Projected Position Players

[DoubleX]

If the season were to start today, I'm guessing the Yankees would carry the following 13 position players. What do you guys think of this team?

Catcher: Jorge Posada, Kelly Stinnett
First Base: Jason Giambi, Andy Phillips
Second Base: Robinson Cano
Shortstop: Derek Jeter
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez
Utility: Miguel Cairo
Outfield: Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams, Bubba Crosby

Here are some others that may have a chance (albeit slim):
Catcher: Wil Nieves, David Parrish
First Base: Eric Duncan
Shortstop: Caonabo Cosme
Utility: Felix Escalona
Outfield: Melky Cabrera, Kevin Reese, Kevin Thompson

[AVA8]

Defensively:

Infield should be fine, and I expect Cano's defense to improve this year. Jeter is solid and ARod could win a GG this year. With more time, Andy Phillips should do well at first, and he can always ask Donnie Baseball to show him how its done.

Outfield looks a bit shaky, to me. Sheff is getting older and looks to have lost a step in right. Matsui is only average defensively. Damon has no arm at all. The advancing of runners from 1st to 3rd on grounders up the middle, which was commonplace last 2 years with Bernie, should continue with Damon, something I don't enjoy. Ideally, I would prefer some younger, speedier guys in the starting OF with stronger arms, but Bubba off the bench to play LF or CF is a nice defensive replacement option in late innings.

Damon's speed in CF could help Matsui a bit in LF, since that part of Yankee Stadium is large.

Offensively:

Nasty as anything, even if Phillips doesn't hit at all and Georgie struggles.
Should be even more potent than last year.

[DoubleX]

Defensively:

Infield should be fine, and I expect Cano's defense to improve this year. Jeter is solid and ARod could win a GG this year. With more time, Andy Phillips should do well at first, and he can always ask Donnie Baseball to show him how its done.

Outfield looks a bit shaky, to me. Sheff is getting older and looks to have lost a step in right. Matsui is only average defensively. Damon has no arm at all. The advancing of runners from 1st to 3rd on grounders up the middle, which was commonplace last 2 years with Bernie, should continue with Damon, something I don't enjoy. Ideally, I would prefer some younger, speedier guys in the starting OF with stronger arms, but Bubba off the bench to play LF or CF is a nice defensive replacement option in late innings.

Damon's speed in CF could help Matsui a bit in LF, since that part of Yankee Stadium is large.

Offensively:

Nasty as anything, even if Phillips doesn't hit at all and Georgie struggles.
Should be even more potent than last year.

I pretty much agree with you all around. The word on Phillips is that he's pretty good with the glove (he used to be a 2Bman). I too think Cano should improve as he matures, as he has pretty good range and turns the double play really really well. So yeah, the infield should be better than it has been before Knoblauch developed his throwing problems, so that's probably '98.

The OF defense is a bit shaky, but it should get by, and at the very least, Damon should track more balls down that Bernie did, though Damon's arm doesn't offer anything new.

[AVA8]

I REALLY like the way Cano turns 2, with his pivot around the bag and his flips to Jeter. Very quick with his feet, smooth motion and soft hands.