Reposting this from the Bernie thread:

I did this in a Chatter a couple of days (weeks? my perspective is all fouled up once the games stopped being life-and-death) ago, but let's do it again

Locks (if healthy) for Yankee ALDS Roster

Catchers
Posada
Fasano

Infielders
Jeter
A-Rod
Cano
Giambi
Cairo/Green (or someone, a back-up IF)

Outfielders
Damon
Abreu
Matsui

Starters
Wang
Johnson
Mussina
Wright

Relievers
Mo
Farnsworth
Proctor
Myers
Villone

That gives you 19 locks. At the moment, I'd Bruney gets a bullpen spot, giving you 11 pitchers and twenty players. Melky persumably makes the team as well, so 21. Then one of the back-up righy-swinging first basemen (Wilson/Phillips) gives you 22. I assume Bernie makes it because he's Bernie--though I'd prefer Aaron Guiel--so that's 23. If Sheff comes back that's 24 and Lidle as the long man in the bullpen is 25. If Sheff can't come back or Joe doesn't want a long man, Guiel probably sneaks in. The final roster then:


Probable Yankee ALDS Roster

Catchers
Posada
Fasano

Infielders
Jeter
A-Rod
Cano
Giambi
Cairo/Green (or someone, a back-up IF)
Wilson/Phillips (back-up 1B)

Outfielders
Damon
Abreu
Matsui
Melky
Sheff
Bernie

Starters
Wang
Johnson
Mussina
Wright

Relievers
Mo
Farnsworth
Proctor
Myers
Villone
Bruney
Lidle

Green is a sure thing?

If they play a team with good LH pitchers, the case for puttinig Wilson on the roster becomes a lot stronger.

If Cairo is healthy, he'll be on the roster because he possesses the quality that Torre values most, veteraness<i>.

Green is a sure thing?

I don't think Cairo is going to be ready, do you?

Bernie should be considered a lock to make the postseason roster. I can't envision any scenario where the Yankees leave him off.

Not sure about Cairo's injury status, but if he's healthy then he will definitely make the roster over Green. He's just too much of a Torre guy.

Consider Green's spot on the "lock" list "backup MI, Miggy could fill the role, if healthy, it won't matter too much, hopefully.

Wilson/Phillips (back-up 1B)

and they can add a few musical numbers to the mix to lighten the atmosphere, too.

-- MWE

Mike, there's your groaner.

My roster locks look pretty similar to what's been discussed above:

Outfield
Damon - L - .295/.369/.495 (vsLHP - .297/.396/.456//vsRHP - .297/.359/.515)
Abreu - L - .296/.429/.452 (vsLHP - .310/.420/.465//vsRHP - .290/.432/.447)
Cabrera - S - .284/.364/.399 (vsLHP - .299/.366/.385//vsRHP - .280/.364/.408)
Matsui - L - .278/.372/.460 (vsLHP - .304/.363/.462//vsRHP - .294/.373/.494*)

Infield
Giambi - L - .252/.411/.564 (vsLHP - .198/.346/.463//vsRHP - .270/.433/.605)
Cano - L - .337/.363/.499 (vsLHP - .296/.341/.391//vsRHP - .353/.371/.540)
Jeter - R - .345/.421/.489 (vsLHP - .387/.456/.560// vsRHP - .329/.409/.463)
ARod - R - .289/.386/.524 (vsLHP - .281/.423/.563//vsRHP - .287/.369/.501)

Catcher
Posada - S - .278/.378/.477 (vsLHP - .278/.363/.397//vsRHP - .278/.384/.512)
Fasano - R - .229/.274/.377 (vsLHP - .231/.310/.346//vsRHP - .222/.252/.381)

That's 9 hitters (and Sal Fasano) that if they face a righty in the postseason, look as dominant on paper as a lineup can look. However, against a southpaw, they look a bit vulnerable - solely because Giambi has been Womackian against portsiders this year, which is something we need to look at in building the postseason roster.

