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).

According to Chad Jennings, speedster Freddy Guzman has been added to the Yankees’ ALCS roster in place of Eric Hinske. Nice move by Girardi.

From MLBTR, we learn that the Pirates have claimed Anthony Claggett off waivers from the Yankees. Claggett was designated for assignment on the 14th in order to free up a roster spot on the 40-man for speedster Freddy Guzman. The Pirates already have Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jeff Karstens pitching for them, so why not bring in another Yankee arm (or two, or three)?

The Yanks have recently kicked around the idea of carrying 10 pitchers for the ALDS. Just to see what that would look like, I’ll make up a 25 man postseason roster. 10 pitchers, 15 position players.

Pitchers:
CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Andy Pettitte
Mariano Rivera
Phil Hughes
Alfredo Aceves
Damaso Marte
Phil Coke
David Robertson
Joba Chamberlain/Chad Gaudin/Alby/Bruney

Position Players:
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
Mark Tiexiera
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Johnny Damon
Nick Swisher
Gritt Gardner
Melky Cabrera
Hideki Matsui
Eric Hinske

Jerry Hairston
Ramiro Pena
Freddy Guzman

I don’t know about you, but I’d drop Freddy Guzman and take an extra pitcher, myself. Rather have Gaudin+Joba than Guzman. Its not like Ramiro Pena or Jerry Hairston  can’t pinch run for you. I understand that Guzman is crazy fast, 80 on a scouts 20-80 scale. But is the marginal speed difference between him and Pena or Hairston worth carrying one less pitcher? I don’t think so.

I think Joba likely gets taken over Chad Gaudin, since we know Joba has the ability to utterly dominate out of the bullpen. But Gaudin could eat up 3 innings somewhere in a game where the starter gets knocked out early and save Ace/D-Rob from having to do so, leaving them strong to perform in a win rather than waste them doing mop-up work in a game which will likely end in a loss. We need a long man, and Gaudin would be perfect. He could hold down the fort and even give you a chance to win that game. I just don’t want Ace or D-Rob wasting their arms (and being unavailable/less effective the next game) what in all likelihood will be a losing cause.

Another thing to consider is that there is some overlap as to where these guys play. Pena plays 2B/SS/3B, Guzman plays LF/CF/RF and Hairston plays just about everywhere. If they drop Pena and go Hairston as the backup infielder, Guzman as the 5th outfielder and an 11th pitcher, I’m on board.

But this decision may wind up being made for them. LoHud reported yesterday that Hairston’s wrist injury could be serious, and if that’s the case that would finish him for the season.

From Joel Sherman:

The Yankees are likely to have the home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs, and with that comes the right to pick a first-round series in which they have multiple off-days that allow them to go with three starters. With the extra off-days they need no more than a seven-man bullpen. Thus, they can have 15 position players or six extra men on the bench.

The locks are Gardner, Jerry Hairston and Jose Molina. That leaves three open slots to pick among Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Eric Hinske, Shelly Duncan and Guzman. Do the Yanks feel they need a lefty power bat (Hinske), a righty power bat (Duncan), a second extra infielder who can run a bit (Pena), a third catcher (Cervelli) that would allow them to more liberally run for Jorge Posada and Jose Molina or a pure speed guy (Guzman).

I think the Yankees will take 11 pitchers, with CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba, Mariano, Hughes, Coke, Marte, Robertson, Bruney, and Aceves making the cut. Considering that Shelley Duncan and Frankie Cervelli have been given minimal playing time recently, I would guess that neither is a legitimate option for a roster spot. That leaves two spots for Hinske, Pena, and Guzman, with Hinske almost certain to make the team as the lone power threat off the bench. Essentially, we are left with a choice between a second utility player (Pena) and a second base stealing threat (Guzman). Joe over at RAB addressed this issue yesterday:

A speed threat on the bench is a luxury in October, and one the Yankees can certainly afford. But can they spare two spots to speedsters? It seems as though Melky Cabrera is the starting center fielder, with Gardner coming in every once in a while, rather than any kind of set platoon. He’s one guy who can pinch run in close and late situations. Do the Yankees need another?
Right now, the odds are against Guzman making the roster, but things can change between now and October 7. If Melky starts to falter and Gardner starts more in center, perhaps the Yankees will think it worthy to have a speeders for whom they can pick spots. If Gardner’s starting, the Yanks obviously can’t use him to pinch run for Posada or Matsui in a difficult spot. The presence of Guzman would afford them that luxury. I guess it will come down to how the team plays down the stretch, and how the Yankees think they can best use their extra position player.

I have to disagree with Joe, in that I do not believe that this has anything to do with Gardner. Whoever is the 25th man will be the last person off the bench, used after Gardner. The question is, would you prefer that last guy be a versatile player or a base stealer? I would prefer Guzman, as I see no instance where Pena’s defense will come into play. His versatility is essentially meaningless, because it is unlikely that he would be needed to replace Cano, Jeter, or Rodriguez. Rather, he too would be used as a pinch-runner for Posada, Matsui, Swisher, or Damon. Considering that it is significantly more likely that the player being replaced is an outfielder rather than an infielder, Guzman would likely be the right choice regardless of his advantage in terms of speed. The fact that he is significantly faster than Pena is just icing on the cake.

From Chad Jennings:

In a move that seemed to catch every player in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees clubhouse offguard, the New York Yankees called up speedy outfielder Freddy Guzman this morning. To make room for Guzman on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Anthony Claggett (right) was designated for assignment.

The move makes Claggett ineligible for the Triple-A playoff roster. He’s going home tomorrow and he’ll wait there to find out whether he clears waivers, gets picked up or is traded for the second time in his career.

Guzman was acquired at the end of August and looks to serve the team as a pinch runner upon his arrival. Since joining Scranton, he has stolen 7 bases in 6 games (this season, he has stolen 45 bases while being caught 9 times). Though it is a strange move since they had to DFA Claggett in order to make room for Guzman—a nobody—I like the speed that they’re adding off the bench. He’s got no bat, but the wheels can be useful down the stretch.

Via Marc Carig, we learn that the Yankees have acquired Freddy Guzman (not Christian Guzman) from the Orioles for a PTBNL. Guzman’s wheels appear to be his best asset, as his offense is extremely limited (I use that phrase kindly). Carig notes that Guzman will head to Scranton.

Also, from Jon Heyman, we learn that the Yankees have inquired about Arizona’s Jon Garland (along with the Rockies). Garland has a 3.86 ERA since the All-Star break, but, in the end, he’s still Jon Garland. He’s a rubber arm without much use beyond that and, when one considers his less than impressive performance in the NL West, it seems doubtful that he could serve as an actual upgrade over Gaudin or Mitre (or Aceves, or anyone). If a trade is to occur, however, it’ll have to be tonight in order for him to be available for the postseason.

UPDATE – The Dodgers have acquired Garland (as well as Jim Thome).