First Roster Preview of 2010

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 10:19 AM EST in Analysis Comment 36 comments

Happy New Years! 2010 should bring an intruiging season in the Bronx, as the Yankees look to repeat as world champs. Which players will get to be a part of the 2010 opening day roster? Here are my predictions:

C- Jorge Posada, Francisco Cervelli

1B- Mark Teixeira, Juan Miranda

2B- Robinson Cano

3B- Alex Rodriguez

SS- Derek Jeter, Ramiro Pena

OF- Brett Gardner, Reed Johnson, Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher

DH- Nick Johnson

SP- CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Javier Vazquez, Phil Hughes

RP- Chad Gaudin, Damaso Marte, Alfredo Aceves, Romulo Sanchez, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera

Explanation after the jump ---->

Yes, I know some of these players are surprising.

Let me explain each individually.

JUAN MIRANDA: I chose Miranda because he is the closest thing the Yankees have to a power hitter off the bench. Can I see the Yankees re-signing Hinske or signing someone like Jim Thome (not sure if he would accept a pinch-hitter role) or someone like Jerry Hairston Jr. even? Yes. For now, though I have Miranda. Also, look for Eduardo Nunez to compete with Miranda. Sure, Nunez is horrible at defense, but he hit tons of home-runs in Trenton this past season.

RAMIRO PENA: Wins the job over the rest of the 40-man infielders. Look for Kevin Russo to give him some tough competition.

REED JOHNSON: Replaces Jamie Hoffmann on my roster. I think the Yankees sign Johnson and let Hoffmann go in spring training.

ROMULO SANCHEZ: You may be asking why the Yankees would take Sanchez over players with much more big league experience, especially with the Yankees. The Yankees once did that with Jon Albaladejo, who would be competing for a job with Sanchez, Mark Melancon, and others. Sanchez regularly pitches in the middle 90's and got better and better as the 2009 season went on. Look for him to make a big impression in spring training. Sanchez does have big league experience with the Pittsburgh Pirates, of whom he was traded from for Eric Hacker in 2009.

One lefty-reliever: Maybe if Zach Kroenke is returned he makes the roster, but AZ Snakepit has him making the Diamondbacks roster. I just can't see Boone Logan making the Yankees roster.

Anyone I'm forgetting? Thoughts?

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Comments

No Hope for Nady?

Also, if the Yanks give Hughes the 5th spot, they’re basically admitting they didn’t know what they were doing with the Joba rules thing. They messed around with his innings specifically to make him their number 5 guy, so until he proves them wrong, that’s his role. While you like the emotion he shows as a reliever, I don’t. I think that will lead to overthrowing and arm injuries. If Joba were to go, lets say, 12 and 10, that would mean that he stayed in the rotation, ate a lot innings, and matured as a starter. That’s what I’m hoping for.

I’d be (pleasantly) surprised if all of the top four stay healthy all season. They all ate a lot of innings last year. So in the event of injury, whose the number 6 guy? Gaudin if it’s a spot start, Hughes if someone has to be replaced for the season.

by TommyJohn on Jan 1, 2010 11:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister, Sergio Mitre (if not traded)

are other choices

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t Nova have arm surgery?
Going to the Google…

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 1, 2010 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

last I heard from him

he had a 1.04 era in winterball. I may be thinking of someone else

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 1:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Betances Garcia and Kontos had arm surgery.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Jan 1, 2010 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking of Kontos.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jan 1, 2010 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joba is going to have the #5 spot

that is the reason they gave him the innings limits all last year. So he could pitch a full year as a starter this year. If they put Hughes in the rotation and Joba in the pen, they waste everything they did with Joba last year. Hughes can’t even start all year anyway. I’d just put Joba as the starter, Hughes as the setup guy, and be done with it. Thats probably whats going to happen.

For the bullpen, I would think that Edwar Ramirez would get another chance to make the team. Remember, he was one of the top relievers in 2008, and has a great changeup, which leads to a lot of his strikeouts (and he is a strikeout pitcher). I think he’s going to get another shot. And, if he had a similar spring to Sanchez, I would take Edwar. Edwar has big league experience, and success, pitching in the AL East. The other pitchers he’s competing with don’t. No spot is guaranteed for him, but I think he’s got a shot.

I understand that you think Johnson will be signed, but I still have a feeling that Johnny Damon is coming back, for a LOT lower price than he originally would have got. Damon has no teams. LF for the Mets is taken. Holliday is signed with the Cardinals (it’s as good as done). NO team is going to be willing to pay him what Boras wants. His price will continue to go down the longer he is on the market. He overplayed his hand, and he’s not good enough to get away with it. It will be the end of January/beginning of February, and the Yankees will need a better LF, and Damon will need a team, and I think they’ll work something out (I hope so anyway).

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 1, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

With Scott Boras as agent

I completely doubt that. Edwar has a chance but I doubt he will make it. I still think in spring training the Yankees will choose Hughes because as Chad Jennings said every day he is a reliever it takes away from his chances of being a starter.

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the same can be said for Joba

if they keep switching him from bullpen to rotation to bullpen to rotation then that hurts his development. Just stick him in the rotation and leave him there. If he fails, then he can go to the pen, because it’s a lot easier to go to the bullpen than to the rotation. But he needs a chance at a full season with no limits.

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 1, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damon

I think Damon is going to end up signing a contract similar to DeRosa’s with San Francisco or with (my own off-the-wall guess I haven’t seen anyone suggest) Texas. Texas seems a good fit in particular – they need to replace Byrd and have been looking at the Dyes and Gomes of the world. Damon could fill in nicely at DH for them (as Blalock wasn’t retained) and occasional outfielder.

I think the Yankees have started to realize the value of defense and the Nick Johnson signing officially closed the door on Damon returning – his only chance was to return as the DH.

by BWOzar on Jan 1, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did we sign Reed Johnson??

by rolston12 on Jan 1, 2010 11:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No

That one’s a prediction of mine

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like an oustanding roster to me.

I believe a big RBI year from someone we don’t expect would be great, to make up for the loss of Matsui and possibly Damon. Maybe Johnson, an even bigger year from Cano or a Texlike debut year from CGrand.

The rotation is all to the good barring any injury to Pettitte or AJ(being the most likely). Hopefully if Phil wins the 5th spot over Joba, he’ll adjust nicely. I love the idea of Gaudin,Robertson,Aceves,Joba,Marte and Sandman in relief.

Anybody in the mood for a repeat?

by ReggieARodJeter on Jan 1, 2010 1:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kroenke

Just so you know Zach Kroenke becomes a free agent (by his choice) if he doesn’t make the Diamondbacks. Anyone taken twice and not kept after the Rule V draft has the option to opt for free agency – I can’t imagine he’d be coming back because it sure doesn’t seem like the Yankees intend to give him a shot.

by BWOzar on Jan 1, 2010 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also I’d be stunned if Sanchez makes the roster over Melancon

by BWOzar on Jan 1, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

don't be too stunned

Sanchez has great stuff

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also my predicted roster:
C: Posada
1B: Teixeira
2B: Cano
3B: Rodriguez
SS: Jeter
LF: Gardner
CF: Granderson (Granderson and Gardner should, but won’t be, switched)
RF: Swisher
DH: Johnson
Bench: Cervelli, Johnson, Hoffman, Russo

SP1: Sabathia
SP2: Burnett
SP3: Vazquez
SP4: Pettitte
SP5: Chamberlain
RP: Rivera, Robertson, Marte, Aceves, Melancon, Logan, Gaudin/Mitre (one gets traded)