Starting Pitchers
Moose (14-6, 3.59, 1.11 WHIP, 7.92 K/9)
Wang (17-5, 3.60, 1.29, 2.93)
Johnson (17-10, 4.84, 1.22, 7.4)

Bullpen
Rivera (59G, 1.90, 0.96 WHIP, 6.21 K/9)
Farnsworth (66, 4.35, 1.38, 10.2)
Proctor (75(!), 3.69, 1.22, 7.77)
Villone (64, 4.04, 1.47, 8.09)
Bruney (11, 0.71, 0.95, 12.79)
Myers (55, 2.93, 1.23, 7.16)

So we have 10 pitchers and 10 hitters on the roster right now, leaving five spots to fill with the following needs: starting pitcher and/or long reliever andtwo backup infielders - everything else is just window dressing.

Really, the Yanks should only take one more pitcher with them to the promised land and the leading contenders are:

Wright (10-7, 4.60, 1.53, 5.40)
Lidle (11-10, 4.86, 1.42, 6.85)
Karstens (1-1, 3.42, 1.10, 2.66)
Rasner (1-1, 1.17, .065, 3.52)

Torre will probably take Lidle or Wright (actually, he'll probably take both and go with a short bench just to piss me off), but if over the next month Jeff Karstens can continue to channel Chien-Ming Wang's low-K magic, I'd be inclined to take him over either of the veteran mediocrities.

In looking at who to pick for the bench, what you have to consider is how much, if at all, will the Yankees go to their bench until Game Three of the Serious.

That in mind, I need to see something from Sheffield before I just bequeath him a roster spot, and realisitically, how much time is he going to need to knock the rust off. However, Sheffield could be a dangerous bat off the bench, and as an added bonus, IF he's actually serious and most importantly competent about playing first base, it could solve the problem of Giambi's struggles versus lefties this year.

Let's say for sake of argument Sheffield comes back he was hitting .309/.372/.439 when he left and his three-year splits are impressive: .339/.435/.632 vs. lefties and .292/.385/.524 vs. righties.

That leaves four slots for which these are top contenders:

Williams - S - .277/.329/.430 (vsLHP - .325/.393/.537//vsRHP - .255/.298/.380)
Wilson - R - .259/.324/.462 (vsLHP - .285/.354/.508//vsRHP - .243/.305/.435)
Phillips - R - .239/.280/.402 (vsLHP - .190/.229/.241//vsRHP - .265/.305/.484)
Green - R - .200/.282/.305 (vsLHP - .150/.227/.175//vsRHP - .231/.315/.385)
Guiel - L - .238/.355/.457 (vsLHP - .190/.227/.381//vsRHP - .250/.382/.476)
Cairo - R - .232/.270/.303 (vsLHP - .277/.324/.369//vsRHP - .211/.243/.271)

From this group, three guys are staying home.

As much as we all loved him, Andy Phillips just can't pass muster. Wilson's versatility I think puts him on over Guiel, they both can play some outfield and first base, but Wilson can catch in a pinch - so he gets the nod.

That leaves two from the Green/Cairo/Bernie triumviate. Bernie probably gets a Kent Dorfman legacy invite so you basically are left to pick your poison between Cairo and Green.

Bearing in mind that in his limited time as a Yankee, Green has hit .273/.333/.439 (seriously how bad must he have been in Tampa?), I'm tempted to take him. However, its probably Cairo's spot to lose. If he's healthy enough, his skill set of better-than-average defense and ability to hit lefties probably makes him the choice here.

