40 Man Roster
Pitchers
Alfredo Aceves: Retain – Aceves’ injury left a gaping void in the Yanks bullpen that was never completely filled. Back surgery may turn that retain into a release. However, if all is well, a return can help sure up what may be another overhaul to the pen.
Jonathan Albaladejo: Retain – Had a stellar year in Triple-A with lights out numbers as a closer. Is a great long man out of the pen in the majors whenever Girardi needs him. Maybe this spring is the year he finally steps up to grab a hold on a more significant spot.
Andrew Brackman: Retain – Is finally becoming the pitcher that the Yanks knew they were getting. The return from Tommy John Surgery isn’t quite there, but Brackman is now of the 40-man and is well on his way.
A.J. Burnett: Retain – Absolutely awful year for Burnett. However, no one will take him, and to be honest, he is Mr. Inconsistent. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he came back in 2011 with a stellar year.
Joba Chamberlain: Retain – Many may say Joba is done, but there are far worst relievers in baseball. Sometimes I think he might be better off going somewhere not for the sake of Yankee fans, but for the benefit of his own career.
Steve Garrison: Retain – Has bounced around between Rookie and Triple-A. Has shown flashes at times and is worth the keep.
Chad Gaudin: Release – Is a semi-decent long man out of the pen, but everyone holds their breath when he is on the hill. Could possibly fill his role with talent from the farm.
Phil Hughes: Retain – An 18-8 record with those ever-so-popular innings limit rules throughout the season. Should be fun to see how he bounces back once the handcuffs are off, as well as a not-so-good ALCS.
Boone Logan: Retain – Rock solid all year long with a streak of scoreless appearances thrown in. Reliable lefty that should make for interesting competition when Marte returns.
Damaso Marte: Retain – Should be interesting to see if surgery hinders the kind of pitcher Marte was in the past.
Sergio Mitre: Release – Slightly more reliable than Gaudin. However, with the influx of pitchers coming up in the farm, Mitre’s time with the Yanks should be over.
Dustin Moseley: Retain – The 2010 Tanyon Sturtze with less velocity. A great find by Cashman who was able to fill in during Pettitte’s injury and Hughes’ restrictions.
Hector Noesi: Retain – Still early in his development. Too soon to call.
Ivan Nova: Retain – A kid that quite possibly be something special for the Yanks moving forward. Needs to improve ability from the stretch. Could be a 4th or 5th starter, or even a vital guy in the bullpen.
Andy Pettite: Retain – Does he want to be retained?
Royce Ring: Release – He could end up returning with a minor league deal or Spring Training invite. Anything further is not necessary.
Mariano Rivera: Retain – No brainer here.
David Robertson: Retain – Aside from his meltdown in the ALCS, Robertson has really emerged as a force in the pen. Girardi deserves a lot of credit for his growth and improvement. Should be part of 2011 pen.
CC Sabathia: Retain – The Horse. The ace.
Romulo Sanchez: Retain – Big righty with limited time in the majors. Jury is still out on this one. Nonetheless, couldn’t hurt to have depth in Triple-A.
Javier Vazquez: Release – The Javy redemption project was a bust. He’ll pitch in the Kansas City’s or Pttisburgh’s of world next year and win 15 games.
Kerry Wood: Retain – Only at a reasonable price. Dave Eiland deserves a lot of credit for resurrecting Wood’s career. Claims to love New York, however, has an 11M option, and could possibly receive many tempting offers to be closer again. He’s about 51% gone.
Catchers
Francisco Cervelli: Retain – Cervelli gets a bad wrap for his inability to throw out runners (due to always catching Burnett who is terrible at holding guys on) and his low batting average. However, Cervelli is a great receiver that can help carry hold the load while the catching situation is in transition.
Chad Moeller: Release – With guys named Montero, Romine, and Sanchez on the farm, Moeller’s days with the club are finished.
Jorge Posada: Retain – Posada is your everyday DH next year. With Montero, Cervelli and himself currently projected to split catching duties in 2011, Posada will be on his final season with the only club he has ever known.
Infielders
Lance Berkman: Release – Interested in playing everyday and in the field. Not a good fit moving forward.
Robinson Cano: Retain – The future face of the New York Yankees.
Reegie Corona: Retain – Developing and can add strength and versatility.
Derek Jeter: Retain – The question becomes more real every year – how much longer at shortstop?
Juan Miranda: Retain – Great pop of the bench with a decent glove.
Eduardo Nunez: Retain – Cashman called Nunez the future shortstop of the Yankees. Big expectations to live up to, and certainly big shoes to fill.
Ramiro Pena: Retain – Decent glove off the bench with versatility. Needs to improve with the bat.
Alex Rodriguez: Retain – Once again has a lot to prove that his career is not in a free-fall downslide.
Mark Teixeira: Retain – Like A-Rod, needs to bounce back from down year.
Outfielders
Colin Curtis: Retain – Showed poise and ability in opportunity given.
Brett Gardner: Retain – Carl Crawford without the power. And oh yeah, much, much cheaper.
Greg Golson: Retain – Quite possibly could crack team as 5th outfielder. Has speed, glove, and a heck of an arm (ask: Carl Crawford).
Curtis Granderson: Retain – Second half saved what could have been an ugly season. Would Jackson been able to have same season with Yanks as he did in Detroit? We’ll never know.
Austin Kearns: Release – Logical move at the deadline. Did not pan out.
Kevin Russo: Retain – An infield version of Colin Curtis.
Nick Swisher: Retain – Had a great year with new tweaks from Coach Kevin Long. Post-Season struggles are beginning to haunt Swish.
Marcus Thames: Retain – A great find by Cashman. Dominated lefties, and would be a great bat again off the bench.
Designated Hitter
Nick Johnson: Release – Anyone remember him playing this season?