ARRIVALS: 1B Mark Teixeira (free agent from Angels), LHP CC Sabathia (free agent from Brewers), RHP A.J. Burnett (free agent from Blue Jays), OF/1B Nick Swisher (trade with White Sox).

DEPARTURES: RHP Mike Mussina (retired), INF Wilson Betemit (traded to White Sox), RHP Carl Pavano (free agent, signed with Indians), 1B Jason Giambi (free agent, signed with A's), C Chad Moellers (free agent, signed minor league deal with Orioles), RF Bobby Abreu (free agent, signed with Angles), RHP Sidney Ponson (free agent, unsigned), C Ivan Rodriguez (free agent, unsigned).

SPRING FOCUS: The Yankees, as usual, have enough storylines to fill several teams' camps. Alex Rodriguez's hip injury and steroid saga top the list, which includes the adjustment of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira to their new team -- and the expectations that go with it -- and how manager Joe Girardi handles his pivotal second season after some shaky dealings with the media and his clubhouse in the first.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP CC Sabathia

2. RHP A.J. Burnett

3. RHP Chien-Ming Wang

4. LHP Andy Pettitte

5. RHP Joba Chamberlain

Manager Joe Girardi could play with that order in a couple of ways, but, with all due respect, he certainly won't be harkening back to the days of plugging in Sidney Ponson and Dan Giese. What was a glaring weakness only a couple of months ago should become a towering sign of strength as the Yankees are solid on paper from top to bottom.

Obviously, the most important piece of that rotation is at the top, and the Yankees hope Sabathia will adjust to New York as well as he seems prepared to do, because everything else follows from him. But the depth is nice, and even concerns about Burnett's injury-riddled past have been somewhat placated as the Yankees have RHP Phil Hughes and RHP Ian Kennedy waiting in the minors for depth along with other strong, young arms, such as RHP Alfredo Aceves and LHP Phil Coke.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)

LHP Damaso Marte

RHP Brian Bruney

RHP Edwar Ramirez

RHP Dan Giese

RHP Jose Veras

The Yankees again turn to Rivera to anchor their bullpen -- though they'll have to hope his dominance continues after offseason surgery -- and hope to offer more help getting to him. The advantage of their improved rotation is the bullpen shouldn't be as taxed or needed as much as it was last season, but the unit will miss the presence of Joba Chamberlain, who will now be a full-time starter.

There will be plenty of battles for spots in the bullpen as Rivera, Marte and Bruney are the only seemingly sure bets. LHP Mark Melancon (a young prospect who's been compared to Chamberlain), and LHP Phil Coke offer the biggest possible upside from the largely untested young candidates, and RHP Jonathan Albaladejo and RHP Dave Robertson earned a little more experience last season.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. LF Johnny Damon

2. SS Derek Jeter

3. 1B Mark Teixeira

4. 3B Alex Rodriguez

5. C Jorge Posada

6. DH Hideki Matsui

7. RF Xavier Nady

8. 2B Robinson Cano

9. CF Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera

That lineup could change in a heartbeat given the uncertain status of Rodriguez's right hip, which might need surgery during the season. It's a whole different lineup without him in the middle, and the Yankees also have to hope for recoveries by aging stars Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada. The Yankees might have to make a deal from the Nady/Swisher combo and, most likely, Cabrera along with some prospects if they need to fill a gap at third base.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Jose Molina

OF/1B Nick Swisher

OF Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera

INF Angel Berroa or Cody Ransom

The bench probably is the weakest point of the team and would become weaker if Ransom or Berroa are pressed into starting duty at third base for Alex Rodriguez. Another possibility is moving Swisher or Nady to another team, which could help fill the third-base spot but possibly hurt the outfield depth. Molina proved to be an excellent backup last season but can wear down if he's called on too often. Whoever loses the center field battle between Gardner or Cabrera should be a solid bench player.

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Alex Rodriguez (torn labrum in right hip) will miss the World Baseball Classic, but it's unclear when he will return to the Yankees. The Yankees initially said he will try to rehab the injury without surgery, but manager Joe Girardi then acknowledged in-season surgery was a "possibility."

DH Hideki Matsui (left knee surgery) played in his first spring training game on March 5. He hopes to be ready for Opening Day.

RHP Mariano Rivera (arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder) threw off a mound for the first time on March 5. He expects to be ready for Opening Day.

C Jorge Posada (right shoulder surgery) experienced minor soreness Feb. 28 and was scratched from the lineup. The move was considered precautionary.

RHP Chien-Ming Wang (ligament sprain in right foot) is expected to be ready for spring training.

SS Derek Jeter (right hamstring) was slowed early in camp, but he thought the injury wouldn't affect his preparation for the World Baseball Classic.