2011 MLB Playoffs: Which Star Players Will Be Left off Playoff Rosters?

As the regular season winds down with less than three weeks to go, only a number of teams have anything left to play for. However, for those teams still in contention, they will have major roster decisions to make at the end of September.

Before each playoff series starts, each team must lock in their 25-man roster for that particular series. Oftentimes, a No. 4 or 5 starter might be left off a roster in a Divisional Series matchup, since they likely would be passed up in a five-game series.

Other stars may be left off if they’re nursing injuries and can’t make it back in time for the Divisional Series matchup, hoping to rehab in time for the League Championship Series.

And there are times when a player may be left off a roster simply because they haven’t performed up to expectations. In the playoffs, top production is absolutely required, especially when pitching gets better and really tightens up considerably. So for players who have been struggling long-term, they may be on the outside looking in.

We at Bleacher Report will attempt to predict which players on each contending team could possibly be left off rosters come playoff time. For the purposes of clarification, we will use the current division leaders along with the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants.

That’s of course assuming that leading teams in other divisions won’t totally collapse in the next three weeks.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Lyle Overbay

First baseman Lyle Overbay could likely be the odd man out for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Currently acting as the backup first baseman to Paul Goldschmidt, Overbay will likely be replaced on the roster by Xavier Nady, if his fractured hand heals in time.

Even if Nady is unable to return in time for the postseason, Overbay may be left off the roster anyway, as manager Kirk Gibson will likely only keep two or three reserve infielders on the bench.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zach Duke

In 19 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, pitcher Zach Duke has struggled, both as a starter and in relief. A 3-4 record, 5.08 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a .323 batting average against, doesn’t exactly amount to a pressure pitcher.

Duke is still adjusting to a relief role as well, and Gibson will need his bullpen to warm up quickly in any tight situation. With Duke’s vast experience as a starting pitcher, he may not be up to the task.

Atlanta Braves: Brooks Conrad

Utility infielder Brooks Conrad has done a more than adequate job of providing support in the infield this season, especially with injuries to Chipper Jones and spelling second baseman Dan Uggla on occasion.

However, with the acquisition of Jack Wilson before the waiver-trade deadline, Conrad could find himself off the playoff roster, at least for the Divisional Series.

Atlanta Braves: Mike Minor

With starting pitcher Tommy Hanson on his way back from right shoulder tendinitis, Mike Minor could be left of the Divisional Series roster. Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe and Brandon Beachy would appear to be the top three starters, with Jair Jurrjens’ return possibly in doubt as well.

If Hanson isn’t ready for the first round of the playoffs, Minor could certainly be included. With a 4.09 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 61.2 innings, Minor certainly hasn’t pitched himself off the roster—it just comes down to a matter of numbers and available bodies.

Boston Red Sox: J.D. Drew

Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew has been on the disabled list since July 20 with a left shoulder impingement, and recently had his rehab shut down by a jammed right middle finger.

While Drew is slated to return from the DL sometime in the middle of the month, does anyone honestly think that he’ll be carried on the playoff roster? Drew’s time in Boston could be officially over.

Boston Red Sox: John Lackey

Is it really not inconceivable that the Boston Red Sox could leave starter John Lackey off the Divisional Series roster, a la San Francisco Giants with Barry Zito?

Lackey will end up with one of the worst ERAs for a qualified starting pitcher in modern baseball history. Yet, with injuries to Clay Buchholz and possibly Erik Bedard, Lackey could get lucky.

Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

When third baseman Brandon Inge was optioned to the minors on July 19, he was hitting .177 with just one HR and 17 RBI. Since his recall on Aug. 20, Inge is hitting .281 to lift his average for the season to .190; however, since his return Inge has not shown any production at all, with just one HR and three RBI.

Manager Jim Leyland will need all the power he can get off the bench, and at this point, Inge is simply not the answer.

Detroit Tigers: Brad Penny

In the Divisional Series, Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland will likely go with the starting trio of Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer, with Rick Porcello and Brad Penny battling for the fourth starting position.

In a five-game series, a fourth starter isn’t nearly as crucial, so Penny could be biding his time in the first playoff round.

