Assuming the team will carry twelve pitchers, that means five bench players. The locks to make it are platoon first baseman Gaby Sanchez and back-up catcher Mike McKenry. I would add outfielder Jose Tabata, now out of options, as another lock. So that leaves two spots to be fought over by Josh Harrison, Alex Presley, Brandon Inge, and Ivan deJesus, Jr.
Doesn't conjure up images of the '27 Yankees, does it? To be fair, though, these are the 24th and 25th guys on the team we're talking about, and most of the other 29 teams probably have as bleak an outlook for their 25th man as well.
My own guess is that Harrison will make it. Clint Hurdle likes him, and he does seem to have an almost cult-like following among some Bucco fans. I think that the team really wanted Inge to make the team, but he is currently hitting 3-for-25 in Spring Training. I think that Presley's time has passed and he does have minor league options remaining. deJesus has hit well in the Spring, but his previous major league trials have been, well, lousy, but he has this going for him: he came to the team from the Red Sox in the Joel Hanrahan trade, and if he makes the team, Neal will be able to talk about how trading Hanrahan added to the major league roster. (Speaking of the Hanrahan trade, I am sure you all noticed that power hitting first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands was sent to the minors last week.)
So, pick two from among Presley, Inge, and deJesus, and keep telling yourself that these are the 24th and 25th men on the squad.
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