Postseason Roster Version 2.0

It's been almost 3 weeks since I took my first crack at predicting the 25-man for the postseason, and with all that's happened since then and the fact that I can't jinx the Yankees' playoff chances now, I figured it's as good a time as any to update the list.

Top 25 as of 9/22/11-

1) CC Sabathia
2) Mariano Rivera
3) Curtis Granderson
4) Robinson Cano
5) Dave Robertson
6) Nick Swisher
7) Derek Jeter
8) Mark Teixeira
9) Russell Martin
10) Brett Gardner
11) Rafael Soriano
12) Alex Rodriguez
13) Boone Logan
14) Ivan Nova
15) Eric Chavez
16) Bartolo Colon
17) Freddy Garcia
18) Andruw Jones
19) Cory Wade
20) Eduardo Nunez
21) Chris Dickerson
22) Hector Noesi
23) Jesus Montero
24) Jorge Posada
25) Luis Ayala

Also Receiving Votes-

26) Phil Hughes
27) A.J. Burnett
28) Austin Romine
29) Raul Valdes
30) Francisco Cervelli

- Cervelli comes off the roster as a guarantee because of the concussion and the continued uncertainty surrounding his condition.  Everything so far makes it seem like the Yankee are going to keep him out of action as a precaution, which is a smart move considering how many he's had.  But I kept him eligible on the off chance that he does improve.  If he can go, you know the team would rather have him as the backup catcher.

- With Cervelli out, Jesus becomes the obvious choice to replace him because he can catch and he adds bench depth with his power.  Last night showed that teams are going to be willing to pitch around other guys to test him, but without other viable options Joe might as well give the kid a shot.

- I also removed Phil Hughes as he's been scratched from 2 straight starts and last night we learned that an MRI showed inflammation in his back.  He had already been struggling of late, almost certainly wasn't going to get a postseason rotation spot, and the bullpen hierarchy is already pretty much set.  Add in this new injury, and it doesn't spell a lot of opportunities for Phil to get used.

- So with Phil out, I inserted Luis Ayala as the new bullpen arm.  I had him as a Wild Card in my bullpen hierarchy post, and yesterday he continued his strong September showing with 2 Ks in a tight spot of Game 1 against the Rays.  He's as good as anybody else they could put into that position.

- I feel more comfortable saying that Jorge, Chris Dickerson, and Hector Noesi are locks than I did 3 weeks ago, and I still feel comfortable saying A.J. is out.  His meltdown in the 4th and 5th innings of his last start were surely the nail in the coffin.

- 2 intriguing question marks are Austin Romine and Raul Valdes.  Romine's gotten some work behind the plate since Cervelli went down, and will probably get more over the next week with the division wrapped up.  If Joe doesn't feel confident that Jesus can step in and catch if needed, he might bring Romine and go with a shorter 'pen.  And since finally being dusted off and used as a bullpen option, all Valdes has done is strike out 5 of the 11 batters he's faced in 2+ scoreless innings of work.  Maybe he slots into the #2 LOOGY role if Joe wants another southpaw.