Playoff clubs built with different approaches

NEW YORK -- Welcome to the postseason melting pot.

The eight teams that overcame the others -- and, in some cases, some incredibly long odds -- represent a variety of means for assembling a roster. But they all share something in common: The payoff for the vision, effort and belief.

Now they get to share October.

Philadelphia Phillies

The class of the 2011 postseason -- going in, at least -- has a homegrown core in the infield, and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. provided the icing by signing and trading for a signature starting rotation. Trades with Houston -- and with former Phillies GM Ed Wade -- brought three key elements (Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence) and there is also a major assist to Dodgers: Shane Victorino and David Herndon both came out of that organization as Rule 5 Draft picks.

Lineup

1B -- Ryan Howard:

Drafted, 2001; fifth round.

2B -- Chase Utley:

Drafted, 2000; first round, overall No. 15 pick.

SS -- Jimmy Rollins:

Drafted, 1996; second round.

3B -- Placido Polanco:

Free agent, December 2009.

C -- Carlos Ruiz:

Signed as amateur free agent from Panama, 1998.

LF -- Raul Ibanez:

Free agent, December 2008.

CF -- Shane Victorino:

Rule 5 Draft, 2004, from Dodgers.

RF -- Hunter Pence:

Trade, July 2011; from Houston, along with $2 million for Minor Leaguers Domingo Santana, Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Zeid.

Rotation

Roy Halladay:

Trade, December 2009; from Toronto, along with $6 million, in exchange for Minor Leaguers Michael Taylor and Travis d'Arnaud and Kyle Drabek.

Cliff Lee:

Free agent, December 2010.

Cole Hamels:

Drafted, 2002; first round, overall No. 17 pick.

Roy Oswalt:

Trade, July 2010; from Houston, for left-hander J.A. Happ and Minor Leaguers Anthony Gose and Jonathan Villar.

Bullpen

Ryan Madson:

Drafted, 1998; ninth round.

Antonio Bastardo:

Signed as amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 2005.

Brad Lidge:

Trade, November 2007; from Houston, along with Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary and Minor Leaguer Mike Costanzo.

Michael Stutes:

Drafted, 2008; 11th round.

Vance Worley:

Drafted, 2008; third round.

Kyle Kendrick:

Drafted, 2003; seventh round.

David Herndon:

Rule 5 Draft, 2009, from the Dodgers.

Milwaukee Brewers

The luxury of a lineup stocked with three former No. 1 Draft picks enabled general manager Doug Melvin to focus on building a pitching staff through the market, and he did a fabulous, thorough job of that. The only home-developed of the 11 pitchers is Yovani Gallardo, with trades, signings and risk-taking -- reliever Marco Estrada came off waivers, record-setting closer John Axford had been released by the Yankees -- completing the corps.

Lineup

1B -- Prince Fielder:

Drafted, 2002; first round, overall No. 7 pick.

2B -- Rickie Weeks:

Drafted, 2003; first round, overall No. 2 pick.

SS -- Yuniesky Betancourt:

Trade, December 2010; from Kansas City, with Zack Greinke for Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress and Minor Leaguer Jake Odorizzi.

3B -- Casey McGehee:

Waiver pick (from Cubs), October 2008.

C -- Jonathan Lucroy:

Drafted, 2007; third round.

LF -- Ryan Braun:

Drafted, 2005; first round, overall No. 5 pick.

CF -- Nyjer Morgan:

Trade, March 2011; from Washington, for Minor Leaguer Cutter Dykstra.

RF -- Corey Hart:

Drafted, 2000; 11th round.

Rotation

Zack Greinke:

Trade, December 2010; from Kansas City, with Yuniesky Betancourt for Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress and Minor Leaguer Jake Odorizzi.

Yovani Gallardo:

Drafted, 2004; second round.

Shaun Marcum:

Trade, December 2010; from Toronto, for Brett Lawrie.

Randy Wolf:

Free agent, December 2009.

Bullpen

John Axford:

Free agent (released by Yankees), March 2008.

Francisco Rodriguez:

Trade, July 2011; from N.Y. Mets, for Danny Herrera and Minor Leaguer Adrian Rosario.

Takashi Saito:

Free agent, January 2011.

LaTroy Hawkins:

Free agent, December 2009.

Kameron Loe:

Free agent (released by Rangers), December 2009.