So in sum, my version of the Yankee roster looks like this:


Outfield
Damon - L - .295/.369/.495 (vsLHP - .297/.396/.456//vsRHP - .297/.359/.515)
Abreu - L - .296/.429/.452 (vsLHP - .310/.420/.465//vsRHP - .290/.432/.447)
Cabrera - S - .284/.364/.399 (vsLHP - .299/.366/.385//vsRHP - .280/.364/.408)
Matsui - L - .278/.372/.460 (vsLHP - .304/.363/.462//vsRHP - .294/.373/.494*)

Infield
Giambi - L - .252/.411/.564 (vsLHP - .198/.346/.463//vsRHP - .270/.433/.605)
Cano - L - .337/.363/.499 (vsLHP - .296/.341/.391//vsRHP - .353/.371/.540)
Jeter - R - .345/.421/.489 (vsLHP - .387/.456/.560// vsRHP - .329/.409/.463)
ARod - R - .289/.386/.524 (vsLHP - .281/.423/.563//vsRHP - .287/.369/.501)

Catchers
Posada - S - .278/.378/.477 (vsLHP - .278/.363/.397//vsRHP - .278/.384/.512)
Fasano - R - .229/.274/.377 (vsLHP - .231/.310/.346//vsRHP - .222/.252/.381)

Bench
Sheffield - R - .309/.372/.439 (vsLHP - .339/.435/.632//vsRHP - .292/.385/.524)
Williams - S - .277/.329/.430 (vsLHP - .325/.393/.537//vsRHP - .255/.298/.380)
Wilson - R - .259/.324/.462 (vsLHP - .285/.354/.508//vsRHP - .243/.305/.435)
Cairo - R - .232/.270/.303 (vsLHP - .277/.324/.369//vsRHP - .211/.243/.271)

Pitchers
Moose (14-6, 3.59, 1.11 WHIP, 7.92 K/9)
Wang (17-5, 3.60, 1.29, 2.93)
Johnson (17-10, 4.84, 1.22, 7.4)
Karstens (1-1, 3.42, 1.10, 2.66)
Rivera (59G, 1.90, 0.96 WHIP, 6.21 K/9)
Farnsworth (66, 4.35, 1.38, 10.2)
Proctor (75(!), 3.69, 1.22, 7.77)
Villone (64, 4.04, 1.47, 8.09)
Bruney (11, 0.71, 0.95, 12.79)
Myers (55, 2.93, 1.23, 7.16)

Now, there are certainly some tweaks that could be made - especially if the Yankees want to get very creative. Let Wilson catch a couple times in September, see if he can do it adequately and use him instead of Fasano as your backup catcher and keep Guiel. Go with just three true starters in the rotation and use a Villone/Bruney/Proctor monster in Game Four (if necessary) or bring whoever starts Game One back on short rest.

However, without getting too wacky, the Yanks appear poised to roll into the postseason with their best, most complete roster in quite some times.

SM - Your roster only has 24 guys. Actually, insert Lidle and Wright for Karstens and that's exactly what I think we'll actually see, assuming all of the above are in good health.

Now, there are certainly some tweaks that could be made - especially if the Yankees want to get very creative. Let Wilson catch a couple times in September, see if he can do it adequately and use him instead of Fasano as your backup catcher and keep Guiel.

Didn't Wilson say something to the effect that, while he would certainly get behind the plate if the real catchers on the roster were injured in a game, he hoped to never have to take his catcher's mitt out of his locker?

Didn't Wilson say something to the effect that, while he would certainly get behind the plate if the real catchers on the roster were injured in a game, he hoped to never have to take his catcher's mitt out of his locker?

He said that very thing. It is not something he is comfortable at a major league level day in and day out.

Right, Wilson is a fine emergency catcher, but if Posada gets hit by a bolt of lightening during the National Anthem in Game 1, you don't want him catching the rest of the games, which is why Fasano has to be there.

Incidentally, only McNally could take a team with (too) many good choices for their post season roster and create one with too few players

Incidentally, only McNally could take a team with (too) many good choices for their post season roster and create one with too few players

Pick your explanation:

a) I can't add.
b) I am so obnoxiously overconfident that I think the Yankees should have to play with a handicap.

