up to the top!)
This is from the Lupica article. Pretty clever line:
- So far this has been another spring training where I have to keep reminding myself that Joba Chamberlain is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
I’m back on top??? Or I WAS back on top??????
Chip also believed, and may still, the Yankees will trade Aveves for financial reasons.
Thames and Joffman have 7 weeks to be seen.ore than enough time.
Gardner’s role on the team is unaffected by that competition.
Girardi guaranteed that today, describing Thames, Hoffman and Winfree battling for the final roster spot.
There is zero discussion about Gardner starting the year in Scranton.
He’s a lock to make the team if healthy and will be in the starting lineup Opening Night in Boston.
New thread
Notes from today
GM (Phillies) Ruben Amaro, according to RAB, WANTS TO swap Ryan Howard, for Pujols. Since the story has been leaked he’s denying it.
If St Louis lets Pujols go, he Will hit the open market for sure, because neither he, or his agent aren’t stupid, as to his value!! They will want close to Alex money.
Chip
While I like Winn where you put him and Gardner as a weapon on the bench he will be on the team.
Nothing wrong with that line-up !
Just don’t expect EVERYONE to have a great year!!!
9 hitters on one team NEVER all have great years at the same time!!! { just the way it works }