Yankees Opening Day Roster

Here it is, a few brief comments below. A longer season preview coming later this weekend.

Infielders

• Derek Jeter
• Alex Rodriguez
• Robinson Cano
• Jason Giambi
• Shelley Duncan
• Wilson Betemit
• Morgan Ensberg

Outfielders

• Johnny Damon
• Bobby Abreu
• Melky Cabrera
• Hideki Matsui

Catchers

• Jorge Posada
• Jose Molina

Starting Pitchers

• Chien-Ming Wang
• Mike Mussina
• Phil Hughes
• Ian Kennedy

Relievers

• Mariano Rivera
• Joba Chamberlain
• LaTroy Hawkins
• Kyle Farnsworth
• Billy Traber
• Ross Ohlendorf
• Brian Bruney
• Jon Albaladejo

60-day disabled list

• Andrew Brackman
• Humberto Sanchez
• Carl Pavano

15-day disabled list

• Andy Pettitte
• Jeff Karstens
• Sean Henn

First of all, Morgan Ensberg is a waste of space. Maybe Girardi is planning to give both Giambi and one of either Matsui, Abreu or Damon the day off whenever the Yanks face a lefty. That better be the plan, because as I've said before, if Ensberg takes even one at bat away from Shelley, that's one too many.

I've heard people say Betemit isn't a viable backup for 2b or SS, but to be honest with you, I think his range is better at short than Jeter's. I'm fine with him there. If Cano goes down, well we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm a little disappointed Brett Gardner didn't make the team, but I understand the decision.

As for the pitching staff, Girardi and Cashman are taking a pretty big risk here. Pettitte is due to come off the DL about 5 days into the season, meaning going with only 4 starters is understandable. The problem is they don't really have a long man out of the pen. If one of the starters takes an early exit, Girardi is going to have to patch a bunch of innings together out of a bunch of short guys. I guess that risk is mitigated, somewhat, by having 8 relievers on the roster.

I'm glad Ohlendorf will be on the roster to break camp. I like the odds of him assuming Joba's role when Joba joins the rotation for the second half. Poor Edwar will start the year in Scranton.