New York Yankees: Predicting the 25-Man Roster for 2012

With the 2012 season just around the corner, pitchers and position players are conditioning themselves for the marathon that awaits them.

Pitchers and catchers reported on Sunday for the Yankees, while position players aren't scheduled to report until Friday, February 24th.

Most of the spots on the Yankees roster have been decided, but there are a few spots in the bullpen that are up for grabs.

Much attention will be paid to the fifth spot in the starting rotation, where Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes will battle it out, with the loser being relegated to the bullpen.

Without further ado, here are my predictions for the Yankees roster on Opening Day.

Catcher: Russell Martin

After signing a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Yankees this offseason, Martin returns as the starting catcher.

He handled the pitching staff well last season, and even helped to carry the offense in early April.

There were reports that Martin discussed a three-year deal with the Yankees, but instead they chose to go with a one-year pact.

Despite Martin's defensive prowess in 2011 (he caught 30 percent of base-stealers), he hopes to improve on offense. He hit just .237/.324/.408 with 18 home runs and 65 RBI in 125 games.

If Martin improves offensively and maintains his strong defense, he may be in the market this winter for that three-year contract he was seeking.

First Base: Mark Teixeira

No surprise here. Mark Teixeira will be entering the fourth year of the eight-year contract his signed prior to the 2009 season.

Teixeira saw his batting average decline for the second consecutive season in 2011, going from .292 in 2009, to .256 in 2010, to .248 last season.

His run production was not an issue, however. Teixeira mashed 39 home runs and drove in 111 runs. Couple that with his flawless play at first base, and Teixeira proved once again why he is one of the most complete first basemen in the league.

He failed to make the All-Star team for the second consecutive season, and his spot on the All-Star roster may be even more difficult to solidify with the arrival of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder in the American League.

The Yankees will need an All-Star-caliber season from Teixeira if they hope to make the playoffs.

Second Base: Robinson Cano

The Yankees are quickly becoming Robinson Cano's team. He proved that with another stellar campaign in 2011.

In 623 at-bats over 159 games, Cano hit .302/.349/.533 with 28 home runs, 118 RBI and 188 hits. It also was his third consecutive season scoring more than 100 runs (104).

Cano was an extra-base machine, hitting 46 doubles and seven triples.

He finished sixth in the American League MVP voting and won his second consecutive Silver Slugger award.

Expect Cano to have a monster season in 2012. Manager Joe Girardi is flirting with the idea of making Cano the full-time third-place hitter, and rightfully so. The third-place hitter is generally reserved for the best pure hitter in the lineup. 

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez is coming off yet another injury-riddled season, playing in just 99 games in 2011.

He hit 16 home runs and knocked in 62 RBI, while posting a line of .276/.362/.461.

Rodriguez decided to undergo the same experimental surgery that worked so well for Kobe Bryant, having plasma-rich platelets injected in his right knee and left shoulder. Yankee fans can only hope that Rodriguez will at least get back to the 30-home run, 100-RBI level.

Even with the signing of Raul Ibanez, Rodriguez will be given plenty of opportunities to DH in an effort to keep his aging body fresh.

A healthy Rodriguez will be vital to a deep playoff run for the Yankees.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter silenced most of his doubters with a strong second half in 2011.

It is still a well known fact that Jeter has seen better days, but in no way is he no longer capable of producing at a high level.

Last season Jeter put together a .297/.355/.388 line with six home runs, 61 RBI and 16 stolen bases. He was named to his sixth consecutive All-Star team as well.

No longer do the Yankees expect Jeter to continually hit the ball in the gaps and have a high number of extra- base hits, But the team still does rely on Jeter to get on base.

With Jeter likely hitting first or second in the order, he will need to have at least a .350 on-base percentage and a .290 average to keep his critics at bay.

Left Field: Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner was another Yankee who experienced a down year in 2011, hitting just .259/.345/.369 with seven home runs and 36 RBI.

He did, however, lead the American League with 49 stolen bases.

