New York Yankees: 7 Yankees Who Need to Work Their Butts off This Winter

The New York Yankees appear poised to contend for a championship in 2012 because they will return nearly all of their key players from last season's 97-win club. Several individuals, however, must work especially hard this offseason to make this team successful.

Several of the following Yankees are overpaid veterans, others are under team control, and the last two are arbitration-eligible (somewhere in the middle).

The common denominator is that they are all immensely talented. 

They need to produce for the Yankees as much as the organization needs them to step up.

7. SP A.J. Burnett

I'll admit that it is wishful thinking to expect A.J. Burnett, a veteran of 13 MLB seasons, to commit himself over the offseason. After all, he has $33 million in guaranteed money coming his way over the next two seasons, and general manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that Burnett will be a starter.

Still, he has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball since the start of 2010. Everybody knows it, too.

Generally, it is human nature to defend one's self against criticism by addressing one's shortcomings and flaws.

If A.J. Burnett is like most of us, he'll work to correct his delivery, hence improving his pitch location. But does anybody really believe that he is completely sane?

6. RP Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano is arguably the Yankees' worst signing since their 2009 championship.

He missed nearly half of the 2011 season will elbow inflammation.

When healthy, he wasn't what the team had hoped for. Across the board, his numbers were mediocre, only less disappointing than those he posted in an injury-shortened 2004 campaign.

Rafael Soriano was acquired to be Mariano Rivera's primary setup man, yet he was convincingly out-pitched by David Robertson and consequently relegated to the seventh inning.

This offseason, he must condition himself better. His average fastball velocity was low in 2011, and another lengthy stint on the disabled list will not be tolerated.

Additionally, Rafael Soriano needs to refine his cut-fastball. He used it more than 20 percent of the time last season, but with limited success.

I don't care if he has to spend the holidays with Mariano Rivera's family! Soriano needs to re-discover how to pitch.

5. DH/C Jesus Montero

Jesus Montero's bat is his best asset, but evidently his only one from what he showed as a September call-up.

Despite a few too many strikeouts, he appears worthy of a place in New York's batting order.

However, the Yankees cannot use him like they did Jorge Posada in 2011.

Posada—a long-time catcher—hogged a valuable spot on the 25-man roster as the team's designated hitter, and never played an inning behind the plate.

Jesus Montero has never been praised for his defense, but the Yankees need him to catch well enough to occasionally spell Russell Martin.

The depth of the team's bench would be compromised if career backup Francisco Cervelli needs to be retained in addition to Martin and Montero.

Jesus Montero better spend some time squatting this winter if he wants to make it on the roster out of spring training.

4. SP Dellin Betances

Dellin Betances is definitely not assured a spot on the Yankees.

The monstrous right-hander made only two big league appearances last season. Aside from the zip on his fastball, nothing about those outings was particularly impressive.

Luckily for him, the Yankees remain one starter away from completing their rotation.

Dellin Betances will be considered a candidate to fill that void if he works to improve his curveball and introduces another off-speed pitch.

Also, that fiery fastball of his needs to stay low in the strike zone.

3. SS/3B Eduardo Nunez

Pictured here is perhaps the lone defensive play that Eduardo Nunez executed properly in 2011.

Nunez had a notable rookie season because of his offensive contributions, but his fielding is another story entirely.

He spared Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez amid their injuries, or at least he attempted to.

He committed 20 errors in fewer than 800 defensive innings! Both his glove-work and his throwing mechanics were responsible.

Eduardo Nunez is almost certain to be a Yankee throughout 2012.

However, his playing time will be largely dependent on how he fares in the field. The best way to improve is repetition, so I ask you, Eduardo, to do a little—or a lot—each day.

2. SP Phil Hughes

Phil Hughes regressed this past season after showing so much promise in 2010.

Hughes pitched less than half a season because of a mysterious "dead arm" condition that began affecting him in April.

He recovered to get his win-loss record back to .500, but his 5.79 earned run average is far more indicative of his performance.

Phil Hughes will earn a salary slightly north of $3 million in 2012. That would be a great value if he pitches to his potential as a No. 2 starter for the Yankees.

He must do everything possible to prepare for the upcoming season, because free agency looms for him in two years. The Yankees will have no reason to lock him up for the long term unless he pitches more consistently.

1. RP Joba Chamberlain

Joba Chamberlain will be busier than any Yankee this winter.

He pitched well in relief in 2011 before injuring his elbow. After midseason Tommy John surgery, he announced his intentions to be ready for Opening Day.

Traditionally, the operation sidelines a player for at least 12 months, so at first glance, Chamberlain's time-line seems unrealistic.

On the other hand, he explained that the recovery is considerably quicker for relievers than for starters because they don't have to be "stretched out."

The rehabilitation that follows Tommy John surgery can be monotonous and frustrating.

If Joba Chamberlain desires a full 2012 campaign, he will need to work his butt off.