Figuring out the mess that is the Yankees Offense

Finally got around to doing another blog post - it's been weeks, literally. Lotta stuff coming up personally and in finishing school, so my time is fairly limited, but glad to be back. Lots of Yankees news since then, particularly surrounding the offense. Let's recap:

• We've added some more injuries: Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter will begin the year on the disabled list, but Jeter's stint will be backdated so he should only miss about a week.
• We've removed some competition: Matt Diaz has been released, and minor leaguer Zoilo Almonte has been sent down. 
• We've added some competition: Rivera likely becomes the everyday first baseman (ugh), which adds more OF competition: Brennan Boesch has been signed, Vernon Wells has been traded for, and Lyle Overbay and Ben Francisco have also been signed. 

So, the one positive is that the pitching staff is intact. Even with Hughes being on DL for his first start, Nova/Phelps will be fine. Clay Rapada will likely start on the DL, but ST sensation Vidal Nuno has all options remaining and profiles as a lefty bullpen guy in the MLB, so for a few weeks, lets see what he has. Figure trade acquistion Shawn Kelley or Cody Eppley will fill in for the other bullpen spot temporarily, but the top of the rotation and the back of the bullpen are all good to go, so let's try and figure out what's gonna happen with the offense.

Who's not in jeopardy:

• CF Brett Gardner
• RF Ichiro Suzuki
• 2B Robinson Cano
• 3B/1B Kevin Youkilis

We know they'll be in the lineup everyday. The question is, how do we fill out the rest of the team?

• Catcher: It's 95% likely it's Stewvelli. Now, if Ramon Hernandez becomes available, I would dump Stewart in a heartbeat for him.  But, unfortunately, the Yankees are comfortable with this: let's pray Austin Romine crushes AAA pitching and gets a summer call-up.
• Corner IF: I expand this because I want to include Ronnie Mustelier. The Mustelier fan club includes this guy right here; I love the fact that he has raked at each level in the minors and in ST. But, Juan Rivera has hit as well, and we know the Yankees: they're going with the veteran...always. Dan Johnson is a non-factor with a .063 average. I also doubt Lyle Overbay will make the team, too. Offensively, they'll be better with Mustelier at 3B and Youk at 1B, but is that going to happen? Not likely. I expect Rivera here.
• IF: The Jeter DL stint just flat out sucks. Now, Jayson Nix will make the team, but once Jeter comes back, what do the Yanks do? Send Nunez down? Cut Nix? Tough, but Nix makes the team for now.
• Outfield: Ugh. Well, Gardner and Ichiro are set, so who makes the cut? I don't see how its not Boesch and Wells, right? Mesa hasn't hit a lick at the plate. Thomas Neal should function as AAA depth, but Ben Francisco has had a good spring. Let's hope he'll stay on that minor league deal.
• DH: Pronk's due to get hurt anyway, but if he doesn't hit, I'm going to Boesch every day.

FINAL ROSTER PREDICTIONS by Opening Day

C: Cervelli, Stewart

IF: Cano, Youkilis, Nunez, Nix, Rivera

OF: Wells, Gardner, Boesch, Suzuki

DH: Hafner

SP: Sabathia, Kuroda, Pettitte, Nova, Phelps

RP: Rivera, Robertson, Joba, Aardsma, Logan, Nuno, Kelley