Many feel that Gardner was snubbed by not winning a Gold Glove. He was one of the best defensive outfielders in the American League.

Gardner will most likely start the season hitting ninth in the lineup. But if he produces at the level many hope he will, he could hit first with Jeter moving down to second.

If he produces at that level, the Yankees lineup would get a whole lot deeper.

Center Field: Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson had an absolutely absurd 2011 season.

He mashed 41 home runs, had 119 RBI and scored 136 runs.

His previous career highs? He hit 30 home runs in 2009, knocked in 74 runs in 2007 and scored 122 runs in 2007.

Another season at such a high level may be difficult for him to achieve. But with Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez expected to improve, the Yankees could continue to excel even if Granderson were to regress in 2012.

If he hits 30 home runs, drives in 80 runs and boosts his batting average up to the .280 mark, the Yankees lineup will be just fine.

Right Field: Nick Swisher

A fan favorite since his hot start with the Yankees in April 2009, Nick Swisher is entering the final year on his contract

There have been several rumors concerning Swisher's status. Many signs point to him leaving after this season.

If Swisher produces in the regular season and surprises everyone and produces in the postseason, the Yankees would be wrong to let him walk.

The Yankees don't have any realistic options to replace him currently on the roster, and Swisher absolutely loves being a Yankee.

Another 25-home run, 90-RBI season should be expected from Swisher. But the true success of his season will be judged on whether he produces in the playoffs.

Designated Hitter: Raul Ibanez

With the signing of Raul Ibanez being made official last night, the Yankees lineup is now complete.

Ibanez will be the regular DH against right-handed pitching, with Andruw Jones seeing time against lefties. A regular rotation of Rodriguez, Jeter and Teixeira also will be used in the DH slot.

The ability to play the field was the deciding factor in signing Ibanez, as Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, the other candidates for the job, were seen as not capable of playing in the outfield.

With the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, Ibanez should have success in 2012. The Yankees will benefit from adding another established veteran to an already strong lineup.

Bench No. 1: Catcher Francisco Cervelli

Until the Jesus Montero-for-Michael Pineda swap, Francisco Cervelli's name was not a part of the discussion for backup catcher.

It was assumed that Martin would get the bulk of the innings, with Montero DHing and serving as the second-string backstop.

Now that Montero's gone, the gritty Cervelli will most likely overtake Austin Romine in spring training for the reserve role.

In 43 games last season, Cervelli hit .266/.324/.395 with four home runs and 22 RBI.

Defensively, though, he threw out just 14 percent of base-stealers.

Cervelli may get the call out of spring training, but expect Romine to be ready should he falter.

Bench No. 2: Corner Infielder Eric Chavez

With Eric Chavez back on board for the 2012 season, it seems as if the Yankees are finished making moves prior to spring training.

Chavez signed a one-year deal worth $900,000. The deal also contains performance-based incentives.

When healthy last season, Chavez was a productive bench option. In 58 games, he hit .263/.320/.356 with two home runs and 26 RBI.

He also was solid defensively at first and third base, not committing an error in a little more than 305 innings.

If healthy, expect a productive season from the oft-injured veteran.

Bench No. 3: Infielder Eduardo Nunez

Unfortunately for Eduardo Nunez, last season he was best known for his lack of defensive polish.

He committed 20 errors in 670 innings.

His bat was pretty solid, however. In 112 games, Nunez hit .265/.313/.385 with five home runs, 30 RBI and 22 stolen bases.

His patience should improve with another season under his belt, as should his fielding.

If the Yankees are in need of another player by the trade deadline, expect Nunez's name to be floated in rumors. He was a relatively hot commodity this offseason.

Bench No. 4: Outfielder Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones played well in 77 games for the Yankees in 2011.

He hit .247/.356/.495 with 13 home runs and 33 RBI, while committing just one error in 370 innings.

After recently signing a one-year, $2 million deal to return to the team, Jones expects to have a larger role this season.

Jones will serve as the DH against most left-handed pitching. He hit well against lefties last season.

Yankees fans should expect Jones to produce at a level similar to or possibly higher than in 2011, if he's given more at-bats.

