2014 Yankees

I thought I would have a little fun and project the 2014 Yankees roster.  I'm sure it will be completely wrong, but let's see how I do anyway.  I would throw in the Mets as well but I don't know where they will be in their rebuilding stage and don't know about the financial situation that could have a tremendous impact on how they acquire players so I won't try as of yet.  Anyway, here are the 2014 New York Yankees:

C Austin Romine - The Yankees may or may not end up trading him.  Russell Martin is still younger than 30 right now but he has taken a lot of abuse behind the plate.  I could see Martin being kept as a backup who plays 60 games.

1B Mark Teixeira - He still has power and still plays an excellent first base. He is one of four Yankees signed through 2014 and he isn't going anywhere.

2B Robinson Cano - He is due for a huge pay raise and deservedly so.  He continues to get better every year but soon that won't be the case.  By 2014 we will see Robbie peak and then see a slow decline as most middle infielders do when they get over 30.

SS Eduardo Nunez - Derek Jeter will most likely be retired by this point.  If he isn't retired then he will not be the starting shortstop.  Nunez is thought highly of by Yankee brass and will probably get first crack at replacing the legend of Jeter.  I don't think he will perform terribly, giving the Yankees slightly below average defense but above average offense.  He can hit, he just needs consistent playing time.

3B Alex Rodriguez - He will be approaching 40 years-old at this point or will be 40.  He might be more of a DH at this point but don't expect the Yankees to go out and acquire a big name free agent.  They will replace in house.  It could be Brandon Laird splitting time with A-Rod or the Yankees using Nunez here and Hideki Nakajima at short.  Whatever they do, don't expect a big-name free agent.  Another darkhorse candidate would be Corban Joseph or David Adams.

LF Brett Gardner - Gardner has had his ups and downs.  However, he will still be relatively cheap and still offer the Yankees the best base-stealing threat along with Nunez.  There is no reason why the Yankees should get rid of Brett.

CF Curtis Granderson - Grandy will be starting to face some decline at this point.  His days in center will be numbered with Mason Williams knocking on the door at AAA at this point.  Granderson still holds some value, and can still hit for power and run.  By 2015 he will be the Yankees right or left fielder while Mason Williams takes center.

RF Zoilo Almonte - Almonte is one of the Yankees most overlooked prospects.  He has struggled at every level until he has adjusted and by 2014 he should start to be turning things around.  I don't see him becoming a superstar but something along the lines of Juan Rivera isn't much of a stretch.

DH Jesus Montero - When the big righty isn't DH'ing he will be catching.  He will be the big bat in the Yankees lineup at this point, hitting third or fourth.  Right now he is the Yankees #1 Prospect for the 3rd year in a row and by 2014 he should be on his second All-Star team.

SP C.C. Sabathia - Another one who is actually signed to a contract for the 2014 season, Sabathia isn't going anywhere.  He might start to decline, and given his physique, it will be interesting to see if it is rapid or gradual.  He should still be an ace pitcher at this point, however.

SP Phil Hughes - I am one of the believers in Phil Hughes.  There is a chance we have seen the best he had to offer in the first-half of 2010.  But, there is also a chance that the pitcher we saw at that point is really the pitcher he will become.  I am a believer that the best is yet to come.  If Phil can stay healthy, a big if most assuredly, he can be a top of the rotation starter.

SP Manny Banuelos - He will start to come into his own at this point, his second full season.  I believe Banuelos will be on his way to becoming the Yankee ace by 2014.

SP Ivan Nova - Nova enjoyed a lot of success last season and became the de facto number two starter.  I don't see him as a top of the rotation kind of guy, and I don't know if the Yankees do either.  Sure, he pitched well, but was it an aberration?  Either way, I think Nova could be a consistent 12-17 game winner at the back end of the rotation like Orlando Hernandez.

SP Hector Noesi - The Yankees are grooming him to be a starting pitcher and I think he beats out Adam Warren and David Phelps.  Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if any of these three were in the Yankee rotation by 2014.

RP David Robertson - There is no reason he would be going anywhere unless he suddenly loses his ability to get hitters out.  He might be in line for the closer's job along with Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances.

RP Joba Chamberlain - again, he could be the closer but I think he is better suited for a set-up role if he remains in the bullpen.  I wrote a post yesterday that I think he would be better off as a starter, a position I have held since 2007.

CP Dellin Betances - IF he can control his walks he has the stuff to be a dominant closer.  That is a big if, however.  I don't know if Betances will be able to stick in the rotation but he has the stuff to close out games.

All of this is pure speculation on my part, of course.  I don't see the Yankees going nuts for any free agents in the near future with the luxury tax hanging over their heads.  They could still be a playoff team with this roster.  I won't speculate on the bench positions or other bullpen arms because those are the most volatile positions in the game, changing everyday like a pair of underwear.  Going forward, the Yankees will invest more time and effort into scouting players and developing them themselves.  Having a few years of team control at affordable prices is the only way for the Yankees to keep away the luxury tax demon.  There is plenty of talent in their minor league system, with the exception of the outfield corners, to keep young talent infused on this roster for years to come.  Prospects that might begin playing a key role on the 2014 Yankees are as follows:  Dante Bichette, Jr., 3B/1B;  Gary Sanchez, C;  Slade Heathcott, OF;  Mason Williams, OF;  David Adams, 2B;  Corban Joseph, 2B; Ravel Santana, P;  J.R. Murphy, C/1B/OF;  Mark Montgomery, P;  Tommy Kahnle, P;  Graham Stoneburner, P;  Jermey Bleich, P;  Angelo Gumbs, SS;  Ben Gamel, OF.