Offseason Forecaster: New York Fuckin Yankees

Next up in my little series are the Yanks.

As noted in my Orioles forecast, I don't see the Yanks signing Teixeira or Burnett. I also don't think they will sign CC Sabathia, who I think will end up as an Angel.

So, I'll run down their depth, then I will throw some free agent predictions & trade possibilities.

Catcher
Jorge Posada is locked in behind the plate if he is healthy, which is unlikely. They need, and have, a solid back-up in Jose Molina. I also think they need another catcher, possibally carrying 3 on the roster.

1B
Nick Swisher was recently acquired, and that looks good to me. Swish is going to need to be a little tamer with his personality and especially his facial hair, but he could become a beast with the short right field porch. Juan Miranda and Shelley Duncan are the depth here.

2B
Robinson cano should bounce back and break-out into a monster season. He should finally get his shot in the middle of the order.

3B
Gay-Rod is stuck here for the next decade. He is one of the best players in baseball, but a filthy cock sucker.

SS
Derek Jeter is no loger an acceptable SS, but there is no way he moves to another position just yet. He is still one of the best hitters for his position, so his defensive short comings are sometimes overlooked.

OF/DH
Johnny Damon & Hideki Matsui will need to splitt LF/DH, as both are injury cases. Depth is important here. Xavier Nady will probably play RF, which is the best possibilty here. Brett Gardner & Melky Cabrera will both see time here unless one can run away with it or if one blows it. If extremely neccessary, Swisher or Nady could play CF.

Starters
Chien-Ming Wang is an under-rated starter, which is rare for a Yankee pitcher. Phil Hughes is still a promising young pitcher. Ian Kennedy is quickly losig prospect status as he gets slammed all over the place by those doubting his ability. Alfredo Aceves came on strong at the end of last season. Alan Horne could push his way onto the staff if pitchers aren't added. Kei Igawa is still on the roster. Dan Giese made some solid starts last season.

Relievers
Mariano Rivera is still one the best in the game at shutting the door. Joba Chamberlain is must more suited to relieving, as his arm problems the end of last season suggest. Damaso Marte is a much needed lefty in the pen. There are a lot of good young arms as well; Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo, Chris Britton, Phil Coke, Edwar Ramirez, David Robertson, Humberto Sanchez, JB Cox, Mark Melancon.

Potential Free Agent Acquisitions
The Yankees NEED to add at least 2 starters. Andy Pettitte will probably be one them, but he is now a possibilty for the Dodgers. I also see them signing Derek Lowe. I could see them add a 3rd starter a well, either surprise Oliver Perez or 1 of 2 Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakami or Koji Uehara.

Andy Pettitte. SP 2 years/$15M per season
Derek Lowe. SP 3 years/$16M per season
Kawakami/Uehara. SP 4 years/$10M per season
Will Ohman. RP 3 years/$4M per season

I do not see any more trades being made by the Yankees.

Potential Roster Construction
C: Jorge Posada
1B: Nick Swisher
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: Derek Jeter
LF: Johnny Damon
CF: Melky Cabrera
RF: Xavier Nady
DH: Hideki Matsui
Bench:
C: Jose Molina
IF: Cody Ransom
OF: Brett Gardner
1B: Shelley Duncan
OF: Justin Christian
(The Yankees don't really seem to care about their bench, but any free agents are possibilties here as back-ups)

Rotation
1. Chien-Ming Wang
2. Derek Lowe
3. Andy Pettitte
4. Kawakami/Uehara
5. Phil Hughes

Bullpen
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Set-Up: Joba Chamberlain
Lefties: Damaso Marte & Will Ohman
Mid/Long: Edwar Ramirez & Brian Bruney

The payroll as of this moment in time is about $150M. Last season, they had a payroll of over $200M. I see them coming in right below $200M, which this roster brings them around. $195M is about what this 40-man roster would cost.

Next Up: Boston.