Starter No. 1: CC Sabathia

After quickly solving his contract issues with the Yankees and signing a huge extension, CC Sabathia returns in 2012 as the ace of the staff.

He'll have much more support from the rest of the pitching staff this season, but I'll get to that in the upcoming slides.

Sabathia had a great year in 2011, winning 19 games and posting a 3.00 ERA.

It's been reported that Sabathia has shed a few pounds this offseason, as he did last offseason.

If Sabathia keeps the weight off, or probably even if he doesn't, expect another Cy Young-caliber season from him in 2012.

Starter No. 2: Ivan Nova

After a stellar rookie campaign in 2011, Ivan Nova enters 2012 facing even higher expectations.

Hoping to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, Nova will have to work hard to increase his strikeout numbers and lower his hits-per-nine-innings mark.

Nova went 16-4 last season with a 3.70 ERA.

Sixteen wins may not be out of the question for Nova this season, but we shouldn't expect the same winning percentage that he posted as a rookie. Around eight losses seems like a plausible number.

Starter No. 3: Hiroki Kuroda

Shortly after acquiring Michael Pineda from the Mariners, the Yankees announced the one-year, $10 million deal that brought in 37-year-old right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.

Kuroda has pitched in the states for just four seasons, but he owns a career 3.45 ERA with a 41-46 record.

Last season, he had an ERA of 3.07.

Kuroda's veteran presence and innings-eating ability will be a welcome in the Yankees rotation.

Many question how he will be able to adjust to American League lineups after pitching in the light-hitting NL West, but catcher Russell Martin believes that he'll be just fine.

I'd trust Martin. He caught Kuroda for the first three seasons of his career.

Starter No. 4: Michael Pineda

Despite his potential, Michael Pineda will not be the No. 2 starter for the Yankees— at least not at the start of the season.

Pineda has a frame that rivals that of Sabathia, and pitching alongside the big lefty may help Pineda learn to condition himself for the long haul.

Manager Joe Girardi already has noticed great things from Pineda. He's been astonished by the break on his slider early in spring training.

Pineda may not crack the 200-inning plateau, but he will definitely be a major part of the Yankees rotation.

Starter No. 5: Freddy Garcia

The fifth spot in the rotation will be hotly contested during spring training. But I don't envision Phil Hughes pitching well enough to make the cut. His repertoire may be best-suited for the bullpen.

After being picked up off of the scrap heap last offseason, Freddy Garcia surprised most of the baseball world by pitching well in 25 starts.

Garcia went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 2011. 

That ERA was his lowest since the 2001 season when he led the American League with a 3.05.

It remains to be seen whether Garcia can remain on that upward trajectory, but I see him snagging the fifth starter's job away from Hughes.

Bullpen No. 1: Long-Man Phil Hughes

As a member of the 2009 bullpen, Phil Hughes saw successes that may indicate how well he can produce in a similar role in 2012.

In 51 games (seven starts), Hughes went 8-3 with a 3.03 ERA . He also struck out 96 batters in 86 innings.

Last season's "dead arm" already may have put Hughes at a disadvantage for the fifth starter's job. But should he produce in a bullpen role, he would most likely be the first option if there was an injury to the starting five.

If he doesn't pitch well, the Yankees will need to figure out what to do with their young right-hander.

Bullpen No. 2: Lefty Specialist Cesar Cabral

A Rule-5 draft pick from the Boston Red Sox organization, Cesar Cabral will need to be on the Yankees'  25-man roster come Opening Day, otherwise they must give him back to the Red Sox.

Cabral has never seen time at the major league level, but he could be a nice complement to fellow lefty Boone Logan out of the bullpen.

Last spring training, Cabral compiled a 5.59 ERA in seven games.

Bullpen No. 3: Lefty Specialist Boone Logan

As the only lefty in the bullpen for most of last season, Boone Logan totaled 41.2 innings over 64 games.

He posted a 5-3 record with a 3.46 ERA. Lefties hit .260 against him, while righties hit a similar .262.