In my own defense, I initially had a graf saying we should take Guiel and Wilson - because both had their uses and they made a nice bench platoon. Then I counted and came up with 26 in my head, so Guiel got dropped.

I don't think Cairo is going to be ready, do you?

Cairo played second in the later innings of Tuesday's blowout.

a) I can't add.
b) I am so obnoxiously overconfident that I think the Yankees should have to play with a handicap.

c) You were saving a spot for a mini-Ditka.

c) You were saving a spot for a mini-Ditka.

If the Yankees signed a mini-Ditka, they might as well cancel the playoffs now to give the Yanks more time to plan the parade.

I submitted the link for inclusion on the newsblog, but it hasn't shown up. In any event, folks here may be interested that the leading sports columnist of Boston's leading newspaper says Jeter is the clear choice for MVP:

Choice is clear: Jeter

Who or what is a Mini-Ditka?

Who or what is a Mini-Ditka?

Answer here

Right now Bruney is absolutely on the roster. I know he doesn't have good control, but that fastball is nasy.

The bench is a lot harder. For Sheff to get a spot he has to show he is back because I'm not taking a horrible defensive RFer unless he mashes, and I'd be very surprised if he can hit LHP right after a major wrist injury better than Wilson can, and Wilson is just equally as bad in RF but has plenty of experience at 1B and of course is an emergency catcher.

So I think right now I'll go with Wilson, Bernie (because he will be there), Guiel, and ummm okay maybe I do take Sheff if the alternative is Cairo or Phillips.

Torre isn't likely to have his aging starters go on 3-days rest in the playoffs, so he'll include a 4th starter, and Wright seems to have the edge although it's close enough that Lidle might make his way on if he outpitches Wright the rest of the way. Torre will want a 2nd lefty in the bullpen, which adds Myers unless he stinks the rest of the way. Joe won't go with more than 11 pitchers - he's gone with 10 for the playoffs when they were all good enough - so I think Karstens won't make the roster unless someone else is injured or pitches themselves off.

Unless Bruney completely falls apart or commits a felony, he's a lock for the postseason.

And I like what Rasner has been doing in limited appearances. A few more like tonight and he could be punching his ticket.

And I like what Rasner has been doing in limited appearances. A few more like tonight and he could be punching his ticket.

And Bruney? Over Lidle? or over Wright?

Let me also say, I am enjoying this September, the Yanks are really playing well, which is going to make this years first round exit of the postseason all the more difficult.

solely because Giambi has been Womackian against portsiders this year, which is something we need to look at in building the postseason roster

An .809 OPS is Womackian now?

And Bruney? Over Lidle? or over Wright?

At this point, I'd have to say over Lidle. Wright has shown some ability to at least get through 5 without getting bombed. Lidle has been hit or miss.

So, with the Yankees well on the way to their now record eleventy billionth division title in a row dollar spent on this year's payroll....

Fixed.

So, with the Yankees well on the way to their now record non-record eleventy billionth division title in a row

Fixed.

27. Johnny Tuttle Posted: September 18, 2006 at 06:48 PM (#2181013)
So, with the Yankees well on the way to their now record eleventy billionth division title in a row dollar spent on this year's payroll....

Fixed.
28. flournoy Posted: September 19, 2006 at 11:03 PM (#2182676)
So, with the Yankees well on the way to their now record non-record eleventy billionth division title in a row

Fixed.

blah blah blah

Elucidating comeback, FA.

I sniffed the cruddy fanboyism that used to be slaughtered on old Primer and reacted. My humblest apologies on having rained on your pro-Goliath parade. Should I rather have asked if eleventy billion more titles would be sufficient? Wheter we could fold the other 29 teams to help out the Yankees' ring counting?

This is the worst of the team-specific blogs.

No, sorry, I meant this is worst aspect of team-specific blogs.

It makes the site more akin to fan sites.

guess none of this REALLY matters since they won't make it to the world series anyways...right guys?