Yanks Cut Guzman and Towers

Not a surprise here, but according to Chad Jennings, the Yankees made their first real move of the offseason, cutting Freddy Guzman and Josh Towers off the 40-man roster. Cashman told Jennings that both players have filed for free agency.

Hinske Added To WS Roster

Jack Curry reported via Twitter, that the Yankees have added Eric Hinske to the World Series roster and drop Freddy Guzman. He also said that they were considering adding Brian Bruney and going with 12 pitchers.

I thought Freddy Guzman's speed would be more valuable than it proved to be. Running when he had the chance would have helped his cause. Adding Hinske's bat, especially with games coming up under NL rules gives the Yankees some pop off the bench, which they haven't had all postseason.

It will be interesting to see who they drop if Bruney is added.

Guzman In, Hinske Out For ALCS

From Anthony Rieber at Newsday:

"Joe Girardi just announced one change to the ALCS roster: Freddy Guzman is in, Eric Hinske is out.

"No change in the pitching staff. Damaso Marte stays on the roster. Brian Bruney stays in Tampa."

Read the full article here.

Well now there's no off-the-bench power hitter in a series where the Yanks could use one but that's not a bad move, Guzman's good- but here's where it sucks. Marte is still on the roster, which is more than questionable. I'm not jumping for joy with that guy on this roster.

.....

Greg here, was actually writing a post about this myself... anyway... Here's another quote from Girardi regarding the move via Chad Jennings:

“We thought we could use another speed guy in this round. We’ve had some success doing those types of things late in the game, and in a seven-game series stuff could come up late in the game. We saw the games against Minnesota were very close and sometimes you can use a couple of pinch runners. If Gardy gets a start, then you don’t have a pinch runner (without Guzman). It just frees us up to do some more things.”

I like this move. Hinske wasn't going to get any playing time anyway and now the Yanks have even more speed on the bench. This may also mean that Girardi will start Gardner in at least one of these game, which is what I was hoping for. At this point he's probably a tougher out than Melky anyway.

One Roster Move To Make

With the Yankees facing the Angels in the ALCS, the question of rosters changes becomes an important one. Here's the change I'd make: I'd take Damaso Marte off the roster. Not only did he prove to be useless, but the Angels lineup is full of right-handed hitters so there is really no need for two lefties in the bullpen.

I would then add Freddy Guzman to the roster in his place. This not only gives Joe Girardi another running threat off the bench if he still wants to start Melky Cabrera. Or, he now can start Brett Gardner in center since Melky was invisible in the ALDS (2-for-12 with 5 K's), and still have the speed he wants coming off the bench. This gives Girardi more options offensively and against a team like the Angels he could use it.

Do the Yankees Have Room for Joba?

On the last day of the regular season, all eyes in Yankees Universe will be on Joba Chamberlain in his one inning of relief today. I think its strange that they would try this out on the last day of the year, after all what can you really learn from one inning? However, its clear the Yankees must be at the very least toying with the idea of putting Joba onto the playoff roster as a reliever.

We all remember the way Joba burst onto the scene in the bullpen as a dominating force. Essentially what Phil Hughes has been for the Yankees this year. If Joba can do what he did two years ago in the eighth innings, and Hughes and Mariano hold up, the Yankees essentially turn things into a six inning game. The idea of having that three headed monster at the back of the bullpen is certainly tantalizing. However, its important to remember that their is no guarentee that Joba can do what he did in 2007 and I'm not sure theirs room for him on the postseason roster.

It appears as if right now Joba, Gaudin, Bruney and Sergio Mitre are all battling for one or two spots. At least, that's the way Cashman seemed to describe it a couple days ago. I think you have to give Gaudin a spot. He has been significantly better than Joba for both the season and the past few months. Gaudin is used to being a reliever, as well. Not only can he be an effective reliever for them, it would be good to keep him fresh because if they make the ALCS they're going to need him. You have to put him on the roster.

Then the question is, do they really have one more spot to spend on a gamble like Joba? Its an easy call to go with Joba over Bruney or Mitre. Mitre has been terrible and Bruney would be an even bigger gamble in a big spot then Joba. I don't know if they have one more spot for Joba or if they're going to go with the speedster in Freddy Guzman. Personally, I love the idea of having Guzman ready to come off the bench and pinch run. In a tight game, a guy like that can turn around a series (Dave Roberts anyone?). Besides that, if the Yankees take the series with the extra off days, their bullpen should be more than rested enough. With Hughes, Mariano, and Robertson all rested I find it difficult to envision a scenario where you'd go to Joba in a big spot. I still have to stand by my earlier statement, sit Joba this October, and one inning in a meaningless game on the last day of the season is not going to change my mind.

Yanks Call Up Freddy Guzman

Chad Jennings is reporting that the Yankees have called up outfielder Freddy Guzman. Anthony Claggett was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Jennings said this move caught every player in the SWB clubhous offguard. I assume he's being called up mainly to be a pinch-runner down the stretch, and then maybe get some starts after they clinch.

Here's some more on Guzman from Jennings:

As for Guzman, he has Brett Gardner-type speed. and he's quite obviously going to the big leagues to provide speed off the bench. Guzman came to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre less than two weeks ago, playing his first game on September 1. While I wasn't remotely expecting the Guzman move, you may remember that the Boston Red Sox made a similar move, adding speedy Joey Gathright to the Triple-A Pawtucket roster on August 30 only to call him up to Boston on September 1. Speed can be huge, and Guzman isn't likely to fill a 40-man spot beyond these final few weeks of the season.

The Yankees also sent Ian Kennedy back to Scranton, and he will be activated in time to start game two of the Governor's Cup final against Durham.