Under Construction: New York Yankees' Potential Lineup

Brian Cashman and the rest of the New York Yankees have sent a message across the league in the form of the almighty dollar, this time, they are not playing around.

On Thursday, the biggest free agent on the market landed in New York, as the Yankees signed CC Sabathia in a record deal for a pitcher. Sabathia signed a seven-year, $160M contract.

Reports are that any of the following players could also be Yankees before it is all said and done.

A.J. Burnett is said to had been offered around $80-90M from the Yankees, as they are trying to beat out the Atlanta Braves offer.

If the Yankees keep raising the stakes, the Braves should bow out and the Yanks should get him.

Derek Lowe and the Yankees have been in talks, but ever since the huge Sabathia signing and contract, I haven't heard a lot since then, but you just never know.

Mark Teixeira and the Boston Red Sox have been in heavy talks over the last few days, according to many sources, whether they are close to a deal or not remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the Yankees could be lurking and trying to lure a big name like Teixeira away from their rival Red Sox.

Jake Peavy recently stated how frustrated he ways that the Cubs and Padres couldn't come away with anything after a week of talking. If he and the Padres get anxious enough to get something done, Peavy could wind up taking some more cash and going to an A.L. team such as the Yankees or Red Sox.

Manny Ramirez is still not signed, and he could end up anywhere at this point, and I could only imagine if he ended up on the Yankees. It is ironic, however, that he grew up in the Bronx. Go figure.

Also, the Yankees have seemed to come to terms on a trade sending Melky Cabrera and a minor league pitcher to the Brewers for Mike Cameron. A few kinks have set things back, but the deal looks like it is still a go.

Regardless, the Yankees are all over the place and are in rare form. Cashman and company are proving that what happened last year will not happen anytime again soon.

Here is what it may and may not look like on opening day...

The rotation is going to be improved, of course, after the addition of CC Sabathia and possibly A.J. Burnett. Mike Mussina has retired and Andy Pettitte is waiting on the Yankees to up their offer of $10M and get it closer to what he made last season, $16M. 

Chien-Ming Wang will be back and will look to put his foot injury from Houston behind him. Joba Chamberlain should be out of the bullpen and into the rotation to start the season. However, if the Yankees had a few more big names, it could push Joba into the bullpen in a set-up role.

Hughes and Kennedy could do battle for a fifth spot, but the Yankees are most likely going to try to avoid that and keep them down for the beginning of the year.

The starting lineup looks good already, but the Yankees could boost that as well.

Johnny Damon will still be in the leadoff spot, it seems, and playing a mix of LF, CF, and DH, but mostly Left Field.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano will remain in their respective roles on the team.

Nick Swisher will play first as it stands today, but some would like to see the Yankees grab Mark Teixeira to be better safe then sorry.

Xavier Nady will play out in right field and new comer Mike Cameron should be playing Center Field after the Brewers trade goes final.

Jorge Posada and Jose Molina will split the catchers role as usual.

One thing is clear, the Yankees are improving, day by day, and the future looks bright. Big things could come sooner then later for Yankee fans, players, and owners.

It has been quite some time since I have been this excited before the next calendar year was even reached, but it's hard not to when you wake up every morning and another solid player is wearing pinstripes.