FanPost

Who would you want on a postseason roster?



Its September, there is a lot of baseball left to play, and with the exception of two teams in the AL, no one has locked up a playoff spot. Its ludicrous to even talking playoffs, and downright unnatural to do so, given baseball's superstitious leanings....

Yet tempting fate, and not wanting to be last, I wanted to start looking at if the Milwaukee Brewers somehow make the playoffs, who would possibly on the roster. As you can see, this really is a heartbreaking thing to look at, as possibly one or more of the players who have been there since the start of the season should, or could be left off the roster.

So lets take a look, shall we?

LOCKS

Outfield - 3 - Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun

Infield - 5 - Jesus Aguilar - Orlando Arcia - Mike Moustakas - Travis Shaw - Jonathon Schoop

Catchers - 2 - Manny Pina - Erik Kratz

SP - 4 - Chase Anderson, Jhoulys Chacin, Zach Davies, Wade Miley

Relievers - 6 - Corbin Burnes, Xavier Cedeno, Josh Hader, Jeremy Jeffress, Joakim Soria, Jacob Barnes

I went back and forth about adding Barnes to the list of locks, but his numbers show he most likely will be there, and I am throwing Cedeno on there because he hasn't shown any issues since going.

This leaves only 5 - FIVE - spots on the 25-man playoff roster. So who are the players who will fill these spots? I see nine players likely filling those spots.

Potential players

IN - Eric Thames, Hernan Perez

OF - Keon Broxton, Curtis Granderson

C - NONE

SP - Gio Gonzalez, Brandon Woodruff, Junior Guerra

RP - Corey Knebel, Dan Jennings

This is going to be a tough cutdown by Stearns, Counsell and company, as there are so many guys we would hate to have sitting at home, or in the front row, as they are guys we have rooted for this season, or longer.

The first I see cutting is Junior Guerra, as it seems like he is just tired this season. Its tough to cut him, as he came back from the minors to solidify the starting rotation when things were in disarray early on, but does anyone have any confidence he should start, or even relieve a playoff game? Maybe if he rests for the rest of the month, but still.

This leaves likely one spot for the fifth starter - long relief spot, given the spacing of playoffs games. If Gonzalez can show a turnaround, he probably gets the nod, but if not it will be Woodruff, as he has filled holes throughout the season, and would be trusted in many situations.

I left Freddy Peralta off the list because while electric at times, he has had some stinkers as well, and the other two guys seem like safer picks.

Four spots remaining....

Two of those spots could be taken by the two remaining relievers - Knebel and Jennings - and reall, it would have seemed unthinkable either would be left off the playoff roster even a month ago. Both have struggled in recent weeks, and there are other options in the bullpen.

Two of the positions need to go to backups for the infield and outfield. I think its almost a given one of those has to be Perez, who is credibly in the field at any position, and I feel stupid not including him at all before.

Three spots remaining.....

So does Perez negate the need for Broxton? If you want a defensive replacement for each outfield spot, as well as one of the best options for pinch runner, he would be it.

Then we have Granderson and Thames - both are probably better pinch-hitter choices.

Three spots - who do you choose? Thames, Knebel, Jennings, Broxton, Granderson? Is there somebody you think should not be on the above list?