Projected lineup
1. SS: Derek Jeter
2. RF: Nick Swisher
3. 1B: Mark Teixeira
4. 3B: Alex Rodriguez
5. 2B: Robinson Cano
6. DH: Jorge Posada
7. CF/LF: Curtis Granderson/Andruw Jones
8. C: Russell Martin
9. LF/CF: Brett Gardner
Projected rotation
1. SP: CC Sabathia
2. SP: A.J. Burnett
3. SP: Phil Hughes
4. SP: Freddy Garcia
5. SP: Bartolo Colo
CL: Mariano Rivera
Five tips
• The Granderson/Jones pairing shouldn’t be viewed as a straight platoon, especially if Granderson builds on the success he had against southpaws in the second half of 2010. However, lefty-mashing Marcus Thames is a terrible outfielder, and he had 212 at bats for the Yankees last season. Jones has essentially replaced Thames as the Yanks’ right-handed hitting outfielder off the bench. He’s not nearly the butcher that Thames is in the field, so he should play more. Look for Jones to get around 300 at-bats, stealing them from Granderson, Gardner and Swisher.
• This will probably be Posada’s final season with fantasy catcher eligibility. He can still hit, but he’s also age 39, so he could collapse at any time. Posada is No. 11 in the catcher rankings, but he makes me nervous.
• The Yankees need – and will probably get – a rebound from Teixeira and another strong season from Cano. They’ll need both to perform, since the geezers on the left side of the infield are starting to show their age. People taking A-Rod in the first round are playing with fire.
• Is it stubborn to look at Burnett’s 2010 and say, "There’s no way that happens again?" His velocity dipped, which probably caused his strikeout rate (145 in 186 2/3 innings) to drop to its lowest level since 2001. Figure on a return to the 4.00 range – just because.
• The battle for the fourth and fifth starter slots continues with Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre battling Garcia and Colon. The hunch is that the Yankees will keep the two veterans because Nova still has options and can be sent to the minors. Mitre is the least likely option.
Plus:
• Odd man out: Martin’s arrival means that the plan to install blue-chip power prospect Jesus Montero as the everyday backstop will be put on hold for a while. Montero could make the team as a backup, though. Also, Nova could be a casualty, as noted above.
• Top prospects: If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the 21-year-old Montero could destroy Triple-A pitching and force his way to the Bronx in short order to take playing time from Martin and/or Posada. Right-handed pitchers David Phelps and Hector Noesi could be the next rotation-replacement callups. But 20-year-old lefty Manny Banuelos has been very impressive this spring. He’s very young, but if desperate times call for desperate measures ...
• Backup closer: Rafael Soriano signed a three-year, $35 million contract to set up for Rivera. This is the most obvious backup closer situation in the majors.
