New York Yankees: Early Projections for the Bombers' Final 25-Man Roster

The wait to get spring training going finally ended this past Tuesday.

The Yankees reported to Tampa, Florida on Tuesday for their preparation for the upcoming 2013 season.

One year ago, the Yankees won the American League East, knocked off the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series but then were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.

The Bombers will look to get back to October for the fifth straight time, but they will have some new faces that will be donning the pinstripes.

They will also have a lot of players on minor-league deals with hopes of making the team and calling themselves a Yankee in 2013.

Lets take a look at who should be expected to make the final 25-man roster for the Yankees by the time April comes around.

Infield

First base: Mark Teixeira

Second Base: Robinson Cano

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Third Base: Kevin Youkilis

Since 2009, the Yankees infield has consisted of the first three plus Alex Rodriguez, but when Opening Day comes, the former Boston Red Sox infielder will be manning third base.

The reason for the team to get a new third basemen was due to the fact that A-Rod is recovering from hip surgery and needs six months to recover.

Youkilis is looking for a bounce-back season and potentially another contract, so he really wants to impress with his new team.

Outfield

Left field: Brett Gardner

Center field: Curtis Granderson

Right field: Ichiro Suzuki

This shouldn't change by the time April rolls around, as long as there aren't any injuries.

Gardner returns after being out for most of the 2012 season, which is the reason why the Yankees made the trade with the Mariners this past July to get Ichiro.

Ichiro takes the spot of Nick Swisher, who signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians just before Christmas.

They lost Swisher's power, but gain Ichiro's speed and defense in the lineup.

Catcher

Catcher: Francisco Cervelli

For now, I am going to put Cervelli into the starting lineup.

However, that can change between now and April, as Cervelli is not really seen as an everyday-type catcher who can go 130-140 games and hit consistently enough to be in the lineup.

In fact, none of the current catchers on the Yankees really fit that description.

Yet, the Yankees will have an "open competition" for the spot vacated by Russell Martin this winter.

Designated Hitter

Designated hitter: Travis Hafner

It was kind of shocking to see the Yankees part ways with Raul Ibanez after the tremendous postseason he had.

Yet, the Bombers let Ibanez walk right back into the arms of the Seattle Mariners, which meant the team needed a new DH.

Last month, the team brought in long-time Cleveland Indians slugger Travis Hafner on a one-year deal to be the everyday DH and take the spot vacated by Ibanez.

Now, if, and it's a very big if, Alex Rodriguez returns, he could see at-bats at DH against left-handed pitching, but for now, A-Rod isn't in the Yankees fold.

Hafner is looking to get his career going again in the Bronx, and since Yankee Stadium is very friendly to lefty hitters, he could see his power numbers get a boost while with the Yankees. 

Bench

Bench: Eduardo Nunez

Bench: Chris Stewart

Bench: Matt Diaz

Nunez will likely get the backup infielder's spot, as he can play second, short and third.

Stewart, for now, is the backup catcher, and it'll be interesting to see what the team decides to do with the catching situation between now and April, and if Stewart is still the backup at that time.

I'm penciling in Diaz as the fourth outfielder, but he'll have to beat out Juan Rivera in spring training. I think Diaz is a slightly better defender than Rivera is and right now, is a better bat against left-handers than Rivera, which might make him the front-runner right now for a roster spot.

Starting Rotation

No. 1: CC Sabathia

No. 2: Hiroki Kuroda

No. 3: Andy Pettitte

No. 4: Phil Hughes

No. 5: Ivan Nova

The rotation will be a huge key to the Yankees' success in 2013, as it was in 2012.

When healthy, this rotation has the potential to be one of the very best in the American League and maybe even in baseball.

The Yankees threw these first four starters at teams in the playoffs and they pitched extremely well in big games.

If they can pitch anywhere like they did in October, then the Yankees will be in great shape with the possibility of having all five starters win over 10 games in 2013.

Bullpen

Long Reliever: David Phelps

Reliever: Joba Chamberlain

Reliever: Clay Rapada

Reliever: Boone Logan

Reliever: David Aardsma

Reliever: Shawn Kelley

Setup Man: David Robertson

Closer: Mariano Rivera

Gone from this group is Rafael Soriano, who opted out of his contract to become the new closer of the Washington Nationals on a two-year deal.

In 2012, this group did a tremendous job without the presence of their closer, Rivera, who tore his ACL back in May at Kansas City.

2013 could be his final season, but even with a year off, I still expect Rivera to be the same old closer who dominates the competition.