I expect it to change quickly, but here is the 25-man roster as of the moment:
PITCHERS (11) -- Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Mariano Rivera, Luis Vizcaino, Mike Myers, Kyle Farnsworth, Ron Villone, Brian Bruney, Sean Henn
CATCHERS (2) -- Jorge Posada, Jose Molina
INFIELDERS (7) -- Andy Phillips, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Cairo, Wilson Betemit, Chris Basak
OUTFIELDERS (5) -- Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Shelley Duncan
We're going to have to make some changes when Hughes returns, when Karstens comes back, when we get Giambi back, and when Joba Chamberlain arrives (he'll be in the bullpen at first.) Also, I'd like to make a spot for Britton and one to keep Henn on the club as well. Younger, cheaper, and more effective.
When G-Man comes back, we'll have at least one of Damon, Phillips, Betemit, or Giambi availbale off the bench every night. Joe can make some moves late in ballgames. Damon can rest his legs. When Hughes comes to bolster the rotation (Friday or Saturday, depending on whether they hold Wang back an extra day), the rotation is stronger (stronger than Boston's, I think.) Boston's bullpen is stronger, although they don't have a weapon like Mariano, but when Chamberlain, Karstens, and hopefully Britton come to join the pen, we upgrade it close to what the Red Sox have, even with Gagne.
Overall, when healthy, we're a better club. And we're getting healthy. August should be fascinating, especially since all the experts proclaimed the race over yesterday. Won't it be fun to watch their faces as the Yankees close in?
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