With the addition of Cabral, Logan will have less of a load on his shoulders. 

With two lefties in the bullpen, Joe Girardi will be able to mix and match a little more. This will make the bullpen even more of a strength.

Bullpen No. 4: Middle Reliever Cory Wade

Cory Wade was a pleasant surprise for the Yankees in 2011.

Wade never was able to solidify himself as a consistent reliever as a member of the Rays, but he flourished in several roles out of the Yankees bullpen last season.

In 40 games (39.2 innings), he posted a 2.04 ERA with a record of 6-1.

Although not a dominating figure, Wade was successful in large part because he surrendered just eight walks.

Wade will be important to the bullpen in 2012.

Bullpen No. 5: 7th-Inning Man Rafael Soriano

After leading the league with 45 saves in 2010, Rafael Soriano cashed in with a three-year, $35 million deal with the Yankees.

Soriano struggled early in 2011 and even made a trip to the disabled list. Upon his return, he pitched much more effectively.

In total, he pitched in 39.1 innings in 2011, compiling a 2-3 record with a 4.12 ERA.

If Soriano pitches to his potential, the Yankees' late-game trio will be one of the toughest in the league.

Bullpen No. 6: 8th-Inning Man David Robertson

David Robertson arguably had the best season of all relievers in 2011. Not only was he named to the All-Star team, he earned votes for the American League Cy Young (11th-place finish) and American League MVP (22nd-place finish).

"Houdini," as he is now being called, had a 4-0 record with an incredible 1.08 ERA. He also struck out 100 batters in just 66.2 innings.

Opposing batters hit just .174 against him with two outs and runners in scoring position.

If he pitches at such a high level again, the Yankees may have found the heir to the throne of Mariano Rivera.

Bullpen No. 7: Closer Mariano Rivera

Unfortunately for Yankees fans, this may be the last season that we get to see Mariano Rivera closing out games.

Earlier in the week, Rivera hinted at his possible retirement after the season.

Rivera is the staple of consistency, posting his fourth consecutive season with an ERA under 2.00 in 2011. It also was his ninth consecutive season with at least 30 saves.

Saying that Rivera is no longer dominant is just dumb, but we have to respect his decision to retire if that's what happens at the end of the season.

He's arguably the most important Yankee of all time. It wouldn't be unlike him to go out on top.

Possible Mid-Season Replacements

Joba Chamberlain

After undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, Chamberlain should be ready to go sometime before the All-Star break. He's already throwing off a mound.

Clay Rapada

The Yankees recently signed left-hander Clay Rapada. Should Cesar Cabral falter, he may be the next in line to take his spot. Lefties have hit just .104 against him in his career.

David Aardsma

It was announced today that the Yankees have agree to terms on a one-year, major league contract with right-hander David Aardsma. The deal includes a club option for 2013. Aardsma, who had Tommy John surgery in July, is believed to be about a month behind Chamberlain in his recovery.

Dellin Betances

Betances may be a mid-season call-up for the Yankees if there is an injury or someone is not pitching effectively. His best chance for a call-up may be in the bullpen, however.

Austin Romine

If Francisco Cervelli is ineffective behind the plate, Romine may be called up to take his place. Replacing Cervelli with Rominei may cost the Yankees some offense, but Romine's defensive abilities cannot be denied.

Conclusion

The Yankees will have a bit of a different feel this season. The departure of Jorge Posada will leave a huge void in the clubhouse and on the field.

Couple that with the possible retirement of Mariano Rivera, and it could become a bit of a somber season in New York.

Fans will be a lot happier if the team produces, and all signs point to a very competitive team in 2012.

After winning 97 games last season, the team, on paper, seems stronger.

The additions of Kuroda and Pineda will definitely help a once shaky rotation, and the flexibility that Raul Ibanez provides could help to keep aging veterans healthy over the course of a long season.

It's World Series or bust every season for the Yankees. But with this possibly being Rivera's last season, the Yankees are really focusing on the ultimate goal heading into spring training.