Minutes ago, Joe Torre announced the pitching rotation for the first three games of the postseason: Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. He left Game 4 up in the air between Jaret Wright and Cory Lidle.
Check out the starting lineup:
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod 3B
Giambi DH
Sheffield 1B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Torre said we shouldn't read anything into the batting order. What do you think?
Comments (11)
I know that the Yanks have a lineup of all-stars but Cano - 2d in the league in BA and 1st in the majors over the past 50 games or so in RBIs batting ninth?? - you have got to be kidding me.
I like the pitching staff. But the batting order is a problem. First off Matsui should be DH.Second Sheffield does not belong anywhere near first base especially in the postseason. He should be benched. Melky should be in LF and Giambi should be at first. Even though Giambi is not the greatest fielder in the world he is better than Sheffield at first. Anyways it looks like a great team on paper,but then again if paper meant anything the Yankees would have won the World Series the last 5 years in a row. I am a big time Yankee fan but don't be suprised since we have nothing but a bunch of sluggers in the lineup if Minnesota doesn't make us look silly come playoff time. Put the youngsters in there Joe. Maybe it would take us another year to get knocked out in the divison series for this idiot to realize superstars don't win you world series rings.
I'm with you AJ. I rather have the youngster play and have matsui DH and giambi at first. But joe is loyal to his players and will start Matsui. One thing that I would like either Anthony or Jim to respond to this. Theres this hot young pitcher out of japan I forgot his name he pitches the gyroball I believe. Now it is safe to assume that he might be pitching in the majors next year and has ONLY THREE teams he would like to pitch to: seattle, boston or the Yanks. Now would this be a little publicity stunt coming from the yankees to show this guy even though he (matsui) doesnt have the greatest arm in the outfield and he is replacing a young guy who did a great job while he was absent. That we are loyal to our players and that he should play with us? Because japan players are taught about loyality and respect for the game. I know its a far fetch story but hey you never know right?
I agree that Matsui should be DH. Giambi's wrist is still questionable. Cortisone is only a temporary fix. Put Melky back in LF. The guy can hit and he's got a good bat. I'm not too sure about the Unit either. Its going to be interesting.
Can anyone PLEASE tell me why rasner is not in the equation for this post season. Granted he is considered a rookie but is age I believe around the mid to late 20's shouldnt be considered a rookie. With that sad does anyone feel maybe joe should let villone off the post season and keep rasner. If he pitches well tomorrow it would be hard not to consider him
I'm also not too happy with Shef playing 1st base. While he may eventually be good at first base, he doesn't have the footing right yet. He leans out too far and his foot comes off the bag. So, do you put Phillips there or what?
I vote we all stop bitching about the batting order. 16 runs is 16 runs. I'll take that with Gary Sheffield playing first base while standing on his head for all I care.
There is no way Darrell Rasner should be on the postseason roster because he's only been with the team for less than a month. I'd say Jeffrey Karstens is ahead of him on the depth chart for this season. As for Ron Villone, there is no denying the fact that he has been the weak link in their bullpen over the course of the last 2 months, however, he has had success this season and is a left-hander. Basically that gives him value.
Not to mention, there is no point in putting Darrell Rasner on the team in long relief because Cory Lidle will probably occupy that role.
As far as I'm concerned, the lineup should be:
CF J. Damon
SS D. Jeter
RF B. Abreu
1B J. Giambi
3B A. Rodriguez
2B R. Cano
DH H. Matsui
C J. Posada
LF M. Cabrera
However, the post-season lineup will probably be:
CF J. Damon
SS D. Jeter
RF B. Abreu
1B J. Giambi
3B A. Rodriguez
DH Gary Sheffield
LF H. Matsui
C J. Posada
2B R. Cano
Unfair that Cabrera is being kicked to the curb, but I am sure Torre will utilize him if the club goes flat in the first few games.
CF J Damon ($13,000,000)
SS D Jeter ($20,600,000)
RF B Abreu ($13,600,000)
1B J Giambi ($20,428,571)
3B A Rodriguez ($25,680,727)
DH G Sheffield ($10,756,171)
LF H Matsui ($13,000,000)
C J Posada ($12,000,000)
2B R Cano ($381,100)
Mussina ($19,000,000)
Wang ($353,175)
Johnson ($15,661,427)
Wright ($7,666,667)
Lidle (3,300,000)
Rivera ($10,500,000)
Farnsworth ($5,416,667)
Villone ($2,250,000)
Proctor ($353,675)
Myers ($1,150,000)
Bruney ($327,000)
Lineup: $129,446,569.00 on debit Steinbrenner.
Rotation: $45,981,269.00 on debit Steinbrenner.
Bullpen: $19,997,342.00 on debit Steinbrenner.
27th World Championship, beating the Mets again in The Series: Priceless
Melky deserves his chance to play. And this post is for you Benjamin 16 runs is 16 runs AGAINST TAMPA BAY. Let us see if they can post 16 runs on Los Angeles or Minnesota or the White Sox. When was the last time you remember 16 runs vs those teams? Bottom line is this is a home run hitting team AGAIN! When we hit the long ball we win. When we don't we lose. Now come playoff time it's guys like Johan Santana on the mound not Bruce Chen!So don't be fooled by the numbers.
yes u should