Bombers in the Bronx

New York Yankees 2007 Record: 94-68 (2nd in AL East)
2008 Prediction: 2nd in AL East

In

• LaTroy Hawkins (COL) - signed to a 1 year, $3.75 million contract - 12/27/07
• Andy Pettitte (NYY) - signed to a 1 year, $16 million contract - 12/12/07
• Alex Rodriguez (NYY) - signed to a 10 year, $275 million contract - 12/13/07
• Jason Lane (SD) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/10/08
• Jorge Posada (NYY) - signed to a 4 year, $52.4 million contract - 11/29/07
• Mariano Rivera (NYY) - signed to a 3 year, $45 million contract - 12/17/07
• Jose Molina (NYY) - signed to a 2 year, $4 million contract - 12/5/07
• Joe Giradi (MGR) - signed to a 3 year, $7.8 million contract - 11/1/07
• Bobby Abreu (NYY) - 2008 $16 million club option was exercised - 11/2/07
• Morgan Ensberg (SD) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/31/08
  

Out

• Luis Vizacino (COL) - signed to a 2 year, $7.5 million contract with mutual option for 2010 - 12/21/07
• Tyler Clippard (WAS) - traded for Jonathan Albaladejo - 12/5/07
• Doug Mientkiewicz (PIT) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/11/08

Remaining Free Agents

• Roger Clemens

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Jorge Posada
1B - Shelly Duncan/Wilson Betemit/Morgan Ensberg
2B - Robinson Cano
3B - Alex Rodriguez
SS - Derek Jeter
LF - Hideki Matsui/Johnny Damon
CF - Melky Cabrera
RF - Bobby Abreu
DH - Jason Giambi/Hideki Matsui/Johnny Damon

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Chien-Ming Wang
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Joba Chamberlain/Mike Mussina

Projected Opening Day Closer
Mariano Rivera

Improvements: The Yankees didn't bring in very many new faces this offseason, other than Girardi of course. They did bring in LaTroy Hawkins to provide some veteran stability in the bullpen. But that's about it. They are still talking to the Twins about Santana, but their interest seems to be waning back and forth.
Lack of improvement: As poor as the Yankees' brass makes the team out to be, there really aren't any major holes to fill in the Yanks' lineup. First base may be somewhat of a weak point for the bombers, with Shelly Duncan and Wilson Betemit slated to get most of the playing time at first, and Giambi possibly getting the occasional start. But all-in-all, there really aren't any pressing needs for the Bombers.
Keys to success:The success of the Yankees is going to start with Girardi. He will certainly have his hands full with this group of egos and personalities, and has a lot of pressure heading into 2008. But he has the mentality and makeup to be a Major League manager, and learned all he knows from Torre. Having been teammates with five of his current players (Posada, Pettitte, Rivera, Farnsworth and Jeter), and having been a member of the Yankees for a total of 5 seasons with the Yanks (4 as a player, 1 as a coach), Girardi will not be in unfamiliar territory, and should have an easy transition as the new Yanks manager. Young phenom Joba Chamberlain has a lot of pressure on him, as he is being expected to flourish in his first full major league season. And as of yet, his role is still undetermined. There are reports that he will start the season in the Yanks' rotation, but may end up in the bullpen, where he dominated hitters last season.