Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Figuring Out the Postseason Roster

Following Michael Kay's contention that Mientkiewicz is "beating out" Wilson Betemit for a postseason roster spot (Kay must think Eyechart can play third and second and short) it's about time to start figuring out who should make the squad.

First, the no-brainers on offense (in no order):
1. Jeter
2. Rodriguez
3. Cano
4. Posada
5. Molina
6. Cabrera
7. Damon
8. Giambi
9. Matsui
10. Abreu


And from the rotation:
11. Clemens
12. Wang
13. Pettitte


And the bullpen:
14. Rivera
15. Chamberlain
16. Vizcaino
17. Farnsworth


So, that leaves 8 spots. Obviously, you need a minimum of one two more starting pitchers, one for the rotation and one to be the "long" man. This is where it gets interesting. The way Mussina is pitching now, there's no reason Torre would remove him from his Circle of Trust, so he's in.
18. Mussina

That leaves Hughes and Kennedy - but we'll come back to them.
The more pressing need would be the bench. Betemit is your utility man - he has to be included.
19. Betemit

There's one "extra" outfielder on the roster in that there are four, but Torre would be likely to DH Matsui or Damon to start a game, so you must have a backup. The most obvious choice would be Shelley Duncan. While he can't play CF, either Matsui or Damon could shift over in a pinch.
20. Duncan

Five spots left, and we need to address the bullpen. You'd have to assume Edwar Ramirez would make it, and for our long man, probably Phil Hughes. Ian Kennedy has been great though, so for now let's assume both Hughes and Kennedy make it.
21. Ramirez
22. Hughes
23. Kennedy

Now knowing Torre would be starting Giambi at 1B a few times, he's going to want to sub him out for defense in the late innings. He could use Betemit. He could use Duncan. Of course, he wont. Welcome to the team as the 4th 1st baseman, Eyechart.
24. Mientkiewicz

This is where I'm sure I diverge from the Yankees' thinking. For the 25th man, I pick a reliever - most likely taking a chance on Ross Ohlendorf or Chris Britton. Bruney and Villone have gotten lit up lately, but we all know that Villone is in the Circle of Trust, and he'd be the only lefty in the bullpen. So most likely, the choice is Ron Villone.
25. Ron Villone

So there you are, the 2007 postseason roster.

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posted by Mr. Faded Glory @ 2:28 PM   3 comments







3 Comments:

At 9/19/2007 3:24 PM, Blogger June said...

you're kidding about farns being included up top, right? they wouldn't trust him with a housefly right now.

 
At 9/19/2007 3:32 PM, Blogger Mr. Faded Glory said...

I do not kid.

He makes too much money and is too much of a "factor" to be left off the roster. Used in a high-leverage situation? Perhaps not.

However, over his last 10 appearances Kyle is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA, with 6 hits, 4 BB and 13 K in 9.1 innings. In every instance, he began the inning as well so there were no inherited runners.

That's good enough to get him in the top 4 of the 'pen right now.

 
At 9/19/2007 7:28 PM, Blogger June said...

i meant THEY don't trust him, not you. he's not only not in the circle of trust- he's not in the same galaxy. forget whether justified by actual numbers, which we know seem not to factor into these decisions...

 

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