Chris Narveson:

Free agent, December 2007.

Marco Estrada:

Waiver pick (from Nationals), February 2010.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs were not only pieced together, the pieces kept falling into place right down to the end of the season. GM Kevin Towers mixed and matched tirelessly and endlessly, making his first move on Nov. 15 (signing free agent Geoff Blum) and his last just five days ago (although not postseason-eligible, lefty Mike Zagurski). In between, Towers' overhaul impacted the lineup, the bullpen and, most significantly, the mindset of a team coming off back-to-back 90-loss seasons.

Lineup

1B -- Paul Goldschmidt:

Drafted, 2009; eighth round.

2B -- Aaron Hill:

Trade, August 2011; from Toronto, with John McDonald for Kelly Johnson.

SS -- Willie Bloomquist:

Free agent, January 2011.

3B -- Ryan Roberts:

Free agent (non-tendered by Rangers), November 2008.

C -- Miguel Montero:

Signed as amateur free agent from Venezuela, 2001.

LF -- Gerardo Parra:

Signed as amateur free agent from Venezuela, 2004

CF -- Chris Young:

Trade, December 2005; from Chicago White Sox, with Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino for Javier Vazquez.

RF -- Justin Upton:

Drafted, 2005; first round, overall No. 1 pick.

Rotation

Ian Kennedy:

Trade, December 2009; from New York Yankees, with Edwin Jackson (from Tigers) for Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth (to Tigers).

Daniel Hudson:

Trade, July 2010; from Chicago White Sox, with Minor Leaguer David Holmberg for Edwin Jackson.

Joe Saunders:

Trade, July 2010; from Los Angeles Angels, with Rafael Rodriguez and Minor Leaguers Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin for Dan Haren.

Josh Collmenter:

Drafted, 2007; 15th round.

Bullpen

J.J. Putz:

Free agent, December 2010.

David Hernandez:

Trade, December 2010; from Baltimore, with Kameron Mickolio for Mark Reynolds and John Hester.

Joe Paterson:

Rule 5 Draft, 2010, from Giants.

Bryan Shaw:

Drafted, 2008; second round.

Micah Owings:

Free agent (non-tendered by Reds), January 2011; originally the club's third-round Draft choice in 2005.

Brad Ziegler:

Trade, July 2011; from Oakland, for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto.

Wade Miley:

Drafted, 2008; first round, overall No. 43 pick.

St. Louis Cardinals

GM John Mozeliak's Trading Deadline enterprise is all over this team. A couple years ago, he reeled in Matt Holliday, and although this July's deal with Toronto didn't seem as big, it brought four cogs of the team that fought its way into October. Little reliance on free agency: The two pitchers (Chris Carpenter and Kyle Lohse) were signed years ago, and even last winter's signing (Lance Berkman) was decidedly a low-risk, high-return move.

Lineup

1B -- Albert Pujols:

Drafted, 1999; 13th round.

2B -- Skip Schumaker:

Drafted, 2001; fifth round.

SS -- Rafael Furcal:

Trade, July 2011; from Dodgers, for Minor Leaguer Alex Castellanos.

3B -- David Freese:

Trade, December 2007; from San Diego, for Jim Edmonds.

C -- Yadier Molina:

Drafted, 2000; fourth round.

LF -- Matt Holliday:

Trade, July 2009; from Oakland, for Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Minor Leaguer Shane Peterson (and re-signed as free agent, January 2010).

CF -- Jon Jay:

Drafted, 2006; second round.

RF -- Lance Berkman:

Free agent, December 2010.

Rotation

Edwin Jackson:

Trade, July 2011; from Toronto with Octavio Dotel, Corey Patterson and Mark Rzepczynski for Trever Miller, Colby Rasmus, Brian Tallet and P.J. Walters.

Jaime Garcia:

Drafted, 2005; 22nd round.

Chris Carpenter:

Free agent, December 2003.

Kyle Lohse:

Free agent, March 2008.

Bullpen

Fernando Salas:

Signed as an amateur free agent from Mexico, 2007.

Jason Motte:

Drafted, 2003; 19th round.

Mitchell Boggs:

Drafted, 2005; fifth round.

Kyle McClellan:

Drafted, 2002; 25th round.

Marc Rzepczynski:

Trade, July 2011 (see Jackson).

