Projecting the 25 Man Roster

We are one day away from Opening day (assuming it doesn’t get rained out tomorrow) and Girardi has still not “Officially” announced the 25 man roster.  I think at this point though, it’s fair to make some assumptions as to who is on the roster and who is being sent to AAA.

Starting Pitchers

CC Sabathia

AJ Burnett

Phil Hughes

Ivan Nova

Freddy Garcia

Position Players

Russell Martin – Catcher

Mark Texeira – 1^st Base

Robinson Cano – 2^nd Base

Derek Jeter – Shortstop

Alex Rodriguez – 3^rd Base

Brett Gardner – Left field

Curtis Granderson – Centerfield (Grandy is the only starter who may not start the season with the team due to his oblique injury but the last two days he sounded pretty optimistic that he can play Thursday.  If not, he will start on the 15 day DL and Chris Dickerson will take his place)

Nick Swisher – Rightfield

Jorge Posada – Designated Hitter.  No more catcher for Posada due to concussion issues from last season.  It may take him a while to get used to the DH role. Hopefully he figures it out soon.

Utility/Bench Players

Eduardo Nunez – taking over the role from Pena after a very strong spring. Nunez will be backup for SS & 2^nd Base and can be used as a pinch runner since he is very fast.

Eric Chavez- he will be playing the corners, 1^st base and 3^rd base.  This was a great signing by Cashman this offseason and it’s great to have a 6 time gold glover as a backup.  Chavez had an incredible spring this year.  I saw him hit a home run on Friday night that still hasn’t landed. Hopefully his offensive numbers stay hot while not a regular player.

Andruw Jones – Jones is taking over for Marcus Thames this year and will be the right handed bat off the bench.  We may see Jones start some games in left field, when the opposing team has a lefty starting, since Granderson’s numbers are still sub-par against lefties.

Gustavo Molina – Molina is the biggest surprise to make the 25 man roster this year as the backup catcher.  Once Cervelli fractured his foot, the job was practically given to Montero who couldn’t get his offensive numbers going this spring.  The Yankees made the decision to send Montero down to AAA to get it together and learn a little defense.  Chances are we won’t see too much Molina but Cervelli should be back by May 1^st.

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera – closer

Rafael Soriano – Yankees picked up the AL leader in saves for 2010 as a setup man for Mo.  Looks like the Yankees only want to play for 7 innings!

Joba Chamberlain – Joba’s new role will be middle relief this year as it looks like he got bumped from the 8^th inning slot.

David Robertson – Roberton will continue as a right handed middle reliever this year.

Boone Logan – Logan is Girardi’s Left Handed go-to guy. 

Bartolo Colon- Colon used to be a starter and even was the favorite in spring training as the 5^th starter, but due to his previous injuries and lack of innings over the last 5 years, he will start in the pen.  He can always be used as a starter later in the season…. If he makes it that far.

Luis Ayala – Since Pedro Feliciano was injured with shoulder problems, Ayala is the 2^nd lefty in the bullpen.  Ayala had great spring numbers allowing only 1 run over 11 and 1/3 innnings.  Ayala beat out Steve Garrison for that final lefty spot in the pen.  Girardi must be thrilled to have two good lefty’s, so he can micromanage the hell out of the final 4 innings of games.