Today seems like a pretty quiet day on the Yankees’ front, so I figured it would be a good time to start doing Joe Girardi’s job by picking the 25 guys he will carry to Boston on April 4 on opening day.
Barring any injuries or roster changes, here are the no-doubters:
Rotation:
CC Sabathia
A.J. Burnett
Andy Pettitte
Javier Vazquez
Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes
Damaso Marte
David Robertson
Alfredo Aceves
Catchers:
Jorge Posada
Francisco Cervelli
Infield:
Mark Teixeira
Robinson Cano
Alex Rodriguez
Derek Jeter
Outfield:
Brett Gardner
Curtis Granderson
Nick Swisher
Jamie Hoffman
DH:
Nick Johnson
That leaves four spots for these candidates:
Pick two relievers:
Chad Gaudin
Sergio Mitre
Jon Albaladejo
Mark Melancon
Boone Logan
Wilkin De La Rosa
Edwar Ramirez
Pick two utility players:
Ramiro Pena
Reegie Corona
Juan Miranda
Eduardo Nunez
Kevin Russo
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I’d take Gaudin and Melancon as my relievers and Pena (the best fielder of the bunch) and Miranda (the best hitter of the bunch) as my bench players. Would you agree?
Note: Yankees are almost certain to add an outfielder and/or bench player before spring training comes.
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Hoffman is not by any means a no-doubter.
Colin Curtis is another longshot to make the team. I doubt it would happen, but if they decide that they’re going to stand pat with their outfielders and for some reason decide to carry 2 extra outfielders then he could be your man.
Realistically I’d expect Melancon and Logan to start the season with the Yankees. Gaudin and Mitre seem likely to be traded. Then they’d probably go Pena and probably Miranda unless they add another outfielder/bench piece. I’d like to see them resign Hinske.
I agree 100%, but I’m thinking that as the roster stands right now he’s certainly got himself a good chance to make the team.
You are forgetting about Romulo Sanchez. Sanchez has pitched in the majors before and finished off last season in a big way. Consistent 90′s for velocity, great stuff. The Yankees see him as a possible starter candidate long term, but he would do a pretty nice job out of the bullpen.
Otherwise, Mark Newman said that De La Rosa will start the year in Trenton without any doubt, but I guess you could make the point that the Yankees may use him as a lefty-reliever. Newman said no about that.