Arthur Rhodes:

Free agent (released by Rangers), August 2011.

Octavio Dotel:

Trade, July 2011 (see Jackson).

New York Yankees

Yes, GM Brian Cashman is perceived to operate with bottomless pockets, but his organization has been the most creative in assembling a championship roster. The team's core includes seven out-of-the-box players, such as those released by other organizations or discovered through thorough scouting (Robinson Cano and the incomparable Mariano Rivera). The Yankees are low with their four drafted-and-developed players.

Lineup

1B -- Mark Teixeira:

Free agent, January 2009.

2B -- Robinson Cano:

Signed as amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 2001.

SS -- Derek Jeter:

Drafted, 1992; first round, overall No. 6 pick.

3B -- Alex Rodriguez:

Trade, February 2004; from Texas, for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias (and re-signed as free agent, December 2007).

C -- Russell Martin:

Free agent, December 2010.

LF -- Brett Gardner:

Drafted, 2005; third round.

CF -- Curtis Granderson:

Trade, December 2009; from Detroit, for Phil Coke, Austin Jackson (to Tigers) and Ian Kennedy (to Diamondbacks).

RF -- Nick Swisher:

Trade, November 2008; from Chicago White Sox, with Kanekoa Texeira for Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez.

DH -- Jorge Posada:

Drafted, 1990; 24th round.

Rotation

CC Sabathia:

Free agent, December 2008.

Ivan Nova:

Signed as amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 2004.

Freddy Garcia:

Free agent, February 2011.

A.J. Burnett:

Free agent, December 2008.

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera:

Signed as amateur free agent from Panama, 1990.

Cory Wade:

Free agent (released by Rays), June 2011.

Luis Ayala:

Free agent (non-tendered by Rockies), February 2011.

Bartolo Colon:

Free agent (released by White Sox), January 2011.

Rafael Soriano:

Free agent, January 2011.

David Robertson:

Drafted, 2006; 17th round.

Boone Logan:

Trade, December 2009; from Atlanta, with Javier Vazquez for Melky Cabrera, Michael Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino.

Hector Noesi:

Signed as amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 2004.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers profited on the trade market more than any other postseason team, yet they are still distinguished by their successes in the Draft: Their rotation includes a pair of former No. 1 picks -- everyone thinks of Justin Verlander, but Rick Porcello is another -- and a third (Ryan Perry) sits in the bullpen. GM Dave Dombrowski's free-agent signing of Victor Martinez, even though the team was set at both of his positions (catcher and first base), endowed manager Jim Leyland with enviable flexibility.

Lineup

1B -- Miguel Cabrera:

Trade, December 2007; from Florida, with Dontrelle Willis for Burke Badenhop, Eulogio de la Cruz, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo and Minor Leaguer Dallas Trahern.

2B -- Ramon Santiago:

Signed as amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 1998.

SS -- Jhonny Peralta:

Trade, July 2010; from Cleveland, for Giovanni Soto.

3B -- Wilson Betemit:

Trade, July 2011; from Kansas City, for Minor Leaguers Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez.

C -- Alex Avila:

Drafted, 2008; fifth round.

LF -- Brennan Boesch:

Drafted, 2006; third round.

CF -- Austin Jackson

Trade, December 2009; from New York Yankees, with Phil Coke for Curtis Granderson.

RF -- Magglio Ordonez:

Free agent, February 2005 and December 2010.

DH -- Victor Martinez:

Free agent, November 2010.

Rotation

Justin Verlander:

Drafted, 2004; first round, overall No. 2 pick.

Doug Fister:

Trade, July 2011; from Seattle, with David Pauley for Charlie Furbish, Casper Wells, Chance Ruffin and Minor Leaguer Francisco Martinez.

Max Scherzer:

Trade, December 2009; from Arizona with Daniel Schlereth, for Edwin Jackson.

Rick Porcello:

Drafted, 2007; first round, overall No. 27 pick.

Bullpen

Jose Valverde:

Free agent, January 2010.

Phil Coke:

Traded, December 2009 (see Jackson).

Joaquin Benoit:

Free agent, November 2010.

Dan Schlereth:

Trade, December 2009 (see Scherzer).

Al Alburquerque:

(Minor League) Free agent, November 2010.

Brad Penny:

Free agent, January 2011.

