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
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.
Great blog you have here. Let's exchange links.
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