Imagining a Nakajima inclusive roster

By On December 12, 2011 · 5 Comments · In Roster Decisions

Last week at the Winter Meetings, the Yankees won the rights to Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima. We were a bit surprised by this, and so were the Yankees. Per the link above, they see Nakajima in a utility role. If he does sign, and that is his role, what will the team look like?

We’ll have the obvious starting nine of:

C:
1B:
2B:
3B:
SS:
LF:
CF:
RF:
DH: Jesus Montero

We’ll also have our five starting pitchers (assuming no other signings for the time being):




.

That’s 14 players, so we’ve got 11 spots left. Let’s fill out the bullpen:






(Extra Reliever)
(Extra Reliever)

21 spots taken. We’ve got four left, now for the bench.

IF: Nakajima
OF: (out of options, fine as a LIDR and lefty bat off the bench if necessary)
OF: (hopefully!)

24 spots, one left. There are a number of ways the Yankees could go here. They could add and have three catchers on the roster, but I don’t think they’ll do that. I think they’ll let Montero catch when Russell Martin needs a day off. They’ve been committed to him this much, so I really can’t imagine they go with anyone other than Nunez in that last spot. He can play third and short and can also fake it in the outfield. What will make this decision interesting is if the Yankees sign Nakajima and find a way to bring back. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but if it does, I think we could see the Yankees pull the trigger on a trade that involves Nunez.

Like many of you, I’m not horribly confident in the chances of the Yankees signing Nakajima. He could want more playing time than the Yankees can give and that may get in the way. If they don’t, I’d be fine with the team rolling with Nunez as its primary back up infielder. He’s cheap and can play multiple positions, and that helps him. With him and without Nakajima, there’s still an open spot on the bench, though, and I think that will come down to an Chavez vs. “battle” in the front office or Spring Training.

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5 Responses to Imagining a Nakajima inclusive roster

  1. Joe G says:
    December 12, 2011 at 10:15 am

    What was the last we heard on Feliciano? I seem to recall reports late in the season that he was rehabbing, but anyone with some common sense could tell you he wasn’t going to pitch in 2011. However did he have a set back or was there some news I missed that suggests he won’t pitch in 2012?

    Reply
    • UYF1950 says:
      December 12, 2011 at 10:26 am

      I believe that was the case originally but since then I think he opted for and got surgery. Which effectively removes him from being available for the entire 2012 season, $8.25MM thrown in the garbage along with a wasted roster spot.

      Reply
      • Joe G says:
        December 12, 2011 at 2:33 pm

        What a shame. It was pretty obvious he was going to crash hard at some point thanks to his time with the mets. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get anything from him. In hindsight I wish he got taht surgery early in 2011, so that we could at least have him back in late 2012, where he could of played a Marte type post season role. Oh well.

        Reply
  2. roadrider says:
    December 12, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Well if you insist on a 12-man pitching staff and want to carry a superfluous fifth outfielder who isn’t really needed as a LIDR (If Jones is playing then Gardner is probably on the bench so who’s a better defensive replacement than him? If you have the OF regulars playing then Jones is a perfectly serviceable LIDR for Swisher) and who may bat left handed BUT WHO CAN’T REALLY HIT then you really limit your options.

    I would forget about Dickerson – he’s worthless – and cut back to an 11-man pitching staff. Then you have more options for the bench.

    Reply
  3. fuster says:
    December 12, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    If the Yankees have Nakajima on the team’s roster then either Nunez is traded or Nakajima has Chavez’ roster spot.

    Reply

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