Ryan Perry:

Drafted, 2008; first round, overall No. 21 pick.

Texas Rangers

General manager Jon Daniels rolled up his sleeves to deal for the guts of the team -- one trade alone, for Mark Teixeira, landed a starting shortstop (Elvis Andrus), a starter (Matt Harrison) and the current closer (Neftali Feliz). But the organization's Minor League staff also deserves major props for developing four rather low Draft picks into major contributors.

Lineup

1B -- Mitch Moreland:

Drafted, 2007; 17th round

2B -- Ian Kinsler:

Drafted, 2003; 17th round.

SS -- Elvis Andrus:

Trade, July 2007; from Atlanta, with with Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Minor Leaguer Beau Jones for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.

3B -- Adrian Beltre:

Free agent, January 2011.

C -- Yorvit Torrealba:

Free agent, November 2010.

LF -- David Murphy:

Trade, July 2007; from Boston, with Kason Gabbard and Minor Leaguer Engel Beltre for Eric Gagne.

CF -- Josh Hamilton:

Trade, December 2007; from Cincinnati, for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.

RF -- Nelson Cruz:

Trade, July 2006; from Milwaukee, with Carlos Lee for Francisco Cordero, Kevin Mench, Laynce Nix and Minor Leaguer Julian Cordero.

DH -- Michael Young:

Trade, July 2000; from Toronto, with Darwin Cubillan for Esteban Loaiza.

Rotation

C.J. Wilson:

Drafted, 2001; fifth round

Colby Lewis:

Free agent (released by Royals), January 2010 (originally drafted by the club in first round, 1999).

Matt Harrison:

Trade, July 2007; from Atlanta (see Andrus)

Derek Holland:

Drafted, 2006; 25th round.

Bullpen

Neftali Feliz:

Trade, July 2007 (see Andrus).

Mike Adams:

Trade, July 2011; from San Diego, for Minor Leaguers Joseph Weiland and Robert Erlin.

Koji Uehara:

Trade, July 2011; from Baltimore, for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter.

Darren Oliver:

Free agent, December 2009 (originally drafted by the club in third round in 1988)

Mike Gonzalez:

Trade, August 2011; from Baltimore, for Pedro Strop.

Alexi Ogando:

Rule 5 Draft, 2005, from A's.

Scott Feldman:

Drafted, 2003; 30th round.

Yoshinori Tateyama:

Free agent, November 2010.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays' M.O. is evident in the makeup of a team that changed just about everything from 2010 except one thing: It still made the postseason. Tampa Bay's 11 homegrown players are by far the most in the playoff field, and de facto GM Andrew Friedman and his staff ingeniously filled the gaps -- especially in the razed bullpen -- with low-profile signings and moves.

Lineup

1B -- Casey Kotchman:

Free agent, January 2011.

2B -- Ben Zobrist:

Trade, July 2006; from Houston, with Mitch Talbot for Aubrey Huff.

SS -- Reid Brignac:

Drafted, 2004; second round.

3B -- Evan Longoria:

Drafted, 2006; first round, overall No. 3 pick.

C -- John Jaso:

Drafted, 2003; 12th round.

LF -- Desmond Jennings:

Drafted, 2006; 10th round.

CF -- B.J. Upton:

Drafted, 2002; first round, overall No. 2 pick.

RF -- Matt Joyce:

Trade, December 2008; from Detroit, for Edwin Jackson.

DH -- Johnny Damon:

Free agent, January 2011.

Rotation

James Shields:

Drafted, 2000; 16th round.

David Price:

Drafted, 2007; first round, overall No. 1 pick.

Jeremy Hellickson:

Drafted, 2005; fourth round.

Wade Davis:

Drafted, 2004; third round.

Bullpen

Kyle Farnsworth:

Free agent, January 2011.

Joel Peralta:

Free agent, December 2010.

Juan Cruz:

Free agent (released by Royals), February 2011.

Cesar Ramos:

Trade, December 2010; from San Diego, with Brandon Gomes, Adam Russell and Minor Leaguer Cole Figueroa for Jason Bartlett.

Jake McGee:

Drafted, 2004; fifth round.

Brandon Gomes:

Trade, December 2010 (see Ramos).

Matt Moore:

Drafted, 2007; eighth round.

Tom Singer is a national reporter for MLB.com.

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