Los Angeles Angels: Russell Branyan

First baseman/designated hitter Russell Branyan has been with the Los Angeles Angels since late May after being released by the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, Branyan’s playing time with the Halos has been limited at best, with just 62 at-bats in 34 games, hitting .194 with four HR and 12 RBI.

With the emergence of Mike Trout in the last month, Branyan could be carried on the roster as a pinch-hitting option, but it’s unlikely.

Los Angeles Angels: Fernando Rodney

Reliever Fernando Rodney has clearly fallen out of favor quickly in Anaheim, first in losing his closer’s role to rookie Jordan Walden, and now just by sheer ineffectiveness.

Pitching has carried the Angels all season long, and manager Mike Scioscia will absolutely go with who is effective and reliable in his playoff bullpen.

Los Angeles Angels: Joel Pineiro

The rise of starting pitcher Jerome Williams and the lift he has given the Angels in his starting outings suggest that he could be the hot pitcher ready to continue helping the team if they in fact make the playoffs.

Joel Pineiro has been largely inconsistent for a good portion of the season, and with the starting trio of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana set in stone, Pineiro would be the odd man out if Williams continues pitching with a hot hand.

Milwaukee Brewers: Craig Counsell

Utility infielder Craig Counsell has certainly proved his worth in his previous playoff experiences, first with the Florida Marlins in 1997 and then with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.

However, at 41 years of age, Counsell’s skills have clearly eroded. Hitting just .169 on the season, Counsell can’t be counted on at this point to provide the type of depth that the Milwaukee Brewers will need going into the postseason.

Milwaukee Brewers: Chris Narveson

At least in the opening Divisional Series, a fifth starter isn’t needed. With the Milwaukee Brewers’ front four of Yovani Gollardo, Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum and Randy Wolf, their rotation is clearly set.

While Chris Narveson has had his moments during the 2011 season, he won’t in any way crack that rotation, and could be left off the roster all the way to the World Series.

New York Yankees: A.J. Burnett

It almost seems inconceivable that the Yankees would leave a pitcher off the playoff roster who is making $16.5 million, but that’s exactly what they may do with A.J. Burnett.

With CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon seemingly on the depth chart in front of Burnett, it’s not inconceivable at all that he would at least be left off the Divisional Series roster.

Hey, the San Francisco Giants did it last year with Barry Zito. That seemed to work out pretty well.

New York Yankees: Phil Hughes

For the exact same reasons listed in the last slide, Phil Hughes could also be left off the Divisional Series roster, although Hughes could possibly have more value in the bullpen than A.J. Burnett.

Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton was just activated from the 60-day disabled list four days ago, and will obviously be very rusty in his return.

In addition, the Fab Four is certainly set in the starting rotation (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt), so there just won’t be much room for Blanton on the postseason roster.

Blanton could be saved, however, by the need for a long-relief man in the bullpen.

Philadelphia Phillies: Ross Gload

Utility infielder/outfielder Ross Gload has fashioned a nice career for himself in a backup role for several times during his 10-year career.

However, this year, Gload has lost considerable playing time, as the Phillies have leaned more on John Mayberry Jr. in the outfield and Wilson Valdez in the infield. Gload could be the numbers guy left on the outside looking in.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito is slowly making his way back from another stint on the DL, with a return scheduled for the middle of the month.

However, if the Giants can somehow overtake the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West, is there really any scenario that puts Zito on the playoff roster?

We think not.

San Francisco Giants: Mark DeRosa

Ah, the curious case of third baseman/left fielder Mark DeRosa.

In many respects for the San Francisco Giants, he’s been their Barry Zito as an everyday player. Well, we use everyday player in the hypothetical sense, since he can’t seem to stay on the field long enough to be called that.

Again, if the Giants pull of a miracle in the next three weeks (1951, anyone?), then DeRosa might be looking at a playoff series from the clubhouse.

Texas Rangers: Derek Holland

The Texas Rangers would seem to have the top of their rotation set, with C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando.

It’s really just a matter of numbers that may leave starting pitcher Derek Holland off the playoff roster, at least for the opening Divisional Series. Holland has acquitted himself well this year, with a 13-5 record and 4.12 ERA in 29 starts.

However, with six potential starters, someone has to sit.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.