The playoffs are still a good two weeks away, but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead when it comes to examining who would make the 25-man roster for the Yankees. There are some guys whose names you can write in stone, but then there are the outliers – the fringe guys who have contributed all season, but may not be the one you’d turn to for the crucial out with the game – say, a World Series Game 7 – on the line? Presumably, there are no space fillers on the playoff rosters.  Ideally, you’d be able to go to any guy at any time – so, who gets the nod and who doesn’t?

Let’s start off by saying these 22 guys are all locks, barring injury:

Curtis Granderson                                                                                     CC Sabathia
Nick Swisher                                                                                                Hiroki Kuroda
Ichiro Suzuki                                                                                                 Phil Hughes
Derek Jeter                                                                                                  Andy Pettitte*
Alex Rodriguez                                                                                            Ivan Nova
Mark Teixeira*                                                                                              David Phelps
Robinson Cano                                                                                          Rafael Soriano
Raul Ibanez                                                                                                 David Robertson
Russell Martin                                                                                            Boone Logan
Eric Chavez                                                                                                 Joba Chamberlain
Chris Stewart
Jayson Nix

(*Assuming that their respective injuries even allow them to contribute, even at less than 100%.)

Now, let’s look at the guys who are left:

Eduardo Nunez
Cody Eppley
Chris Dickerson
Cory Wade
Clay Rapada
Andruw Jones
Brett Gardner
Derek Lowe
Freddy Garcia
Steve Pearce
Casey McGehee

Right off the bat, let’s get rid of a few of these: Derek Lowe will not make the roster for the playoffs, let alone a normal 25-man roster, which I talked about here. I also find it a bit hard to believe that Steve Pearce or Casey McGehee will make the roster either. All were serviceable place-holders when there were key in-season injuries, and came aboard as a matter of necessity: McGehee was insurance for when fragile Eric Chavez had to man the fort at third when A-Rod went down. Meanwhile, Pearce was brought in to make up for the lack of production from Andruw Jones against left-handers, an experiment that hasn’t yielded the meaningful results the Yankees would have hoped. Lowe was a place-holder when Pettitte and CC were on the DL, forcing Garcia and Phelps into starting roles. All three served a purpose, and didn’t do harm when the rosters expanded, but don’t deserve a space on the playoff roster.

What are your playoff roster moves to get the Yankees to #28? (Image: Debby Wong, US Presswire)

Regarding my decision to not place Brett Gardner on the roster: he has played nine games all year before being placed on the DL with a bone bruise/spur that require surgery. It’s going to take a minute for him to get his swing back, not to mention that Yankees have indicated that he’d only be used as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement. While I love Gardner’s speed on the bases and defense, I think it’d potentially cause an additional problem by having to use another guy off the bench to replace Gardner if he came in as a defensive replacement and then came up to bat. Too many logistics. Additionally, I’m not sure, with so much time off, what you’d get from him offensively. Plus, in the interim, you’d have to DFA someone to get him back on the 40-man. Not sure I’d do that with enough time left and the division still up for grabs. So, as much as I’m a Gardner fan, I’d leave him home.

In defense of my peripheral locks of Eric Chavez, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Nix and Chris Stewart: Chavez is solid insurance at first if Mark Teixeira’s calf doesn’t allow him to play, or pops in an in-game situation. Having Chavez also allows you to keep Swisher, the other first-base choice, in the outfield, where he’s a much better defensive option than Ibanez. Speaking of which, Ibanez can also be a powerful bat off the bench, and knowing Joe Girardi, could be used in a match-up situation. Ibanez in a serviceable outfielder, and if he has especially good numbers against an opponent, I could see him getting a start over Ichiro for his bat potential, despite Ichiro’s better defense. Additionally, Chris Stewart should be included on the roster for the same reason as Chavez: insurance. It’s highly unlikely that Stewart, who served as CC’s non-personal-personal catcher during the first half of the season, would get a start over Martin, but in case of an in-game injury, there would be no other option at catcher. He must be on the roster, as well. As for Nix, there is no other option for a second baseman if something were to happen to Cano; similarly, he would serve as a solid option at short if Jeter’s bum ankle finally gives out.

