Latest thoughts on the 25-man roster

by Ed Valentine on Mar 20, 2009 1:31 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

A little more than a week ago I took a stab at predicting the New York Yankees' Opening Day roster.

Well, a few things have changed in a week. Jorge Posada looks pretty healthy and it appears the Yankees will go with 12 pitchers. Edwar Ramirez also looks healthy and deserving of a spot.

Fortunately for me, Sweeny Murti of WFAN posted his lineup and 25-man roster today. It is an exact match for the one I would choose, with the only argument being the long man.

Here is Murti's roster.

The Lineup

LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Hideki Matsui
CA Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
RF Xavier Nady
3B Cody Ransom
CF Brett Gardner

Bench: Jose Molina, Nick Swisher, Melky Cabrera, Angel Berroa.

Rotation: CC Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain.

Bullpen: Mariano Rivera, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, Phil Coke, Brett Tomko.

The only battle I really see here is Tomko, Dan Giese, Alfredo Aceves and -- yikes! -- Kei Igawa for the long man. Ramirez pitched well enough last season to earn a spot this year, provided he is healthy.

Remember, to keep Berroa and a long man other than Giese the Yankees would have to drop other players from their 40-man roster. Could Giese be gone if he doesn't make the team?

Your thoughts?

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Comments

No Tomko Please

I don’t care if Brett Tomko strikes out EVERY batter he faces in Spring Training. His track record shows that he’s a below average ML pitcher.

If the season started tomorrow, you have to give Igawa the long man spot. Obviously, he will falter and we’ll know definitively that he has no place on the Yankees. Maybe then, Cashman will be convinced to eat his contract and get some prospects in return for this huge waste of hope.

by BigSlim on Mar 20, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

weak 8 and 9 hitters

ransom and gardner are not proven offense players as of yet. I think swisher should start taking grounders and third base to give some pop to the back end of the line-up.

by eddieo311 on Mar 20, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

Swisher

is left-handed, so that won’t happen.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Swisher

is a switch-hitter…..

by Rocktman on Mar 22, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

nevermind.....

I picked the wrong day to quit caffeine….

by Rocktman on Mar 22, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue also.

Swisher is a switch hitter.

by Jeff M on Mar 23, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

But Swisher throws left handed

So he’s still not a consideration for third base.

by anaconda on Mar 22, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

Cabrera or Swisher for Gardner. I think i like that better.

I’m not sure about the long man spot. I think i might have to go with Aceves.
Then again Igawa pitched today and got the save. He walked 2 people though, so it seems like he’s still struggling with control. Yeah, Aceves might be the best choice.

by Mejeh on Mar 20, 2009 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

CF

You have to remember a little thing called defense. Swisher has played CF, but he is really a slow-footed corner outfielder. Think Bernie Williams in his last season or two. Couldn’t get to anything. Swisher could play CF in an emergency, but not every day.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 8:57 AM EDT reply actions

Damon over Swisher in CF

if need be.

by BigSlim on Mar 22, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Gardner the smart choice time to give up on Cabrera

The yankees have a gem in gardner if he can get on base, and he is starting to learn his swing plus the catches he can make in cener with his speed Cabrera has shown very little since we have had him , its time to give up on him, he is not someone who will be what we need

by johnverse on Mar 21, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Melky

He will make the team either way. I actually think he could be a very good 4th outfielder. He’s just not an every day player.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 21, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Swisher for Damon

I would rather lead off with Gardner and put swisher behind Nady. We need power. 1 speed man at the top is enough.

by yankslocktowin on Mar 21, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

NYY 25 Man Roster

That’s a good bullpen, but I would rather have David Robertson rather than Brett Tomko, wouldn’t you? DR pitched pretty well last year, his first, and is having an even better spring than Tomko. Is Coke a lefty?

by PapaGriff on Mar 22, 2009 4:09 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe

But the Yankees are looking for at least one guy who could pitch 3-4 innings at a time if needed. Robertson can’t do that.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Edwar

I would rather have robertson than Edwar. I don’t know what the fuss is over Ramirez. Robertson can come in and pitch to situations. He can dial it up a bit with runners in scoring position. Ramirez is a one trick pony and when he doesn’t perform his trick just right (his off speed pitch) the ball can land in Vermont. I think Robertson gives us more options.

by NYY on Mar 22, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Edwar

was very good last season. Personally, I like Edwar more than I like Veras. I think Veras throws hard, but he has no idea what he is really doing. Ah well, it’s a nice debate but it’s not up to us.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 23, 2009 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions