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March 17, 2008
Hashing Out The Opening Day Roster
Barring injury or a total meltdown over the next two weeks, you know that these 21 players will make the Yankees Opening Day roster this year:
2 Derek Jeter
13 Alex Rodriguez
14 Wilson Betemit
17 Shelley Duncan
18 Johnny Damon
20 Jorge Posada
22 LaTroy Hawkins
24 Robinson Cano
25 Jason Giambi
26 Jose Molina
28 Melky Cabrera
31 Ian Kennedy
34 Phil Hughes
35 Mike Mussina
40 Chien-Ming Wang
42 Mariano Rivera
46 Andy Pettitte
48 Kyle Farnsworth
53 Bobby Abreu
55 Hideki Matsui
62 Joba Chamberlain
But, what about the other four spots on the roster? Here are the players hoping to make those last remaining openings:
11 Chris Woodward
12 Nick Green
19 Jason Lane
21 Morgan Ensberg
29 Kei Igawa
30 Sean Henn
33 Brian Bruney
36 Edwar Ramirez
38 Chris Britton
39 Ross Ohlendorf
41 Jose Veras
43 Scott Strickland
47 Darrell Rasner
58 Jeff Karstens
61 Billy Traber
63 Jonathan Albaladejo
70 Scott Patterson
79 Heath Phillips
91 Brett Gardner
Will the final four spots be broken down into 3 pitchers and one bench player? Or, will it be 2 for the bench and 2 for the pen?
Many feel that Billy Traber and Morgan Ensberg have made the team already. So, could leave it down to two spots - and the question of whether it will be two for the pen or one for the pen and one for the bench.
Chris Woodward, Jason Lane, and Brett Gardner are hoping that the Yankees go with 11 pitchers and then one of them can make this team.
Kei Igawa, Brian Bruney, Chris Britton, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras, Darrell Rasner, Jeff Karstens, and Scott Patterson are hoping that the last two spots go to pitchers - so that they have better odds of making the final cut.
The guess here, at this junction, assuming that Ensberg and Traber make the team, is that the last two spots come down to Chris Woodward, Jason Lane, Brian Bruney, Chris Britton, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Scott Patterson.
And, knowing that Girardi likes depth and flexibility on his bench and pen, I would suggest that Woodward and Karstens get the last two spots.
Posted by WW Staff at March 17, 2008 12:23 PM
Comments
I don't think Ensberg should be a lock. He's the same player as Duncan. I also don't know why Betemit is a lock at this point. He hasn't done squat this spring at the plate or in the field.
Posted by: gphunt ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 17, 2008 01:06 PM
I'd agree with your list and with the fact that Ensberg/Traber have the inside track on spots #22 and #23 on the roster.
In fact, it somewhat upsets me to think that Ensbeg will make the team wearing #21. Why didn't they just give him another number? I know not everyone thinks it's a big deal but it upsets me to know that a bench scrub is wearing the uniform of my favorite Dynasty-era Yank...
Posted by: MJ at March 17, 2008 01:11 PM
I also don't know why Betemit is a lock at this point. He hasn't done squat this spring at the plate or in the field.
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Who would you take over Betemit that can play all four infield positions and provides some power off the bench as a lefty bat?
Posted by: MJ at March 17, 2008 01:13 PM
That Scott Patterson is barely mentioned in this discussion gives me cause for concern. He's shown that he can pitch multiple innings, come in in the middle of an inning (and clean up another pitcher's mess), and pitch out of jams. What else does he need to prove?
Posted by: brockdc at March 17, 2008 01:58 PM
Barring a meltdown, I think Patterson will be on the 25 man.
Posted by: Rich at March 17, 2008 05:47 PM
Remember - a lot can still happen in two weeks. Traber is pretty much a lock to start the season with the Yankees (he has 8 strikeouts and no walks in 5.2 innings. And he's a lefty. Talk about a great first impression.) Also, Girardi is married to the idea of a 'long-man' out of the pen. Can't say I completely agree with him (what's the use of a long man like Karstens or Rasner if he can't even last an inning without imploding?), but it seems to improve those two guys' chances. But the last bullpen spot is still up for grabs, and while Patterson seems to have a stranglehold on it, another player can still step up. Also, it could change if Patterson or Ohlendorf or someone else shows he can go more than 2 innings from time to time. Personally, I think that person is Patterson - he went more than one inning each appearance in the minors seemingly every time out, and he used to be a starter so his arm is used to the innings.
We'll see. I seriously hope Woodward doesn't make the team - do we REALLY need another Miguel Cairo taking up at-bats? Besides, what are the chances both Jeter and Cano go down at the same time? Even then, the Yankees can call up someone like Alberto Gonzalez - who, while his offense is anemic at best, is still probably a better hitter than Woodward. I am completely against a no-hit utility infielder on the Yankee roster, seeing as how we already have a can-hit utility infielder in Betemit.
Posted by: Andrew at March 17, 2008 06:24 PM
I'm with Andrew. The chance of needing both Betamit and Woodward is slim. Even if Jeter and Cano were both injured in a game, the Yanks could use Ensberg at 3rd, Betamit at 2nd and ARod at SS.
Also, Woodward has had enough major league at bats that we know he's a terrible hitter, regardless of his great record this spring.
Posted by: David at March 17, 2008 10:01 PM
I sort of agree with the prediction, but Traber's locked in. However Ensberg misses out and the Last 3 spots will go to:
Brett Gardner
Kei Igawa
Scott patterson
Posted by: CrC7 at March 26, 2008 04:23 PM
How is Edwar Ramirez not even being considered.
Posted by: Dexter at March 27, 2008 12:59 AM