Unfortunately for Freddy, I would leave him off the roster. He was a solid option with the pitching injuries as a starter in-season, but remember: he started off abysmally, and has ended his run in the rotation suspect as well. In his last 17.2 IP, he has surrendered 15 runs and 18 H with 11 BB, including two starts against the inept offenses of Cleveland and Tampa Bay. Even with a four-man rotation of some combination of Pettitte/CC/Hughes/Kuroda, if there was an injury, there is already starting pitching depth by having Ivan Nova and David Phelps available out of the bullpen. Freddy would be tying up a roster spot. While I think he could be serviceable for an inning or two, it might make more sense to put a “true” bullpen guy on the roster.

Jones has been horrid of late:  his average is below the Mendoza line, and he has an atrocious .293 OBP. Jones’ specialty has been his mashing of lefty pitching, but he has only hit .202 against lefties with 9 HR, and has been given ample time to succeed, maybe to the detriment of the team. Additionally, Jones has a negative rating in almost every single defensive category- effectively, he’s costing the team runs by his defense. Not acceptable for the regular season, let along playoffs. Next.

Rapada has been decent in limited usage, but Girardi has been hesitant to use him. While I have been an advocate of less action for Boone Logan, I’m not sure Rapda as a LOOGY in the playoffs would work , either. In 35.1 IP, Rapada has surrendered 36 hits, and 11 ERA to a 2.78 ERA. However, practically speaking, Girardi rarely uses him, preferring to use Logan. If he is going to sit and accumulate dust and waste a spot, I’d rather not place him on the roster.

Wade is one of those fringe guys that makes me sit back and pause. He was a huge part of the ‘pen in 2011 (6-1, 2.04 ERA, 30 Ks in 29.2 IP), but was quite dreadful in the early half of the 2012 season, pitching to a 5.84 ERA with 42 hits in 37 IP, though he has 37 Ks through 37 innings. Eventually, Wade was demoted to AAA, but was recalled in September. Though he has had limited action, appearing in two games and 3.2 IP, he has recorded 3 Ks and has been perfect through that time. It’s an extremely small sample size, but it’s promising. I think, personally, it’s a coin-flip between Wade and Eppley (though I think I’d lean towards Eppley). As for Eppley, he was a solid piece throughout the season, but the sheen might be starting to wear off. In 42.2 IP, he has surrendered 43 runs, with a 1.471 WHIP and an ERA of 3.59. He actually has a -.4 WAR (which slightly surprised me), but actually is worth -2 RAA. While not horrendous, in the grand scheme of the playoffs, it’s unlikely he’ll see significant innings or high-leverage time barring some sort of extra-inning game. There might not be much difference between the two – it may come down to a matter of who the Yankees just feel would be better able to contribute.

Dickerson, in my opinion, should not only be on the roster, but should be seeing much more time that has is at present. His defense is exponentially better than what either Ibanez or Jones can bring to the table, and his bat brings some help as well. Though he only has 8 ABs in the majors, and is only hitting .250, his OBP is .400 and his slugging percentage .625. Though it’s a small sample size, it is worth noting that Dickerson hit well over .300 at AAA this season. Additionally, he has two stolen bases. He would take the place of a healthy Gardner for my roster: speed on the bases, a huge defensive upgrade, and a potential to get some hits.

And finally, yes, I am saying Nunez should make the roster. (Frightening, isn’t it?) Though he has been a defensive liability at times, I think he’s worth the gamble. He can hit, especially against lefties (.333), and brings something the Yankees have lacked: speed. He is a legitimate threat to always steal a base, and that can bring a different dimension to the offense. Also, remember: the Yankees are reliant on the home run to score. However, in the playoffs, it might be helpful to add the speed element to get a little bit of small ball going in order to help further the cause.

That’s my 25-man roster. There’s still plenty of baseball to play – and, mathematically, it’s possible the Yankees don’t even make the playoffs – but that doesn’t hurt to think ahead. Those are my choices to hopefully lead to #28.

