Right around the corner is the most exciting time of the year for any team-the postseason. While there are teams that have clinched their spot in the postseason, there are teams like the Yankees that are so close to clinching that they could taste it. However, they still have to battle to stay in 1st place in the American League East. While it is almost certain that the Yankees will be in another postseason, the Yankees have other things on their minds as in after they clinch a spot. What will they be doing? They will be preparing their 2012 ALDS roster (if they are in first place by the end of the season). After observing the Yankees for a while, I decided to compile a list of who would make the 25-man roster for the ALDS series against what looks to be the Detroit Tigers. (Statistics are as of the morning of September 28, 2012).
Infield
Derek Jeter (2012 Season: .318 AVG, 15 HR, 57 RBI): Of course, you cannot be in the postseason without the Captain Derek Jeter. Jeter has had a phenomenal year and will end the year with an average over .300. The last time Jeter finished with an average over .300 was in 2009. How did that end out for the Yankees? Jeter had silenced the critics and had done his thing, but can he continue into the postseason and lead the Yankees to another championship?
Robinson Cano (2012 Season: .300 AVG, 30 HR, 82 RBI): Robinson Cano is one of the best second baseman in the game and he knows how to hit. While Cano has been up and down this year, he has been consistent defensively and can help Yankees pitching by preserving runs and getting double plays with a flick of a wrist. He makes that pivot to first base better than any second baseman than I have seen. Cano was one of the very few Yankees who had a hot bat during last year’s ALDS (along with Jorge Posada and Brett Gardner respectively), so it would be nice to see Cano get on a tear.
Mark Teixeira (2012 Season: .255 AVG, 23 HR, 81 RBI): Comparing Teixeira’s numbers from 2011 and from this year, this year has not been Teixeira’s best. But can you blame the guy? He has been sidelined with a Grade 1 strained calf. While he will make the roster for the play-offs, I doubt he will be 100 percent healthy. Teixeira also is one of the few culprits that seem to mysteriously lose his hitting talents in the play-offs. He needs to have a hot and consistent bat in the play-offs or else it could be an early exit for the Yankees-again.
Alex Rodriguez (2012 Season: .276 AVG, 18 HR, 56 RBI): Now, if the stats were for another player say maybe Eduardo Nunez, Chris Dickerson or Brett Gardner that would be a hell of a year. Unfortunately, it is for the guy that the Yankees gave a lucrative contract that last for another 5 years and did not hit the way that the Yankees were expecting. A-Rod is going to make the roster…but all season he has looked terribly lost at the plate. He is also another culprit that has not hit in the postseason in recent years (no, I am not counting 2009). A-Rod needs to get his act together and very quickly or else…you know. A first round exit for the Yankees.
Russell Martin (2012 Season: .209 AVG, 19 HR, 49 RBI): So this hasn’t been Russell Martin’s best year offensively (the 19 HR’s make the .209 AVG look less hideous) but the reason he makes the postseason roster is because of his defense. He also has been heating up at the plate as of late which means he could be on a tear any day now. He also was the only one that did not look lost during the ugly 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday night, cranking 2 hits off Morrow. Martin could add to the offense, which could be something that the Yankees need.
Outfield
Ichiro Suzuki (2012 Season: .322 AVG, 5 HR, 23 RBI *With Yankees*): Let’s admit it-the Ichiro trader was the best trade that Brian Cashman has pulled off in a while. Ichiro no longer seemed lost as he did in Seattle and Ichiro looks as if he could be competing for a job with the Yankees next season if Nick Swisher decides to walk. Now, the question will be-can Ichiro hit in the postseason. I think he can. He is playing as if he is playing to win a World Series and with Ichiro’s speed on the base paths, he could add a dynamic to the Yankees team.
Curtis Granderson (2012 Season: .227 AVG, 40 HR, 97 RBI): Well look who it is-the Carlos Pena of the New York Yankees. He makes the roster because he has hit 40 HR’s, but Granderson is not much of a ‘get a hit to get on base’ type of player. Besides the .227 average, what’s more atrocious is the fact that he’s struck out 189 times this season-20 more strikeouts than in 2011. So apparently, the Kevin Long tutorial did not last forever as the Yankees were hoping. Granderson is lucky he hit 40 HR’s…, he is fast…, and he knows how to play center field.
Nick Swisher (2012 Season: .260 AVG, 24 HR, 90 RBI): Well look who is had a positively Swishalicious 2012! Of course! None other than the chipper, always-happy Nick Swisher! Swisher has played great defense this season not only in RF, but also at first base and has shown the scouts that he can play great baseball. Although Swisher is a fan favorite and has played some great baseball this season, he unfortunately joins the club for not hitting in the postseason, which makes him look like the bad guy. Do not worry Swish, you are not alone. Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez are in the same club as you. But we’re begging you buddy. If you want to be on the Yankees next season-hit the baseball for base hits, score some runs and help us go all the way to the World Series.
