Now, consider how many bench player we are carrying:
Code:
Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
26 Sal Fasano R/R 6-2 245 08/10/71 [bench]
20 Jorge Posada S/R 6-2 205 08/17/71 [starter]
Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
14 Miguel Cairo R/R 6-1 210 05/04/74 [starter]
25 Jason Giambi L/R 6-3 230 01/08/71 [starter][DH]
17 Nick Green R/R 6-0 175 09/10/78 [bench]
2 Derek Jeter R/R 6-3 195 06/26/74 [starter]
12 Andy Phillips R/R 6-0 205 04/06/77 [bench]
13 Alex Rodriguez R/R 6-3 225 07/27/75 [starter]
Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
53 Bobby Abreu L/R 6-0 210 03/11/74 [starter]
28 Melky Cabrera S/L 5-11 170 08/11/84 [bench]
19 Bubba Crosby L/L 5-11 190 08/11/76 [bench]
18 Johnny Damon L/L 6-2 205 11/05/73 [starter]
51 Bernie Williams S/R 6-2 205 09/13/68 [bench][DH]
39 Craig Wilson R/R 6-2 220 11/30/76 [bench]
We're carrying 7...count them...seven bench players. Now, keeping in mind its necessary to carry two catchers, that brings the number down to 6.
Wouldn't it be more beneficial to send down to AAA two more bench players and bring up more relievers? With Dotel coming back, and them bringing up T.J. Beam, they could send Nick Green and Bubba Crosby down to AAA. Phillips can play most of the infield, as he did when he was coming up through the minors (I think he was originally a 2B), so we've got our backup infielder, along with the utility Craig Wilson. The outfield is secure with Bernie and Melky (along with Wilson).