Some quick thoughts about what happened:

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• The Red Sox took a 3-2 lead over the Orioles into the 9th inning, but with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th the Orioles took advantage of a couple poorly placed pitches from Papelbon to secure the 4-3 walk-off win. A devastating loss to be sure, but the Red Sox postseason hopes could remain alive if the Rays lost to the Yankees. However…
• Just three minutes after Boston’s loss, Evan Longoria hit a home run in the bottom of the 12th that capped the Rays’ comeback from a 7-0 deficit, propelling the Rays into the Wild Card spot and sending the Red Sox packing to warmer weather for the winter.
• Over in the National League the Cardinals handled the Astros easily, winning 8-0…
• Which meant that the Braves were literally playing a “must win” game against the Phillies. And it looked like the Braves might win – until the Phillies tied the game in the top of the 9th and took the lead in the top of the 13th, stamping the Cardinals’ ticket to the playoffs and the Braves’ ticket home.

So there you have it: 4 important games, 2 epic collapses, and 1 amazing night of baseball.

The Division Series starts this weekend, so set your DVRs for Game 1:
Friday, Sept. 30 –  Rays at Rangers 5:07 PM EST; Tigers at Yankees 8:37 PM EST
Saturday, Oct. 1 –  Cardinals at Phillies TBA; Dbacks at Brewers TBA

The Yankees won again last night as they beat Milwaukee for the second straight time.  They continue to roll along with the best record in the American League and have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Red Sox in the division.  What is amazing about the Yankees season so far is they can’t beat the Red Sox head to head, yet still lead them in the standings.  They are 1-8 against them. The division would be practically locked up if they were able to beat them a few more times.

Absent for the Yankees during all this winning is Derek Jeter.  Ever since Jeter went on the DL, the Yankees are 11-3, so obviously they do not miss him that much.  Eduardo Nunez has done a decent job filling in for him at short, even though he still struggles to make the routine play.  Additionally, the top of the order with Gardner and Granderson have become a lethal combination.

The question is will Joe Girardi keep Gardner and Granderson in the top of the order when Jeter returns from the DL sometime next week?  If it is based on performance and what is best for the team, they should stay where they are and Jeter should bat 9th.  Jeter is a .260 hitter this season and is not close to being the offensive player he once was.

I am not saying the Yankees should kick Jeter to the curb, but he is no longer good enough to be at the top of the order.  I do not think Girardi will do it, especially with Jeter still chasing 3,000 hits.  However, once that milestone is achieved, if Jeter continues to struggle and the Yankees begin to lose games, they could make the change for good.  If Jeter is the team guy everyone has made him out to be the past 16 years, he will accept it because it is best for the team.

The Yankees still need Derek Jeter, but in the regular season he does not make a big difference for them.  They could win 100 games in the regular season with me playing short.  They are so stacked everywhere else in the lineup and with Gardner getting the job done in the leadoff spot, Jeter has not been missed.  Jeter coming back to the top of the order can potentially ruin the chemistry they have in their line up right now.  Additionally, if they keep on winning, why would you want to make any changes?

Jeter’s true value for the Yankees is in October.  His 5 championships, leadership, and ability to perform in the clutch are so valuable for the team in the post season.  Despite his most recent struggles at the plate, who else would a Yankee fan want up at the plate in a big spot in the post season?  Jeter would still be on the top of that list.  There are not a lot of guys out there with a life time .309 batting average in the playoffs.  I also do not think Yankee fans would feel comfortable with Nunez playing short in pressurized games.

The regular season is an exhibition for the Yankees as we know they are going to make the playoffs.  Since 1995 they have made the playoffs every year except one (2008).  The Yankees are about the post season and Derek Jeter is who he is because of the post season. In the regular season Jeter is a great player, but it is the post season that has given him the historical status which he continues to hold.   He is not Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, or Mantle, but Yankee fans put him with those immortals because of his achievements in October.

For those of you scoring at home, I want the Yanks to take the division. I don’t care who they play, I think they can beat anybody.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!