The Yankees announced tonight's lineup yesterday:
Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Gary Sheffield 1B
Jason Giambi DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Interesting that A-Rod was dropped from the cleanup spot to 6th. Of course, the media is making a big deal about the "demotion." A-Rod hasn't been doing that badly, though.
I suspect this is more about Sheff than about A-Rod. Matsui was put at the bottom of the order when he was coming back from injury. He's the kind of guy who'll do anything he's asked. Sheff...even when he first came back and was clearly struggling, he always batted fifth. I can't help but suspect it's because he'd have raised a stink otherwise.
Earlier in the season, Torre was batting A-Rod and Sheff back-to-back, third and fourth or fourth and fifth. But that is clearly a waste in a lineup that doesn't have many righties. Someone had to be dropped to sixth, and it was A-Rod...because he won't make a fuss about it.
In other news...teams that didn't make the postseason are already making "personnel changes." Dusty Baker got the boot in Chicago. San Franscisco fired Felipe Alou. Joe Girardi meets with Marlins officials this morning, and is expected to be fired. The Marlins want to hire Fredi Gonzalez, and they're afraid if they wait too long, someone else will grab him.
UPDATE: As expected, Joe Girardi was fired this morning. Five hours later, the Marlins announced that Fredi Gonzalez has been hired as the new manager.
Girardi was sad about being fired, but says he's confident he'll land on his feet. I am, too. Good luck, Joe! (And please remember Bubba!)
