If I Were The Manager (ALDS)
by Paul Semendinger
October 6, 2022
***
Ok, it's time...
As of today, at this moment, the following would be my 26-man roster if I were the manager of the Yankees.
Position Players:
Anthony Rizzo - 1b
Gleyber Torres - 2b
Oswald Peraza - ss
Josh Donaldson - 3b
Oswaldo Cabrera - lf
Harrison Bader - cf
Aaron Judge - rf
Giancarlo Stanton - DH
Jose Trevino - c
Kyle Higashioka - c
DJ LeMahieu - 1b, 2b, 3b
Isiah Kiner-Falefa - ss, 3b, c (third string)
Matt Carpenter - ph
Aaron Hicks - of
Marwin Gonzalez- inf, of
Pitchers:
Nestor Cortes
Luis Severino
Gerrit Cole
Jameson Taillon
Domingo German
Lou Trivino
Wandy Peralta
Lucas Luetge
Clarke Schmidt
Scott Effross
Jonathan Loaisiga
Notes:
I would assume the Yankees will start IKF at shortstop, otherwise, I think my starters (the first nine players above) will be the same as the Yankees.
The first four pitchers would be my starting pitchers in rotation order.
The 26th person was a toss-up for me. I had to make my decision between Marwin Gonzalez who provides positional depth or Aroldis Chapman, a third lefty in the bullpen. Chapman has been so erratic that I elected to leave him off the roster for the ALDS. Still, an argument can be made that Chapman should make the team because he still has great talent and the ability to blow away hitters when he is on. In the end, the flexibility Gonzalez provides, I deemed more valuable than a 12th pitcher.
Assumptions:
I assume Matt Carpenter will be available.
I assume Andrew Benintendi will not be available. If he is available, he would take Marwin Gonzalez's place.
I assume Clay Holmes will not be available. If he is available, the decision becomes very challenging. I'd have to take him, but I'd have to consider leaving Clarke Schmidt or Domingo German off the roster.
Note:
Today is only Thursday. This is a first look, as the regular season ended. I'd still have time to make changes before next week.
