Oct 272009
According to the NY Post, the Yankees have added Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske to their World Series roster. They’ll replace Francisco Cervelli and Freddy Guzman. I think most would agree that these additions are good moves. Hinske is a solid bench bat that can help out at Citizen’s Bank Park and, although you never know with Bruney, at this point, he’s more useful than Freddy Guzman. I’m also assuming that Jose Molina won’t catch Burnett this series, making him the backup for every game (meaning Cervelli is expendable).
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I agree with the extra bat and the extra pitcher is probably a result of all the starters working on short rest and the need for a larger pen. The third catcher was a luxury that we will have to do without. I can see Molina catching game 2 and when Posada pinch hits he will have to stay in the game (heck he was 1 for 1 stealing and Gardner was 0 for 2). As for game 5 (in Philly) Posada will be catching as we can’t have that weak of a line-up without a DH and the pitcher batting. So the way I see the Cervelli move its only an issue for one game max. Joe O(Quote)
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This tells me two things:
1) They are considering Gaudin for a start, and therefore wanted another arm.
2) They are considering letting Jorge catch AJ, so they dont need the extra catcher. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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AndrewYF Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I agree. Gaudin is guaranteed to not be available for the first two games after throwing 80 pitches today in a simulated start. Bruney replaces him in the bullpen, and it’s probably an upgrade. AndrewYF(Quote)
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Adding Bruney just gives Girardi temptation to use him in a real situation. Not good. EJ Fagan(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Nah, that is entirely overstated. He left Bruney off the roster twice, so he has no such temptation. Even during the season, it made sense to use him in big spots to see what you had, considering the lead they had and the fact that Bruney was great in April. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Steve S. Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
If by ‘real’ you mean Garbage time, then yes.
There’s a chance Gaudin gets a start in this series, so he won’t be available as your last man out of the bullpen. Enter Bruney. This is Joe covering his ass, that’s it. Steve S.(Quote)
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Chris, if you heard Girardi on WFAN today, he was downplaying the idea that Posada and Burnett are back together after ALCS Game 5. When asked, he repeated his previous answer saying “They’ve(AJ-Molina) worked well together, and I don’t want to change things now”
Molina’s catching AJ. Steve S.(Quote)
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Chris H. Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 5:12 am
He won’t catch him in Citizen’s Bank Park.
If he does, Girardi is an idiot. Chris H.(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Why should the park make a difference? I’m not sure what the right move is, but I can’t see how the equation would change in CBP. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Church of the Perpetually Outraged Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Probably a bad choice of words, but since you are already losing the DH spot due to the NL park, would you want to further weaken your lineup using Molina over Posada? Church of the Perpetually Outraged(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I’m not sure that the logic changes- if you really think there is a measureable difference in Burnett with Molina, then you need to weigh that against having Posada’s bat. The other bats in the lineup should have little to no bearing on the issue. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Chris H. Reply:
October 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
If you lose Matsui’s bat and Swisher is hitting .100, I think it does make a difference if Posada is also sitting out for Jose Molina. Chris H.(Quote)
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I view it as they’re now going with their best players, best roster.
Hinske will pinch hit and maybe play the OF.
Bruney won’t be trusted but he was our 8th inning guy before the injury which might be 100% now after the additional rest.
Hope they can find a spot to put him in a game early on, even if just to get one out. leftylarry(Quote)
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I think molina gets the nod in game 2 in the bronx and if burnett is gonna pitch in philly posada will catch him. Period George(Quote)
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I think it is more important to have someone AJ trusts behind the plate (with his power curve) then it is to have a big bat in the game. Of course the caveat is; the results of the first two games. Old Ranger(Quote)
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Whatever helps Burnett not explode and get the job done, DO IT! I just hope the night that Molina catches Burnett, the Yankees can actually hit something! Go Yankees! Simon(Quote)
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