After watching the first two+ weeks of spring training this is the roster I would send to the Bronx to start the season.
Starting Lineup
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Shelley Duncan
Brett Gardner
Jose Molina
Chris Woodward
Chien-Ming Wang
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Mike Mussina
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
Kyle Farnsworth
Latroy Hawkins
Scott Patterson
Billy Traber
Ross Ohlendorf
I don't think the Yankees need two back-up infielders so that's why Gardner makes the team. He's also having a fantastic spring hitting .435 with 3 RBI, and 6 SB. His kind of speed is something the Yankees have been lacking in recent years, and I feel he could be a major asset to this team.
Joe Girardi also seems to like the idea of carrying five outfielders: "It's important that we have enough outfielders that if we need to make some changes, you can do it," Girardi said. "It's kind of hard just to have four outfielders."
Woodward gets the nod over Betemit as the backup infielder because he's a little more versatile and has clearly been the better player this spring. I'm not impressed with Betemit at all, he's useless from the right-hand side of the plate, and he strikes out a ton. But the Yankees will probably go with Betemit instead. UPDATE (3/17) Peter Abraham is reporting that Chris Woodward has a "tight right hamstring" and will miss a few days, this may hurt whatever chances he had at making the team.
6 Comments:
I like that team but I still like Betemit. I know he hasn't had a great spring but he plays good defense and he provides power and he is a switch hitter which is a great plus. I actually like Ransom over Woodward and we should not waste Gardner's talent by sticking him on the bench. Ransom has had experience in the outfield and Duncan can play the outfield as well.
I'm not sold on Betemit, and he's pretty much useless from the right-hand side. I still don't think the Yankees ever should have traded Proctor for him.
With Ransom and Woodward it may be a toss up, I really like what I've seen from Woodward so far, though.
I know what you're saying about Gardner, which is why he will probably start the year in the minors, but I don't feel he will be wasted if he makes the big team.
With guys like Giambi, Posada and Matsui, Girardi could use Gardner as a pinch runner almost everyday and he could stay in the game and get an at bat here and there.
I forgot to add, Gardner could also get some starts in the OF when Girardi decides to give Damon, Melky or Abreu a day off. Nobody wants to see Matsui in the field.
I really don't want Gardner on the bench when he could be in AAA getting better. I would also go with Nick Green as the bench player. Just my thoughts.
Like I said that's the reason he will probably start the year in SWB, but I feel the New York Yankees are a better, more dynamic team with Gardner. And I don't think a couple months as a bench player will kill his career.
I don't like Nick Green. He's not a good fielder, and his .118 spring batting average isn't too inspiring either.
Gardner also has the right mindset for a bench role. Look at this quote from today's Star Ledger "It's kind of a test here in spring training. You come off the bench in the sixth or seventh innings and even if you're not starting, you have to stay ready. For a guy like me, I can come off the bench and help in the field or on the bases with my speed. That's part of what I have to do to help the team win."
Post a Comment