Pitching Rotation
CC Sabathia (2012 Season: 14-6, 3.47 ERA): CC Sabathia is the ace of the staff even though he has not been as consistent as years past. However, he is the #1 starter for two reasons. One, he keeps you in the game at all times. Two, he makes the most money. Plain and simple. Sabathia seems to always pitch his heart out during postseason time so if there was ever a decisive game that you need to win, CC is your best bet on the mound. By the way, he has looked amazing his last two starts and it looks like the old CC is making a comeback.
Hiroki Kuroda (2012 Season: 14-11, 3.14 ERA): Hiroki Kuroda will be the #2 starter in the rotation since he has been the most consistent starter that the Yankees have had. He looks as if he is tiring out towards the end of the season however, but he should be okay to pitch in the rotation during the postseason. He has been one of the few pitchers from the National League to the American League that has not disappointed. (Sorry A.J Burnett & Javier Vasquez).
Andy Pettitte (2012 Season: 5-3, 2.71 ERA): Speaking of comebacks, this man right here is the face of a successful comeback. While Andy Pettitte missed most of the year with a broken ankle, he came back sooner than he thought and started throwing strikes. Pettitte has been absolutely a pleasure for the Yankees and it was a great thing that he wanted to come back and pitch. He has been the Yankees figurative lifesaver. I have no doubt that Andy will pitch well in the postseason. He does have the most postseason wins in his career after all.
Phil Hughes (2012 Season: 16-13, 4.10 ERA): By a show of hands, how many of you thought that Phil Hughes was going to make the postseason roster by the start of the season that he had? All right. By a show of hands, how many of you thought that he was going to lead the Yankees in wins? So I am two for two then? Great. Hughes has been one bounce back player in 2012 after having an abysmal 2011 season. If the Yankees go with the 4-man rotation then he should be the one that gets the final spot since he has improved. Hughes’s Achilles heel however? The home run ball. He has given up 34 HR’s this season, which makes him the league leader. His last time out, he did not deserve to lose (point fingers at a tired Boone Logan). But, other than that Hughes has been incredible for the Yankees. He may not be the pitcher that the Yankees were expecting, but he has been able to keep the Yankees in the game and has improved throughout the course of the season. Don’t believe me? Compare his ERA now to when he first got on the mound this season.
Bullpen
Rafael Soriano (2012 Season: 2-1, 2.10 ERA, 42 Saves): Ever since Mariano Rivera went down in May with a torn ACL, Rafael Soriano stepped up and delivered a Mariano Rivera like season. Is he Mariano Rivera? Of course not, no one can be Mariano. Has he performed the way the Yankees expected him to? Of course not, he’s further exceeded the expectations. He is a lock for a postseason spot. No doubt about it.
David Robertson (2012 Season: 2-7, 2.88 ERA, 2 Saves): Guys, before we get into a debate about this-David Robertson did not have a horrible year. You didn’t expect him to have the exact same year he did in 2011, now did you? I didn’t which is why I’m not disappointed in his numbers. He actually performed well, despite the seven losses and his career still has a winning record, (16-13). Robertson is the trusted 8th inning man and he will stay that way until Joe Girardi or Brian Cashman says so. But this season, he has been great for the Yankees and he’s one of the most trusted relievers in the bullpen.
Joba Chamberlain (2012 Season: 1-0, 4.91 ERA): Joba Chamberlain had one of the most remarkable seasons that anyone had ever seen. After injuring his ankle on top of having Tommy John Surgery, he was not expected to even pitch in 2012 even though Chamberlain believed he would be on a mound before the season ended. Sure enough he was back on the mound just after the All-Star Break and was greeted with cheers-followed by a few boo’s during his first couple of outings. Since then, he has looked dominant and the Joba Chamberlain we saw at the beginning of last season before the Tommy John Surgery.
Boone Logan (2012 Season: 6-2, 3.83 ERA): Well-Boone Logan sure has won many games for the Yankees; you would almost think he is a starter. Logan has been good for the most part but he has had a few bad outings, which I believe is from fatigue. However, He really should not be fatigued. The Yankees do have another lefty in the bullpen Girardi (hint: Clay Rapada). Boone needs a few games off…before he is too burned out in the play-offs and costs us a game and or series.
Clay Rapada (2012 Season: 3-0, 2.84 ERA): Speaking of Clay Rapada, he was a lost cause before the Yankees picked him up. Since then he has been terrific and Joe Girardi has done a good job managing Rapada this season. A 6.06 ERA with Baltimore and 2.84 ERA with the Yankees may mean one thing-Rapada has been used correctly based on his scouting reports. I expect Rapada to be effective in the 2012 play-offs since the Yankees know how to manage him.
Cody Eppley (2012 Season: 1-2, 3.45 ERA): Before this season, everyone was saying “Cody Who?” A couple of outings later, a few trips from Triple A and back, he has been one of the Yankees most pleasant surprises in the bullpen. Eppley complements Rapada with both of them being side-arming pitchers and with their ability to fool hitters. I expect Eppley to be with the Yankees for quite a bit. He could be very useful.
David Phelps (2012 Season: 4-4, 3.21 ERA): Before the start of the season, the names that you may have heard that could have joined the Yankees in 2012 were Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren and D.J Mitchell. A name that you were not expecting to hear? David Phelps. The Yankees made a great choice by having David Phelps pitch for the Yankees because since then he has been spectacular. He has shown to be versatile. He can spot start (if lengthened); he can be in the bullpen. He can do so many things that the Yankees can use him in almost any scenario. Phelps has a legit chance to be in the rotation next season, but for the play-offs, his role could be in the bullpen, the same way the Yankees handled Phil Hughes before Hughes became a starter.
Freddy Garcia (2012 Season: 7-6, 5.30 ERA): I know you think I am insane to add Freddy Garcia to the ALDS rotation, but I have a good reason. Garcia has shown this season that he is more effective in the bullpen than in the starting rotation. He can go about 4 innings before he loses effectiveness against the other team. Garcia has experience in the bullpen and could quickly fill in for a starter if they lose control. Many people may not be confident in Garcia, but in a bullpen role, I am more confident in Garcia in this position than I am with him in the rotation.
Bench
Brett Gardner (2012 Season: .321 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI): Yes, Brett Gardner is another one of those heartfelt stories of players that we thought we would never see again this season-yet he’s on the 40 man roster and played an inning defensively the other day. Gardner believes he can hit in the postseason but in case he can’t, he can still pinch run and play defense. Let’s face it: Eduardo Nunez is more prone to get throw out and Melky Mesa misses 3rd base bags. You can’t have that in a play-off scenario so of course you put your fastest runner in there with a hope that he’ll swipe a base or two. Besides, Gardner would not be the first player to make the postseason just being a defensive runner. Freddy Guzman did it in 2009, the year the Yankees won the World Series. Gardner may not be able to hit but he can contribute in different ways.
Eric Chavez (2012 Season: .283 AVG, 14 HR, 34 RBI): Once again, Eric Chavez has been a pleasure this season. He plays Gold Glove third base, he hits for power and base hits and he has shown that he has not slowed down. I am particularly glad that the Yankees re-signed him in the off-season because it would have been a shame to let that talent to go to waste due to retirement (kind of like Andy Pettitte). Chavez has some left in the tank that I would not be surprised for him to be back next season.
Chris Stewart (2012 Season: .245 AVG, 1 HR, 13 RBI): Stewart is a lock for the roster due to the fact that the Yankees need a backup catcher in case Russell Martin goes down with an injury (don’t let this be the case Russell). Stewart is also a great catcher defensively and he always does something in almost every game. In addition, he has been calling great games all season long. I would have put Francisco Cervelli in this spot-but Joe Girardi has not played him all so I would not know how he would perform.
Chris Dickerson (2012 Season: .333 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI): Chris Dickerson needs to make the 2012 roster. He has shown that he can hit lefties, he can play great defense and he is quick on the base paths. If Chris Dickerson does not make the roster then it would be disappointing since he has done everything in his power to help the Yankees. He has proven he can hit, he can field and he can run. What more does Chris Dickerson have to do to get on the roster Joe Girardi? Get you coffee?
Raul Ibanez (2012 Season: .234 AVG, 18 HR, 58 RBI): It was a tough decision whether to give the final spot to either Raul Ibanez or to Eduardo Nunez but in the end, Ibanez won me over due to his bat. Yes, his average is a bit low but the main reason his average is low is Brett Gardner. Ibanez became the primary LF after Gardner was injured with an elbow injury but with Ichiro hitting and stealing bases, Ibanez would not have to worry about that. Ibanez also is looking to get on a hot steak as of late, which could transfer into the postseason.
There were many notable names that I did not include in the postseason roster. There were names such as Ivan Nova, Eduardo Nunez, David Aardsma and Francisco Cervelli. The reasons that they would not make the rotation are quite simple. Ivan Nova has struggled terribly since coming back from the DL. Although Eduardo Nunez has speed and could be a pinch runner for the Yankees, here is no need for him since the only position he could play is shortstop (which is occupied by Derek Jeter) and the best pinch running option would be Brett Gardner. David Aardsma is not an option for a bullpen role since he just came back from Tommy John Surgery and is more of an option for 2013. Francisco Cervelli would not get a spot because we have not seen what he can do in the month of September. Joe Girardi continues to refuse to play him and he continues to put Stewart ahead of Cervelli. If the Yankees make the ALCS and maybe the World Series, the Yankees can change up the roster and include the names I left out, but for now, the best formula for the Yankees to win is with the roster that I laid out right now. Now, if Joe Girardi wants to listen that is his decision but I strongly believe with this rotation, we could make it all the way to the World Series if everyone works together and heat up as one.
