Boxed In: The New York Yankees 40-Man Roster Problems

May 11, 2009   ·   Gregory Pearsoll   ·   Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

With the Yankees struggling at 13-14, changes are badly needed on the team. Unfortunately, due to roster construction, some of these changes may not be possible.

Here’s the current 40-Man roster for the Yankees, for your viewing:

	40-Man Roster
	Pitchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	91 Alfredo Aceves	R/R	6-3	220	12/08/82
	63 Jonathan Albaladejo	R/R	6-5	260	10/30/82
	* 64 Andrew Brackman	R/R	6-10	240	12/04/85
	* 38 Brian Bruney	R/R	6-3	235	02/17/82	15-day Disabled List
	34 A.J. Burnett	R/R	6-4	230	01/03/77
	62 Joba Chamberlain	R/R	6-2	230	09/23/85
	* 29 Anthony Claggett	S/R	6-3	195	07/15/84
	48 Phil Coke	L/L	6-1	210	07/19/82
	* 68 Wilkin De La Rosa	L/L	6-0	185	02/21/85
	* 85 Michael Dunn	L/L	6-1	195	05/23/85
	* 70 Christian Garcia	R/R	6-5	215	08/24/85
	* 71 Eric Hacker	S/R	6-1	210	03/26/83
	65 Phil Hughes	R/R	6-5	240	06/24/86
	* 17 Steven Jackson	R/R	6-5	215	03/15/82
	* 31 Ian Kennedy	R/R	6-0	195	12/19/84
	* 43 Damaso Marte	L/L	6-2	215	02/14/75	15-day Disabled List
	39 Mark Melancon	R/R	6-2	215	03/28/85
	46 Andy Pettitte	L/L	6-5	225	06/15/72
	36 Edwar Ramirez	R/R	6-3	165	03/28/81
	42 Mariano Rivera	R/R	6-2	185	11/29/69
	30 David Robertson	R/R	5-11	190	04/09/85
	52 CC Sabathia	L/L	6-7	290	07/21/80
	41 Jose Veras	R/R	6-5	235	10/20/80
	* 40 Chien-Ming Wang	R/R	6-3	230	03/31/80	15-day Disabled List
	Catchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	29 Francisco Cervelli	R/R	6-1	210	03/06/86
	26 Jose Molina	R/R	6-2	235	06/03/75
	* 20 Jorge Posada	S/R	6-2	215	08/17/71	15-day Disabled List
	Infielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	14 Angel Berroa	R/R	6-0	195	01/27/78
	24 Robinson Cano	L/R	6-0	205	10/22/82
	2 Derek Jeter	R/R	6-3	195	06/26/74
	* — Juan Miranda	L/L	6-0	220	04/25/83
	19 Ramiro Pena	S/R	5-11	165	07/18/85
	** 12 Cody Ransom	R/R	6-2	190	02/17/76	60-day Disabled List
	* 13 Alex Rodriguez	R/R	6-3	230	07/27/75	15-day Disabled List
	25 Mark Teixeira	S/R	6-3	220	04/11/80
	Outfielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	53 Melky Cabrera	S/L	5-11	200	08/11/84
	18 Johnny Damon	L/L	6-2	205	11/05/73
	11 Brett Gardner	L/L	5-10	185	08/24/83
	* 22 Xavier Nady	R/R	6-1	185	11/14/78	15-day Disabled List
	33 Nick Swisher	S/L	5-11	210	11/25/80
	Designated Hitters	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	55 Hideki Matsui	L/R	6-2	210	06/12/74
	* Not on Active Roster ** Not on 40-Man Roster

SOURCE: New York Yankees’ MLB site,

<http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=nyy>

If you notice on the roster, it is currently full, mostly because of the Yankees wanting to protect the young arms in their system, as several are either signed to pro contracts (i.e. Andrew Brackman) or were added so they could be protected in the Rule 5 Draft.

When Posada went on the DL, the Yankees could have called up Kevin Cash, Chris Stewart or P.J. Pillitere to back up Jose Molina- if they had roster space.

Due to the team’s willingness to keep Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, and all of the young, non majorleague-ready arms in AAA and AA, the Yankees ended up calling up Francisco Cervelli, who is hitting only .190 in Trenton(AA), and is a poor defensive catcher, committing five errors in AA.

Cervelli doesn’t deserve to be here—but unfortunately, due to his call-up last year in September, plus his young age(23), the Yankees are stuck with having to call him up to avoid losing a young pitcher to waivers, where he would likely be scooped up by a team desperate for pitching depth such as the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Mariners, and others.

A similar situation is occurring in the infield as well. The Yankees are already thin on depth at 3B/SS, even when Alex Rodriguez gets back. An option they could consider is Kevin Russo, recently activated off the DL, hitting .442 with 8 RBIs in AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

Unfortunately, with the Yankees 40-man roster situation, along with their willingness to keep underperforming players such as Cody Ransom, Angel Berroa or Juan Miranda on there, it really hurts them, as it makes it impossible to add anyone.

The outfield is the worst mess of all. Many people have wanted John Rodriguez (.322 AVG) to be called up.

Unfortunately, due to the excess of pitchers on the 40-man, they are stuck with an outfield of Damon-Cabrera-Swisher-Gardner, with Gardner being the weakest link, but having to be kept because the Yankees do not want to lose any of their young pitchers.

Another question: Who are these pitchers? The ones who are questionable for the Yankees being contributions for the future include:

Steven Jackson (the Yankees won’t trust him. Now he’s gone, as he was designated for assignment)

Anthony Claggett (gave up eight runs against Cleveland)

Andrew Brackman (still waiting for him. Struggling in A ball)

Christian Garcia (Tampa Yankees, 24 years old, injured)

Michael Dunn (6.75 ERA in AA, at the age of 24)

Eric Hacker (recently designated for assignment)

With all the troubles with the Yankees 40-man roster, it stands to hurt them in the long run.

UPDATE: Kevin Cash added to 40-Man. Erick Hacker DFA’d.

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