Rationale:
- I think that if Hughes and Chamberlain are comparable in Spring Training then Hughes is going to start the year in AAA so as to keep his innings up so they don’t permanently retard his development as a starter. If Hughes blows Chamberlain away then I think Chamberlain goes to the bullpen. Hughes would, of course, be the first guy to fill in if there is an injury to any of the 5 starters and with Pettitte (age), Burnett (injury history) and Chamberlain (injury/ineffective history) it seems likely he’ll get a shot soon enough.
- Though Logan is one of the rare players with a 4th option to AAA, I think he has a decent shot to make the team because he is the only serious threat as a second lefty out of the pen, he would serve the LOOGY role while Marte moves into the set-up role the Yankees always intended for him. I believe De la Rosa is the only other lefty on the 40 man roster and I think he starts the year in the minors.
- I like the Reed Johnson signing idea, it seems like a smart and safe move for the Yankees. I could also see Jerry Hairston being resigned and used in a similar role, though I personally prefer Johnson.
- I think Hoffman makes the team and sticks around as a 5th OF. He’s a very good athlete, can play all the positions, ranked as Baseball America’s best defensive outfield prospect for the Yankees and offers some speed off the bench. I also don’t think the Yankees would’ve moved a potentially useful piece in Bruney for him if they had no intention of using him.
- Russo’s bat is significantly more advanced than Pena’s (.326/.397/.431 vs .231/.310/.327 at AAA last year with the caveat of a high BABIP for Russo) and his defense is adequate, though certainly beneath Pena’s, so I think he makes more sense as a bench player for this team. I also don’t think he’d have been protected if he didn’t have a legitimate shot of making the team.
- The team has already indicated they’d likely only keep one of Gaudin and Mitre – personally I’m hoping they keep Gaudin but I think Girardi, from his Florida time, may prefer Mitre. Gaudin may also be easier to move.

by BWOzar on Jan 1, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Russo

He is going to be given a chance to make the team, but the Yankees see him as more of a prospect than Pena last year, and therefore may not want to leave him on the bench.

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I knew that, but

in an interview he said he would still be very interested in returning. It is fair play if he does become a free agent but I can imagine if he does well enough in spring training the Yankees would at least consider giving him an MLB deal

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry that was meant to be a reply to the Kroenke post

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon

How did you become a front page writer? Is it an actual paying job..or?

by Frankie Camp on Jan 1, 2010 3:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I used to write for http://nyypinstriper.wordpress.com

I was offered the job on December 20th and accepted. Wrote my first story on the 21st. I really wasn’t a regular here before that. Never commented, but read some of the work and was certainly impressed by it. The only place I really was ever at was my own blog. I took the offer because my blog had about 30 readers a day and this blog has TONS more. Hope that clears things up.

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

joba

will be the 5th starter. for the first time he has no innings limit. this is what they’ve been waiting for so they arent going to put him in the pen now. plus hughes still has his innings limit so why start him when he cant even pitch a full year in the rotation without maxing out his innings.

by cermolaNY2 on Jan 1, 2010 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Once again

I’m not convinced that they won’t just throw away all of the progress they made with Joba. I seriously doubt that they will put neither in the pen and quoting Chad Jennings again they do not want to halt Hughes’ progress as a starter by putting him in the pen

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joba's got the 5th spot.

I can’t see anyway other then it.

Hughes who knows, but I think they’ll try him out in AAA to start as a starter.

There was no reason for Hughes (or even Joba when he was a reliever) to be in the pen AT ALL…if there is no need for it.

It makes no sense to throw prized starting pitching prospects in the bullpen…IF THERE IS NO NEED.

If the bullpen stinks…then probably Hughes or Joba goes there again (and maybe finally this time if they aren’t cutting it as starters.

If the bullpen is good..and there is no need for one of these guys there…they will not be in the bullpen.

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 1, 2010 8:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I still can't see

the Yankees allowing neither to be in the bullpen….the pen would suffer even with Robertson

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Unless.....

They use Gaudin as a long reliever and Aceves as a set-up man? opposite?

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 1, 2010 8:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ace

i doubt he is the set up man, I really think he is going to fall apart this year. I don’t know why, I just have a feeling.

by yankeechaser on Jan 2, 2010 6:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Reed Johnson???

Don’t really see Cashman sending Brian Bruney to the Nats for nothing….With Hoffmanm being a rule 5…he has to be on the activer roster or it’s back to the Dodgers…I think you will see Hoffmann staying on the roster this year…Gardner still has minor league options available…

by nichoj19 on Jan 2, 2010 2:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs