ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman chaired a meeting with manager Joe Girardi, his staff and scouts yesterday at Tropicana Field in preparation for the upcoming ALDS, though the Yankees don’t know who they are playing.
“It’s not that difficult,” Cashman said of preparing for two clubs (the Tigers and Rangers) instead of one. “We have two sets of scouting reports.”
What Girardi’s roster will look like Friday night for Game 1 at Yankee Stadium was a big subject, and though the manager strongly hinted last week Jorge Posada would be part of the 25-man group, Cashman hedged about the switch-hitting designated hitter’s role.
“I can’t say yet. We haven’t made any decisions. We’ve got more conversations,” Cashman said when asked if Posada will have a spot. “It’s going to be hard, we have a lot of talent there.”Posada went 0-for-3 in last night’s 5-3 loss to the Rays as the DH.
Cashman disagrees that starting pitching beyond CC Sabathia is the Yankees’ weakest link.
“I think our pitching is a lot better than we are given credit for,” Cashman said. “I don’t feel like we’re trying to come up with a third starter, it’s more of the bench that’s really the big focus and how the pen is going to round out, that’s our big thing.
“There’s going to be some tough calls here. We’ll revisit it again [today]. How many pitchers? How many position players? What position players?”
Though Cashman avoided saying the Yankees will go with three starters, that’s the plan, which means Sabathia will work Games 1 and 4.
Who the opponent will be could determine if lefty reliever Raul Valdes makes the 25-man roster.
As for whom the Yankees face, Cashman was philosophical.
“You get what you get, and you don’t get upset,” he said. “That’s what my daughter says. I use that with her. The bottom line is that it is going to be tough opponents no matter who it is.”
According to Girardi he is set on 22 of the 25-man roster and that the opponent will depend on the final three names. Girardi was undecided if he will carry 10 or 11 pitchers in the first round.
“We haven’t made all the decisions,” Girardi said.
Following last night’s 5-3 loss Girardi didn’t announce a starter for tonight.
“I will have one by 7:10,” said Girardi, who can’t use Sabathia, A.J. Burnett or Freddy Garcia. And he wants to see Phil Hughes in two innings of relief.
An option is lefty Aaron Laffey for a couple of frames.
Girardi said he will continue to play regulars.
****
One day after experience concussion symptoms after a light workout, Francisco Cervelli didn’t do anything yesterday. He will be examined by a neurologist in New York Thursday, but it doesn’t appear he will be ready to be part of the ALDS roster.
Cervelli hasn’t played since Sept. 8 when he suffered a concussion during a collision at home plate.
****
Johnny Damon moved ahead of Lou Gehrig into 57th place on the all-time hit list with a second-inning single. Damon has 2,722 hits and is two hits shy of tying Roberto Alomar for 56th place.
***
Joba Chamberlain has started a program in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska to encourage kids to exercise and be active.
Chamberlain was in Lincoln, Monday and helped dedicate a $25,000 walking track at Holmes Elementary School. Chamberlain donated $1,000 to the project and got MLB to add another $1,000. Chamberlain also donated money to buy cameras and projectors for five classrooms at Holmes.
****
Cashman confirmed the Mets didn’t allow the Yankees to play Triple-A games in Newark next season while the facility in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is renovated.
“The Mets blocked us to go to Newark, N.J.,” Cashman said. “That’s where it begins and ends on that one. I didn’t talk to them. We’ll find somewhere soon to play AAA.
“I got no further comment other than to say, I went there. I reviewed the place, a request was made, they have territorial rights, that they have the right to invoke.”