Yankee Roster and Pitching Rotation Decisions

A few roster and rotation questions came out of today. From Joe Girardi:

“We are definitely considering going to a three-man rotation in this round.”

This makes a ton of sense to me. So does IIATMS. As Sam Borden explains:

Girardi pointed to the lighter workload that CC Sabathia faced in September, as well as the longer layoff he’s getting now since the Yankees swept the first round. Girardi said that the team would like to have plan in place for the rotation going into the series, as opposed to just waiting to see where the team stands when Game 4 rolls around. Remember, too, that because of off-days Sabathia could pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 and only have to pitch on short rest once instead of twice.

Steven Goldman's one hesitation is that CC has pitched a lot of innings so far this year (236.2 to be exact), but likes this plan as well considering the alternatives are Chad Gaudin or bringing Joba Chamberlain back from the bullpen. Here are Gaudin's stats vs. the Angels in his career:



His ERA balloons to 7.67 when he pitches in Anaheim (which Game 4 will be). Sabathia hasn't been great against his hometown team (to the tune of a 4.74 ERA) but I think you'll take your chances with him. You are paying him for games like these and while Gaudin is a nice pitcher, you have zero faith in him coming through in a big game on the road. Gaudin is not a strikeout pitcher (in the AL he has a career 6.5 K/9) which is a problem against a team that will try to run ragged against the Yankees. You need to pitch CC here too so you can bring him back for Game 7 as well. This is not as cut-and-dry as one would think (especially with only one lefty in the Angels lineup and Gaudin's strength against righties), but I think the Yankees need to go with their hefty ace.

As for the other roster decision, Tyler Kepner explains:

Girardi said, “I don’t expect a lot of changes at this point,” to the roster. From what I can tell, the only real possibility might be adding Brian Bruney and replacing Damaso Marte. The need for the left-handed Marte would seem to be small, since the Angels have only one pure left-handed hitter (Bobby Abreu).

There is a 3rd option: take Marte off the roster and put someone useful like Freddy Guzman or Ramiro Pena on. If the Yankees are going to use 3 starters, there's no reason you need 8 relievers on the roster. Yes, Kendy Morales hits better vs. righties and they do separate Abreu and Morales, but I'm not sure that you would bring in one of their lefty relievers. Especially not someone like Marte who couldn't get righties or lefties out this season.

Bruney makes some sense if Girardi really had any faith in him. But when do you use him? The Yankees have Rivera, Hughes, Joba, Robertson, Aceves, and probably Gaudin in front of Bruney on the righty reliever pecking order.

I say go with the speed. Either Ramiro Pena or Freddy Guzman would give them more speed off the bench. Then Girardi may feel more comfortable starting Brett Gardner in CF against John Lackey or Jered Weaver so that he doesn't have to keep Gardner on the bench for pinch running opportunities. It seems like he's still thinking of going with 3 catchers which I love as long as he will pinch hit for Molina and pinch run for Posada and Molina.

Girardi has a few days to make his decisions. It'll be interesting to see what he chooses.