After a spring training circus that featured a seemingly endless streak of headlines that had little to do with baseball and everything to do with Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees should be grateful to simply play ball. The good news is newcomers CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira all seemed to fit in extremely well with their new club, with Sabathia and Burnett helping build a strong camaraderie among the starters. The bad news? Rodriguez will be out until at least May 16 because of hip surgery, but that might not stop the headlines around his numerous off-the-field exploits, beginning with his performance-enhancing drug use and stretching to reports of his dalliances with the madam of an escort agency. If the Yankees can keep their focus on the field, get Rodriguez back and stay healthy, they can open their new Yankee Stadium in style. If the age of the roster and vulnerability of some veterans hurts them, manager Joe Girardi could be looking for a new job.
ROTATION: 1. LHP CC Sabathia
2. RHP Chien-Ming Wang
3. RHP A.J. Burnett
4. LHP Andy Pettitte
5. RHP Joba Chamberlain
ROTATION ANALYSIS: The potential of this rotation is stunning -- it could be the best, top to bottom, in the game. Newcomers Sabathia and Burnett did a great job not only meeting their new teammates but helping them bond with each other in spring training. Burnett started a trend in which starters not pitching on a certain day came to the bullpen to support that day's pitcher, and the camaraderie seems to have helped.
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 lessened somewhat because the Yankees have RHP Phil Hughes and RHP Ian Kennedy waiting in the minors.
BULLPEN:
RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)
RHP Brian Bruney
LHP Damaso Marte
LHP Phil Coke
RHP Edwar Ramirez
RHP Brett Tomko
RHP Jose Veras
BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The Yankees again turn to Rivera to anchor their bullpen even though they'll have to hope his dominance continues after offseason surgery -- and hope to offer more help getting to him. Bruney has dropped a lot of weight in the last two seasons and is eager for the challenge of taking over the setup role -- hoping to eventually put himself in position for a closer's job down the road -- and wants to make folks stop thinking about moving Joba Chamberlain back to the bullpen.
The rest of the bullpen features a mix of young, live arms, veterans and something in between. Combined with a stronger rotation that will tax the unit less than last season, the bullpen should be improved and could be a strength.
LINEUP:
1. SS Derek Jeter
2. LF Johnny Damon
3. 1B Mark Teixeira
4. DH Hideki Matsui
5. C Jorge Posada
6. 2B Robinson Cano
7. RF Xavier Nady
8. 3B Cody Ransom
9. CF Brett Gardner
LINEUP ANALYSIS: The Yankees will have to wait until at least May 16 for Alex Rodriguez to return from hip surgery, and they'll count on new slugger Teixeira and veteran Matsui to do their best to hold the middle of the lineup until then. The top of the order was shaken up late in spring training when manager Joe Girardi decided to flip veteran leadoff hitter Damon with No. 2 Jeter, a move that may or may not last long into the season. Girardi said Damon can move runners along well, but the manager didn't mention Jeter's increasing propensity for grounding into double plays.
The keys to the lineup (as long as A-Rod is able to return) will be Posada and Matsui, both of whom are returning from injury-filled 2008 seasons. The lineup would dip considerably if either player is unable to return to form or misses a long period of time.
RESERVES:
C Jose Molina
OF/1B Nick Swisher
OF Melky Cabrera
INF Angel Berroa
RESERVES ANALYSIS: The bench probably is the weakest point of the team and isn't helped by the early absence of Rodriguez, which presses Ransom into the lineup at third base. Swisher should serve as a super sub, filling in at both corner outfield spots and first base.
Matsui's inability to do much more than DH, at least for a while as the Yankees test his surgically repaired left knee, limits the club's flexibility and could hurt considering any injuries to Posada or Molina would call for a third catcher.
ROOKIE WATCH: CF Brett Gardner increased his hitting enough to be the likely choice for the club's starting spot in center field, and the Yankees could use the added dimension of youth and speed. LHP Phil Coke impressed out of the bullpen and could be a strong specialty pitcher with his live, young arm.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Alex Rodriguez (torn labrum in right hip) had surgery on March 9 and was expected to return in six to nine weeks. He will have more extensive surgery during the offseason.
DH Hideki Matsui (left knee surgery) should be ready for Opening Day, but he won't play in the field before June.
RHP Mariano Rivera (arthroscopic surgery on right shoulder) made his first Grapefruit League appearance of the year on March 17. He expects to be ready for Opening Day.
C Jorge Posada (right shoulder surgery) threw out three potential base stealers late in spring training and hoped to return to form behind the plate.
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